ISLAMABAD, Oct 16: The science and technology minister, Prof (Dr) Attaur Rehman, on Wednesday underlined the need for a strong framework to promote science and technology in the Islamic world to meet international market demands.

He was speaking at the 12th Islamic Academy of Sciences Conference (IAS) on “Materials Science & Technology and Culture of Science”. The event was jointly organized by Pakistan Academy of Sciences and Islamic Academy of Sciences.

The minister said it was a deplorable fact that the Islamic countries had the lowest rating in terms of science and technology achievements, unlike the West.

He said the progress in the Islamic world was possible only by strengthening the universities, research programmes and development organizations. The Pakistan government, he said, had initiated several science and technology activities in the country to promote this basic field.

He said the Pakistan Academy of Science and Technology had been contributing to national scientific planning and policy development. The academy, he added, was also interacting with international experts and academies to promote science and technology in the country.

Mr Ata said it was a challenge for the policy-makers of the Islamic countries to create the environment of science and technology for the promotion of technological innovation in the Muslim world.

He said research and development activities must be prioritized by the Islamic countries to meet the challenges of modern age. He hoped that IAS Conference would provide a unique opportunity to the Muslim countries to share and exchange views on scientific strategies to ensure economic prosperity.

The minister said due to government’s strong policies on science and technology, the country had achieved a landmark success in this vital sector.

He said Virtual University was one of the major achievements of the government and it had been imparting IT education to the students through television.

The Virtual University, which started classes with the strength of 1,000 students, has planned to increase the number to 5,000 by early next year.

Mr Ata said the government was also focusing on E-Commerce, E-Government, and medical and legal transcriptions, to promote these fields.

He said software technology parks had also been established in different cities to increase the interest of the people in IT. The services of professionals are being hired to train the people in training centres and colleges, he said.

The minister said owing to measures adopted by the government, the internet network had been expanded from 29 cities to 850 cities, covering almost 98 per cent area of the country.

The budget for science and technology has touched Rs.07 billion mark from Rs120 million two years ago, he said.

He hoped that the conference would develop strategies of scientific corporation among Islamic countries. — APP