ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain has recently underlined the need to change the traditional mode of thinking and adopt a creative and innovative approach towards science in order to come at par with developed countries.
He said this while addressing the Inaugural Ceremony of 41st International Nathiagali Summer College on Physics and Contemporary Needs on Monday. Lt. General Mazhar Jamil, Director General, Strategic Plans Division; Muhammad Naeem, Chairman Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) and other high officials were also present at the occasion. The President appreciated the presence of a large number of institutions, affiliated with education and research, at the event. He stated that the ongoing efforts of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) in the last four decades, with regard to the development of science and technology in the country through Nathiagali Summer College, are highly commendable.
Hussain emphasised that the required measures should be immediately taken to change the curriculum in order to attain scientific progress. He also said that if such measures are adopted, country’s industrial products will also be promoted internationally. It was also said that PAEC and similar institutions should also present viable recommendations to the Government in the light of their experiences so that children can be encouraged to pursue an education in these disciplines.
In the past, many nations have excelled in the fields of industry, trade, defence and economy on the basis of gaining prominence in science, technology and creative thinking. He believed that Pakistan should also follow in their footsteps. “In this respect, private and government educational institutions need to pay attention toward the field of science”, he remarked.
The President noted, “our youngsters are intelligent and talented but there is a need to guide them in the right direction adding that if they are imparted proper training then they can play a distinctive role in the development of the country.” Hussain said that it is the country’s responsibility to revitalise its academic and research institutions to inculcate scientific thinking in the upcoming generation and provide them with all required resources and facilities to enable them to pursue research activities. He assured that the Government will provide all the required resources for the promotion of research activities in scientific and technological research.
The need to further improve the condition of the existing libraries in Pakistan was also stressed. The President added that new libraries should also be established while the existing ones should be linked to the eminent libraries of the world through modern communication systems. These affiliations would help young scientists and researchers to access the sources of information and knowledge across the world. For this purpose, he also noted that steps should be taken to regularly publish the highest quality research journals.
It was also noted that even though many youngsters are often able to generate new and useful research ideas, they are unable to introduce these inventions at industrial level due to financial limitations and lack of opportunities. “If we can establish strong linkages between our academic and scientific institutions with the industrial sector then we make further progress in the scientific field”, he stated.
President Hussain said that the Summer College and other such research institutions should all come forward and present suggestions to the government and educational institutions so that the country can be put on the path to progress.
