July 09, 2006	Sunday	Jumadi-ul-Sani 12, 1427

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NATHIAGALI, July 8: Meaningful exchange of ideas among the scientists and international collaboration are vital for the development of science and technology (S&T) in the country.

This was stated by Nathiagali Summer Colleges Director Dr Riazuddin, while speaking at the concluding session of 31st International Nathiagali Summer College on Physics and Contemporary Needs here on Saturday. The event was organised by Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission and National Centre for Physics.

Quoting the vision of Dr Abdus Salam, who started holding these colleges in 1976, Dr Riazuddin said: “Scientific knowledge is shared heritage of all mankind. East and west, south and north have all equally participated in its creation. And we hope they will do so jointly in future.”

This joint endeavour in science is one of unifying forces among the diverse people of this globe, he said, adding that science could not flourish in isolation and scientists had to work in an international environment. He said knowledge was exploding each moment and we must tailor our education system to cope with its ever-expanding frontiers.

PAEC Member Sciences Dr Ansar Pervez informed the participants that the commission was undertaking research and development work in high-tech and new disciplines of science and technology for its application to national socio-economic development.

The commission is carrying out collaborative programmes with international scientific organisations and is now expanding this international cooperation for the mutual benefit of the commission and respective world bodies, he said.

Dr Ansar said the commission was opening research facilities at Pinstech and Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences for materialising the quality and higher research output for this purpose.

At the two-week workshop, 55 lectures were delivered by 27 international speakers to 145 participants dawn from national and international organisations.

Stanford University professor John Arthur said scientific work was universal and complex at the same time and so were human relations, adding that the college was an excellent opportunity for people belonging to diverse cultures to share knowledge and establish personal contacts.

The executive secretary of the college, Dr Asif Salahuddin, said the college activities were organised regularly despite difficult circumstances. He said over 525 eminent scientists of the world, including six Nobel Laureates, have shared knowledge at the forum with over 900 scientists from 72 countries.