KARACHI, April 24: Minister In-charge Science and Technology Dr Attaur Rahman has said that the government is preparing a national action plan for development with a prime focus on maximum use of science and technology.

He was speaking as chief guest at the 16th convocation of Pakistan Navy Engineering College (PNEC) on Saturday.

Dr Attaur Rahman said that Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali had tasked him to prepare a vision plan for development based on the use of science and technology. He claimed that he had started work in that direction and a comprehensive document would be placed before the cabinet within two months.

He spoke about different programmes launched by the government during the last couple of years in the fields of higher education, science and technology, which would ultimately lead the country towards economic stability.

Through the promotion of science and technology, he said, the government was aiming to alleviate poverty and move towards economic prosperity, besides other advantages. He stressed the need to utilize the available resources and manpower in the country at its maximum.

About different measures taken by the Higher Education Commission, Dr Attaur Rahman said that efforts were still continued to increase the number of researches, improve the quality of faculty, revise curricula and examination system and enhance the infrastructures at the varsities and institutes of higher learning in the country.

At the convocation, a total of 71 graduates in the disciplines of mechanical, electronics and electrical engineering were awarded bachelor degrees by the rector of National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Lt Gen (retd) Syed Shujaat Hussain.

Eight gold medals and two silver medals were awarded to seven graduates. The recipients of medals were:

President Gold Medal: Amir Aleem Hashmi (His father received the medal), Syed Ali Saadoun Shah Banoori, Muhammad Yasir Amir Khan Niazi and S/Lt Waqas Shahnawaz.

Rector Gold Medal: Irfan Nawaz, Muhammad Yasir Amir Khan Niazi and S/Lt Muhammad Ali.

CNS Gold Medal: S/Lt Waqas Shahnawaz.

CNS Silver Medal: S/Lt Muhammad Imran Aziz and S/Lt Muhammad Ali.

Lt Gen (retd) Shujaat Hussain highlighted the efforts of his university made for the promotion and strengthening of the scientific and technological infrastructure development. He said that the NUST was a progressive and innovative institution with an avowed aim of evolving into a modern centre of excellence for education and research in engineering, information technology, medical and management science.

He said that the government had approved Rs3.5 million for NUST programmes spread over seven years. He said that the NUST had set up a corporate advisory council comprising representatives from industry and business organizations for improving the quality of teaching and research, and to generate additional funds and stronger industrial linkages.

The Pakistan Navy Engineering College commandant, Commodore Muhammad Saeed Kureshi, said that his college was actively involved in research and development activities. He said that the college was ISO-certified educational institution, which offered different degree programmes in engineering for service and civilian students.