ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Academy of Sciences (PAS) has envisaged an idea toimplement a project titled “science diplomacy” to create close liaisonbetween different countries through holding joint science endeavours andactivities.“The project has been designed by the academy in collaboration withMinistry of Foreign Affairs to build strong relations between Pakistan andother countries through science and research-oriented activities”, President PAS, Professor Dr M Qasim Jan disclosed this during an interviewwith APP here.The PC-I for the project of science diplomacy costing Rs180 million hasbeen sent to the Planning Commission for approval. The project has beendesigned with the guidance of Chairman Prime Minister’s Task Force onScience and Technology, Dr Atta-ur-Rahman.He said Dr Atta-ur-Rahman has also agreed to provide funds for this projectconsidering its importance in the present era when no progress can be madewithout scientific intervention and development, he said.Dr Qasim Jan, who is also serving as an adviser of OIC Standing Committeeon Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), said the mainobjective behind executing this project is to promote collaborativeresearch between Pakistan and other countries as well as exchangingscientists and scientific facilities like laboratories and equipment etc.He said the researchers and scientists will act as ambassadors under thisproject who will play vital role for promoting soft image of the country atinternational level through arranging delegations exchange visits and jointresearch activities.The way politicians use the medium of political diplomacy to project betterimage of the country, scientists under the term of science diplomacy willcreate close coordination with their counterparts in other countries,promoting better image of the country, he observed.For this project, Dr Qasim Jan said that the academy has initially selectedfive to six science institutions aboard including Chinese Academy ofSciences and others in Austria, Belarus etc.PAS will engage its fellows (scientists/researchers) for scientificdiplomacy at different international forums.Dr Qasim Jan said Sri Lankan Cricket team safe visit to Pakistan conveyed astrong message to the world that Pakistan is not all about extremism whatinternational media projects but it is all about peace and love.British Royal’s couple successful visit to Pakistan was one of the finestdiplomacy at government level and such event has boosted the morals offoreign scientists also to visit the country.He said the project of science diplomacy will be a unique initiative whichwill create bond between local and foreign researchers and scientists whowill also get a chance of learning from each others experiences.
In a unique initiative, Pakistan to launch Science Diplomacy Project across the World
