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Grant for S&T development programme raised to Rs2.6bn
THE budgetary allocation for the Ministry of Science and Technology has increased from Rs130 million to Rs2.6 billion under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) in the last few years, sources told Dawn.
This phenomenal increase in the budgetary allocations of the ministry is due to a number of projects it had started for the overall development of science and technology sector in the country, the sources said.
For human resource development, the ministry initiated five projects of PhDs/post-doctoral studies for 750 scholars at a total cost of Rs2,127.63 million and two projects for training of scientists and technologists/ technicians at a cost of Rs67.47 million.
In reference to the upgradation and strengthening of research and development infrastructure as many as 36 projects were started at a total cost of Rs2,489.17 million. The financial assistance was provided to universities, science and technology/research and development organizations throughout the country for their infrastructural as well as human resource development.
Under the programme of technology development and industrialization, 24 projects were initiated at a total cost of Rs3,316.36 million under which the ministry was trying to develop a direct linkage between universities and the industrial sector.
For strengthening of policy, coordination and management structure, five projects were activated with a total cost of Rs140.41 million. Major area of thrust under this programme was streamlining of policy guidelines for uniform development of all major areas of science and technology.
As many as 21 joint projects were started under Science and Technology for Economic Development (STED) programme at a total cost of Rs382.74 million which were initiated between research institutions and industry for technology-based production of value-added goods.
For research and development programmes in priority areas such as biotechnology, nano-technology and advanced materials etc, 15 projects were inaugurated at a total cost of Rs561.43 million.
Computer labs in govt schools
The Punjab information technology department has finalized a project to set up computer laboratories in all government schools in the province.
This was stated by the provincial Information Technology Minister Abdul Aleem Khan at the annual prize distribution ceremony of Comsats Institute of Information Technology.
He said the project would be launched from Lahore in the next financial year.
He said that the project was being launched to enable the poor students to study IT at the government expenses.
He expressed that the IT department had sought sufficient budget to set up laboratories in government schools.
He stated that the IT department would also implement another project “Motor Transport MIS System” during the next financial year. Every vehicle would be issued trackable computerized number plate through a government nominated private agency. The computerized number plate would carry complete record of the vehicle.
He explained that this project also included provision of infrastructure to electronically connect all the 34 districts in the province for development and maintenance of office record of vehicle registration and tax.
Mr Khan said the IT department would also link all districts and provincial government departments with their administrative departments.
The minister said the IT department was also planning to publish a list of all the recognized and registered IT institutes so that students could know the institutes’ status before admission.
Earlier, institute rector Dr Junaid Zaidi and project director Shaukat Hayat said the institute was offering free IT, engineering and management education to its one third students.
The minister also distributed prizes among the position holders.
Canadians keen to invest in IT
A group of Canadian businessmen currently visiting Pakistan has expressed their keen interest in investing in the telecom and information technology sectors in the country.
“We are encouraged by the liberal investor-friendly policies introduced by the government,” Stewart Hall, President of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told IT secretary Khalid Saeed.
Mr Hall, who was accompanied by Shariq Qureshi, Vice- President Strategic, and Shameem Qureshi, President Milcon Gulf Group, commended the recent strides made by Pakistan in the telecom sector which reflected the confidence of the investors in the potential of the market. — Sci-tech World Report
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