Linking science, academia, and industry key to Pakistan’s progress: Experts

Islamabad:Science in Pakistan cannot thrive without a strong linkage between scientists, academia, and industry, Prof. Shahzad Ali Khan, vice chancellor of Health Services Academy (HSA) said on Sunday, urging scientists and researchers to come up with research that is beneficial for humanity but also has some economic potential for the industry and investors.

Addressing the ANSO-PAS Conference 2024 as its chief guest, which was organised by the Pakistan Academy of Sciences (PAS) in collaboration with national and international organisations, Prof. Khan highlighted that Pakistani scientists, among the best in the world, often serve abroad due to the lack of financial support and infrastructure at home.

The ANSO-PAS Conference 2024 under the theme “Understanding and Mitigating the Threat of Emerging Pathogens: Opportunities and Challenges” was organized in collaboration with the Alliance of International Science Organizations (ANSO) and it was supported by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Quaid-i-Azam University.

The conference brought together leading scientists, researchers, and policymakers to address pressing global health concerns. The HSA vice chancellor called for collaborative efforts to establish research labs that not only benefit humanity but also hold economic value for industrial investors.

Prof. Khan lamented that Pakistan lags 100 years behind the modern world in science, despite its intellectual potential, due to policymakers’ neglect and their failure to embrace a knowledge-based economy.

“In the past, scientists in Eastern Europe and Germany made groundbreaking discoveries to serve humanity, driven by intellectual pursuit. Today, financial support for research comes predominantly from large corporations aiming for profits,” he explained.

Prof. Khan urged students to remain optimistic, emphasising that nations facing similar challenges have risen to become scientific and economic powerhouses. “Our youth can lead Pakistan to prosperity through resilience and hard work,” he added.

Prof. Shahid Baig, another key speaker, stressed the diminishing funding resources for scientists in Pakistan and urged them to seek international collaborations to conduct impactful research.

He pointed to the innovative solutions developed by Pakistani researchers during the COVID-19 pandemic, including local diagnostic kits, as evidence of their potential to address national challenges. “Pakistan remains a land of opportunities for scientists, and we need them to stay and contribute to our nation’s progress,” he said. Chairman of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences, Prof. Muhammad Ali, expressed hope that the conference’s recommendations would be heeded by authorities.

He called for robust government support for science and technology to enable Pakistan’s transition to a knowledge-based economy. “Without tangible action from policymakers, these conferences will have little impact,” he cautioned.

The ANSO-PAS Conference 2024 served as a platform for interdisciplinary collaboration, focusing on understanding pathogen transmission from wildlife to humans, developing effective surveillance systems, and promoting knowledge sharing among researchers, policymakers, and public health officials.

By fostering partnerships between science and industry, the conference aimed to enhance Pakistan’s capacity to tackle emerging health threats and contribute to global scientific advancements.

ANSO, founded in 2018 by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and other international science and education institutions, is a non-profit, non-governmental international scientific organization.

It implements initiatives in science, technology, innovation, and capacity building with member countries and partners, promoting shared development and advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The success of the conference underscored the importance of integrating scientific research with industrial support to address contemporary challenges, particularly in public health. It also highlighted the potential of Pakistani scientists to make significant contributions, provided they receive the necessary support and opportunities within their homeland.