By Ali Imran
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Science and Technology Shibli Faraz Wednesday said the government has doubled the budgetary allocation for science and technology sector and would put more emphasis on applied research. The federal minister was addressing as the chief guest at the ‘Youth Recognition Programme’ at Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF).
Speaking on this occasion, Shibli Faraz said the research papers, which have no practical benefit were of no use. “We have to put more focus on applied research to extend the benefit of research to the humanity†, he said.
The minister observed that questioning is the most important factor that leads toward moving forward in science and technology. He said that Muslim scientists laid the foundation of Mathematics and arithmetic but later on they remained behind in these subjects. Shibli Faraz said that in our society, questioning was discouraged. He asked students to thoroughly investigate for reaching to the conclusion on any matter.
He said the government would expand its talent based programmes for providing more opportunities to the students. He announced that PSF has increased the prize money for winning students from Rs10,000 to Rs100,000. The minister appreciated the PSF efforts for providing science students best opportunities to excel in national and international competitions. He said PSF’s programmes have boosted youth talent and science students have converted deprivation into opportunities.
Coordinator General COMSTECH, Dr Iqbal Choudhary and Chairman PSF, Prof. Dr. Shahid Mahmood Baig also addressed the function. Winners of top positions in international science competitions including Haris, Ms Zakia-Tul-Jannat and Umair Masood also shared their experiences with the audience.
