KARACHI, Jan 16: The first international symposium and workshop-cum-training course on ‘Molecular Medicine and Drug Research’ was inaugurated at the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences, the University of Karachi, on Tuesday.

The course would be carried out by the Dr Pinjawani Centre for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research in collaboration with the Organisation of Islamic Conference Standing Comm-ittee on Scientific and Techno-logical Cooperation.

The first session of the symposium would be held at the chemical and biological sciences centre from January 17 to 19 while the second session would be held in Islamabad from January 20 to 30.

The inaugural session formally began with the Prof (Dr) Anwar Waqar’s welcome address. He said 300 participants, including 50 foreigners belonging to the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Iran, Iraq, India, Germany, Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey and Sri Lanka, would take part in the training programme.

The co-director of molecular centre, Dr M. Iqbal Choudhary outlined the brief history of the institute and its aims.

He also highlighted the benefits of studying diseases and medicines on molecular level.

Dr Choudhary said the research on diseases at molecular scale had proven to be vital in understanding the causes and discovering cures for diseases.

The co-chairman of the centre, Prof (Dr) Joachim W. Herzig shared his experience of working in Pakistan and his association with the institute.

The chief guest of the event, who insisted on being called the chief host, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Karachi, Dr Pirzada Qasim, spoke next.

Dr Pirzada said there were almost 21,000 students enrolled in 58 departments as well as 12 research centres of the university.

The universality would continue to support such projects in order to promote science and technology in the country, he said while referring to the molecular medicine training workshop.

The vote of thanks was given by Dr Syed Ghulam Musharraf of the molecular centre.

Dr Nadra Pinjawani, the very person who funded the centre, was also present on the occasion.