ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) along with UNESCO commemorated World Science Day at the Pakistan Museum of Natural History in Islamabad.
Under this year’s theme, “Museums and Science Centres as Source of Informal Education”, the PSF aimed to educate and encourage students towards scientific education and research.
Officials and representatives of the Science and Technology Ministry, PSF, UNESCO, British Council Pakistan, the French Embassy and representatives from academic and research institutions in Pakistan attended the event.
Fazal Abbas Maken, federal secretary for the Ministry of Science and Technology, was the chief guest while scientist Dr Ishfaq Ahmed was the guest of honour.
In his remarks, the secretary highlighted the importance of science and technology and said that the objective of the day was to renew the national as well as the international commitment to using science and technology for national development and achieving peace.
He underlined the importance of the theme of WSD-2016, mentioning that the application of scientific knowledge has helped to find solutions to today’s acute economic, social and environmental challenges. He also stressed on the importance of promoting museum culture.
While congratulating UNESCO and PSF for organising such an important event as well as praising the prize-winning students, he remarked that in the present age, “International scientific cooperation is essential, so we should initiate joint programs from international platforms, in which UNESCO can play a vital role.”
UNESCO Representative to Pakistan, Vibeke Jensen, highlighted that Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) is crucial for inclusive and sustainable development.
Dr Ishfaq highlighted the efforts towards declaring World Science Day by UNESCO, adding that since 2001 the day is being celebrated across the world. He said the PSF and UNESCO had celebrated this day in a befitting manner, by acknowledging the contributions of people in the peaceful use of science and technology.
Prof Dr Muhammad Ashraf, chairman PSF, addressed the role of museums and science centres in the promotion of informal education. He mentioned that the PSF is striving to educate young children on the application of scientific concepts by establishing such institutions. PSF is the only government organisation working for the dissemination of scientific knowledge in rural areas, he said, adding that for this purpose, PSF operates science caravans which are equipped with basic scientific gadgets.
Dr Ashraf thanked UNESCO and the French Embassy for their continuous support of the PSF towards the execution of different science promotion programmes and vowed to extend further cooperation to all stakeholders for the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Representatives of the British Council and the French Embassy also spoke on this occasion.
At the end of the event, gold medals, certificates and cash prizes were distributed among the winning students of the Inter-Board Competitions and participants of the London International Young Scientists Forum 2016 and the Asian Science Camp-2016.
