ISLAMABAD: All over the world, students consider science as the most prestigious and important profession, but in Pakistan the youth prefer to become doctors or engineers. Such a trend is not in the best interest of the nation because scientists contribute more to the development of a country.

This was stated by Chairman Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF), Prof Dr Mohammad Ashraf, while briefing members of the Senate standing committee on science and technology on Monday.

“Even in India, the first preference of a large number of students is to become a scientist followed by doctor or engineer. We have been taking steps to encourage the students to become scientists,” he said.

It may be mentioned that in 2015, the PSF started a programme, “Science talent farming scheme” and selected 300 students from all over the country to encourage them to become scientists.

The students of the secondary level were selected on a quota basis through the National Testing Service (NTS) and only those students who obtained 60pc marks in their science subjects were allowed to participate in the test.

The students are getting Rs10,000 per month in their schools and will continue getting the scholarship till they obtain PhD degrees. Moreover, every year, 300 more students will be selected through the NTS.

Dr Ashraf said the programme was started to attract the youth towards the science subjects.

“Though at the moment the students are studying in different schools, we are considering establishing a separate institute for them where they would be provided quality education,” he said.

As many as 11 sites, including in Taxila, Nelore, Bulkasar etc., are being considered for the establishment of the institute, he said.

However, the chairman of the committee, Osman Saifullah Khan, suggested that instead of setting up a new institute, the foundation should identify talented students of different institutes and continue supporting them in their studies.

Secretary Science and Technology Fazal Abbas Maken said public sector institutions, especially schools, lacked laboratories and science equipment due to which more students from the private sector were electing science subjects.

“The idea was to open a school, starting from 9th class, where students would be taught science subjects. The students would be supported till they complete PhD,” he said.

Senator Azam Khan Swati said though the idea was good, such ideas hardly worked in the public sector.

“There was an institute in Karachi established on funds provided by Japan, but I was shocked to see its condition when I visited it.”

However, Minister for Science and Technology Rana Tanveer Hussain said the institute should be established because Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal was taking a keen interest in the promotion of science.

Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2016