HEC to help QAU set up research centre for nanoscience

By Sohail Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD: About 130 scholars participated in a two-day workshop on “Nanoscience and Catalysis” at Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU) on Monday.

The National Centre for Physics (NCP) and Chemical Society of Pakistan (CSP) jointly organised the event.

Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Dr Attaur Rehman, who was the chief guest, said research on nanoscience was bound to bring about countless benefits.

He said the HEC would support the QAU in setting up a research centre for industrial nano-material, including nano-medicines, catalysts and environment cleaners. “Such an initiative will help the nation go ahead. We must take such decisions promptly,” he said.

He said the HEC was working hard to ensure highly qualified faculty at universities and 2,500 students had so far been sent to technologically advanced countries for doctoral studies.

He said the HEC encouraged a culture of research and had not rejected any research project for shortage of funds. He said online journals, E-books, video conferences and other latest facilities had created excitement in the process of learning at universities.

He said upgradation of Pakistan Educational and Research Network (PERN) would result in a huge increase in bandwidth of one-gigabit connections to universities and pace up research activities.

He said Rs 255 billion was spent on different educational projects this year, Rs 33 billion of which on promotion of higher education.

Dr Qasim Jan, the QAU vice-chancellor, said nanoscience was a window into a new world of small and complex things, which was all set to make an impact on our lives. He said the workshop would help enhance industrial growth.

He said more investment was needed in higher education to make the nation stronger.

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