KARACHI, Oct 29: The 11th international symposium on Natural Product Chemistry commenced at the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), Karachi of University, on Wednesday.

About 500 scientists and researchers from 35 countries are attending the four-day symposium which is organized by the ICCBS after every two years since 1984.

Inaugurating the symposium, KU Vice-Chancellor Prof Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui highlighted the significance of such events for the dissemination and exchange of knowledge and expertise.

He also lauded the contributions of Prof Atta-ur-Rehman (guest of honour at the symposium) in the realm of education, especially in the field of Science and Technology and research.

Prof Atta-ur-Rehman, Coordinator-General of Comstech and former Higher Education Commission chairman stressed that youths, who were assets of the nation, must fully benefit from the facilities that had been made available to them for the acquisition of knowledge.

ICCBS Director Dr Iqbal Chaudhry presented the welcome address.

The symposium brings together leading experts in the field of Natural Products Sciences from around the world and will discuss formation of a global partnership for sustainable utilization of natural resources for the benefit of humanity and rapid development of the countries in the south.—APP