ISLAMABAD: An expo on sustainable development and environment conservation was held in the Pak-China Friendship Centre on Tuesday.

The expo was hosted by the Ministry of Climate Change, various NGOs and the Young Parliamentarian’s Forum of the National Assembly.

Students of various universities exhibited solutions for sustainable development and conserving the environment such as how to clean dirty water in order to make it suitable for drinking and conserving energy in order to address the environmental concerns in Pakistan.

Students with the best ideas will win internships with local and international NGOs.

An MPhil student at the National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faisalabad, Haseebur Rehman, presented a solution for cleaning water contaminated with industrial discharge.

“In my model, water is treated using bacteria and various species of grass. The bacteria break up oil discharged in lakes and ponds, allowing grass to completely absorb the contaminants, thus cleaning the water. It also does away with stench,” Mr Rehman said, adding that the model was already being implemented with success.

An electrical engineering student from the International Islamic University Islamabad, Fahad Khan said he had invented a digital inverter device allowing users to direct excess electricity into the national grid in just Rs15,000 compared to the present analogue system which costs the government Rs500,000.

“We are the first ones to do this in Pakistan,” Mr Khan said.

Out of more than 170 projects, 72 were selected for exhibition and organisers of the event said the expo will allow students to come into direct contact with the industry, which can fund their projects.

“Students may also get job opportunities and companies will have the opportunity to showcase their strategies on sustainable development to make the environment peaceful and healthy,” said one organiser.

Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change Romina Khurshid Alam explained that the expo was inspired after a few students approached her with their ideas on the conservation of the environment.

“Their concepts were so impressive that we thought we should hold an event where all the students who have ideas on conserving the environment can share them with all stakeholders,” Ms Alam said.

She said sponsors were sought so that students did not have to pay for anything and that her office is also working with sponsors to fund scholarships for bright students.

Prizes were given to students with the most innovative ideas.

Published in Dawn, April 25th, 2018