Apr 13 , 2016
News
Experts for research-based indigenous mechanism to overcome energy crisis
ISLAMABAD: Academicians and experts at an international conference held on Tuesday at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) called for developing research-based indigenous mechanism to overcome energy and environment related issues.
They also underlined the need of initiating dialogue process at relevant forums and strengthening international collaboration to address socio-economic issues. For sustainable development, environment issues must be kept in view, they added.
The conference was a follow-up of 21st UN Climate Change Conference recently held in Paris that was attended by top world leaders including Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The three-day conference is being attended by around 300 academicians and experts from home and abroad.
AIOU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Shahid Siddiqui, while inaugurating the conference, said it was aimed at giving research-based findings and recommendations to implement the Paris's summit's declaration. The conference, he said, would help bridge knowledge gap in the development process and properly addressing energy and environmental issues.
The university, he added, is actively engaged in construction of knowledge through research-based activities, including publication of research journals and holding of research conferences.
Eight research journals were issued and three international conferences were arranged during the last one year. A package of incentives was also given to motivate its faulty members and the students to do research work that is indigenous in nature and linked with the socio-economic problems of the society. Financial assistance was also being provided for undertaking mini projects, based on new discoveries. Dr Shahid Siddiqui hoped that the participants during their working sessions would come up with innovative and creative ideas so as to provide solid support to the relevant departments and policymakers in addressing the problems relating to climate degradation and environmental hazards like water pollution. While chairing the first session of the activity, Pakistan Nuclear Society President Dr Syed Javaid Khurshid said that Pakistan Nuclear Society was established in 1992 to promote the awareness and understanding of peaceful application of nuclear science, technology and allied disciplines in Pakistan. "Nuclear industry has a big stake in climate change mitigation, politics and policies and scenario. Environmentally, Nuclear is low carbon source of energy and can help avoid carbon dioxide emission while providing a constant large-scale power supply.
All 88 publications and research papers would be presented during the conference for discussion, said Physics Department Chairman Dr Zafar Ilyas, who arranged the event in collaboration with national institutions including Higher Education Commission, Atomic Energy Commission of Pakistan and National Centre for Physics.
The keynote speakers included USA International Association for Hydrogen Energy President Dr T Nejat Veziroglu, China's Institute of Micro-engineering and Nano-electronics official Dr Dee Chang, and renowned expert Dr Buhauddin Yeop Majlisr from Malaysia.
Earlier, Science Department Dean Dr Naghmana Rashid in her welcome address spoke about the academic achievements of the university in the field of science and technology. She said they were successfully meeting the educational needs of their students through distance, blended and face-to-face learning system. An exhibition of mini projects developed by the university's students was also arranged on the occasion.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk