A Fortnight of Foresight Observed at the COMSTECH

COMSTECH Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Centre for Policy Research and Training organized a course on “Foresight” in Islamabad, Pakistan from June 29 to July 10, 2009 to enable STI policy makers and researchers envisage what future may have in store for the OIC member states. It was delivered by five experts in Future Studies and Foresight.

Sohail Inayatullah, Professor at the Graduate Institute of Future Studies, Tamkang University (Taiwan), Ian Miles, Professor at the Manchester Business School, the University of Manchester (UK), Ozcan Saritas, Assistant Professor at the Manchester Business School, the University of Manchester (UK), Amer Qureshi, Managing Director, Capstone (Consulting, Training, and Outsourcing Firm) based in Dubai (UAE). Dr. STK Naim, Consultant at COMSTECH directed the course.

The participants represented two continents (Africa and Asia), four regions (Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa) and eight OIC countries (Egypt, Gambia, Iran, Jordan, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sudan).

The training sessions also included practical exercises for participants on scoping and scenario building. The participants showed a high degree of interest in the practice of foresight. They appreciated socio-economic, political, cultural and technological challenges facing OIC member states and the need to conduct foresight in the said areas of national development of their countries.

Two weeks of courses, lectures and interactive sessions envisaged the possible future for the OIC region. The training session successfully covered all aspects of the foresight and covering its theory and practice. It is expected that the training imparted by COMSTECH would prove to be solid base for the participants to undertake such exercises in foresight in their respective countries.

Reported by: Ameen Amjad for Monthly COMSTECH News

Saudi ambassador in Pakistan assures Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Support to COMSTECH

Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia H.E. Abdul Aziz Bin Ibrahim Al‑Ghadeer visited the secretariat of the OIC Standing Committee for Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) where he addressed a gathering of diplomats, science professionals and media persons. He presented a cheque of US $100,000/- to the COMSTECH for strengthening science and technology in the Islamic world.

In his address to the august gathering on the occasion, the ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expressed the dedication of the Saudi government for supporting science and technology activities in the Ummah and reassured his country’s support to COMSTECH in developing science and technology for socio-economic advancement of the Ummah.

“We have always supported science and technology development in the Islamic world through COMSTECH and I re-assure my support for continuation of my country’s commitment to this cause.” the ambassador said during the ceremony attended by diplomats, science professionals and media persons.

Muhammad Ali Mahesar, Assistant Coordinator General of COMSTECH expressed his deep gratitude to the ambassador for his commitment for supporting science and technology in the OIC region. He thanked the ambassador for visiting COMSTECH and lauded the role of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Saudi embassy in Islamabad for active support to COMSTECH.

Reported by: Ameen Amjad for newspapers and newsletters

OIC Scientific Community Appreciates VISB Launch by COMSTECH

Launch of the Virtual Incubator for Science-based Businesses (VISB), a COMSTECH Initiative for the public and private science and technology companies, entrepreneurships has widely been appreciated by the scientific community of the of the OIC member states.

The VISB forum facilitates exchanging of endogenously developed technologies on mutually agreed terms and conditions within the OIC region. The forum also helps acquiring such technologies from the state-run or private industry. VISB launched was widely reported by the newspapers which drew attention of the related professionals.

In their letters and emails scientists, technologists, patent owners and established industrialists lauded the COMSTECH initiative which they termed vital for industrial self-reliance for the OIC nations.

“I would like to thank you for your great efforts in sending us information about research in development.” Says Dr Adnan Enshassi, Professor of Construction Engineering and Management, Gaza Strip (Palestine) in his email sent to the COMSTECH through VISB website.

“I really appreciate for updating and providing us with the valuable information”, said Dr. Prof. Hanan I. Malkawi, Director of Foreign Projects Management Unit, Yarmouk University, Jordan.

“Thank you for the wonderful work you are doing. The website is fantastic and has heaps of information and influence”, Engineer Umar Bindir, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Federal Republic of Nigeria, said in his message.

Dr. Adel Zakaria, Prof. of Occupational Hygiene, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt said in his message’ “Thank you for the brilliant idea and sincere effort. May come true the dream of the positive interaction between the scientific research and industry. It is very good initiative that researchers in Islamic World are united on one front to serve their communities. I am honored to participate in this network of respected researchers in the Islamic world.”

“Congratulations on the launching of the Virtual Incubator for Science-based Business (VISB), for development in the OIC region. This is very useful idea”, says Moneef R. Zoubi Director General of the Jordan-based Islamic World Academy of Sciences.

“It is really a pleasure to know about your new initiative regarding the VISB; this will make a big change in the region”, expressed Yasser Tawfik, Project Manager at the Arab Science and Technology Foundation, Sharjah, UAE.
Similar feelings were conveyed by a great number of professionals from Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Arab Republic of Egypt, Peoples’ Republic of Bangladesh, Islamic Republic of Iran and other COMSTECH member states.

Reported by: Ameen Amjad for Monthly COMSTECH News