ROLE OF SCIENCE ACADEMIES IN SCIENCE PROMOTION & SCIENCE EDUCATION

1. ROLE OF SCIENCE ACADEMIES IN SCIENCE PROMOTION & SCIENCE EDUCATION Dr. Shahzad A Mufti Fellow Pakistan Academy of Sciences

2. INTRODUCTION • PAS became functional in February, 1953 • It is a non-governmental, non-political body of distinguished scientists of the country • Devoted for promotion of science education and its applications for welfare of humanity • PAS provides a forum for advancement of scientific research, its popularization and development of new areas • Academy is governed by a 17 members Council elected from amongst the fellows

3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES • To Promote Higher Studies & Research in Pure and Applied Sciences • To Recognize Outstanding Contributions in the Field of Science • To Assist Publications as Scientific Proceeding, Journals, Transactions, Monographs, Books etc. • To Develop Liaison among National and International Scientific Community • Conduct Unions of Scientists and Organize meetings at National and International Fora • To award grants, Scholarships, Fellowships, Prizes and Medals for Research

4. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES (Cont.) • To Undertake research activities as assigned by Government of Pakistan • To be Advisory and Consultative to the various Government Organizations • To award grants, Scholarships, Fellowships, Prizes and Medals for Research

5. PAS Open Gold Medal is given in 14 fields in S&T 1- Agriculture 2- Bio Chemistry 3- Biology 4- Biotechnology &Genetic Engineering 5- Botany 6- Chemistry 7- Computer Science (Software) 8- Computer Science (IT) 9- Earth Sciences 10- Engineering & Technology 11- Mathematics 12- Medical Sciences 13- Physics 14- Zoology

6. OTHER NOMINATED MEDALS & AWARDS • Distinguished Scientist of the Year Award (Gold Medal and Rs 300,000) • Dr M Raziuddin Siddiqi Prize and Gold Medal (under 40 Years) • TWAS Cash Prize (US$ 2,000 for under 40 years) • Dr M N Azam Prize for Pakistani Scientists in Computer Science (software) • PAS/COMSTECH Gold Medals in Computer Science (IT) • Meritorious Service Award (Special Medal)

7. SOME RECENT ACTIVITIESSeminars, Symposia and Conferences • Prospects for Saline Agric. Islamabad 2000 • 12th Islamic Academy of Sci. Conference Islamabad 2002 on Materials, S&T and Culture of Science • Golden Jubilee Celebrations Islamabad 2002 • Meeting of the Inter-Academy Panel Islamabad 2003 • Science Education and Science Policy Islamabad 2003 • 9th International Symposium on Karachi 2004 Natural Products Chemistry • International Workshop on Intensive Rawalpindi 2004 Farming and Integrated Resource Mgt. • International Conference on Science & Islamabad 2004 Technology Policy Option for Dev. Countries • 1st Int’l. Conference on Frontiers Lahore 2004 of Advanced Engineering Materials • 10th international symposium on Natural Product Islamabad 2005 • International Workshop on Impact of weather and Climate on Islamabad 2005 Society Affairs • International Symposium on Nanochemistry Karachi 2006 • PIP International Conference Karachi 2006 • Hands on practical Bioinformatics Workshop Islamabad 2005 • 18th FABMB SYMPOSIUM Islamabad 2005 • International Conference on Models and Islamabad 2006 Methods in Fluid Mechanics

8. SOME RECENT ACTIVITIES ( Cont. )Research Projects • Construction of Cotton Fiber (Gossypium Hirsutum L.) cDNA Libraries. • Isolation, Structure Elucidation and Biological Activity of some Medicinal Plants belonging to the family Lamiaceae. • Differentiation of Bone Marrow Stromal Cells in the Aging Heart • Search for new anti-tuberculosis agents • BRCA 1 and 2 Mutation Screening in Breast Cancer in Financial Assistance • Theoretical Approaches to Multifunctional Portions • Role of Exogenous use of Organic Osmolytes in Enhancing Drought Tolerance in Maize under Greenhouse and filed Conditions • Screening of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) fiber cDNA libraries for eight gene families involved in fiber development • Use of Halophythic Shrubs as Alternate Source of Cattle Fodder

9. OTHER RECENT ACTIVITIES • Inter-Academy Panel • Network of Academies of Sciences in OIC Countries (NASIC) • Member Academies of NASIC • Academy of Sciences of Afghanistan • Bangladesh Academy of Sciences • Acad. of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia & Herzegovina • Egyptian Academy of Sciences • Indonesian Academy of Sciences • Academy of Sciences of the Islamic Republic of Iran • Arab Academy of Sciences • Islamic Academy of Sciences (IAS) • National Academy of Sciences of the Rep. of Kazakhstan • Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) • Nigerian Academy of Sciences • Pakistan Academy of Sciences (PAS) • Senegalese Academy of Sciences • Academy of Sciences of the Rep. of Tajikistan • The Uganda National Academy of Sciences (UNAS)

10. NASIC (Cont.) • Objectives of NASIC • Scientific collaboration among members of the Network • Exchange of information on programmes and experiences and sharing common vision • Assistance for capacity building of Academies in OIC countries • Assistance of science communities in OIC countries to setup national independent academies • Organization of conferences, workshops and symposia and issue statements or reports on topics of major concern to OIC countries • Develop common stands and make common statements on major issues relevant to OIC countries

11. PUBLICATIONS OF THE ACADEMY • Publishes biannually the Proceedings of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences since 1963 • Monthly Newsletter starting from 1st October 2004

12. Thanks