Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS)
Annual Report 2020
Bangladesh China Colombia Egypt Gambia Ghana
Iran Jamaica Jordan Kazakhstan Korea DPR
Morocco Nigeria Pakistan Palestine Philippines
Senegal Somalia Sri Lanka Sudan
Syria Tanzania Tunisia Turkey
Uganda Yemen Zimbabwe
ANNUAL REPORT 2020
March 2021
Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) Hon. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo President of Republic of Ghana Chairperson COMSATS
Hon. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is the incumbent President of the Republic of Ghana. He won the country’s Presidential Elections for two consecutive terms in 2016 and 2020. President Akufo- Addo assumed charge as Chairperson of COMSATS upon becoming the President of Ghana (the country holding COMSATS’ Chair) for the first time on 7th January 2017. He later retained the charge upon re- election.
The Chair of COMSATS had been rotated in 2012 from Pakistan to Ghana through consensus among the members of COMSATS’ Commission at its 2nd General Meeting held in Islamabad and stayed with Ghana after consensus in 3rd General Meeting.
As a lawyer, Mr. Akufo-Addo worked to champion the cause of human rights, rule of law, justice, freedom, and democracy in Ghana. He is also the Co- chair of the UN Secretary-General’s SDG Advocates working with his fellow advocates to promote the SDGs as part of an ambitious and transformative global development agenda. H.E. Mr. Imran Khan Prime Minister of Pakistan Head ofof GovernmentGovernment and and Member Member of the CommissionCommission from from the Host Country,Country, Pakistan Pakistan
H.E. Mr. Imran Khan became the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan on 18th August 2018. Before his political career, Mr. Khan was a well-known figure as a cricketer and a philanthropist. Educated from top institutions of Pakistan and England, Mr. Khan is the Chancellor of the University of Bradford and has also received an honorary fellowship by the Royal College of Physicians.
Mr. Khan aspires to make Pakistan a technologically advanced country whereby it reaps the dividends of most modern R&D outcomes for national prosperity and well-being. His resolve to lift the nation from backwardness and poverty manifests in his government’s initiatives in health, education, judicial system reforms, science & technology and smart governance. Editors Ms. Farhana Saleem Ms. Isra Mahmood
Designing & Development Mr. Imran Chaudhry Table of Contents
COMSATS’ Profile i
Foreword iii
From the Chairperson COMSATS Consultative Committee v
From the Chairperson Coordinating Council vii
1. CORE ACTIVITIES OF COMSATS SECRETARIAT 01
2. STRENGTHENING SOUTH-SOUTH AND TRIANGULAR COOPERATION 17
3. COLLABORATIONS WITH NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS 23
4. S&T AND SDGs RELATED EVENTS 29
5. PARTICIPATION IN IMPORTANT FORA AND MEETINGS 41
6. ACTIVITIES OF COMSATS CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE 45
7. SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS 67
8. ADVOCACY THROUGH PUBLICATIONS, INFORMATION DISSEMINATION 85 AND COMMUNICATION
9. FINANCIAL AFFAIRS 91 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
CHAIRPERSON (President of the Republic of Ghana)
Secretariat/ COMMISSION Executive Director (Heads of Member States/Governments)
GENERAL MEETING
Network of Centres of Excellence Consultative Committee - Coordinating Council - Technical Advisory Committee
Board of Management - Pro Chancellor - COMSATS Management COMSATS Internet COMSATS University Committee Services (CIS) Islamabad (CUI) ABOUT COMSATS
The Commission on Science and Technology one another and capable of providing a good for Sustainable Development in the South quality of life to their populations in a sustainable (COMSATS) was established in October 1994 as way, using modern scientific and technological an international/inter-governmental organization m e a n s’. to act as a global forum of developing countries for their sustainable socio-economic uplift OBJECTIVES through applications of science and technology. COMSATS’ current membership comprises of Major objectives and functions of COMSATS are: 27 countries located in the continents of Africa, Asia, Latin America (and Eurasia), representing a • To sensitize the countries in the South to the population of over one-third of the world’s total. centrality of science and technology in the development process, to the adequate resource These countries have diverse social, cultural, allocation for research and development, and economic, political, educational and religious to the integration of science and technology in backgrounds, and also differ greatly in their the national and regional development plans; scientific and technological potentials. Their • To support the functioning and activities common aspirations for development through of the Network of International Science cooperation in S&T was the main driver of them and Technology Centres for Sustainable coming together on the platform of COMSATS. Development in the South, established at the COMSATS’ major source of scientific and foundation meeting of the Commission; technological strength stems from its network of • To support other major initiatives designed international S&T Centres of Excellence, which to promote indigenous capacity in science comprises of 24 reputed R&D and S&T, as well as and technology for science-led sustainable universities. development, and to help mobilise long-term financial support from international donor As stipulated in the organization’s statutes, agencies and from government/institutions COMSATS Secretariat is permanently located in the North and the South to supplement the in Islamabad, Pakistan, with its operation and financing of international scientific projects in expenditures supported by generous grants from the South; the Government of Pakistan. The membership of • To provide leadership and support for COMSATS is open to all developing countries. North-South and South-South cooperative The organization also aspires to broaden its schemes in education, training and research, horizons to all countries and institutions, such as the proposal to set up programmes including those from the North. of scholarships for research at centres of excellence in the South; and MISSION • To support the relevant programmes and initiatives of major scientific organisations The mission of COMSATS is to ‘help create a working for the development and promotion world where all nations/states are at peace with of science and technology in the South. i
Dr. S.M. Junaid Zaidi Executive Director COMSATS
Dr. S. M. Junaid Zaidi assumed the charge as Executive Director in February 2017, by virtue of which he is also the ex-officio Secretary to the Commission, Coordinating Council and the Consultative Committee. He has rich and diverse experience spanning over forty years, ranging from his work for international and national organizations, educational institution-building, and research and teaching to foreign collaborative ventures. He has been the founding Rector of a Centre of Excellence of COMSATS, the COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), which has phenomenally grown both nationally and internationally. He is recipient of two prestigious national awards of Pakistan, Sitara-i-Imtiaz and Hilal-i-Imtiaz.
FOREWORD
The 21st Century has posed serious strategic stability challenges especially relating to COVID-19 and climate challenges most of which relate to the non-traditional threats, change. Among other things, it was learnt and appreciated including climate change and environment, infectious that great efforts were made by COMSATS’ Member States diseases and food insecurity. The global community towards COVID-19 response. After its virtual meeting held demonstrated its resolve to deal with these vulnerabilities in July 2020, the Coordinating Council remained engaged through the commitment made under the 2030 Global with the networking and mutual cooperation activities as Sustainable Development Agenda. The urgency for collective well as providing important feedback and information to action has been further created because of the global COMSATS Secretariat through online interactions facilitated COVID-19 pandemic that has gripped people and countries by the Secretariat. all over the world. The highlight of COMSATS’ Membership drive was a meeting The quick responses and race for early medical breakthroughs, with Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, by and large, exhibited international solidarity. While in H.E. Mr. Sefik Dzaferovic, towards the end of the year. The record time the drugs and vaccines have revolutionized opportunity was availed during the Chairman’s state visit to the public health mechanisms, the world is bracing for Pakistan and briefing was given on the benefits of joining the recovery amidst optimism for building back better. The organization as well as the structure, programmes, vision and pandemic has altered many of the illusions reinforcing how mission of COMSATS. A formal letter of invitation for his interconnected the world is and how a ripple in one corner country to join COMSATS was also handed over to him. of the world affects the entire globe. On the positive side, latent opportunities in such areas as digital technology, health It is heartening to report that COMSATS’ partnership sciences and R&D especially in STEM related fields have with China – an honored Member was further cemented brought to the fore the real potential of mankind. during the year, including collaboration with the Chinese State Ministry of Science and Technology and the Centre It is exhilarating for COMSATS that there will be continuity for Environmental Economics of the University of Chinese in the leadership of the Commission as happily President Academy of Sciences (CEE-UCAS). The scope of COMSATS’ Hon. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has been re-elected activities has expanded during the year notwithstanding the in December 2020 elections in Ghana. I would like to thank constraints imposed by COVID-19. It includes interactions His Excellency for hosting a meeting for COMSATS on with UNESCAP, UNOSSC, UNESCO, the Geneva-based the sidelines of African Union Summit in Addis Ababa in South Centre, US-based institutions and the Alliance of February 2020. The valuable inputs from H. E. Muhammadu International Science Organizations (ANSO). Buhari, President of Nigeria; H.E. Isatou Touray, Vice President of Gambia; and senior government officials from The three areas in which considerable interest was Uganda; Republic of Ivory Coast; Zimbabwe; Ghana; Nigeria; evinced internationally are climate change, telehealth and Ethiopia enriched the discussions. and digitalization as well COMSATS’ successes as a sub- regional organization. Given the challenges related to the Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic that had pandemic, telehealth platform was used to exchange views incapacitated the world in a number of ways, including with COMSATS’ member countries in particular sharing of COMSATS’ member states, COMSATS with the help of its experiences and knowledge related to digital health. focal points, centres of excellence and partner institutions continued its struggle on various fronts, which includes Detailed information on the afore-mentioned activities and networking, consultancy and advocacy of COMSATS’ some other achievements are reflected in the report. The mandate through its statutory body meetings. I feel success of COMSATS is linked with the support that it enjoys encouraged to mention here the holding of COMSATS from the Member States, partner institutions and the scientific Consultative Committee Meeting under the chairpersonship centres whose contributions are of immense significance. of H.E. Mr. Fawad Hussain Chaudhry, the Federal Minister for Science and Technology of Government of Pakistan. I would also like to thank COMSATS’ team who worked The Meeting was successful in breaking new grounds of tirelessly and responded to the challenges posed by cooperation for addressing contemporary socio-economic COVID-19 with adaptability, innovation and alacrity. iii Focal Ministries in Member States
Bangladesh Palestine Ministry of Science and Ministry of Higher Education and Technology Scientific Research
China Philippines Ministry of Science and Department of Science and Technology Technology
Colombia Senegal Ministry of Science, Technology and Ministère de l’Enseignement Supérieur Innovation
Egypt Somalia The Academy of Scientific Research and Ministry of Education, Culture and Technology Higher Education
The Gambia Sri Lanka Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Ministry of Higher Education & Science and Technology Technology and Innovation
Ghana Sudan Ministry of Environment, Science, Ministry of Higher Education and Technology and Innovation Scientific Research
Iran Syria Ministry of Science, Research and Ministry of Higher Education Technology
Jamaica Tanzania Ministry of Science, Energy and Ministry of Education, Science & Technology Technology
Jordan Tunisia Higher Council for Science and Ministry of Higher Education and Technology Scientific Research
Turkey Kazakhstan The Scientific and Technological Research Ministry of Education and Science Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)
Uganda Korea DPR Uganda National Council for Science & State Academy of Sciences Technology
Morocco Yemen Ministry of National Education, Vocational Ministry of Higher Education and Training, Higher Education and Scientific Scientific Research Research
Nigeria Zimbabwe Federal Ministry of Science & Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Technology Science and Technology Development
Pakistan Ministry of Science and Technology H.E. Mr. Chaudhry Fawad Hussain Chairperson of COMSATS Consultative Committee
H.E. Mr. Chaudhry Fawad Hussain is the Federal Minister for Science and Technology of COMSATS host country, Pakistan. Mr. Hussain assumed the Charge as Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Science and Technology on 19th April 2019, by virtue of which he is the Chairperson of COMSATS’ Consultative Committee. Under his leadership, the Ministry of Science and Technology has constituted three task forces on technology relating to Agriculture, Education and Renewable Energy Technologies (RETs) to help promote scientific innovation, R&D for development, science and skill-based education in the country.
FROM THE CHAIRPERSON COMSATS CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE
Since inception, COMSATS has remained at the Undoubtedly, the level of success and the forefront to promote science and technology standards of COMSATS’ achievements are due for sustainable development in the Global to the continuous patronage of the Organization South. The role of COMSATS’ focal ministries by the Member States. Pakistan, specifically, has and Centres of Excellence in the promotion done its best to live up to the honour of hosting of COMSATS’ mission is commendable. They the Secretariat of COMSATS since 1994. have always played a vital part in expanding the frontiers of ST&I in developing the South within I, therefore, highly appreciate and congratulate the framework of United Nations 2030 Global all COMSATS Member States for helping the Development Agenda. Commission pursue its objectives and uphold the principles and high standards of work. I I highly appreciate COMSATS’ flagship urge their continued support to COMSATS’ initiatives, COMSATS University Islamabad programmes aimed at bringing peace and (CUI), COMSATS Internet Services (CIS) and prosperity to the developing world. COMSATS Telehealth programme that have greatly contributed to the host country in their Pakistan is a keen supporter of scientific relevant niches. These have the potential to be and technical cooperation in the fields of replicated as models in the developing world. education, health, communication, research CUI has attained the status of a full-fledged and development for the benefit of the people university and is actively contributing in the in developing countries. Therefore, we greatly fields of education, research, innovation and appreciate the Commission’s focus on education, capacity building. CIS, Pakistan’s pioneer Internet health and capacity building at the national, Service Provider (ISP), is operating in 19 cities regional and global level as well as its efforts of the country, whereas, the Telehealth project for strengthening South-South and Triangular is effectively extending healthcare to rural Cooperation. populations in remote areas of Pakistan. These programmes have received huge appreciation, I would like to extend my compliments to my which reflects COMSATS’ recognition as a highly counterparts in COMSATS’ member states and useful body contributing to socio-economic well- network members for their contribution to being of the masses in the developing countries. COMSATS’ mission.
v Members of COMSATS Coordinating Council
Prof. Dr. Md. Aftab Ali Shaikh Dr. Maria Elizabeth Correia Prof. Lin Zhaohui Prof. Dr. Yanhe Ma Chairman BCSIR, Bangladesh DG Embrapa Agrobiologia, Brazil Director ICCES, China Director General TIB, China
Dr. Eduardo Posada F. Prof. Mohamed Hashem Prof. Dr. Faqir M. Anjum Ch. Prof. Dr. Victor Agyeman Director CIF, Colombia President NRC, Egypt Vice Chancellor UTG, Gambia Director-General CSIR, Ghana
Prof. Dr. Mochamad Ashari Dr. Alireza Ashori Mr. Charles N. Grant HRH Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan Rector ITS, Indonesia President IROST, Iran Director General ICENS, Jamaica President RSS, Jordan
Prof. Dr. Zhanseit Tuimebayev Prof. Stephen E. Onah Prof. Dr. M. Tabassam Afzal Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary Rector KazNU, Kazakhstan Director NMC, Nigeria Rector CUI, Pakistan Director ICCBS, Pakistan
Prof. Dr. Imad F. S. Abukishek Prof. Ahmadou Aly MBAYE Dr. Radhika Samarasekera Dr. Gussai H. Sheikheldin President AQU, Palestine Rector/President UCAD, Senegal Director General ITI, Sri Lanka Director General IRCC, Sudan
Dr. Maher Suleiman Prof. M. M.A. Mtambo Prof. Ahmed Ghrabi H.E. Prof. Hasan Mandal Director HIAST, Syria Director General TIRDO, Tanzania Director General CERTE, Tunisia President TUBITAK, Turkey Prof. Dr. Ashraf Shaalan Chairperson of COMSATS Coordinating Council
Prof. Ashraf Shaalan was elected as the Chairperson of COMSATS Coordinating Council during its 19th Meeting held in May 2016, in Islamabad, Pakistan, when he was the President of COMSATS Centre of Excellence in Egypt, National Research Centre (NRC). Later, the Council approved his life-time membership during its 22nd Meeting. Also, he was made the Chairperson for another term by unanimous approval.
A widely published academician, Prof. Shaalan is member of the Egypt’s Presidential Specialized Council for Education and Scientific Research of Egypt and has previously served as the Vice-President of the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology.
FROM THE CHAIRPERSON COORDINATING COUNCIL
Since the last physical meeting of COMSATS members in the Coordinating Council, and Coordinating Council (CCC) in Tianjin (China) enhancing collaboration with other international in April 2019, followed by the emergence of the organizations. global COVID-19 pandemic at the end of 2019 which has strong impact on the work of all of us, I believe that we will continue working together COMSATS secretariat together with members of within the next years on strengthening scientific the CCC have exerted great effort towards finding capacity through networking and new demanded out together how to organize our work and how thematic research groups. I encourage all to communicate. COMSATS Centres of Excellence to share and exchange their experience to develop new The report outlines the activities of COMSATS’ vaccines or drugs for protection or cure of our main accomplishments through its secretariat citizens from COVID-19 and its complications. represented by the esteemed Centres of Excellence during the last year. It also represents I would personally like to thank all those who a platform for moving ahead to achieve the have worked under the current exceptional goal that COMSATS aims at, and furthermore conditions and inconvenient circumstances to build peaceful and prosperous societies. throughout these hard times. The achieved Overall, many activities have been accomplished tasks were far more successful than estimated during the last year, including physical and by virtue of our sincere desire for South-South virtual meetings, virtual presentations, webinars, cooperation. information dissemination, induction of new
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CORE ACTIVITIES OF COMSATS SECRETARIAT
• COMSATS’ High-Profile Meeting on the side-lines of African Union Summit 02 (February 9, 2020)
• 4th Meeting of COMSATS Consultative Committee (November 11, 2020) 04
• 23rd COMSATS Coordinating Council Meeting (July 14, 2020) 08
• Follow-up of the Decisions of the 23rd Coordinating Council Meeting of COMSATS 11
• Enhancement of Membership 14
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 1 CORE ACTIVITIES OF COMSATS SECRETARIAT
COMSATS Secretariat provides secretarial assistance to both the Commission and the Network of Centres of Excellence. It is responsible for regularly holding statutory body meetings as well as following-up on their deliberations and decisions. The Secretariat also executes COMSATS’ programmes and activities in partnership with other inter-governmental agencies, national S&T institutions, R&D organizations, members of academia and scientific community across the world. Other core activities of the Secretariat relate to: pooling and management of financial resources; enhancing the membership of COMSATS and its Network; and special liaison with the host country, apart from regular engagement with all member states.
COMSATS’ High-Profile Meeting encapsulates the aspirations of the people Breakfast Meeting was the fourth General on the sidelines of African Union of Africa for a peaceful environment. Meeting of the Commission and Accra Summit (February 9, 2020) Silencing the Guns is a commitment Forum on Science and Technology for towards the realization of Africa’s Agenda Sustainable Development, which was 2063, in particular creating peace within then scheduled to be held in the second The Honourable Nana Addo Dankwa the continent to achieve development. quarter of 2020. Additionally, through this Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana and Peace and stability are intertwined with meeting, COMSATS aimed at sensitizing Chairperson of COMSATS, hosted a policies and strategies aimed at socio- participating high-level officials about its High-Level COMSATS Meeting in Addis economic betterment of the people – a international programmes designed to Ababa, Ethiopia, on 9th February 2020, on desire which is shared by COMSATS meet the scientific and technological needs the sidelines of 33rd African Union (AU) with the AU. Twelve of the Organization’s of its member states with the purpose to Summit Meeting. This was a Ghana event member states and 07 scientific centres in achieve economic and social development – one of the side events involving the AU the Network of Centres of Excellence are at large. Member States, including Mali, Equatorial from Africa. Guinea, Seychelles, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Presided over by the Honourable President Uganda. Since its inception, COMSATS and of Ghana, the meeting was attended by Africa have special relationship. At the two Presidents, a Vice President, and seven The AU which comprises 55 countries Foundation meeting held in 1994, the Ministers. The following Excellencies and from the continent of Africa held its support extended by the leaders from officials graced the occasion with their annual summit in Addis Ababa on 9th and Africa generated momentum for collective presence: 10th February 2020. The theme focused response to the challenges of under- on tackling the problem of violence so development in the South. • H. E. Muhammadu Buhari, President that peace could usher in a period of of Nigeria; sustainable development. “Silencing The main agenda of the High-Level • H.E. Isatou Touray, Vice President of the Guns for Peace and Development”
2 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 Gambia; COMSATS, Mr. Nisar Ahmad. in the areas of climate change, sustainable • H.E. Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye, development and fostering partnerships Minister of Science, Technology and Hon. Nana Addo while opening the with the United Nations, Commonwealth, Innovation, Uganda; Meeting underscored the role that European Commission, and international • H. E. Mr. Patrick Achi, Minister/ COMSATS is playing in advocacy of and regional organizations in addressing Secretary General to the President, science and technology as an important developmental challenges. Republic of Ivory Coast; tool for peace and progress in the • Mr. J.H. Mupamhanga, Deputy Chief developing countries. His Excellency Secretary, Office of the President of appreciated the support extended by the Zimbabwe; Government of Pakistan to COMSATS COMSATS is well-positioned • Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey (MP), for its contribution in assisting developing to support ‘Agenda 2063: The Minister for Foreign Affairs and countries in the field of science and Africa We Want’ to deliver on Regional Integration, Ghana; technology. His Excellency informed that sustainable development. • H. E. Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of the purpose of the meeting was to ensure Foreign Affairs, Nigeria; that Member States recommit themselves • H.E. Mr. Alan Kyerematen Minister of to COMSATS’ mission, and to reposition Hon. Nana Addo Dankwa Trade and Industry, Ghana; the Commission to support the collective Akufo-Addo • H.E. Mr. Ambrose Dery, Minister of drive for development, leveraging science, President of Republic of Ghana Interior, Ghana; technology and innovation. He was • Dr. Eugene Owusu, Special Advisor to confident that COMSATS is well-equipped the President of Ghana on the SDGs; to help foster greater partnerships to • H.E. Asghar Golo, Ambassador of advance science and technology for the Heading COMSATS’ body that represents Pakistan to Ethiopia; and development of Africa. He considered the COMSATS’ International Centres of • H.E. Mrs. Amma A. Twum-Amoah, work of the organization important for Excellence, Prof. Ashraf Shaalan briefed Ambassador of Ghana to Ethiopia. the application of science and technology the participants about the activities for the development of Africa and invited of COMSATS Coordinating Council, The Secretary to COMSATS' Commission, more African countries to join COMSATS. especially in capacity-building in ICTs, Executive Director COMSATS, Dr. S. renewable energy, agriculture, food M. Junaid Zaidi, was also present during On the occasion, Dr. Zaidi highlighted security, biotechnology, material sciences, the meeting. Other officials representing the significance of promoting greater natural products sciences and climate COMSATS included Chairperson of collaboration with countries in Africa change, especially through institutional its Coordinating Council, Prof. Ashraf and underscored the need to increase arrangements. Ambassador Shahid Kamal Shaalan; Advisor to the President of COMSATS’ membership in Africa. He briefed the meeting on the new initiative COMSATS’ focal point in Turkey, informed that COMSATS has initiated of establishing COMSATS’ Centre for Scientific and Technological Research several programmes in capacity-building, Climate and Sustainability (CCCS), which Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK), Prof. Dr. grant of scholarships, and assisting in has participation from 15 COMSATS’ Orkun Hasekioğlu; Advisor (Climate establishing S&T-related interventions in member states. Change) at COMSATS, Amb. (R) Shahid member countries. He also highlighted Kamal; and Deputy Director (Systems) the new initiatives taken by COMSATS During the interactive discussion session,
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 3 the Honourable President of Nigeria Concluding the meeting, the Honourable covered in African media, harnessing appreciated the work done by COMSATS Chairperson of COMSATS called for due recognition for COMSATS’ and affirmed that Nigeria recognizes intensifying cooperative activities of mandate, and activities in Africa and the centrality of science and technology COMSATS in priority areas to strengthen the organization’s potential for more in the development process and will capacities in meeting UN Sustainable development activities and regional ensure adequate resource allocation for Development Goals. He invited highest and international cooperation in research and development. He added that level representation by COMSATS’ Africa. technology is aiding Nigeria’s advancement member states as well as other countries in critical sectors of the economy. He from the developing world to attend 4th Meeting of COMSATS noted that his administration was COMSATS’ General Meeting. Consultative Committee conscious of the relevance of science and technology in national development and as The meeting ended with a cordial note (November 11, 2020) such has a ministry dedicated to the sector, and with the handing over of COMSATS’ which is headed by a scientist. information material including The Fourth Meeting of COMSATS membership document to the Director Consultative Committee chaired by Foreign Minister of Nigeria and Minister General. H.E. Mr. Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, for Science & Technology of Uganda, Chairperson COMSATS Consultative Committee and Federal Minister for expressed interest in seeking assistance of Major outcomes of the Addis Ababa Science and Technology, Government of COMSATS with regard to improving the Meetings state of science and technology education Pakistan, was held online on November 11, 2020. in African schools, increasing capacity • Strengthened Membership development efforts and forging closer Campaign; Offers of State The Meeting was attended by 30 country cooperation with COMSATS’ Centres of membership extended in person Excellence. delegates from 19 countries: Bangladesh, to high-level officials of Ethiopia, China, Colombia, Egypt, Ghana, Iran, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, and Jordan, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Pakistan, Contributing to the open discussion at Eswatini; the meeting, Governor Mr. Benedict Palestine, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, • Improved Presence in Africa; Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Yemen, and Bengioushuye Ayade of Cross River State, with President of Ghana’s strong who was part of the Nigeria’s delegation Zimbabwe. The meeting also had international portfolio and 12 African the participation from international to Ethiopia, suggested that COMSATS countries as COMSATS’ members, should align its Network operations related organizations, including the South Centre, the meeting has resulted in building Switzerland; International Centre for to education, training and research for new inroads for the international specific fields and vocations of S&T to Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology cooperation front; (ICGEB), Italy; United Nations Economic better contribute to national and regional • Stronger Networking and development. and Social Commission for Asia and the Projection; the meeting was widely Pacific (UNESCAP), Thailand; The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), Italy; and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Pakistan.
COMSATS Centres of Excellence in China, Colombia, Egypt, Gambia, Iran, Indonesia, Jordan, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Pakistan, Syria, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, and Turkey, as well as diplomatic missions of Jordan, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, and Yemen in Islamabad also joined the meeting virtually.
Inaugural Session
The Meeting was inaugurated by the
4 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 Secretary to the Committee and Executive Committee, H.E. Chaudhry Fawad mentioned that Pakistan has established Director COMSATS, Dr. S.M. Junaid Hussain, highlighted Pakistan, the host cooperative relationships with COMSATS' Zaidi, on behalf of the Chairperson country of COMSATS Secretariat, as an member states and the establishment of COMSATS Consultative Committee. ardent supporter of COMSATS’ mandate various centres of excellence of research, since inception. Mr. Fawad lauded innovation and entrepreneurship in In his remarks on the occasion, Dr. Zaidi COMSATS’ efforts for implementing the artificial intelligence, applied technologies, considered scientific collaboration an decision of the previous meeting and advanced technologies and biomedical important area for South-South and urged his counterparts in the 26 other materials, mineral resources, engineering, Triangular cooperation and encouraged Member States to duly support COMSATS’ agriculture, food technologies and railway COMSATS' member states to use operations by all means, especially engineering are in pipeline under the COMSATS’ platform for incubating more regular Annual Membership knowledge economy initiative. Mr. Fawad partnerships and finding new and Contributions. urged COMSATS' member states to work innovative approaches to support and collaboratively and pool their indigenous expedite implementation of Sustainable The Honourable Minister who later joined resources for development of vaccine Development Goals (SDGs). the meeting through video conference against coronavirus. informed the Committee about the ST&I In his message read out at the beginning related interventions of the Government Technical Proceedings of the event by Dr. Muhammad Tariq of Pakistan that include constitution of Masood, Joint Scientific Adviser at the the Task Force on Technology Driven During the proceedings, the Meeting Ministry of Science and Technology of Knowledge Economy and formulation of deliberated upon a nine-point agenda Pakistan, the Chairperson Consultative country’s first Digital Pakistan policy. He that, inter alia, pertained to COMSATS’ programmes and activities during 2016- 2020; financial matters; and new initiatives for enhancing COMSATS’ science-led South-South and Triangular Cooperation.
The Meeting approved the 9-point Provisional Agenda and the Minutes of the previous Meeting of COMSATS Consultative Committee (26th October 2015, Accra, Ghana). As per regular practice, the Executive Director COMSATS delivered a brief presentation on COMSATS’ programmes, activities and achievements during the period since the last Consultative Committee meeting. The
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 5 biotechnology as few priority areas of his government as part of its development plan. He invited other COMSATS' member states for partnerships in achieving Gambia’s development goals.
Considering food, energy and water related challenges a regional issue, Hon. Dr. Dia-Eddin Arafah, Secretary General, Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST), Jordan, proposed initiating a joint R&D programme for combating the carbon emissions. He emphasized building partnerships to help advance the initiatives taken by COMSATS.
Prof. Dr. Tlekkabul Ramazanov, Vice- presentation highlighted the outcomes Recalling the visit of COMSATS’ Rector for Research & Innovations, of COMSATS’ campaigns for enhancing delegation to Colombia in 2019, Dr. Al Farabi Kazakh National University the membership of the Commission and Eduardo Posada F., Director of Centro (KazNU), Kazakhstan, apprised of the Network of Centres of Excellence; Internacional de Fisica (CIF), Colombia, the national efforts against COVID-19 capacity-building programmes held in showed keen interest in advancing South- pandemic, including the development collaboration with partner organizations; South Cooperation from the platform of of two vaccines against coronavirus. measures taken to strengthen collaborative COMSATS and hoped to build stronger He also mentioned that three students ties with international partner ties with other COMSATS' member states. from COMSATS' member states (Iran, organizations for facilitating South-South Pakistan, and Syria) are availing PhD and Triangular cooperation; activities Prof. Gena Elfeky, Supervisor of the scholarship through COMSATS’ platform of COMSATS’ flagship projects; visits Scientific & Cultural Relations Sector, at COMSATS Centre of Excellence and activities of COMSATS’ officials; Academy of Scientific Research and in Kazakhstan, the Al-Farabi Kazakh and publications brought out during the Technology (ASRT), Egypt, informed National University (KazNU). reporting period, among others. about the strategic studies conducted by ASRT on the post-pandemic preparedness Pharm. Abayomi Oguntunde, Director The presentation by the Executive Director plan in multiple sectors, including health, (Bioresources Technology Research was followed by remarks by each country education, and economy and expressed & Development), Department of delegate highlighting the various S&T Academy’s willingness to share it with Bioresources Development, Federal related initiatives of their respective other COMSATS' member states. She Ministry of Science & Technology governments for addressing contemporary also proposed affiliating more Egyptian (FMST), Nigeria, showed interest in challenges, including the coronavirus scientific and research institutions with COMSATS’ Telehealth programme as pandemic. The delegates also shared their COMSATS as Centres of Excellence well as the establishment of a COMSATS future aspirations in the light of their and looked forward to COMSATS’ university in Nigeria. Prof. Stephen countries’ priority areas. The highlights of support for establishing a university of E. Onah, Director/Chief Executive, the remarks are as follows: Information Technology in Egypt. The National Mathematical Centre (NMC), other representative of Egypt expressed Nigeria, looked forward to collaborating Prof. Jibin Sun, Deputy Director- willingness to share the indigenously with COMSATS’ Network for prevention, General of Tianjin Institute of Industrial developed products (vaccines and testing and treatment of COVID-19 and Biotechnology (TIB), China, looked diagnostic kits) with other COMSATS' also to promote research and innovation forward to collaborating with COMSATS member states. through scientific exchanges. in the areas of research, technology and innovation under a recently signed Mr. Mbakeh Camara, Director of Considering COVID-19 as the greatest Memorandum of Understanding between University Relations, The University of challenge of the present time, Dr. the two. The Gambia, The Gambia highlighted Ahmed Othman, Director General agriculture, food security and (R&D), Ministry of Higher Education &
6 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 Scientific Research, Palestine, expressed programmes to help reduce the unskilled on artificial intelligence. keen interest in collaborating with other labour force in the country. She reiterated COMSATS' member states for finding her government’s interest in establishing Dr. Martin Patrick Ongol, Deputy solution to this challenge and hoped to a COMSATS university in Sri Lanka and Executive Secretary, Uganda National benefit from the various programmes and hoped to establish ties with COMSATS' Council for Science and Technology activities of COMSATS. member states for joint research work. (UNCST), Uganda, proposed holding a webinar on food security challenges in H.E. Dr. Intisar Sigheiroun Alezein Prof. Samia Charfi Kaddour, Director COMSATS' member states. He looked (Ms.), Minister of Higher Education General of Scientific Research, Ministry forward to collaborating with COMSATS’ and Scientific Research, Government of of Higher Education and Scientific Network for research management Sudan, informed that COVID-19, floods Research, Tunisia, informed that science and development of diagnostic kits for and famine are on her Government’s and technology is the priority of the COVID-19. He informed that Uganda priority as development challenges Tunisian government for the achievement has three Centres of Excellence which and emphasized on building research of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). have been established with the support collaboration for dealing with COVID-19 She emphasized the need for building of the World Bank. He expressed interest crisis. Further, she proposed establishing a multilateral scientific collaborations to find in collaborating with other COMSATS' crisis fund to help deal with unprecedented sustainable solutions for the society. member states for skill development and challenges such as the current pandemic. establishment of innovation centers in the Dr. Orkun Hasekioğlu, Advisor to country. Ms. Deepa Liyanage, Additional the President of the Scientific and Secretary, State Ministry of Skill Technological Research Council of Participating in the Meeting as a Development, Vocational Education, Turkey (TÜBİTAK), Turkey, appreciated representative of new Member State, Dr. Research and Innovation, Sri Lanka, COMSATS’ support in the form of Adnan Zain Alsaggaf, Ministry of Higher appreciated the role of COMSATS in research grants, scientific exchanges and Education and Scientific Research, promoting scientific and technological capacity building activities. He informed Yemen, expressed hoped to build education in its Member States. She that Turkey is working on the development collaborative ties with other COMSATS' informed that Sri Lanka is promoting of vaccine and therapeutic interventions member states in areas, such as internet scientific knowledge to aid the for COVID-19 and expressed willingness and cyber security, artificial intelligence transformation of country’s various to share these resources with other and robotics as well as biomedical economic sectors. Also, the Government COMSATS' member states. He also looked engineering. of Sri Lanka has introduced vocational forward to collaborating with COMSATS training and skill development for the establishment of a research center
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 7 Hon. Prof. Fanuel Tagwira, Permanent willingness to advance cooperation under be held in May 2021. Secretary, Ministry of Higher and agreements signed with COMSATS. Tertiary Education, Science and 23rd COMSATS Coordinating Technology Development, Zimbabwe, Meeting Outcomes Council Meeting (July 14, 2020) informed that his country is aiming for Education 5.0 involving innovation and The meeting resulted in revitalized The twenty-third meeting of COMSATS industrialization along with education, commitment from the focal ministries of Coordinating Council was held virtually research, and community service. He went COMSATS' member states for supporting on 14th July 2020. The meeting was on to say that Zimbabwe has virtually COMSATS. scheduled to be hosted by International established 06 innovation and 05 industrial Center for Chemical and Biological hubs for the commercialization of The delegates called for and agreed on Sciences (ICCBS), Karachi, earlier during scientific research and innovation related having stronger ties among scientists the year when the virus had started being initiatives. He further informed that and researchers for solving common identified in Pakistan that resulted in education, research and industrialization development challenges; effective cancellation of the meeting due to safety are the priority areas for Zimbabwe and cooperation and initiatives at highest concerns of the international participants. looked forward to active collaborations in levels for emergent situations, such as this connection with COMSATS’ Network. COVID-19 pandemic; scientific and The meeting was attended by the Council academic exchanges; as well as developing Members or their representatives from On the occasion, Prof. M.H.A. Hassan, strategies for addressing issues, such as 19 Centres of Excellence of COMSATS, the Honorary Member of COMSATS food security and climate change. including BCSIR (Bangladesh), ICCES Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), (China), TIB (China), CIF (Colombia), stated that COMSATS is well-placed to Participating countries showed support NRC (Egypt), UTG (The Gambia), CSIR undertake trainings and capacity-building towards COMSATS’ role in providing (Ghana), ITS (Indonesia), IROST (Iran), in areas of SDGs and Science Diplomacy a strong S&T cooperation platform to ICENS (Jamaica), KazNU (Kazakhstan), niche. Further, he proposed showcasing developing countries. The areas identified NMC (Nigeria), ICCBS (Pakistan), the efforts, progress and achievements of for cooperation and mutual support CUI (Pakistan), AQU (Palestine), ITI COMSATS' member states with regard included: multilateral research, refugee (Sri Lanka), HIAST (Syria), TIRDO to COVID-19 for information and management, Science Diplomacy training, (Tanzania), and TUBITAK (Turkey). In prospective collaboration. data science, climate sciences, energy, addition, the meeting was attended by the post-pandemic preparedness, agriculture, officials of COMSATS Secretariat joining Representatives of other international biotechnology, food security and nutrition, the meeting from Islamabad. partner organizations participating in the capacity-building, knowledge economy, Meeting appreciated the role of COMSATS and SDGs. The next meeting of COMSATS The meeting resulted in continued in South-South Cooperation and expressed Consultative Committee was scheduled to
8 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 exchange and networking; the Network coming up with solutions to such and States and Centres of Excellence. was strengthened by two institutions other problems of the developing world (24 in total); renewed commitment and through all possible means. The COVID-19 pandemic constituted resolve to working together in regular and an important point of discussion, under unprecedented circumstances; pledges In their remarks during the session, which ideas and experiences, and technical of technical, financial and academic new members of the Council, Prof. Dr. undertakings of the centres were shared. support. Here is a glimpse at the meeting Mochamad Ashari, Rector Sepuluh The Council noted the devastating global deliberations. Nopember Institute of Technology impacts of COVID-19 and urged all the (ITS), and Prof. Faqir Muhammad Council members to collaborate with Inaugural Session Anjum Chaudhry, Vice Chancellor of one another and pool their expertise the University of The Gambia (UTG), and resources in order to counter the The meeting was inaugurated by Prof. expressed keen interest in benefitting from COVID-19 pandemic through research Dr. Ashraf Shaalan, Chairperson of the Network membership. and development. They also considered COMSATS Coordinating Council, who focusing their collective efforts on fields appreciated the efforts made by COMSATS Technical Deliberations that would be relevant in addressing the Secretariat for organizing the online socio-economic needs and challenges of meeting amid COVID-19 crisis. Prof. The technical deliberations were based the COMSATS' member states in post- Shaalan hoped that the world will soon on 11-point agenda of the Meeting. The COVID-19 world. rise above the challenges posed by the implementation status of the decisions ongoing pandemic through combined taken by the Council in its last meeting An in-house review showed an array efforts. He welcomed the two new Centres held at Tianjin Institute of Industrial of activities that COMSATS Centres of of Excellence belonging to Indonesia Biotechnology (TIB), China, and Report Excellence have been engaging in, with and The Gambia to COMSATS Network. of COMSATS’ Annual Activity since regard to their governments’ responses to Welcoming the participants, the Executive that meeting were found to the Council’s COVID-19, including: Director COMSATS, Dr. S. M. Junaid satisfaction. The Council expressed Zaidi, remarked that this crisis has immense pleasure and satisfaction on the • Indigenous solutions to preparing strengthened the resolve of COMSATS completion of COMSATS’ 25 years of basic protective equipment, such as and its Coordinating Council to continue existence and appreciated the consistent production and distribution of hand striving for the promotion of South-South support of the Government of COMSATS’ sanitizers and masks; and Triangular Cooperation in ST&I for host country, Pakistan, other Member • Specialized research towards better
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 9 health safety such as Nanofiber Filters of high protection N95-N99/FFP2- FFP3 masks, ventilators for hospital Offers Sought and Extended During Post Coordinating Council Sessions use, and immunity boosting food products, etc; Extended • Studies on genetic variations and their correlation with the disease severity; • BCSIR-Bangladesh: Nanotechnology, renewable energy, food safety, essential oil and industrial progression clinical outcomes of the surfactant, herbal medicine and medicinal plant, biotechnology, biomedical, leather/shoe technology biomaterials, biochemical and bio fuel (bio refinery) materials, and metallurgical disease and genomes sequencing of science and engineering. the virus; • CERTE-Tunisia: Water technologies (with ICENS, Jamaica). • Developing testing facilities as well as • CUI-Islamabad: Recommitment of standing offer of 100 postgraduate scholarships for students/ providing mass scale testing, as well as researchers of COMSATS’ Member States at all campuses of COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Pakistan. R&D on vaccines against COVID-19; • HIAST-Syria: tele-communication; signal processing and networking; mechanical and electronic and system research on robotics; Artificial Intelligence, navigation, control system and mechatronics • Awareness building activities for system; nanotechnology, material science, metallurgy and polymers; aeronautics, etc. students and professionals and • ICCBS-Pakistan: Reiteration of offer of five (05) post-doctoral fellowships per year for students/ researchers of COMSATS’ Member States in the fields of Natural Product Chemistry, Medicinal community integration in COVID-19 Chemistry, Structural Chemistry, Stem Cell Research, Molecular Biology, and Pharmacology. pandemic management • ICCES-China: ANSO Scholarship for post-graduate education at the colleges or schools of the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), the University of Chinese Academy of The Council members were pleased to Sciences (UCAS) or institutes of CAS around China (http://www.anso.org.cn/programmes/talent/ scholarship/). learn about a high-level breakfast meeting • ICENS-Jamaica: Environmental geochemistry, trace elements in air particulate, heavy metal convened by the Honourable Chairperson pollution in Jamaica, trace elements in animal/human tissue/ health, biogeochemical cycles, of COMSATS (President of Ghana) on forensics, and trace and heavy metals in the marine environment. the side-lines of the African Union (AU) • IROST-Iran: Design, production and evaluation of recombinant drugs; purification, characterization and anticancer activities of exopolysaccharide produced by isolated marine Summit Meeting at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. microalgae; extraction and characterization of neuroprotective compounds from marine The Meeting was found helpful in paving microalgae; and improving technology of encapsulated herbal pesticides production of integrated the way for enhancing the membership of test management; development of Hemodialysis Machine (with ITS, Indonesia). COMSATS from the African region. • ITS-Indonesia: Artificial Intelligence, Robotics (with HIAST, Syria). • NRC-Egypt: Physics, inorganic chemical industries and mineral resources (HIAST, Syria). • RSS-Jordan: Environment and climate change, water resources, agriculture, health and economy, Under different agenda items, the Council nuclear technologies (with ICENS, Jamaica). deliberated upon the ongoing projects • TIRDO-Tanzania: Energy efficiency with regard to equipment labeling and standards (with AQU, and programmes, including COMSATS Palestine). • Al-Quds-Palestine: Training sessions in the fields of its expertise for the benefit of Centres of Centre for Climate and Sustainability Excellence/ Member States. (CCCS), postgraduate scholarships and • CIF-Colombia: Training for other Member Countries / Centres of Excellence virtually in its areas post-doctoral fellowships offered by of expertise. various Centres of Excellence, capacity • CUI-Pakistan and ICCES-China: Joint faculty exchange and fellowship programmes. • All Centres of Excellence: On-demand virtual training programmes in the areas of their expertise. building activities, Telehealth programme, activities of International Thematic Sought Research Groups, publications, and other programmes for achieving SDGs. • AQU-Palestine: Scientific exchange programs and knowledge-transfer • CUI-Pakistan: Joint faculty exchange and fellowship programmes; joint research in robotics, artificial intelligence, national products and biotechnology (with ITS, Indonesia); climate change, The Council was pleased to learn that environmentally sound technology, energy challenges, greenhouse gas and water related initiatives COMSATS’ membership to the Alliance (with RSS, Jordan) of International Science Organizations • ITS-Indonesia: Agro-Processing and Medicinal Plants, Biomaterials (with CUI, Pakistan) (ANSO) has been endorsed by its • NMC-Nigeria: Modeling and simulation of climate change and environment (with ICCES, China); special programs and trainings in nanotechnology to be offered by Centres of Excellence Governing Board, enabling COMSATS' for post-graduates and in-service trainees. member states and Centres of Excellence • NRC-Egypt: Medical research, waste management (with RSS, Jordan) to participate in ANSO’s activities. • TUBITAK-Turkey: Robotics, drug discovery, ICTs, molecular dynamics, joint PhD and post- doctoral. • Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT), Egypt: aero-space, biotechnology and Some recommendations by the Council energy (with KazNU, Kazakhstan). to effectively achieve the Networking • AQU-Palestine: Energy efficiency. objectives pertained to:
10 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 most of which were held virtually due to the COVID-19 related travel restrictions. The capacity-building events co-organized/ sponsored during the period include (covered in later sections):
i. Second African Symposium on Big Data, Analytics and Machine Intelligence and the 6th TYAN International Thematic Workshop “Data Science for Solution-driven and Sustainable Response to current developing world challenges” (3rd December 2020); ii. Webinar within the framework of Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) (30th November 2020); iii. Webinar on Energy Efficiency and • Member States and Centres of Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Cleaner Production Practices in Excellence joining and supporting Nigeria since the last Council meeting. Industry (25th November 2020); COMSATS Centre for Climate and Moreover, the Centres pledged to play iv. Webinar on Challenges of Rapid Sustainability; due role in sensitizing their respective Urbanization in the Global South • Urge to Centres of Excellence to governments to the importance of making (29th October 2020); benefit from the post-graduate sustained financial contribution to v. Webinar on Breast Cancer Awareness: scholarships and post-doctoral COMSATS’ programmes. Give Hope, Save Lives (29th October fellowships available among the 2020); Centres; It was decided that the next meeting of vi. Webinar on Sustainable Water • Continuing efforts for building the Coordinating Council will be hosted Governance in the Global South capacity of the scientific community by the International Centre for Chemical under Changing Climate (8th October in its member states, especially and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), Karachi, 2020); through joint SDG-related projects Pakistan, tentatively scheduled for March vii. International Seminar on “Current and programmes prepared by the 2021. The Council members also agreed to Challenges: Imperative of South- Centres of Excellence; and meet through online meetings at least once South Cooperation” (online Webinar) • Emulating such digital health a year. (16th September 2020); initiatives, such as COMSATS viii. Webinar on Challenges to Agriculture Telehealth in their member countries Follow-up of the Decisions of and their Solutions in the Global and institutions. the 23rd Coordinating Council South (9th September 2020); ix. Webinar on International Day During the meeting, the status of Meeting of COMSATS of Clean Air for Blue Skies (7th constitution of the Technical Advisory September 2020); Committee (TAC) was also presented The decisions and recommendations of x. Webinar on Digital Health in which included nominations sought and the meeting followed-up by COMSATS COVID-19: Sharing Experiences of received from Centres of Excellence and Secretariat pertained to a number of COMSATS’ South Asian Member COMSATS Focal Points which after review matters, briefly touched on in this section. States (7th September 2020); and necessary consultation will be shared xi. International Seminar on “Youth with the Council for approval. Capacity-building Events Engagement for Global Action” organized by COMSATS in A review of Administrative and Financial The Council had advised COMSATS to collaboration with COMSATS Matters of COMSATS made by Dr. continue capacity building activities in University Islamabad (CUI), Zaidi was endorsed by the Coordinating accordance with the needs and priorities Islamabad (12th August 2020); Council. The Council appreciated the of the scientific workforce of the Centres xii. Webinar on “Impacts of Climate payment of the Annual Membership of Excellence and Member States. In this Change on South Asian Monsoon” Contribution by China, Jamaica, regard, COMSATS organized various capacity-building events during 2019-20, (28th July 2020);
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 11 xiii. Virtual training on Sexual, organizations are sharing their insights collaboration with other Centres of Reproductive and Maternal Health on how to effectively address the socio- Excellence, TIB-China has announced the (SRMH) for telemedicine economic needs of the developing establishment of ‘COMSATS Joint Centre providers (24th July 2020). countries through South – South and on Industrial Biotechnology (CCIB)’, Triangular cooperation in science and under the framework of the National Moreover, under the MoU signed technology. Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic with the Centre of Environmental Biology (NIC-Synbio), at TIB with support Economics of the University of Chinese Visitors from Network Members of the Chinese Ministry of S&T and Academy of Sciences (CEE-UCAS), Tianjin local government. In this regard, China, 14 Modules of the Belt and Road Following UTG-The Gambia’s pledge Tianjin/Chinese government has already training Course entitled: ‘Training on of actively participating in COMSATS’ released funds for the establishment Sustainable Development and Leadership activities, Prof. Dr. Faqir Muhammad of the afore-mentioned centre, and a Enhancement’, were organized by CEE- Anjum Chaudhry, Vice Chancellor, UTG, formal agreement between COMSATS UCAS, in collaboration with COMSATS visited COMSATS Secretariat on 31st and TIB will soon be signed, after which and the Alliance of International Science December 2020, with a view to explore the various programmes from the platform Organizations (ANSO), from 28th October possibilities of collaboration with other of COMSATS, including joint R&D 2020 to 3rd February 2021. The events Centres of Excellence, including CUI- activities, trainings and fellowships would enhanced the capacity of the participants Pakistan and ICCBS-Pakistan. be launched. belonging to Centres of Excellence and COMSATS member states, and facilitated A two-member delegation of CUI visited ITS-Indonesia announced the the sharing of best practices. The training Sri Lanka and held meeting with Director establishment of COMSATS-ITS Center benefited 48 trainees from 13 COMSATS' General of ITI on 20th January 2020, in of Advance Research and Innovation on member states, including Colombia, order to discuss the study opportunities Artificial Intelligence, IoT and Robotics Gambia, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, / scholarships at CUI available from the (CISARI - AIR) at vicinity of ITS. Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Palestine, Syria, platform of COMSATS. The Centre would aim to initiate joint Tanzania, Turkey, and Tunisia. research and development cooperation Establishment of ‘COMSATS Joint among COMSATS member states in New Lecture Series Launched Centre on Industrial Biotechnology emerging technologies, such as big data (CCIB)’ and COMSATS-ITS Center analytics, internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence, robotics, cloud computing, Furthermore, COMSATS initiated an of Advance Research and Innovation online lecture series on South – South 3D printing, etc. The terms of cooperation on Artificial Intelligence, IoT and and Triangular Cooperation for socio- in this regard are being discussed between economic development in the South, in Robotics (CISARI - AIR) ITS and COMSATS. which eminent experts from member countries and international partner Following its pledge to enhance
12 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 Scholarships 15th December 2020. Moreover, in order to replicate COMSATS Telehealth in to facilitate collaboration on this subject, their countries. In this connection, Following the pledge made by Centres COMSATS organized a webinar on ‘digital opportunities of collaboration with RSS- of Excellence to avail the post-graduate health in COVID-19: sharing experiences Jordan were explored through several scholarships available at CUI-Pakistan, of COMSATS’ South Asian member states’ virtual meetings held between Pr. Medical 28 applications were received during the on 7th September 2020. Officer and Telehealth Coordinator at reporting period, all of which have been COMSATS Secretariat, Dr. Azeema accepted by CUI and offered admissions. Activities of COMSATS Centre for Fareed, and officials of RSS. Moreover, the Nigerian researcher availing Climate and Sustainability (CCCS) post-doctoral fellowship at BCSIR- Proposals Submitted and Funding Bangladesh successfully completed his COMSATS Centre for Climate and Won fellowship and returned to his home Sustainability (CCCS) was further country. strengthened with the addition of TIB- During the 23rd Council meeting, it China, increasing the number of affiliated was agreed that COMSATS Secretariat Alliance of International Science organizations to (24) twenty four. In this will facilitate the submission of the joint Organizations (ANSO) invited COMSATS, regard, the Executive Director COMSATS project proposals, having relevance to the an ANSO Member, to recommend 4 through letters and discussions encouraged Sustainable Development Goals, prepared students belonging to its Member States all Centres of Excellence to ensure their by the Centres of Excellence to the for availing scholarships for young active participation in the activities of donor agencies and international partner students, announcement of which has been CCCS. During the reporting period, organizations for potential funding. In disseminated among the Focal ministries CCCS organized nine (09) webinars in this regard, COMSATS had submitted and Centres of Excellence. collaboration with various Centres of some proposals to ANSO for joint research Excellence, focusing on 7 Sustainable projects with the participation of several Offers and Exchanges of Expertise Development Goals (SDGs): SDG-2 Centres of Excellence. Out of these (Zero Hunger), SDG-3 (Good Health proposals, the following two projects led CIF-Colombia is designing a training and Well-being), SDG6 (Clean Water and by CUI-Pakistan and TUBITAK-Turkey course for the researchers belonging Sanitation), SDG-7 (Affordable and Clean have been approved by ANSO: to other Member States/Centres of Energy), SDG-11 (Sustainable Cities and Excellence, which would be announced Communities), SDG-13 (Climate Action), 1. Title: “Mosquitome of Flying soon. During the Council meeting, and SDG-15 (Life on Land). Syringes-Aedes aegypti and Aedes TUBITAK-Turkey had offered to share albopictus & their Fitness vis a its expertise with regard to combating Activities of COMSATS Telehealth vis their Competency to Transmit COVID-19 with other members of the Infection With Changing Climate” Network, which was done during online During the afore-mentioned meeting, Participation: CUI-Pakistan and sessions held on 27th October 2020, and the Centres of Excellence were urged institutions from China, Turkey and Thailand; 2. Title: “Energy and Raw Material Recovery from Treatment Sludge as a Conceptual of Zero Waste” Participation: TUBITAK-Turkey, TIRDO-Tanzania, AQU-Palestine and CUI-Pakistan.
Virtual Arrangement of 4th Consultative Committee Meeting
The Council deemed it important to continue the process of holding statutory body meetings as far and frequently as possibly. As per the Council’s suggestion to hold the COMSATS Consultative Committee meeting virtually keeping in
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 13 view the present COVID-19 related travel Presentation Sessions by the Network on Artificial Intelligence, IoT and restrictions, the 4th meeting of COMSATS Members Robotics (CISARI – AIR) by ITS, Consultative Committee was held virtually Indonesia. Another COMSATS’ on 11th November 2020, under the As a follow-up of 23rd Coordinating joint centre on Biodiversity/Natural chairpersonship of H.E. Chaudhry Fawad Council Meeting, and in order to enhance Products was proposed for furthering Hussain, Federal Minister for Science and interactions and collaborations among research collaborations among Technology, Government of Pakistan. the Centres of Excellence for initiating COMSATS Centres of Excellence/ joint programmes for the benefit of the member states. Reconstitution of the Technical member states, COMSATS organized 13 • The Centres of Excellence expressed Advisory Committee (TAC) and online sessions wherein the Centres of interest in joint projects and R&D, Strengthening the Network Excellence made presentations, inter alia, which included areas like bioenergy covering their ongoing activities and offers consumption, deforestation, In light of the decision made during of collaboration with other Centers of production of sugar crops, carbon Council meeting, efforts are underway to Excellence in terms of joint research work/ footprint of agriculture, nuclear re-constitute the COMSATS Technical training opportunities/technology-transfer. energy, food security, and informatics. Advisory Committee (TAC). Moreover, • Intellectual exchange was decided to in light of the decision regarding the During these sessions: continue including other means, such expansion of COMSATS’ Network, as series of lectures on ‘South – South COMSATS Secretariat is interacting with • The Centres presented their and Triangular cooperation for socio- renowned research centres and universities activities with regard to their economic development in the South’ in Spain, Yemen and Zimbabwe for recent achievements and future under which top scientists/experts possible induction in the Network. aspirations. These, inter alia, covered would share insights on different R&D, capacity building, HR and topics under sustainable development Annual Membership Contribution infrastructure, academic and research and scientific cooperation. outputs, joint projects and research, as During the 23rd Council meeting, well as their interest in and offers for Enhancement of Membership the Council members pledged to play joint collaborations. due role in sensitizing their respective • Common grounds of cooperation Commission governments to the importance of making were explored for combating due and sustained annual membership COVID-19. During 2020, owing to the challenges contribution towards COMSATS. During • Based on earlier work and discussions, posed by the pandemic, the campaigning the reporting period, AMC was received new Centres were announced for enhancing COMSATS’ Commission from China (US$ 45,035), Kazakhstan during these sessions, including: was mostly carried out online. Significant (US$ 20,000), and Nigeria (US$ 10,000). COMSATS Joint Centre on Industrial inroads were made with regard to Biotechnology (CCIB) by TIB , enhancement of COMSATS’ membership. China; and COMSATS-ITS Center In this regard, a number of online Zoom of Advance Research and Innovation meetings were held with ambassadors
14 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 The following provides a bird’s eye view of post-Coordinating Council sessions that spread over most part of the second half of 2020:
Session Centres Presenting Presentation made by First Session Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU), Kazakhstan Prof. Tlekkabul Ramazanov, Vice-Rector for Science & Innovations, KazNU, 8th September 2020 Kazakhstan Second Session Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology Dr. Alireza Allahyari, Director General for International Cooperation, IROST, 15th September 2020 (IROST), Iran; Iran International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences Prof. Dr. Farzana Shaheen made a presentation on behalf of Dr. Iqbal (ICCBS), Pakistan Chaudhry, Director ICCBS, Pakistan Third Session Centro Internacional de Fisica (CIF), Colombia Prof. Eduardo Posada, Director, CIF, Colombia 22nd September 2020 Fourth Session Tanzania Industrial Research and Development Dr. Lugano Wilson, Director of Engineering Development, TIRDO, Tanzania 29th September 2020 Organization (TIRDO), Tanzania; Prof. Hosam El-Sayed, Assistant Vice President for Research, NRC, Egypt National Research Centre (NRC), Egypt; Prof. Stephen E. Onah, Director, NMC, Nigeria National Mathematical Centre (NMC), Nigeria Fifth Session Al-Quds University (AQU), Palestine Dr. Radwan F. H. Qasrawi, Assistant Professor of Information & 13th October 2020 Communication Technology, AQU, Palestine Sixth Session International Center for Climate and Environment Sciences Prof. Zhaohui Lin, Director, ICCES, China 20th October 2020 (ICCES), China; Prof. Dr. Muhammad Tabassum Afzal, Rector, CUI, Pakistan COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Pakistan Seventh Session the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey Prof. Dr. Orkun Hasekioğlu, Advisor to the President, TUBITAK, Turkey 27th October 2020 (TUBITAK), Turkey; Dr. Daniel Asenso-gyambibi, Director CSIR-Building and Road Research Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Ghana Institute, CSIR, Ghana Eighth Session Royal Scientific Society (RSS), Jordan; Eng. Abeer Arafat, Assistant to the President for Organizational Knowledge 3rd November 2020 Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS), Indonesia Documentation, RSS, Jordan Prof. Bambang Pramujati, Vice Rector of Research, Innovation, Partnership and Alumni, and Dr. Sri Fatmawati, Assistant Professor, ITS, Indonesia Ninth Session International Centre for Environmental and Nuclear Mr. Charles N. Grant, Director General, ICENS, Jamaica 17th November 2020 Sciences (ICENS), Jamaica Tenth Session Water Research and Technologies Centre (CERTE), Tunisia; Prof. Ahmed Ghrabi, Director General, CERTE, Tunisia 24th November 2020 Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology (TIB), China; Prof. Jibin Sun, Deputy Director-General, TIB, China Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS), Indonesia Prof. Bambang Pramujati, Vice Rector of Research, Innovation, Partnership and Alumni, Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology, ITS, Indonesia Eleventh Session Industrial Technology Institute (ITI), Sri Lanka; Dr. Radhika Samarasekera, Director General, Industrial Technology Institute, 1st December 2020 University of The Gambia (UTG), The Gambia ITI, Sri Lanka Prof. Faqir Muhammad Anjum, Vice Chancellor, UTG, The Gambia Twelfth Session Embrapa Agrobiologia, Brazil; Dr. Robert Boddey, Research Scientist at Embrapa Agrobiologia, Brazil 8th December 2020 Industrial Research and Consultancy Centre (IRCC), Sudan Dr. Omer Kamal, Researcher, IRCC, Sudan Thirteenth Session Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Dr. M. Nashir Uddin, Director Planning and Development, BCSIR, 15th December 2020 (BCSIR), Bangladesh Bangladesh and dignitaries in Pakistan as well as programmes and was extended the offer Parashkevov, Ambassador Extraordinary from abroad. Some physical meetings of COMSATS’ membership. On the and Plenipotentiary of Bulgaria to resulted in the following interactions occasion, the Honourable Chairman was Pakistan; H.E. Mr. Volodymyr Lakomov, aiding COMSATS’ efforts to enhance it also presented COMSATS’ membership Ambassador of Ukraine to Pakistan; Commission’s Membership. documents. and H.E. Mr. Bernhard Schlagheck, The officials of Secretariat along with the H.E. Mr. Chad Blackman, Barbados Ambassador of Germany to Pakistan, Executive Director COMSATS met the Ambassador and Permanent were apprised of COMSATS and the on- Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Representative to the United Nations and going work in member states and a case Herzegovina, H.E. Mr. Sefik Dzaferovic, other international organizations based was made for them to encourage their on 4th November 2020, at a dinner in Geneva, Switzerland; and Senator governments made to join COMSATS as hosted by the Ambassador of Bosnia Hazel Thompson-Ahye of Trinidad and member states. and Herzegovina to Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Tobago; H.E. Mr. Ahmad Shakir Qarar, Sakib Foric, in the honor of Honourable a Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy As part of membership campaign, Chairman. During the brief meeting, H.E. of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in COMSATS has planned to reach out to the Mr. Dzaferovic was apprised of COMSATS’ Islamabad; H.E. Dr. Aleksandar Borisov Central Asian states, such as Azerbaijan,
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 15 Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Respective number of COMSATS Network members postponed due to the global COVID-19 ministers of Science and Technology to reach twenty-four (24). outbreak. Therefore, the duly filled-in would be approached to sensitize them proforma for technical evaluation of ITS about COMSATS’ activities and the ITS and UTG are among the top and UTG received from the two centres benefits of joining COMSATS. educational/research institutions in were circulated among the members of their respective countries, and there is a Coordinating Council for their advice/ Network of International S&T considerable overlap between the activities feedback regarding the suitability of ITS Centres of Excellence of these institutions and COMSATS’ and UTG for induction in COMSATS’ Centres of Excellence indicating room Network. Following the approval of Chairperson for collaboration in the fields of mutual Coordinating Council, Prof. Dr. Ashraf interest. ITS and UTG were formally inducted in Shaalan, and endorsement by the members the COMSATS’ Network of International of COMSATS Coordinating Council, on In connection with its membership S&T Centres of Excellence, subsequent 28th June 2020, two Centres from Gambia process, a two-member delegation of to the endorsement of the members of and Indonesia have been inducted to ITS, Indonesia, had visited COMSATS COMSATS Coordinating Council and COMSATS’ Network of International Secretariat earlier this year. formal approval by the Chairperson S&T Centres of Excellence. The addition Coordinating Council, on 28th June 2020. of these two Centres, i.e., University of The request for the induction of ITS and The Gambia (UTG) – The Gambia, and UTG in COMSATS’ Network was to be Later, the Certificates of Membership to Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology considered during the 23rd Meeting of COMSATS Network were issued to the (ITS) – Indonesia has increased the COMSATS Coordinating Council (2-4 afore-mentioned Centres by the Executive March 2020, Karachi) which was inevitably Director COMSATS.
16 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 2
STRENGTHENING SOUTH-SOUTH AND TRIANGULAR COOPERATION
• Meetings with Diplomats and Officials from COMSATS Member States 18
• Meetings with Diplomats of Potential Member States 20
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 17 STRENGTHENING SOUTH-SOUTH AND TRIANGULAR COOPERATION
One of the functions of COMSATS is to support major initiatives designed to promote indigenous S&T capacity through synergies among relevant Governments in the North and the South. Dignitaries, officials and delegations from a number of countries are engaged on regular basis to establish and promote linkages to help strengthen triangular cooperation in a number of fields, including education, training and research, climate change, SDGs and more.
Meetings with Diplomats and graduate scholarships were also allocated from universities in COMSATS' member Officials from COMSATS for Somali students at COMSATS states could visit Somalia for a first-hand Member States University Islamabad (CUI) in various review of the sector to make informed disciplines. recommendations.
H.E. Khadija Mohamed Further to facilitate strengthening of The idea of establishing a top-class Almakhzoumi, Ambassador of higher education sector of Somalia, it was R&D center in the field of Information Somalia to Pakistan (January 13, proposed that a delegation comprising of Technology in Somalia having a focus on 2020) Vice Chancellors and/or senior officials precision agriculture, e-agriculture, early
The Somali Ambassador was appreciative of COMSATS’ efforts for the advancement of science and education in the developing world. She expressed willingness to benefit from the various programmes of COMSATS and to further cooperation in the area of higher education.
Somalia was invited to benefit from opportunities of scholarships/ fellowships available with COMSATS’ Network to help build and sustain scientific capacities as well as to increase access to quality education and promote cross-culture experiences. Twenty-five (25) post-
18 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 through COMSATS.
H.E. Mr. Borhene El Kamel, Ambassador of Tunisia to Pakistan (January 21, 2020)
The meeting with H.E. Mr. Borhene El Kamel was held at his office in the Embassy of Tunisia in Islamabad. The brief meeting with the new Ambassador was held to apprise him of COMSATS’ programmes, linkages at national and international level, on-going projects and future initiatives as well as to seek the patronage of His Excellency’s office for building and furthering the cooperation avenues between COMSATS and Tunisia. warning systems for floods and droughts, During the discussions, Dr. Zaidi also and e-education was also put forth by proposed the establishment of COMSATS A key point of discussion during the Dr. Zaidi which was received with due University in the New Administrative meeting was cooperation in higher acknowledgment by the Ambassador. It Capital (NAC) of Egypt as well as extended education sector which transpired from was mutually agreed that proposal from offer of assistance for formulation of the briefing by Dr. Zaidi on COMSATS’ COMSATS shall be forwarded to the Egypt’s technology policy. Amb. (R) Fauzia Scholarship Programme. Government authorities as well as private Nasreen, Advisor (SDGs) at COMSATS, sector of Somalia through Embassy to help suggested that a virtual cell to discuss and H.E. U. L Niyas, Acting High materialize this idea. Prospects of financial brainstorm ideas for the formulation of Commissioner of Sri Lanka to patronage from international donor ST&I policies post COVID-19 may be Pakistan (March 11, 2020) agencies would also be explored. formed jointly by the Ministries of S&T of Pakistan (COMSATS Focal Point) and Dr. Zaidi apprised the Acting High The Ambassador also took keen interest Egypt. Commissioner and his associates of in the COMSATS’ Telehealth Programme the ongoing activities and future plans and discussed possibility of its replication The Ambassador was receptive of various of COMSATS. He acknowledged and in Somalia in order to strengthen the proposals discussed during the meeting appreciated the active involvement of the healthcare sector of the country. and expressed interest in enhancing Sri Lankan Industrial Technology Institute cooperation between Pakistan and Egypt (ITI) in the international programmes and in cyber security, ST&I, and education H.E. Dr. Tarek Dahroug, activities of COMSATS. Ambassador of Egypt to Pakistan (July 21, 2020)
The Honourable Ambassador was accompanied by Mr. Ibrahim Said Ibrahim, Deputy Head of Mission (DHM) at the Embassy. During the meeting, discussions were held to enhance and further strengthen the existing cooperation between COMSATS and Egypt. Dr. Zaidi stated that COMSATS highly values its ties with Egypt and appreciate the country’s active participation in various scientific programmes and activities of the Organization.
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 19 domain over the years.
The brief meeting with the Ambassador was aimed at apprising him of COMSATS’ programmes, linkages at national and international level, on-going projects and future initiatives as well as to seek the patronage of His Excellency’s office for building the cooperation avenues between COMSATS and Ukraine.
H.E. Mr. Bernhard Schlagheck, Ambassador of Germany to Pakistan (January 23, 2020)
The meeting held with the Ambassador was aimed at building cooperation with Germany for seeking patronage and broadening COMSATS’ international activities within the framework of triangular cooperation and United Nations 2030 Global Agenda.
During the meeting, Dr. Zaidi briefed the Ambassador about COMSATS’ Reviewing the on-going collaboration Meetings with Diplomats of S&T-related engagements with different taking place between COMSATS and Sri Potential Member States institutions and state-owned scientific Lanka, the Executive Director requested departments in its Member States. H.E. the Government of Sri Lanka to depute H.E. Mr. Volodymyr Lakomov, Mr. Schlagheck was also apprised of a suitable officer/expert to work at Ambassador of Ukraine to Pakistan COMSATS’ initiatives in the field of COMSATS Secretariat on secondment health, ICTs, higher education and climate (January 21, 2020) in order to initiate specific programmes change as well as recent engagements with aimed at addressing the socio-economic international bodies such as UNOSSC Ukraine’s good standing in the field of needs of Sri Lanka. and Commonwealth. H.E. Mr. Schlagheck Information Technology is a potential lauded COMSATS for its innovative link of cooperation for COMSATS that The Acting High Commissioner approach to bring about sustainable appreciated COMSATS’ activities and has made a mark in the afore-mentioned achievements in the domains of promoting cooperation in science and technology. He expressed his country’s interest in availing the scholarships and fellowships offered by COMSATS Centres of Excellence, including CUI. He also pledged active participation of Sri Lanka in the activities of COMSATS Centre for Climate and Sustainability (CCCS).
Furthermore, the prospects of establishing COMSATS University on science and technology in Sri Lanka were also discussed during the meeting.
20 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 education and scientific cooperation can be the starting point for building strong relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as other Member States of COMSATS. In connection with this, he offered support to host a delegation of professors from Afghan universities to visit Pakistani institutions and explore avenues of cooperation and to build linkages between academic institutions of the two countries.
Mr. Qarar expressed his strong resolve to create scientific and academic linkages between Afghanistan and Pakistan. He informed that higher education institutions, such as the University of Nangarhar, Kabul University and University of Herat, to name a few, have good faculty of science and well-suited for international linkages. development in the Global South. During the brief meeting, the matter of Cognizant of the healthcare needs of the Bulgaria’s possible accession to COMSATS people of Afghanistan, Dr. Zaidi offered Support of the Ambassador’s office was was discussed. The Honourable support to the Afghan people through sought for the following proposals: Ambassador assured of his full support COMSATS Telehealth (CTH) program for expediting the membership process. (ehealthcomsats.com), which is a success • Establishment of top-class research Dr. Parashkevov also expressed interest in due to its reliance on information and centres in COMSATS' member states collaborating with COMSATS’ Network communication technologies as well as in contemporary areas with the for expert-exchanges, faculty development, time-tested standard operating procedures support of German institutions and training and capacity-building of scientific supporting basic and specialist medical development agencies. workforce. consultation in distant locations. Mr. • Placement of German expert(s) on Qarar appreciated the idea and pledged secondment at COMSATS Secretariat H.E. Mr. Ahmad Shakir Qarar, to consult the Afghan health department for consultancy and advice on DHM, Embassy of Afghanistan in back home in order to build synergies and COMSATS’ regional and international Islamabad (October 08, 2020) to establish a viable health solution for programs. In this connection, it was Afghan people. informed that experts from China and Dr. Zaidi expressed COMSATS’ strong Nigeria are already on board. desire to have Afghanistan as its Member H.E. Mr. Sefik Dzaferovic, Chairman State in order to aid the Republic’s of the Presidency of Bosnia and H.E. Dr. Aleksandar Borisov science and technology-led development. Herzegovina (November 04, 2020) Parashkevov, Ambassador Understanding Afghanistan’s needs Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to establish strong connections and During the brief meeting with the of Bulgaria to Pakistan (March 13, synergies with institutions around the Chairman at a dinner hosted by the 2020) globe especially from countries having Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina similar development challenges, Dr. Zaidi in Islamabad, H.E. Mr. Dzaferovic was Visit to His Excellency’s office was aimed highlighted the role that COMSATS can apprised of COMSATS’ programmes and at acquainting him with COMSATS’ play to build linkages amongst academic was extended the offer of COMSATS’ operations as well as to explore avenues and scientific institutions of Afghanistan membership. On the occasion, the of cooperation with Bulgaria in areas of and other developing countries through its Honourable Chairman was also presented mutual interest. various platforms and networks. COMSATS’ membership documents.
Dr. Zaidi noted that programs in higher
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 21 22 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 3
COLLABORATIONS WITH NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
• Centre for Environmental Economics (CEE), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) 24
• European Union Pakistan 25
• International Centre for Training and Development (ICTD) 25
• Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) 25
• National Centre for Physics 26
• National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) 26
• South Centre 26
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 27
• United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) 27
• University for Sustainability 28
• United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) 28
• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Pakistan 28
• The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) 28
• International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) 28
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 23 COLLABORATIONS WITH NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Over the years, COMSATS has expanded its cohort of national and international partners to foster broader and more effective collaborations in Science and Technology and launch new programmes and activities with its Centres of Excellence for sustainable socio-economic development of the Member States. Still growing, these partnerships aim to complement the programmes of COMSATS focusing on capacity-building of S&T community in developing countries.
Centre for Environmental Economics (CEE), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS)
During July 2020, COMSATS established cooperative ties with the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) through signing an Agreement with its umbrella institute, the Centre for Environmental Economics (CEE). Both COMSATS and UCAS are members of the Alliance of International Science Organizations (ANSO) of China.
The partnership Agreement signed by Executive Director COMSATS, Dr. S.M. Junaid Zaidi, and Director CEE-UCAS, shall undertake joint research activities, Subsequent to the signing of the Prof. Desheng Wu, aims to promote exchange publications and information Agreement, a virtual meeting was held educational and research activities among material through mutually agreed on 27th July 2020, to chalk out modalities CEE-UCAS, COMSATS' member states channels, conduct capacity-building of the partnership. The two sides reached and Network. activities, as well as secure funding from consensus on engaging COMSATS’ potential international donor agencies for Centres of Excellence and relevant According to the Agreement, the two sides the collaborative projects. organizations in COMSATS Member
24 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 States for joint research in areas of artificial meeting that was held on 20th February International Centre for Training intelligence, environmental issues, risk 2020, in the presence of senior COMSATS’ and Development (ICTD) management, mathematical sciences, officials. computer-based systems, and green supply Since its inauguration in 2019 under chain, among others. It was informed during the meeting an MoU between COMSATS and the that with the aim to promote research American Institute of Pakistan Studies Furthering the cooperation, COMSATS and innovation-led economic growth in (AIPS), ICTD is building capacities joined hands with UCAS and ANSO for its Member States, COMSATS aspires in areas of climate change, intellectual a three-month long online ‘Training on setting-up regional hubs in cutting-edge property rights, higher education and Sustainable Development and Leadership areas of science and technology. Dr. Zaidi leadership, and energy policy. During the Enhancement’ that commenced from 28th also highlighted the role being played reporting period, ICTD held following October 2020. by COMSATS Centres of Excellence trainings, the details of which are covered for the materialization of such projects. in Chapter 4: The training sessions conducted by Taking note of this, Ms. Kaminara stated eminent experts from Canada, China, that strong academic linkages are at the • Lecture on ranking and universities Denmark, Montenegro, Sweden, and USA, core of such initiatives which also need a – importance and challenges, January benefitted participants from across the prominent place in a country’s policies. 03, 2020. globe, including 48 from various Centres Ambassador Kaminara considered • Interactive session on the ranking of Excellence of COMSATS in 13 countries capacity-building of the scientists and and quality assurance of universities, (Colombia, The Gambia, Indonesia, Iran, technicians a key factor in this connection. February 18, 2020. Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Palestine, She also informed that EU is currently Pakistan, Syria, Tanzania, Tunisia, collaborating with the National Vocational Chinese Ministry of Science and and Turkey), as well as officials from & Technical Training Commission COMSATS Secretariat. (NAVTTC), Government of Pakistan, for Technology (MoST) conducting vocational trainings in the European Union Pakistan country. COMSATS’ interactions with the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (COMSATS’ Focal Point) dates back to With a view to advancing the cooperation Furthermore, Ms. Kaminara considered 1994 when China became a Member with European Union Pakistan, H.E. programmes such as Horizon 2020 of State. During 2020, this connection Ms. Androulla Kaminara, the new European Union (EU) important for further strengthened through signing of a Ambassador of the European Union to aiding S&T-related projects. She expressed Memorandum of Understanding. Pakistan, was invited for a meeting at interest in working with COMSATS' COMSATS Secretariat. Her Excellency member states to help attract funding Various steps of cooperation envisaged was accompanied by Ms. Anne Marchal, and generate sustainable solutions for in the MoU are strengthening STI Deputy Head of Mission at the European addressing climate crisis. collaboration and exchanges; boosting STI Union Delegation to Pakistan, for the people-to-people exchange; establishing joint laboratories for high-level scientific study and collaborative research and development; and engaging in science park cooperation and facilitating technology transfer, and more.
As a result of this partnership agreement, MoST is providing patronage to the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology (TIB) of Chinese Academy of Sciences – one of the twenty-four COMSATS Centres of Excellence – in establishing the COMSATS Joint Centre for Industrial Biotechnology. Such a Centre, once established, would give a great boost to agriculture, textiles and
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 25 NDMA has been working to enhance disaster resilience in Pakistan and is the leading policy and coordination body for combating natural and human-induced disasters in Pakistan.
Dr. S.M. Junaid Zaidi, Executive Director COMSATS, and Mr. Muhammad Idrees Mehsud, Member DRR, NDMA, signed the agreement in a ceremony held at NDMA, Prime Minister’s Office, Government of Pakistan. Lieutenant General Muhammad Afzal, Chairman NDMA; Prof. Dr. Ghazna Khalid, Member of the Parliament and Member Task Force on COVID-19, Ministry of Science and pharmaceutical industries and would COMSATS-NCP joint fellowship scheme. Technology, Government of Pakistan; help integrate ecofriendly practices in After his research work on ion beam along with representatives from both sides COMSATS member states. experimentation, Dr. Obodo successfully witnessed the signing of the agreement. completed his PhD degree requirements Furthermore, Torch Hi-tech Industry under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Fabian The guiding principle of the MoU is to Development Centre of MoST is I. Ezema who is the main collaborator facilitate the provision of tele-health facilitating establishment of S&T Park of research projects being run by NCP services through the Resource Center at on Biotechnology in Jhelum District in collaboration with the Department of Isolation Hospital and Infectious Diseases of Pakistan. To discuss its modalities, a Physics and Astronomy of the University Treatment Centre (IHITC) Islamabad. virtual meeting was also held between of Nigeria. Towards this end, CIS shall help mobilize COMSATS and the senior officials of the resources and build the technical capacity Torch Hi-tech Industry Development In his research, Dr. Obodo studied effects of IHITC. Furthermore, through this Centre on 3rd June 2020. As follow-up of of varying doses of copper ion irradiation MoU, training activities shall also be the discussions, the Torch Centre invited on the properties of nanostructured carried to help build the capacity of the Executive Director COMSATS to virtually nanowires. His research has led to the personnel in various aspects pertaining to address ‘The Belt and Road Initiative understanding that low radiation doses natural and human-induced disasters. Scientific and Technological Park Forum’, help maintain the electrochemical part of the Zhongguancun Forum (17-19 properties of nanostructures having South Centre September 2020, Beijing). wide electrical, nanoelectromechanical and optoelectronics applications. Dr. COMSATS further strengthened its National Centre for Physics Obodo’s research published in reputable working relations with the South international journal Science Direct, can Centre through signing an MoU on 3rd Under an Agreement with the NCP signed be accessed here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j. September 2018, that entails cooperation in 2016, COMSATS has been providing mset.2019.10.006. in various regional and cross-regional joint fellowships to young scientists initiatives as well as exchange of from COMSATS' member states apart National Disaster Management information and technical resources from supporting joint research projects Authority (NDMA) among common member states. between NCP and scientific institutions in COMSATS' member states; and facilitating On 16th October 2020, a Memorandum During 2020, an article on “COVID-19 information sharing, scientific exchanges of Understanding was signed between Crisis and Developing Countries: and technology-transfer. COMSATS’ flagship project, COMSATS Digital Health Perspective” authored by Internet Services (CIS), and the National Ambassador (R) Fauzia Nasreen, Advisor During the reporting period, Dr. Raphael Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) (SDGs); Dr. Azeema Fareed, Principal Mmaduka Obodo, a PhD scholar from of Government of Pakistan, with an aim to Medical Officer; and Ms. Huma Balouch, the University of Nigeria, completed a support tele-health services and trainings Sr. Assistant Director (Programmes), part of his research work at the National in natural and human-induced disasters. COMSATS Secretariat was featured in Centre for Physics (NCP), Pakistan, under SouthViews of The South Centre.
26 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 The article explored digital health- developing countries relationship and established the significance and efficacy of digital tools and mechanisms for bringing about the required reforms in the healthcare systems to help deal with the public health issues in the post COVID-19 period. Pakistan’s case study of digital health to support the pandemic management was also discussed in the article. The article can be accessed here: https://www.southcentre.int/southviews- no-198-8-june-2020/.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
On 8th January 2020, a virtual meeting was held between COMSATS and United in the event, and expressed willingness Galaxy and UNOSSC. This was done by Nations Development Programme to cooperate with COMSATS and the highlighting the organization’s vision, (UNDP) officials took place as a result of Government of Ghana in this regard. The mission and objectives, good practices on the Agency’s deep interest in COMSATS’ two sides also discussed the specific areas South-South and Triangular cooperation, forthcoming General Meeting and of science and technology to be covered by aided by visual material, information on Accra Forum on S&T for Sustainable the event. key partners, and publications. COMSATS’ Development to be held under the profile and initiatives were also projected patronage of Hon. Nana Akufo-Addo, Further during the discussions, Mr. in South-South Galaxy’s bi-monthly President of Ghana and Chairperson Abdullah Alkulaib informed about newsletter (https://www.southsouth- of COMSATS. However, the two high- UNDP’s Accelerator Lab project, which galaxy.org/comsats-south-south- level events were later postponed due to is active in 50 countries, including 30 in cooperation-partner-of-the-month/). COVID-19 pandemic. African region. The project is focused at scaling up the grass-root technologies for In addition to this, South-South Galaxy From COMSATS’ side, the meeting facilitating the development of countries of platform of UNOSSC regularly shared was attended by Dr. S.M. Junaid Zaidi, the South. information material on COMSATS Executive Director; Ambassador Shahid Centre for Climate and Sustainability Kamal, Advisor (Climate Change); Mr. United Nations Office for South- (CCCS) and its events on Galaxy portal as Nisar Ahmad, Deputy Director (Systems); well as its social media network. and Mr. Farhan Ansari, Senior Assistant South Cooperation (UNOSSC) Director (Programmes). Mr. Abdullah During the reporting period, COMSATS Alkulaib, Regional Specialist, Regional COMSATS agreement with UNOSSC signed in November 2018 provided an also participated in the following events Bureau for Africa at UNDP; and Ms. organized by UNOSSC in partnership with Ronata, participated from the other side. impetus to South-South cooperative activities of COMSATS. During July- other international organizations (details in Chapter 5): Familiarizing the UNDP officials with August 2020, COMSATS was featured as the ‘Partner of the Month’ by South-South COMSATS and its statutory activities, • 2020 UN Regional South-South and Dr. Zaidi and Ambassador Kamal shed Galaxy Platform of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation Triangular Cooperation Focal Points light on the objectives, expected level of Network Retreat, December 15, 2020. participation, and anticipated outcomes (UNOSSC) as part of its initiative to promote organizations on their exceptional • Webinar on “Regional, Sub-regional of the Accra Forum. They considered the and Interregional Organizations in the participation and support of the relevant South-South and Triangular cooperation efforts. Global South as Actors in Responding agencies of United Nations crucial for to COVID-19”, July 15, 2020. realizing the objectives of the event. • 3rd Asia-Pacific Forum on South- The UNDP officials took keen interest COMSATS was promoted on the social media channels of South-South South and Triangular Cooperation
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 27 for Peace and Development (details in Chapter 7).
Moreover, Mr. Raza Shah, National Professional Officer (Natural Sciences), UNESCO Pakistan, also participated in the fourth Consultative Committee Meeting of COMSATS as an observer (details in Chapter 1).
The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS)
themed on “The Role of South-South Role of South-South Cooperation in COMSATS partnered with TWAS Young Cooperation in Building Back Better Building Back Better from COVID-19 Affiliates Network (TYAN), TWAS Sub- from COVID-19 Pandemic in the Asia Pandemic in the Asia and the Pacific”, Saharan Africa Regional Partner (TWAS and the Pacific”, November 25, 2020. on 25th November 2020. The forum was SAREP), TWAS Latin America and the jointly organized by the United Nations Caribbean Regional Partner (TWAS University for Sustainability Economic and Social Commission for LACREP), TWAS Arab Regional Partner Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP); the (TWAS-AREP), and Association for Based on similar mandates, COMSATS United Nations Office for South-South Computing Machinery – Women Europe and the University for Sustainability Cooperation (UNOSSC); the Government (ACM-W) for holding 2nd African announced a partnership to collaboratively of Indonesia; and the Thailand Symposium on Big Data, Analytics advance science, technology and International Cooperation Agency (TICA), and Machine Intelligence and the 6th innovation for sustainable development Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand TYAN International Thematic Workshop and the promotion of peaceful (details in Chapter 5). “Data Science for Solution driven coexistence necessary to accelerate a just and Sustainable Response to current and humanitarian transformation to Furthermore, Mr. Tengfei WANG, developing world challenges”, in December sustainable development. Economic Affairs Officer, Trade, 2020 (Chapter 4). Investment and Innovation Division, United Nations Economic and UNESCAP, also participated in the International Centre for Genetic fourth Consultative Committee Meeting Engineering and Biotechnology Social Commission for Asia and of COMSATS as an observer (details in the Pacific (UNESCAP) Chapter 1). (ICGEB) During 2020, COMSATS’ interaction with COMSATS established strong working United Nations Educational, relations with UNESCAP through ICGEB came in the form of participation signing an MoU on 20th December 2017. Scientific and Cultural of a representative of the Organization During the reporting period, COMSATS Organization (UNESCO) Pakistan as an observer in the fourth Consultative participated in the 3rd Asia-Pacific Committee Meeting of COMSATS held in Forum on South-South and Triangular During 2020, COMSATS cooperation with November 2020 (details in Chapter 1). Cooperation held under the theme “The UNESCO Pakistan resulted into an event held to commemorate World Science Day
28 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 4
S&T AND SDGS RELATED EVENTS
• Lecture on Ranking and Universities – Importance and Challenges (January 03, 2020) 30 • Lecture on Belt and Road Initiative and its Implications on Sustainable Development in Pakistan 31 (January 15, 2020) • Roundtable dialogue on Sino-Pak Agriculture Cooperation – Way Forward (January 20, 2020) 31 • Session on University Ranking & Quality Assurance (February 18, 2020) 32 • Startup Founder Workshop on How to Build Successful Team and Businesses (March 03, 2020) 32 • Awareness Talk on Coronavirus Preparedness in the Workplace (March 09, 2020) 33 • Webinar on Role and Challenges of Youth in Global Crisis – COVID-19 (May 04, 2020) 33 • Webinar on Climate Change Risks and Impacts on Vulnerable Communities Post COVID-19 34 (July 08, 2020) • Webinar on Impacts of Climate Change on South Asian Monsoon (July 28, 2020) 35 • International Webinar on Digital Health in COVID-19: Sharing Experiences of COMSATS’ 35 South Asian Member States (September 07, 2020) • Webinar on Challenges to Agriculture and their Solutions in the Global South 37 (September 09, 2020) • Webinar on Sustainable Water Governance in the Global South under Changing Climate 38 (October 08, 2020) • Training Workshop on Becoming Internationally Recognized SIYB Trainer 38 (October 26 - November 05, 2020) • Webinar on Challenges of Rapid Urbanization in the Global South (October 29, 2020) 39 • Webinar on Energy Efficiency and Cleaner Production Practices in Industry (November 25, 2020) 39 • 2nd African Symposium on Big Data Analytics and Machine Intelligence & 6th TYAN 39 International Thematic Workshop “Data Science for Solution driven and Sustainable Response to Current Developing World Challenges” (December 03 – 04, 2020)
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 29 S&T AND SDGs RELATED EVENTS
Capacity-building activities are an important feature of COMSATS’ programmes aimed at strengthening South-South Cooperation. Events in important scientific areas and those related to SDGs are regularly held to strengthen scientific linkages; build indigenous capacities; and promote S&T as a tool for development. These events provide a useful platform to the members of the scientific community, development experts, donor/development agencies, and the decision-makers in particular from Member States, to share their views and experiences on contemporary issues of importance for S&T- led socio-economic development as well as accomplishment of SDGs and their various targets. A new component in the schema of events this year has inevitably been COVID-19, also reflected in this Chapter.
Lecture on Ranking and organized a lecture on “Ranking and the participation of Vice Chancellors from Universities – Importance and Universities – Importance and Challenges” the public and private sector universities, Challenges (January 03, 2020) at COMSATS Secretariat Islamabad, on senior academicians, and several 3rd January 2020. former employees of Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan. COMSATS in collaboration with the Inter Delivered by Prof. Syed Sohail Hussain In his lecture, Prof. Naqvi discussed University Consortium for the Promotion Naqvi, Rector of University of Central various ranking parameters used by the of Social Sciences Arts and Humanities Asia – Kyrgyzstan and former Executive global ranking organizations. He remarked (IUCPSS) and the International Center Director of the Higher Education that institutional rankings apart from for Training and Development (ICTD) Commission of Pakistan, the lecture had teaching and research are also important
30 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 grand project. It was delineated that the project is set to form new value chains involving major parts of Asia. BRI, it was noted, is going to improve China’s access to world markets, create more complex value chains and achieve international standards by creating and retaining technological advantage. The ambitious project is going to be major influencer of geo political scenario of the world by establishing a global network of influence.
The Q&A session resulted in discussions on creation of more value chains and systems. Human resource of China was for standing out with respect to academic The lecture was attended by a number considered an important contributor excellence. While appreciating the progress of officials from academia, COMSATS to its thrust, as well as its GDP and of new educational set-ups, Prof. Naqvi Secretariat and GTTN, including Dr. technological advancement. Other aspects shared his experience of working with S. M. Junaid Zaidi, Executive Director discussed during the session were role of the Lahore University of Management COMSATS; Mr. Owais Ahmad Ghani, Europe in BRI, risks related to the project, Sciences (LUMS) as the Vice Chancellor of Former Governor for Balochistan & KPK; technology absorption and adaptation, the University. Dr. Shoaib Suddle, Pakistan’s Former geopolitical changes, foreign policy, Federal Tax Ombudsman; Dr. Akram internationalization of Chinese currency, Sheikh, Chairman of the Board – GTTN Lecture on Belt and Road and terms of technology transfer. The and former Federal Minister/Deputy Initiative and its Implications environmental aspects of BRI were also Chairman Planning Commission of touched upon. CPEC, it was observed, has on Sustainable Development in Pakistan; Mr. Amer Hashmi, President & become a major framework for economic Pakistan (January 15, 2020) Member of the Board – GTTN; Ms. Najma policies environment for future years. Pirzada, Managing Editor Global Village COMSATS and the Global Think Tank Space Publications; Mr. Ghalib Iqbal, Network (GTTN) organized the first Ex. Ambassador to France; Dr. Saifullah Roundtable Dialogue on Sino-Pak lecture under their joint Distinguished Awan, National University of Science Agriculture Cooperation – Way Guest Lecture Series on 15th January and Technology (NUST), Islamabad; Dr. Forward (January 20, 2020) 2020. Senior Advisor at Flint Global and Ansar Rajput, Capital University; and Ms. a former Europe Minister of Portugal, Shaheen Rasul, GTTN. A roundtable dialogue on “Sino-Pak Mr. Bruno Macaes, delivered the lecture Agriculture Cooperation – Way Forward” on “Belt and Road Initiative and its In his lecture, Mr. Macaes explored various was held at COMSATS Secretariat, on Implications on Sustainable Development dynamics of BRI relating to the economic, 20th January 2020. Jointly organized by in Pakistan”. commerce and geopolitical aspects of this COMSATS and the Institute of Peace
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 31 and Diplomatic Studies (IPDS), the Mr. Waqas Burki, Capability Manager employers of students who are ready forum highlighted the ongoing Sino- at Fatima Group, spoke about the global for the job market. She added that Pak Agriculture Cooperation during rankings of Pakistan in crop production. this ranking is being endorsed by the the second phase of China Pakistan He opined that crop production international bodies like the International Economic Corridor (CPEC). The dialogue mechanisms should be uplifted through Labor Organization (ILO) and the United was attended by research scholars, digitalization and efficient use of Nations Educational, Scientific and various stakeholders from enterprises, technology. Cultural Organization (UNESCO). academicians, diplomats, and members of the civil society. Session on University Ranking & Thirty participants from various Quality Assurance (February 18, institutions of Pakistan attended the In his keynote address, Dr. Gu Wenliang, session that included: the Women Agricultural Commissioner at the 2020) University, Multan; Shaheed Benazir Embassy of People’s Republic of China Bhutto Women University, Peshawar; in Islamabad, underscored the need to An informational session on the ranking Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad; promote cooperation in agriculture sector and quality assurance of universities GC University, Lahore; The University of to help produce better crop varieties and was jointly organized by COMSATS’ Lahore, Lahore; National University of agricultural products, and building green International Centre for Training & Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi; corridor. Development (ICTD), the Inter University Preston University; Quality Enhancement Consortium for the Promotion of Social Cell (QEC), FAST-National University Dr. Gu highlighted the prospects of Sciences Arts and Humanities (IUCPSS) of Computer and Emerging Sciences collaboration between the Chinese and the Applied Higher Education (NUCES), Islamabad; and Quality Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Pakistan Singapore, at COMSATS Secretariat, on Enhancement Cell (QEC), Abbottabad Agriculture Research Council (PARC) for 18th February 2020. University of Science & Technology, policy formulation. Abbottabad. The session was jointly chaired by Ms. Mr. Hassan Daud, CEO of the Board of Mandy Mok, Chief Executive Officer and faculty member at Applied HE Startup Founder Workshop on Investment from KPK and former Project How to Build Successful Team Director, CPEC in Planning Commission, Singapore; Prof. Herman Surjono, Dean Government of Pakistan, emphasized Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri and Businesses (March 03, 2020) the need for promoting co-branding and Yogyakarta, Indonesia; Mr. Pieter E. Steck, co-marketing of agro-based products and Chief Analyst at Applied HE Singapore; COMSATS in collaboration with livestock. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Dr. Rauf I Azam, Pro-Rector of University the American Institute of Pakistan Muhammad Azeem, Chairman, PARC, of Lahore; and Dr. Syed Tahir Hijazi, Vice Studies (AIPS) and the Inter University deliberated on Pakistan’s standing in Chancellor of MY University, Islamabad. Consortium for the Promotion of Social agriculture and outlined the potential Sciences Arts and Humanities (IUCPSS) avenues of cooperation between Pakistan Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Mok organized a Startup Workshop on “How to and China. informed that the Applied HE carries out Build Successful Team and Businesses”, at ranking of member educational institutes its Secretariat, on 3rd March 2020. as well as rating for the international
32 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 as well as public health response to COVID-19.
Webinar on Role and Challenges of Youth in Global Crisis – COVID-19 (May 04, 2020)
An international webinar to commemorate National Youth Day of China was organized by COMSATS on 4th May 2020. The webinar, titled “Role and Challenges of Youth in Global Crisis – COVID-19”, was aimed at realizing the transformative role being played by youth in numerous settings and spheres for effective translation of various targets of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals The workshop was conducted by Ms. organized at COMSATS Secretariat for the (SDGs); as well as suggesting ways to apply Cathy Simpson, and had the participation employees, on 9th March 2020. The talk youth’s potential to help deal not only with of around 50 female students and faculty delivered by Dr. Zawar Ali, Vaccinologist the current coronavirus pandemic but members from different universities of and Travel Health Physician at Excel Labs, also with looming global threats and key Pakistan. The session covered various Pakistan, covered various aspects of the challenges to sustainable development, aspects of Scrum training and Agile epidemic, including disease prevention such as climate change. manifesto along with techniques and control. for improving team efficiency and The webinar was moderated by Ms. Nafula management. During the talk, Dr. Ali shared some key Wafula, Co-founder of Tunawiri (The statistics of disease spread in China and Grassroots Gender Justice Network) and During the training, Ms. Simpson elsewhere in the world and touched upon Vice Chairperson in Charge of Policy and discussed contemporary market trends aspects related to epidemiology, etiology Advocacy at the Commonwealth Youth and shared with the trainees some key and pathogenesis, especially in the context Council. The event featured remarks attributes of a successful start-up. She of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). and views of the following international highlighted the need for developing experts, young leaders and entrepreneurs technical knowledge and soft skills for The talk was followed by Q&A session from 15 countries, Greece; Pakistan; success of entrepreneurial ventures. Ms. wherein Dr. Ali answered various queries China; China; Jordan; Cameroon; Simpson highlighted team work, sound related to diagnosis, routes of transmission Botswana; Ghana; Turkey; Egypt; United leadership, trust, effective planning and timely testing essential factors for better product development.
Ms. Simpson also stressed upon the need to promote entrepreneurial culture and stated that STEM education is important for enabling the culture of innovation, inculcating analytical thinking and increasing science literacy.
Awareness Talk on Coronavirus Preparedness in the Workplace (March 09, 2020)
An awareness talk on “Corona virus preparedness in the workplace” was
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 33 Kingdom; Norway; China; Tanzania; and Switzerland.
During the webinar, country responses to COVID-19 and youth’s role in dealing with the crisis were recorded by different participants. China’s remarkable success in containing the spread of COVID-19 as a nation was lauded and the significant role that Chinese youth played in increasing awareness about disease prevention and control was regarded exemplary.
It was opined that shift to digital tools and methods can help solve the rising youth unemployment challenges. In addition, youth’s involvement was deemed an important element along with civic education, democracy and local development in societal building and progress. The participants also highlighted online education and learning during the pandemic as a challenge for countries with was aimed at bringing stakeholders Malaysia; Prof. Rania Abu Seir, Professor resource constraints. from Global South to share information, of Medical Sciences at Al-Quds University experience and knowledge on addressing (AQU), Palestine; Dr. Anjum Rasheed, Various ideas on solutions to cope with challenges of COVID-19, environmental Assistant Professor at Centre for Climate the ramifications of the corona pandemic sustainability and food security. Research & Development (CCRD), were also presented during the webinar. COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Green economy was considered a Speakers from six scientific and research Pakistan; Eng. Sherif Abdel Reheem, Head sustainable instrument to handle social, institutions, including four CCCS of Climate Change Central Department, environmental and economic fallouts Network members in Jamaica, Palestine, Egypt; and Ms. Leslie Hoo Fang, Research of the pandemic. Online sharing of Pakistan and Sri Lanka, participated in the Scientist at International Centre for experiences, knowledge and best practices webinar that was moderated by Prof. Dr. Environment & Nuclear Sciences (ICENS), relating to mitigation strategies and coping Ashraf Shaalan, Chairperson COMSATS Jamaica. mechanisms were valued as important Coordinating Council and Director of elements for generating integrated C3SD – NRC, and Ambassador (R) Shahid Opening the webinar, Prof. Shaalan response to corona pandemic. A. Kamal, Founder and Head of CCCS. remarked that climate change is a long term pandemic that could have worst Webinar on Climate Change The speakers at the webinar included: Dr. implications than it currently presents. Risks and Impacts on Vulnerable (Ms.) Ilmi G. N. Hewajulige, Additional Communities Post COVID-19 Director General (R&D) at Industrial Co-chairing the webinar, Ambassador Technology Institute, Sri Lanka; Prof. Kamal informed that COMSATS has (July 08, 2020) Hesham A. El Enshasy, Director of set up CCCS network to work on the Institute of Bio-products Development, linkages of climate change and sustainable COMSATS Centre for Climate & University Technology Malaysia (UTM), development and welcomed the initiative Sustainability (CCCS) and Centre of of C3SD-NRC to hold the webinar. Excellence for Research & Applied Sciences on Climate Change & Sustainable Key points of discussions included: Development of National Research Centre (C3SD – NRC), Egypt, jointly organized • Effect of COVID-19 on global a webinar on Climate Change Risks and action against climate change, green Impacts on Vulnerable Communities Post transition and recovery; COVID-19, on 8th July 2020. The webinar • Global carbon emissions and aviation
34 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 footprint stats (dropped 17 and 60 percent, respectively); • Postponement of UNFCCC COP 26 to 2021 and SDGs review; • Importance of environmental sustainability in the backdrop of COVID-19 pandemic, especially challenges due to global warming, air pollution, water contamination, toxic soil, and loss of biodiversity; • Importance of ensuring food and nutrition security in the face of global warming, higher frequency of natural disasters; • Government interventions for reducing GHG emissions, fighting COVID-19 pandemic and ensuring food security; and of monsoon in various parts of Pakistan; Asian Member States’, on 7th September • Clinical and epidemiological issues calamitous impact of summer monsoon 2020. The main purpose of the event during the pandemic, challenges in Sri Lanka marked by flooding and was to gather relevant stakeholders from in fighting COVID-19 with limited drought; impact of atmospheric aerosols, COMSATS’ South Asian Member States healthcare capacity, and role of and non-renewable energy resources on for sharing experiences in response to telemedicine. precipitation patterns; and the mitigation the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular, strategies being taken by the governmental COVID-19 related digital health solutions Webinar on Impacts of Climate of Bangladesh to curb the fallout of climate at government and institution levels. Change on South Asian Monsoon change. The webinar was virtually attended by a significant number of relevant individuals (July 28, 2020) Some key recommendations of the from Pakistan and abroad. webinar related to: need for research- On 28th July 2020, COMSATS Centre backed policy formulation to help mitigate In her keynote address, Dr. Sania Nishtar, for Climate and Sustainability (CCCS) the negative impacts of suddenly changing SAPM on Poverty Alleviation and organized a webinar on “Impacts patterns of monsoon on environmental Social Protection and Federal Minister, of Climate Change on South Asian and socioeconomic conditions of the Government of Pakistan, thanked Monsoon”. South Asian region; enhanced regional COMSATS for organizing the present cooperation to promote sharing of good webinar and appreciated COMSATS’ Experts and scientists from Bangladesh, practices and sustainable solutions to role as a leader in the use of digital Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka joined the aid adaptation with variable trends of technologies. Dr. Nishtar noted that webinar with their views on the variability monsoon; and allocation of resources for COVID-19 has helped established digital of the monsoon and its relationship with strengthening the scientific and technical technologies as a strong pillar of healthcare the changing global climate system as well capacity. systems. as the adverse impacts of climate-mediated changes on South Asian region at large. International Webinar on Digital While sharing Pakistan’s experience in Health in COVID-19: Sharing COVID-19 response, Dr. Nishtar especially The presentations made during the highlighted the role of Government’s webinar highlighted the gravity of Experiences of COMSATS’ South ‘Ehsaas’ Programme that helped manage social, economic and environmental Asian Member States (September the situation from pandemic response implications associated with the abrupt 07, 2020) as well as poverty alleviation angles. She monsoon patterns in South Asia. The informed that the Programme aided speakers discussed the repercussions of COMSATS, in collaboration with the Pakistan’s response to the emergency needs increasing monsoon variability for Nepal Commonwealth Centre for Digital Health of one-third of the country’s population as well as disasters caused by extreme (CWCDH), organized an international that was affected by the necessary weather events; current trends and future webinar on ‘Digital Health in COVID-19: lockdown. She informed that Pakistan’s projections about the shifting patterns Sharing Experiences of COMSATS’ South experience of dealing with the pandemic is
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 35 also being shared with missions in Geneva solutions and responses to COVID. on COVID-19, Government of Pakistan. and New York. Speaking on the occasion, she deemed Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary, Ministry CDWH a lynchpin, in establishing and Dr. Vajira Dissanayake, Chairperson, of Environment and Former Director strengthening such collaborations, while CWCDH, considered the role of General, Health Services, Sri Lanka, also encouraging 27 member states of innovation and advocacy of crucial informed that the country was successful COMSATS to create a pandemic solidarity importance in dealing with the pandemic. in controlling the drastic impact of the drive. Dr. Dissanayake expressed willingness to pandemic in a rapid manner which he work with all partners in finding regional attributed to good strategy and stringent During the event, digital health experts solutions to the pandemic. Dr. Selim measures taken by country’s government. and practitioners from Bangladesh, Reza, Deputy Secretary at the Ministry H.E. Vice Admiral (Rtd.) Mohan Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, delineated on of Science and Technology, Bangladesh, Wijewickrama, High Commissioner measures, policies and best practices that shared some key interventions made and of Sri Lanka to Pakistan, shared some were utilized to cope with the pandemic in challenges faced by Bangladesh during the of the measures taken by the country their countries. pandemic. He hoped that this platform including establishment of Corona task will help share important knowledge for force mandated to deal with the exigency. Discussions during the event touched the benefit of other developing countries. Recalling the variety and levels of upon issues relating to cooperation in responses to COVID-19 throughout the policy and strategy sharing at governments In his remarks on the occasion, Prof. globe, he appreciated Pakistan’s strategy and institution levels; data collection and Dr. Md. Aftab Ali Shaikh, Chairman of and success in dealing with the pandemic analytics; joint publications based on Bangladesh Council of Scientific and in the last few months. indigenous researches and success stories; Industrial Research (BCSIR), Bangladesh, training of doctors and young practitioners paid homage to his government for the The technical proceedings of the event for better pandemic response; application role it played during the pandemic and were chaired by Dr. Ghazna Khalid, of digital technologies for pandemic as well highlighted the importance of S&T backed Member of Prime Minister’s Task Force as for non-emergency response, building
36 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 & Development (CCRD) at COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI). Presentations were made by the following speakers: Dr. Eduardo Posada, Director of Centro Internacional de Fisica (CIF), Colombia; Dr. Mamma Sawaneh, Professor at School of Agriculture and Environmental Science at the University of The Gambia (UTG), The Gambia; Dr. Edward Yeobah, Deputy Director at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Soil Research Institute of Ghana; Dr. Masnat Al Hiary, Director of Socio-Economic Research Directorate at National Agricultural Research Council of Jordan; and Dr. Ranjith Premalal De Silva, Professor of Agricultural Engineering and Former Vice better infrastructure in remote areas that are needed to achieve zero hunger. Chancellor of Uva Wellassa University, Sri are affected the most in both situations. Lanka. The technical proceedings of the webinar were moderated by Dr. Ghulam Webinar on Challenges to Recommendations made during the Haider, Assistant Professor at National Agriculture and their Solutions in webinar pertained to: alternate crops University of Science and Technology for mitigating the adversaries of climate the Global South (September 09, (NUST), Islamabad, and conclusions were change; establishment of financial 2020) presented by Dr. Saeed Asad, Assistant institutions, including microfinance banks Professor at Centre for Climate Research COMSATS Centre for Climate and for smallholder farmers to access credit; Sustainability (CCCS) hosted a webinar on “Challenges to Agriculture and their Solutions in the Global South”, on 9th September 2020. The event was aimed at discussing climate change triggered challenges to agriculture and food security in the developing world within the framework of Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG2). Speakers from the regions of Africa, Asia and Latin America participated in the webinar that established the importance of sharing knowledge, good practices and success stories among experts from the Global South to address challenges in achieving food security within the framework of South-South Cooperation.
Opening the webinar, Ambassador Shahid Kamal, Head of CCCS, stated that agriculture is the backbone of economy especially in the Global South due to region’s heavy reliance on farming as the primary source of income. The changing climate is, therefore, a great threat to regional food security and robust efforts
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 37 encourage private sector participation Professor, Centre for Climate Research Training Workshop on Becoming in agriculture via public – private and Development (CCRD), COMSATS Internationally Recognized SIYB partnerships; and need for revisiting the University Islamabad (CUI), Pakistan; Trainer (October 26 - November agriculture policies aimed at improving and Dr. Mehmet Dilaver, Research Officer, agricultural production. TUBITAK Marmara Research Center 05, 2020) (MRC), Turkey. Webinar on Sustainable Water COMSATS, in collaboration with Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) of Governance in the Global South The event was moderated by Dr. Almoayied Assayed, Manager Climate International Labour Organization (ILO) under Changing Climate (October Change Studies at RSS, Jordan. During the and IIU Business Incubation Center (IIU- 08, 2020) webinar, speakers highlighted challenges BIC), Pakistan, organized an eleven-day to sustainable water governance in their long training workshop on “Becoming COMSATS Centre for Climate and respective countries. Some highlights Internationally Recognized SIYB Sustainability (CCCS) in collaboration of key deliberations of the event are as Trainer”. SIYB is a management-training with COMSATS’ Centre of Excellence in follows: programme of ILO. Jordan, the Royal Scientific Society (RSS), organized a webinar on “Sustainable Water • Social parameters of water governance Held from 26th October to 5th November Governance in the Global South under were discussed that have an impact on 2020, this SIYB Training of Trainers (ToT) Changing Climate”. Held on 8th October water quality, safety as well as demand workshop trained 12 individuals belonging 2020, the webinar had the overarching and supply. to various institutions and sectors. The theme of Sustainable Development Goal 6 • The role of research and development training was conducted by Lead Master (SDG6) – Clean Water and Sanitation. for water governance backed by Trainers from Pakistan, Sri Lanka and evidence-based policy and legislation Uganda – Engr. Muhammad Ahsen Mirza, Following speakers from Asia, Africa and was considered important for water- Mr. Gemunu Wijesena, and Mr. David Middle East joined the webinar with their related governance. Katenderi, respectively. views and expertise: Dr. Emmanuel O. • Good governance, a multi- Bekoe, Senior Research Scientist, Council stakeholder/multi-institutional, calls The workshop was inaugurated on 26th for Scientific and Industrial Research for planning, policy and legislation, October 2020, by Senator Sitara Ayaz, (CSIR), Ghana; Dr. Maha Al-Zu’bi, and effective engagement at local, Chairperson Senate Standing Committee Researcher – Agriculture Water Solutions, national and international levels. on Climate Change, Pakistan, and International Water Management • In view of agriculture’s dependence on Executive Director COMSATS, Dr. S. Institute (IMWI), Jordan; Dr. Jauad El water, sustainable measures need to M. Junaid Zaidi, as Chief Guests of the Kharraz, Head of Research, Middle East be adopted to achieve both water and ceremony. Ms. Ingrid Christensen, ILO Desalination Research Centre (MEDRC), food security. Country Director for Pakistan; Mr. Saad Oman; Dr. Toqeer Ahmed, Assistant Gilani, Program Officer ILO Pakistan;
38 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 and Mr. Gemunu Wijesena, SIYB Master Trainer Developer from Sri Lanka, also joined the session virtually.
The technical sessions of the event started with a brainstorming session steered by Mr. Wijesena that also provided an introduction to the modules and contents of the workshop. The first week of the workshop imparted training on essential tools to become a successful trainer of entrepreneurs, as well as opportunities and impacts of SIYB. During the second week, the participants developed a session plan based on their learning and conducted the practice session that was followed by post- session feedback from the Master Trainers Webinar on “Breast Cancer needs of women as one of the ways and other members of the training. Awareness: Give Hope, Save forward towards reducing breast cancer Lives” (October 29, 2020) cases. Webinar on Challenges of Rapid Dr. Samina Naeem, ex-Associate Urbanization in the Global South With October celebrated as the Breast Professor of Health Services Academy, (October 29, 2020) Cancer Awareness Month worldwide and Consultant at WHO Pakistan, gave a to help generate necessary support and comprehensive overview of the disease. To mark United Nations World Cities Day awareness about the disease, COMSATS 2020, COMSATS Centre for Climate and Secretariat highlighted the impact of this Dr. Azeema Fareed, Principal Medical Sustainability (CCCS) organized a webinar issue of great concern to a big population Officer, COMSATS Secretariat and on “Challenges of Rapid Urbanization of the world by holding a webinar entitled Coordinator of the session, opined that in the Global South”, on 29th October “Breast Cancer Awareness: Give Hope, breast cancer awareness is not only needed 2020. The webinar was co-organized Save Lives”. among women but everyone from family by COMSATS Centre for Climate & and society who are a part of the recovery Sustainability (CCCS) and COMSATS’ Held on 29th October 2020, the event journey. As a member of the pioneer team Centre of Excellence, Tanzania Industrial was opened by Ambassador (R) Fauzia of telehealth in Pakistan, she also hoped to Research and Development Organization Nasreen, Advisor (SDGs) at COMSATS, initiate tele-medicine training for medical (TIRDO). who highlighted the need for early practitioners in remote areas for helping to diagnosis, access to proper medical address the issue nationwide. Moderated by Dr. Lugano Wilson, Director facilities, affordable and timely care as the of Engineering Development, Tanzania cornerstones of breast cancer control. She While sharing her story during the Industrial Research and Development emphasized on having effective measures webinar, a breast cancer survivor, Dr. Organization (TIRDO), Tanzania, the for overcoming lack of knowledge, Fauzia Cheema, drew attention to the lack webinar included speakers from China, appropriate facilities, family support and of psychological, emotional and social Iran, Kazakhstan, Sudan; and Tanzania. fear related to cancer in our society. support for cancer patients and urged having cancer support groups to help The talks and discussions of the event In her keynote address, Dr. Farheen Raza, such patients deal with the mental and touched upon a number of important Chief Registrar Radiology Department physical trauma attached with such serious issues related to urbanization that at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences ailments. included: land-use planning, controlling (PIMS), Islamabad, emphasized the emissions caused by transport and importance of regular screening and the industrial sector, reduction in arable land, need to have community-based health Webinar on Energy Efficiency and over-population, and waste management. education component in treatment of the Cleaner Production Practices in Adopting waste-to-energy approach was disease. She proposed a one-stop breast Industry (November 25, 2020) deemed crucial as a sustainable option to cancer clinic with the aim to answer address waste and energy related problems. financial, cultural, mental and physical COMSATS Centre for Climate and
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 39 Sustainability (CCCS) in collaboration is supporting environmental-friendly Academy of Sciences (TWAS) Young with the Environment and Cleaner technologies and cleaner production Affiliates Network (TYAN), TWAS Production Institute (ECPI) of the practices in Jordan. Dr. Emrah from Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Partner Scientific and Technological Research TUBITAK shared some ongoing cleaner (TWAS SAREP), TWAS Latin America Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), Turkey, production projects of ECPI. and the Caribbean Regional Partner organized a webinar on Energy Efficiency (TWAS LACREP), TWAS Arab Regional and Cleaner Production Practices in Prof. Zhiguang from TIB shared his Partner (TWAS-AREP), and Association Industry. Held on 25th November 2020, expertise on biofuels and biocatalysis, for Computing Machinery – Women the webinar had the overarching theme of and considered artificial electron transfer Europe (ACM-W) to organize the 2nd Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) – technique valuable for synthesis of biofuels African Symposium on Big Data Analytics Affordable and Clean Energy. for industries and transport sector usage. and Machine Intelligence and the 6th He remarked that bioenergy is clean, TYAN International Thematic Workshop Following speakers from Asia, Africa safe and efficient energy resource. He “Data Science for Solution driven and Middle East joined the webinar with considered cellulosic alcohols sustainable and Sustainable Response to current their views and expertise: Prof. Zhiguang and cleaner source of biochemical fuels. developing world challenges”. The two Zhu, Tianjin Institute of Industrial events were virtually held on 3rd and 4th Biotechnology (TIB), Chinese Academy of Dr. Farrukh Raza from CCRD delineated December 2020, and had the participation, Sciences (CAS), China; Ms. Jehan Haddad, synthesis of methane from rice straw by inter alia, of over 50 researchers, scientists, Royal Scientific Society (RSS), Jordan; Dr. anaerobic digestion technique. He shared faculty members and data scientists. Farrukh Raza Amin, Centre for Climate his apprehensions about the toll that Research and Development (CCRD), quickly depleting non-renewable resources Dr. Bolanle Ojokoh, Executive Board COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), would take on world’s energy needs during Member of the TWAS Young Affiliates Pakistan; Dr. Lugano Wilson, Tanzania the next couple of decades. Network (TYAN) & Associate Professor, Industrial Research & Development Department of Information Systems, Organization (TIRDO), Tanzania; and 2nd African Symposium on Big Federal University of Technology, Akure Dr. Emrah SIK, TUBITAK, Turkey. The Data Analytics and Machine (FUTA), Nigeria, inaugurated the event. event was moderated by Dr. Ozgur Dogan, Through various topics covered during the Senior Researcher at ECPI, TUBITAK, Intelligence & 6th TYAN two-day event, the participants learned Turkey. International Thematic Workshop about the latest advancements in the field “Data Science for Solution of data science and artificial intelligence. During the technical proceedings of the driven and Sustainable Response webinar, Ms. Jehan from RSS shared to Current Developing World The event provided a networking ongoing projects of Resource Efficiency opportunity to the participants to and Cleaner Production (RECP) Challenges” (December 03 – 04, collaboratively work out effective Internet/ Programme which is being run by RSS 2020) information security solutions for the in partnership with UNIDO and funded masses; as well as integrate data science in by European Union. The Programme COMSATS partnered with the World development process.
40 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 5
PARTICIPATION IN IMPORTANT FORA AND MEETINGS
• Webinar on “Regional, Sub-regional and Interregional Organizations in the Global South as 42 Actors in Responding to COVID-19” (15th July 2020)
• 3rd Asia-Pacific Forum on South-South and Triangular Cooperation (25th November 2020) 43
• 2020 UN Regional SSC and TrC Focal Points Network Retreat (15th December 2020) 43
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 41 PARTICIPATION IN IMPORTANT FORA AND MEETINGS
Events and organizational meetings of partner and potential partner organizations are utilized as means to aiding joint efforts for regional and international development. Based on commonalities of mandates, reciprocal representation in statutory meetings and capacity-building events are encouraged as good networking opportunity. These serve to garner mutual support, explore avenues of cooperation, and start and foster joint initiatives.
Webinar on “Regional, Sub- the Forum that highlighted good practices South-South cooperation in addressing regional and Interregional and policies of Asian Pacific States as well COVID-19 in Asia-Pacific”, Amb. Fauzia Organizations in the Global as regional and sub-regional responses to shared COMSATS’ key activities that help build back better from COVID-19 helped share information, knowledge South as Actors in Responding to through South-South cooperation. The and experience as well as built relevant COVID-19” (15th July 2020) event attracted participation of heads of synergies among COMSATS’ Member the development cooperation, South- States to aid individual countries’ A key player in South-South and South cooperation agencies within the responses to COVID-19. Triangular Cooperation in the region, governments of countries in Asia and the COMSATS participated in the 3rd Pacific. As part of COMSATS’ initiatives during Asia-Pacific Forum on South-South COVID-19 period so far, Amb. Fauzia and Triangular Cooperation held under Speaking during the session on “Regional informed that COMSATS Telehealth the theme “The Role of South-South and sub-regional responses promoting scaled-up its activities and provided Cooperation in Building Back Better from COVID-19 Pandemic in the Asia and the Pacific”, on 25th November 2020. The forum was jointly organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP); the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC); the Government of Indonesia; and the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.
Amb. (R) Fauzia Nasreen, Advisor (SDGs) at COMSATS Secretariat, gave a talk at
42 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 digital societies imperative especially in the current times of COVID-19 pandemic. She suggested creating mutlistakeholder forums, strengthening digital literacy, and empowering youth and women through building capacity to help bridge North- South digital divide and address issues and problems of developing countries.
Sharing COMSATS’ on-going and future initiatives for leveraging digital technologies for the betterment of the South, Amb. Fauzia stated that such initiatives based on creative approaches have promoted capacity-building, helped share knowledge, experience and good practices, as well as technological and training to telehealth professionals systems and cooperation on social scientific resources. providing maternal health services to protection at sub-regional levels; the vast rural community throughout • To enhance South-South cooperation 2020 UN Regional SSC and TrC Pakistan. by strengthening mechanisms with Focal Points Network Retreat involvement of state and non-state (15th December 2020) She also highlighted some R&D actors; developments of COMSATS Centres • To support inter-governmental Dr. Azeema Fareed, Principal Medical of Excellence, including: development agreements to ensure ICT Officer at COMSATS Secretariat, of robots for assisting paramedics by connectivity; and participated as a panelist in the United Centre (ITS) in Indonesia; formulation • To share information on public health Nations Office for South-South of antibody cocktail against coronavirus measures to help build resilience Cooperation (UNOSSC), and UNDP Seoul by Centre (TIB) in China; development against future pandemics. Policy Centre (USPC) joint webinar on of a unique dual gene LAMP test for the “Regional, Sub-regional and Interregional detection of COVID-19 infection by 3rd Asia-Pacific Forum on Organizations in the Global South as Centre (CUI) in Pakistan; development South-South and Triangular Actors in Responding to COVID-19”, held of a potential herbal remedy by Centre on 15th July 2020. (TIRDO) in Tanzania; and designing of Cooperation (25th November vaccine against coronavirus by Centres in 2020) The webinar was held with a view to Egypt (NRC) and (TUBITAK) Turkey. As a regional player advocating South- encourage global and regional exchange of experiences to help increase understanding Identifying the gaps in promoting South- South and Triangular Cooperation, of the challenges and solutions, improve South cooperation in Asia-Pacific for COMSATS was invited to participate in the effectiveness of cross-disciplinary post COVID-19 recovery, Amb. Fauzia United Nations Office for South-South responses, and leverage cooperation opined that at the sub-regional level Cooperation (UNOSSC)’s event on 2020 amongst countries, including through challenges exist in leveraging support UN Regional South-South and Triangular South-South and Triangular cooperation. of international organizations by inter- Cooperation Focal Points Network Retreat, governmental organizations. She further held on 15th December 2020. Other panelists of the event included: Mr. stated that international organizations Fadi Abdullah Farasin, Assistant Director such as UNESCAP can help facilitate Amb. (R) Fauzia Nasreen, Advisor General at Statistical, Economic and interactions among relevant stakeholders (SDGs) at COMSATS Secretariat, shared Social Research and Training Centre for at the sub-regional level to generate ideas COMSATS’ stance during the session on Islamic Countries (SESRIC), Turkey; Mr. for effective response and recovery. Some “Digitalization as a cross-cutting issue Habib-Ur-Rehman Mayar, Deputy General recommendations made by Ms. Nasreen in United Nations programmes and the Secretary, g7+ Secretariat and Executive included: role for South-South and Triangular Cooperation” of the event. Speaking on Director of g7+ Foundation, USA; Ms. Sara Hamouda, SDGs and Agenda 2063 • To strengthen health emergency the occasion, she considered creation of
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 43 Expert, African Peer Review Mechanism, COVID-19 which is primarily centered undertakings in the field of telemedicine, African Union; and Prof. Santiago Fiorio upon enhancing collaborations among including extension of support to its Vaesken, Human Rights and International scientific communities within COMSATS partners in the South and Network Humanitarian Law Officer from Ministry Member States to promote sharing of members for institution of telemedicine of Foreign Affairs of Paraguay. experiences and good practices for setup, and capacity building of telehealth joint action towards the pandemic. Dr. professionals. Besides, it was also informed In her talk, Dr. Fareed gave an overview Fareed stated that during the pandemic, that COMSATS is collaborating with the of COMSATS’ international programmes, COMSATS has continued its capacity Government of Pakistan for conceiving and activities in the Southern region while building activities and noted recent possible digital health solutions for the also highlighting the major breakthroughs webinars and trainings organized in the country as well as is providing patronage in R&D made by COMSATS’ Network areas of telehealth, food security, climate to Yaran-e-Watan initiative for linking during the past few months in its fight change and sustainable development, and Pakistani health diaspora across the globe against the corona pandemic. youth’s role in COVID-19 response. with healthcare organizations within Pakistan. She highlighted COMSATS’ response to She also mentioned COMSATS’
44 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 6
ACTIVITIES OF COMSATS CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE
• Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU), Kazakhstan 46
• Al-Quds University (AQU), Palestine 48
• Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), Bangladesh 48
• COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Pakistan 48
• Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Ghana 51
• Higher Institute for Applied Science and Technology (HIAST), Syria 52
• Industrial Technology Institute (ITI), Sri Lanka 53
• International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), Pakistan 53
• International Centre for Climate and Environment Sciences (ICCES), China 55
• Iranian Research Organization for Science & Technology (IROST), Iran 56
• National Research Centre (NRC), Egypt 56
• Royal Scientific Society (RSS), Jordan 57
• The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), Turkey 59
• Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology (TIB), China 61
• Post-Coordinating Council Virtual Presentation Sessions 62
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 45 ACTIVITIES OF COMSATS CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE
A group of twenty-four S&T/R&D and higher education institutions from different developing countries, predominantly COMSATS’ Member States, is affiliated with COMSATS constituting its Network of International S&T Centres of Excellence. The Network serves as COMSATS’ technical resource for South-South cooperation, in line with these institutions’ mandate of having programmes of scientific research and development. This chapter covers reports received from COMSATS’ Centres of Excellence, as well as news of some Centres covered in COMSATS Newsletter over the year.
Al-Farabi Kazakh National solutions for addressing COVID-19 production of universal new generation University (KazNU), Kazakhstan pandemic. The project aims to develop antiseptics and disinfectants. The process a technology from Spirulina platensis will use raw materials indigenously Al-Farabi Kazakh National University cyanobacteria biomass and its various developed by KazNU scientists. (KazNU) is one of combinations with useful plants for the oldest world’s synthesizing new immunostimulators Development of Research leading universities. having antibacterial, antiviral, probiotic Infrastructure Placed at 165th and antioxidant properties. Plant position by the preparation consisting of a potent Biomedical Research Center International QS antiretroviral, low-toxicity mixture World University of medicinal and edible plants will be KazNU opened a biomedicine research Rankings (QS synthesized under this project. center with a view to conduct research WUR) in the on infectious diseases and cancer; natural world, the university has made enormous Partnerships with ICESCO-Morocco for drugs and biologically active substances contributions towards the advancement of COVID-19 Response against diseases; and comprehensive study science and technology in Kazakhstan. of the human immune system. In addition, KazNU won a grant from the Islamic the Centre is to train young scientists COVID-19 Related Developments World Educational, Scientific and Cultural from leading universities to master the Organization (ICESCO), Morocco, methods used in the field of biomedicine, for implementing a project to combat Development of New robotics, bioinformatics, and operation of coronavirus. ICESCO had opened this Immunostimulators for Protection preventive medical equipment. Currently, international call for scientific and Against Coronavirus the Biomedical Research Center is also technological projects in order to find studying the role of immunoregulatory innovative solutions for combating corona A project of KazNU won “Stop cells in tumors and chronic inflammation pandemic. KazNU’s project was recognized Coronavirus” Contest held by Science as well as the effects of medicinal plant as one of the best. The project is aimed at Fund JSC, Kazakhstan, to find effective extracts on animals.
46 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 Leader - Web of Science Awards 2020”. • Prof. Bulat Kenessov, Director of KazNU’s Center of Physicochemical Methods of Research and Analysis, was conferred award for the “contribution to the development of scientometrics and evaluation of scientific activity in Kazakhstan”. • Prof. Dr. Habibulla Kussainovich Ospanov, Head of Department of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry; and Prof. Dr. Vladimir Jumakadyrovich Junushaliyev, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, were recognized as distinguished Meetings Al-Farabi Kazakh National University academicians of the National (KazNU), Kazakhstan, was honored Academy of Science of Kazakhstan. H.E. Willy Kempel, Ambassador of with the “Amity Global Academic Austria to Kazakhstan Excellence Award”, in Noida, India. International Rankings He was also honored by the Republic Prospects of cooperation in the fields of Turkey with its highest state award, • KazNU secured 165th place in QS of science, education, and innovation the Virtue Award, for his contribution World University Rankings by moving development were discussed. Mr. to development of relations between up 42 positions from the last year. Kempel looked forward to having close Turkey and Kazakhstan in S&T. • Academic Ranking of World collaboration between KazNU and • KazNU is being recognized as the Universities-European Standard universities in Austria for initiating joint Leader in the Web of Science Core (ARES) commended KazNU with projects on Sustainable Development Collection in the “Physics” subject an AA+ level, joining the ranks of Goals. field over the last three years at leading European universities. The “Science Leader - Web of Science ARES ranks universities on indicators, H.E. Didier Canesse, Ambassador Awards 2020”. such as scientific and innovative Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the • Prof. Alibek Issakhov, Head of the activity, quality of teaching, level of French Republic to Kazakhstan Department of Mathematical and digitalization, demand for graduates, Computer Modeling at KazNU was international recognition, and Consensus was reached on the recognized as the “Highly cited academic mobility of students and establishment of Kazakh-French Research Kazakhstani author” at “Science teachers. The positions of a university School of Mathematics. The main purpose of the School will be to train highly qualified personnel and increasing the competitiveness of graduates to help improve their employment prospects in leading companies worldwide. Prof. Mohammed Maher Kabakibi, President, University of Damascus, Syria: Possibility of opening a branch of Al- Farabi KazNU in Damascus, Syria, was explored.
Awards and Honors
• In recognition of his scientific contributions and leadership qualities, Prof. Dr. G. M. Mutanov, Rector of
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 47 in international rankings and in the Bangladesh Council of Scientific CUI was also placed at 149th in THE academic community are also taken and Industrial Research (BCSIR), Asian University Rankings 2020, 159th into account. Bangladesh in THE Emerging Economies University Rankings 2020 and among 151-200 top young universities of world in 2020. Al-Quds University (AQU), Bangladesh Council of Scientific Palestine and Industrial CUI-Some Statistics-2020 Research (BCSIR) Students 35, 068 Founded in 1984, the Al-Quds University is a non-profit (AQU) is serving to multidisciplinary Graduates 70,000+ provide excellence public-sector research Faculty 2700+ in academics and organization. The including 1120 PhDs research. With its main task of BCSIR is Staff 2500+ main campus in to foster R&D sector Departments 22 Abu Dis, AQU is of the country. the first Palestinian Laboratories 280 university to COVID-19 Related Developments establish a medical In addition, CUI was ranked among 801- 1000 world best universities as per QS school and nanotechnology research BCSIR, Bangladesh, became one of center. World Universities Rankings for the year the Bangladeshi research institutions 2021. QS Asian Universities Rankings to completely sequence the genome of 2020 placed it at number 151. COVID-19 Related Developments SARS-CoV-2. This research development was aimed at facilitating global efforts to R&D Activities Al-Quds University (AQU), Palestine, develop a vaccine against the virus. developed a fully computerized ventilator Rapid Test for COVID-19 from locally available materials amid COMSATS University Islamabad shortage of standard commercial (CUI), Pakistan ventilators and other respiratory support Dr. Azeem Mehmood Butt from the machines and their building blocks in Department of Biosciences of COMSATS COMSATS University Islamabad is Palestine. The prototype was designed by University Islamabad (CUI) has developed a public sector a team of senior professors from medicine a unique dualgene LAMP test for the university established and engineering faculties of AQU and detection of COVID-19 infection. The in year 1998. The successfully passed a series of rigorous method that has already completed University has preliminary medical, safety, and technical a successful first phase trial in China grown exponentially tests. The Palestinian Standards Institution showed diagnostic accuracy of 95-100% with seven physical (PSI) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) in comparison to recommended PCR campuses and a has officially approved the ventilator. methods. The test is said to yield results in virtual campus. It 30 minutes and is currently in evaluation has a student-body and testing phase. of over 35,068 students, teaching faculty of 2,700+ (including 1,120 Ph.D.), and is Diagnostic Tool for Brain Tumor offering more than 100 programmes in 22 Detection academic departments at undergraduate and postgraduate level. With a view to building the necessary infrastructure and technical human TIMES Higher Education (THE) World resource in AI, a National Center of Universities Rankings 2020 has placed CUI Artificial Intelligence (NCAI) consisting among 601-800 world best universities of six universities, including COMSATS and 2nd in Pakistan. Besides, it was also University Islamabad (CUI), Pakistan, was ranked at #251-300 in THE Engineering launched by the Government of Pakistan. & Technology, #301-400 in Computer CUI would host the Medical Imaging Science and Business and Economics, and Diagnostics (MID) laboratory and #401-500 in Physical Sciences and #501- is working on identification of different 600 in Life Science subject rankings 2020. diseases through different medical imaging
48 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 modalities, such as MRI, CT-Scan, and Chaudry from Biosciences Department of divisions conducted 06 trainings on X-rays. Recently, a team from the MID Lab CUI, Pakistan, that has led to development various topics for over 118 professionals participated in the prestigious MICCAI of a novel microfluidics device. The device from a number of organizations, industries BraTS challenge 2020 hosted by the is used for real time drug monitoring and universities. Perelman School of Medicine at University of patients undergoing therapeutic of Pennsylvania, USA. Teams from all interventions using very minute amount CUI’s Student Startup Business Center has around the world participated in the of blood serum samples on the principle organized twelve (12) training sessions challenge and submitted their algorithms of microchip assay. The device will enable for startups during the year 2018 through for brain tumor segmentation, overall therapeutic drug monitoring in terminally- “SSBC-Business Plan Development survival prediction, and uncertainty. The ill patients or those undergoing treatment Training Program” at Islamabad Campus team from MID Lab at CUI, Pakistan, from sensitive drugs which require real- in cooperation with expert faculty trainers had their algorithm ranked at third- time monitoring to prevent over-dose. of Management Sciences department. With position. The lab is now aiming to develop purpose to enhance the capacity building a prototype for commercial purpose. This CUI has also developed in-house capacity of CUI students' startups (Batch-IV & V) would help reduce the cost of diagnosis to provide IP support to its researchers on development of Business Plans. by almost a quarter and can also reduce and file patent applications locally and the lead time thus contributing to early internationally. During 2020, one hundred and sixty diagnosis and saving lives. (160) renowned researchers, diplomats, Patents US PK Grand Total delegations, students and faculty members Research Output Filed 5 1 6 visited CUI. Furthermore, five individuals, Granted 6 2 8 delegations and faculty members In year 2020, three hundred (300) research proceeded abroad. projects, two fifty-six (256) travel grant Capacity-building Activities applications and seventeen (17) seminar Representation at EDEX Expo Workshops applications were submitted to CUI organizes on a regular basis different funding agencies out which one Prof. Dr. Junaid Mughal, Chairman/ workshops, seminars, and trainings of both hundred and twenty-four (124) research Incharge Academics, and Mr. Ali Tawab national and international levels. These projects, one hundred and thirty-one Baloch, Head of International Office workshops are held in Islamabad and other (131) travel grants and seven (7) seminar/ represented CUI at Sri Lanka’s largest campuses of CUI located at Abbottabad, workshops have been funded by different education exhibition and job fair, EDEX Lahore, Wah, Attock, Sahiwal and Vehari. funding agencies. Expo, held from 17th – 19th January CUI’s capacity building activities for 2020, in Colombo. On the sidelines of students and faculties within the country In order to attract young faculty into the the Expo, CUI delegates held a meeting and abroad have greatly benefitted them research mainstream, a CUI Research with Dr. Radhika Samarasekera, the and, in turn, the university. Grant Program (CRGP) is in place to Director General of COMSATS’ Centre award grants up to Rs. 300,000/- for of Excellence in Sri Lanka, the Industrial In year 2020, CUI-ORIC’s planning research proposals of 1-2 years’ duration. Technology Institute (ITI). The meeting In year 2018 under this program, sixty-two (62) research proposals were received. The same have been evaluated by the reviewers and considered by the authorized committee for decisions where forty-five (45) research proposals were approved and funded.
Patents
Patent on Microfluidics: The United States Patents and Trademark Office (USPTO) has allowed a patent on microfluidics device to COMSATS University, Islamabad. This US-patent is an outcome of the PhD research of Dr. Madeeha
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 49 helped explore avenues of mutual Some other Distinctions of CUI cooperation in R&D. During the meeting, the DG was also informed about research Sr. # Awardee Award/ Achievement Awarding Institute and scholarship opportunities available at 1. Dr. Musferah Mehfooz, Assistant Research grant worth 1,000,000/- Sustainable Development CUI for faculty and students of ITI. Professor, Department of for project on “predicting the Policy Institute (SDPI) Humanities, CUI Lahore Campus violent behavior in Pakistani youth exposed to community Seminar on COVID-19 violence: moderating role of parenting” The Centre for Policy Studies (CPS), 2. Mr. Nadeem Ghafoor, Assistant Grant worth 200,000/- for DICE Shark competition CUI, held a seminar on “COVID 19 and Professor, Department of "Digital Book Repository" Computer Science, Islamabad the Nexus Between Global and National Campus Health Governance: Policy Prescriptions 3. Dr. Muhammad Yar, Grant for development of British Council and for Addressing Pandemics” on 12th March Interdisciplinary Research advanced pro-angiogenic wound HEC Innovative and 2020. By drawing on the existing and Center in Biomedical Materials dressings for patients in Pakistan Collaborative Research newly available knowledge on epidemics (IRCBM), CUI Lahore Campus with diabetic ulcers and injuries. Partnership Grants Scheme and pandemics, the seminar addressed the 4. Dr. Sannah Ejaz, Assistant Certificate of Achievement Institute of Architects, important aspect of policy formulation for Professor, Department of (1st position) in Ideas Design Pakistan, Islamabad - COVID-19. Architecture, Islamabad Campus Competition Rawalpindi Chapter 5. Dr. Iftikhar Zeb, Assistant Selection in “2020 Master Class United States Embassy in Professor, Department of Residency Regional Approaches Pakistan International Collaborations Biotechnology, CUI Abbottabad to Air Quality and Environment” Campus CUI-Pakistan Linkages with Chinese 6. Dr. Farhad Zulfiqar, Assistant Nomination in 7th Lindau Nobel Universities Professor, Department of Laureate Meeting of the Laureates Economics, Islamabad Campus of the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in CUI, Pakistan, is a pioneer in establishing Economic Sciences a China Study Center at its campus in 7. Dr. Muhammad Shahid, Associate Highly Cited Researcher 2020 Clarivate, Web of Science Islamabad, which has been instrumental in Professor, Environmental Sciences Department of CUI building linkages with Chinese universities Vehari Campus and enhancing interest of study in China 8. Department of Computer Science Huawei ICT Academy partner Huawei among faculty members and students of of CUI Vehari Campus the university. CUI envisages working in close partnership with Chinese universities of Palermo, Italy, and Harbin Engineering During January to December 2020, a total for joint research opportunities on University, China. Besides, the of 17 international students joined CUI in projects that are pertinent to the global representatives of the Centre for Climate undergraduate and postgraduate programs development agenda. CUI currently Research and Development (CCRD), from 10 different countries mainly from employs over 170 faculty members who CUI, in a meeting with Dr. James Schauer, Afghanistan, Benin, China, Iraq, Japan, are alumni of Chinese universities. In Science Envoy for Air Quality from the US Sri Lanka, Kenya, Sierra Leone, and USA. addition, more than 140 faculty members State Department, discussed prospects of These students are enrolled in electrical from CUI are presently pursuing PhDs in establishing working relations for finding Engineering, Mathematics, Meteorology, various top-ranked universities of China. solutions to common challenge of air Management Sciences, Physics, Pharmacy, quality monitoring. Environmental Sciences and Bio-sciences Other International Delegations departments. Exchanges/Academic Cooperation During the reporting period, CUI Admission of about 150 international Pakistan, hosted international delegations During 2020, a limited number of students was deferred due to Covid-19 from China, Italy, United Kingdom, and mobilities could be availed by CUI due to pandemic. Admission for international the US. During the meeting with the the pandemic outbreak. These included students is currently open for Fall 2021 representatives of Coventry University, seven students who went on fully funded semester under CUI general admission UK, possibilities for provision of Erasmus+ program for Bachelors in and various scholarships programs, scholarships to students and early career Architecture (Middle East Technical including scholarship for students from researchers at CUI were explored. Similar University), and Computer Engineering COMSATS member countries with 15th prospects were considered during the and Electrical Engineering (Istanbul Sehir June 2021 as last date for submission meetings with the delegates of University University). of application. Details of admission
50 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 CUI International Faculty 2020 R&D Activities Name Designation Serving Department • The Food Research Institute of CSIR Ms. Julian Eick Aziz Assistant Professor Architecture & Design, CUI, Lahore launched a “Safefish” project with (Germany) Campus the funding from the African Union Dr. Shariyeh Hosseini Associate Professor Architecture & Design, CUI, Lahore and the European Commission. The (Iran) Campus project tends to improve Tilapia fish Ms. Katherine Louis Sipra Scientific Officer Biosciences, CUI, Islamabad health which contributes 90.3% to (USA) the total aquaculture production. Dr. Yasser MSA Al-Kahraman Assistant Professor Pharmacy, CUI, Abbottabad It will also focus on developing (Syria) bacteriophage products for integrated Dr. Kaneez Rabia Assistant Professor Physics, CUI, Islamabad fish disease management to minimize (Germany) antibiotic use in fish production in Ghana. procedure, scholarship information to promote an effective exchange of • As part of the Modernizing and application submission are knowledge and better understanding of Agriculture in Ghana (MAG) available at: http://ww3.comsats.edu.pk/ cultures and tradition between Sri Lankan programme, the Institute for Scientific internationalstudents/ and Pakistani students. and Technological Information of CSIR (CSIR-INSTI) designed four Under the Pak-Sri Lanka Higher Foreign Faculty at CUI digital applications to promote Education Cooperation Programme of demand-driven research and support Higher Education Commission (HEC) of CUI is committed to being a part of alternative methods of extension Pakistan, several Sri Lankan students will the regional transformation of higher delivery. The four applications, namely be offered scholarships for pursuing their education and is always welcoming the CSIR Technologies; CSIR Space; undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral qualified international faculty to be a part Kuafo Market Place; and Agritech degree studies in various disciplines at of this vision. This in turn enhances CUI’s Mobile Advisor are hosted by the CUI. The scholarship programme aims ranking prospects, which is also one of its Digital Agriculture Innovation Hub Rankings with respect to SDGs by THE priority goals. (DAIH) set up by the CSIR-INSTI. University Impact Rankings 2020 • CSIR, Ghana, is executing a four-year 1. SDG 1 No Poverty 101-200 Awards and Honors partnership project to apply water- 2. SDG 3 Good Health and 401-600 smart solutions, such as recycling to Wellbeing CUI improved its position and was ranked recover resources from waste water for 3. SDG 4 Quality Education 301-400 2nd in Pakistan and at 221 in world in reuse. Titled “Achieving Wider Uptake THE University Impact Rankings 2020. of Water-Smart Solutions,” the project 4. SDG 5 Gender Equality 401+ CUI was ranked in 15 SDGs out of 17. is being funded by the European 5. SDG 6 Clean Water and 74= Sanitation Commission under its Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme. 6. SDG 7 Affordable and Clean 101-200 Council for Scientific and The project would facilitate industrial Energy Industrial Research (CSIR), cooperation as means to increasing 7. SDG 8 Decent Work and 35= Ghana Economic Growth resource efficiency, limiting carbon emissions, and developing sustainable 8. SDG 9 Industry, Innovation and 301-400 The Council for Scientific and Industrial businesses based on water-smart Infrastructure Research (CSIR) solutions. 9. SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and 201-300 focuses on Communities accelerating Establishment of Ghana Innovation 10. SDG 12 Responsible 201-300 socio-economic Consumption and Production development in and Research Commercialization 11. SDG 13 Climate Action 101-200 Ghana through Center (GIRC) 12. SDG 14 Life Below Water 101-200 effective utilization 13. SDG 15 Life on Land 101-200 of science and In line with the vision of President of Ghana, Hon. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- 14. SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong 301-400 technology. The Council formulates and Institutions implements government policies regarding Addo, to increase R&D funding of Ghana 15. SDG 17 Partnerships for Goals 301-400 S&T based development. to 2.5% of its GDP, a Ghana Innovation
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 51 resources in various fields of applied science and technology so that it can actively contribute in the scientific and economic progress of Syria.
Scientific Events
HIAST in collaboration with the Arab School for Science and Technology (ASST), the Higher Commission for Scientific Research in Syria (HCSR), the Atomic Energy Commission of Syria (AECS) and COMSATS organized a workshop on “Challenges and Innovations in Nanotechnology” from 18th – 19th and Research Commercialization Center welfare and livelihoods. As part of the December 2019, in Damascus, Syria. The (GIRC) was established at CSIR, Ghana. three-year Agreement, the CSIR-FORIG Workshop was aimed at providing effective Funding for the basic research that led to would provide technical and financial platform for networking among Syrian and the setting-up of the Center was provided support to set-up the members for the international researchers to help create a by the Science Granting Councils Initiative production of honey. roadmap for nanotechnology advancement (SGCI), a multi-funder initiative aimed in Syria. During the two-day Workshop, at strengthening the research capacities Moreover, Institute of Industrial Research the scientists from Iran and Pakistan of 15 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. of CSIR (CSIR-IRR), Ghana, entered into discussed applications of nanotechnology The GIRC is expected to prioritize eight a partnership with HATOF Foundation in Functional Materials, Pharmaceuticals, identified Strategic Technology Areas – environmental non-governmental Water Treatment, Membrane Technology, (STAs) where Ghana has competitive organization – for an 18-month long Medicine, Agriculture and Construction advantage to help advance national project for effective waste management. Materials, resulting in a number of relevant development. Strategic Technology The project is being led by Lancaster recommendations relating to enhancing Centers linked to GIRC will be established University, United Kingdom (UK), and cooperation, promoting investment in across the country to provide support to has the patronage of the Global Challenges R&D, stronger liaison, and fostering actors in the eight STAs. Research Fund through the UK Research public-private partnerships. and Innovation. Under this project, International Collaborations students from a local school would be trained to establish an integrated bio- During 2020, CSIR-Ghana, signed a digester, which would harness solar energy five-year agreement with Lakehead as well as use fecal waste to generate gas University, Canada, to reinforce research for cooking and other purposes. The and cooperation in sustainable forest waste from the digester would be used for management in Accra, Ghana. Under the agricultural purposes. Agreement, Lakehead University would also share its technological applications Higher Institute for Applied in geometrics, forest landscaping, remote Science and Technology (HIAST), sensing, satellite imagery among others to Syria track forest health, structure and factors responsible for deforestation and forest The Higher Institute for Applied Sciences degradation. and Technology (HIAST) was The Forestry Research Institute of Ghana established in 1983. (FORIG) of CSIR signed a Memorandum The Institute aims to of Understanding (MoU) with thirteen develop the scientific bee-farming cooperatives in the Ashanti and technological Region to train its members in bee farming capacity of human business to help improve their economic
52 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 Industrial Technology Institute Recently, UNESCO Chair on "Medicinal (ICCBS), Pakistan, has identified (ITI), Sri Lanka and Bio-organic Natural Product potential therapeutic compounds Chemistry" has also been established at against the novel coronavirus (SARS- The Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) ICCBS, Pakistan. CoV-2). Published in the Journal of comprises of research Bimolecular Structure and Dynamics, and development ICCBS focuses on: research and training their study reports the details of divisions, and for producing high quality human extensive computational experiments technical services resource; and extending diagnostic, that lead to the identification of divisions. The analytical and clinical testing services to three FDA approved drugs, namely Institute conducts local and regional clients from public and Remdesivir, Saquinavir, and multidisciplinary private sectors. Darunavir as well as two natural scientific and compounds as potential drug industrial research on technology-transfer COVID-19 Related Developments candidates against COVID-19. for rapid industrial development. • ICCBS, in collaboration with • ICCBS paced up its research activities COMSTECH, has planned to support network institutions of COVID-19 Related Developments in response to coronavirus pandemic to help study the dynamics of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in developing diagnostic kits To support the government and private disease; genetic variations and for COVID-19. These institutions sector in their fight against the corona their correlation with the disease belong to Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, virus, ITI initiated some new projects. severity; and progression and Egypt, Gambia, Indonesia, Nigeria, Below are some of the R&D projects in clinical outcomes of the disease. Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Senegal. pipeline at the Institute: Research teams working at ICCBS are employing modern tools, methods Earlier, ICCBS, COMSTECH and National University of Science and • ITI – SLINTEC – USJP joint project and techniques for the genomic Technology (NUST), Islamabad, on the development of nano-herbal analysis of COVID-19 from Pakistan; have also collaboratively conducted antiviral mask; establishment and optimization of online training courses for building • ITI – SLINTEC joint project on nano diagnostic kit for COVID-19; study capacities of scientists in testing formulated alcohol-based surface of virus-human cell interactions; and developing diagnostic kits for sterilization formulation; and finding possible treatment of COVID-19. • ITI herbal-based anti-viral surface COVID-19. • The Center for Bioequivalence Studies sterilizer / protective-mask/gears • A team of young scientists at the and Clinical Research (CBSCR) of sterilizer; Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular • Development of in-house anti-viral Medicine and Drug Research Medicine and Drug Research, ICCBS, protective mask testing procedure. (PCMD) of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences in collaboration with the Indus International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), Pakistan
One of the leading academic research institutions in Pakistan with a strong international standing, the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) serves as the Centre of Excellence of COMSATS, TWAS, WAITRO, OIC and UNCSTD. Since 2015, the Centre has been serving as a UNESCO Category II institution.
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 53 International Collaborations
UNESCO Chair at ICCBS-Pakistan
ICCBS and the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have entered into an Agreement to mutually establish a UNESCO Chair on ‘Medicinal and Bio- organic Natural Product Chemistry’ at ICCBS. The UNESCO Chair was approved in UNESCO General Assembly held in September in 2020. The purpose of the Chair is to promote an integrated system of research, training, information and Hospital, Karachi, initiated the clinical is expected to complete in few months, documentation on natural medicinal/ trials of the Traditional Chinese apart from purchase of basic equipment. bio-organic product chemistry. According Medicine (TCM) “Jinhua Qinggan After the completion of the laboratory’s to the Agreement, ICCBS will arrange Granules” in Pakistan as a treatment upgradation work, CBL would be able to for the Chair to participate in UNESCO for COVID-19 mild patients. Being carry out selected forensic chemical tests programmes and activities with a view carried out with the approval of as per international standards. On the to strengthen international academic the National Bioethics Committee other hand, to help meet the increased cooperation as well as the exchange of and Drug Regulatory Authority demand for coronavirus testing in Sindh professors, researchers, and students with of Pakistan, the study will test the Province of Pakistan, the Biosafety Level other universities within the framework effectiveness and safety of the Jinhua - III (BSL-III) laboratory housed at one of of the UNESCO’s UNITWIN (University Qinggan Granules on 300 mild- the research institutes of ICCBS has been Twinning and Networking) Programme. category male and female patients of developed into a COVID-19 diagnostic COVID-19 for 5 to 10 days. center. This has led to strengthened International Centre for Climate • ICCBS built ties with the National diagnostic capacity of COVID-19 infection Disaster Management Authority in the province. and Environment Sciences (NDMA), Islamabad, by signing a (ICCES), China Memorandum of Understanding Awards and Honors (MoU) to support research, The International Center for Climate development, knowledge exchange, In recognition of his services in the field and Environment and training in natural and human- of bioorganic chemistry, Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Sciences (ICCES) induced disasters in the country. Choudhary, Director of ICCBS, Pakistan, focuses its research Under this MoU, NDMA will also has been honored with ‘Distinguished on the key scientific facilitate vaccine trials related to Scientist’ award by the Chinese Academy problems relating COVID-19 or any other infectious of Sciences. Prof. Iqbal has also been to global climate diseases approved by the trials acknowledged for his efforts to strengthen and environmental approving authorities. scientific ties with Chinese educational changes. ICCES is institutes. devoted to establishing the cooperative Technical Services and innovative research center in the area Prof. Choudhary has been appointed as of climate and environment sciences, Under an MoU signed between ICCBS, the Coordinator-General of COMSTECH and provide services to the developing Karachi, and Sindh Health Department, (the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s countries with scientific support, the HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry (OIC) Standing Committee on Scientific advisory, and capacity building. The main of ICCBS is providing technical support and Technological Cooperation) by research fields include the development for the upgradation (Phase I) of Chemico Dr. Arif Alvi, President of Pakistan and of Dynamical Earth System Model and Bacteriological Laboratory (CBL) of Chairman COMSTECH. This would be in numerical simulation, meteorological, Sindh Health Department. In the first addition to his current responsibilities as and environmental forecast and related phase, capacity building of staff for the Director ICCBS. disaster assessment theory and technique, CBL is being carried out by ICCBS, which data assimilation theory and methodology,
54 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 and earth system theory and natural cybernetics.
R&D Activities
Establishment of ocean multivariate (temperature, salinity, stratification, etc.) grid observation data set
In 2020, Associate Professor Lijing Cheng from ICCES established an oceanic multivariate (temperature, salinity, stratification, etc.) grid observation data set, serving 90 countries, including multiple Belt and Road countries. Mr. Lijing Cheng was selected as a member of World Climate Research Program-Data 14 countries. Prof. Li and Dr. Hantson under which both parties agreed to Advisory Committee. His related papers reviewed the research achievements of cooperate on international exchange have been accepted and published by the FireMIP and introduced related FireMIP programmes. ICCES and the Islamia top international journals, such as “Nature phase II plans. Seventeen experts University of Bahawalpur, inter alia, agreed Climate Change” and “Nature”. introduced current research progress and to encourage the development of the potential cooperation of FireMIP projects. following exchange programs based on ICCES Earth System Model (CAS-ESM) Matters discussed included fire assessment, their respective academic and educational extreme fire event simulation and analysis, needs, such as organization of joint In 2020, the Coupled Model modified fire modelling, and atmosphere- research programs, joint conferences and Intercomparison Project (CMIP) enters fire interaction. training workshops, academic exchanges into the sixth phase. The CAS-ESM ver.2.0 and joint supervision of Masters, and was finalized in 2019; benchmark and Lecture by Associate Professor of Asian Ph.D. students. historical simulation tests were completed Institute of Technology and currently it has been undertaking Participation in CCCS Webinar future climate change prediction tests. On 2nd January 2020, Dr. Vilas CAS-ESM ver.2.0 was submitted to the Nitivattananon visited ICCES In September 2020, COMSATS Centre official website of CMIP6, which will and delivered a presentation on for Climate and Sustainability (CCCS) serve as an important reference for the “Comprehensive Evaluation and hosted a webinar on the occasion of the sixth IPCC assessment report. Relevant Adaptability Research on Hydrological first International Day of Clean Air for simulation data can be downloaded and Disasters in the Chao Phraya River Basin Blue Skies. From ICCES, Director Prof. analyzed by international institutions, of Thailand”. During his presentation, Dr. Zhaohui Lin and Associate Prof. Chenglai in particular for scientific research Vilas introduced prospect precipitation Wu attended the webinar. Associate Prof. institutions in Belt and Road region changes analysis in the 21st century based Chenglai Wu made a presentation entitled and can be applied to the researches of on Cordex data and then he showed the “Air quality prediction from regional to tackling global and regional climate and changes in drought and floods caused by global scales”. During his presentation, he environment change. future precipitation changes based on the emphasized on significance of air quality simulation of HEC-HMS and HEC-RAS prediction from regional to global scales. Scientific Events models. Twenty or so researchers and He also highlighted the challenges of data students of ICCES attended the seminar. accuracy and uncertainties for air quality Meeting of the FireMIP Working Group modeling. International Collaborations Seventh internal meeting of the Global Fire Academic Exchanges Model Comparison Program (FireMIP) MoU with Islamia University of working group was held on October Bahawalpur, Pakistan International Students 21-22, 2020. Prof. Fang Li from ICCES organized the meeting. The online meeting In November 2020, ICCES signed an MoU • Kritanai Torsri is a researcher had a participation of 43 experts from with the Islamia University of Bahawalpur, at the Institute of Hydrological
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 55 and Agricultural Information Iranian Research Organization Rouhani. The selected projects related (HAII), which is committed to the for Science & Technology to the development of thermal solar development and application of (IROST), Iran energy technology, synthesis of peptide science and technology in agriculture radioactive raw materials, research and and water resources management to development of pharmaceuticals from Iranian Research Organization for Science deal with climate change and has a marine species, research, design and & Technology long-term cooperation. In 2014, under implementation of renewable technologies (IROST) was founded the framework of China-Thailand in micro-networks, and Bitban malware in 1980 with the aim cooperation agreement, Kritanai analysis platform. to support Iranian Torsri gained CAS-TWAS Scholarship researchers, inventors to study at ICCES for doctoral COMSATS has been sponsoring the and industrialists degree and graduated in August cash prize and certificates of the first and across Iran. IROST 2020. Kritanai conducts research on second prize winners of the Award since provides valuable the characteristics, mechanism and 2000. services in fulfilling the country’s scientific, prediction of Thai extreme weather technical and engineering requirements and climate disasters. by supporting applied and developmental National Research Centre (NRC), • Sherly Shelton, a doctoral student research, as well as developing new Egypt from Sri Lanka, focuses on extreme technologies by making use of qualified precipitation events which pose a experts and modern equipment and National Research Centre (NRC) was serious threat to the socio-economic facilities. established in 1956 development of developing countries to foster basic and including Sri Lanka. He used Sri applied scientific Lanka’s rainfall and hydrological 33rd Al-Khwarizmi International Award research, particularly station observation data sets in in industry, combination with multi-source On 17th February 2020, IROST held agriculture, public atmospheric re-analysis data to reveal health and other cause and mechanism of Sri Lanka’s the 33rd Al-Khwarizmi International Award ceremony. The Award is conferred sectors of Egypt’s extreme hydro meteorological events national economy. and hydrological anomalies in the past annually to researchers, inventors and 30 years (1985-2015). innovators from all over the world for COVID-19 Related Developments • Kalpana Hamal, a Nepalese post- outstanding scientific achievements. graduate student completed her To help support national efforts Masters degree in meteorology at Ten laureates from Iran and five from against COVID-19, NRC developed ICCES with the funding of CAS Belt Australia, China, South Korea, and and conducted clinical trials of four and Road Master Scholarship and the United States were conferred vaccines against the novel coronavirus graduated in May 2020. Subsequently, Khwarizmi International Award (KIA) (COVID-19). The four vaccines include an she secured ANSO scholarship. by the President of Iran, H.E. Mr. Hassan inhibitor vaccine consisting of the H1N1 Agreement on joint supervision of Ph.D. students with the National University of Kazakhstan
In December 2020, Director ICCES, Prof. Zhaohui LIN, signed a tripartite collaborative agreement for Doctoral Training with the National University of Kazakhstan for joint supervision of two doctoral students for their theses on ‘Characteristics of atmospheric droughts and their future projections in Northern Kazakhstan’ and ‘Dangerous weather phenomena in western Kazakhstan in the context of climate change’.
56 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 influenza virus and induced pieces of the conducting test for COVID-19. • The WANA Institute – the think emerging coronavirus. The second vaccine • National Software Quality Assurance tank arm of the RSS – published is an inhibited vaccine for the coronavirus Centre of RSS engaged with the a report entitled ‘Chronicling the which has been grown on tissue culture. Jordanian Ministry of Education to Coronavirus: A Perspective from The third vaccine contains DNA loaded test the quality of online educational Jordan’ highlighting Jordan’s response with parts from the DNA of coronavirus platform to assure software’s readiness. to the crisis in its initial weeks. representing surface proteins from the • RSS designed and launched an • RSS submitted a project on virus. The fourth vaccine contains surface emergency management plan for “COVID-19 in Wastewater Cycle: proteins from the virus which stimulate its campus that hosts several sister Survival, Risks and Surveillance” to an immune system response to produce organisations, including the Princess UN-Habitat that was accepted in antibodies in four forms. Sumaya University for Technology December 2020. The project will start (PSUT), Jordan. in early 2021. Royal Scientific Society (RSS), • RSS continued testing the quality of Jordan food, water, air and medical gasses R&D Activities during the lockdown period in March The Research Scientific Society (RSS) is - May 2020 to ensure public health Major research activities of RSS during the largest applied and safety. 2020 included: research institution in • Biomedical engineering team of RSS Jordan. It, inter alia, worked closely with the Jordanian • Testing of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater provides consultancy Ministry of Health to ensure timely ad sludge in selected wastewater and technical support maintenance of medical equipment all Treatment Plants in Jordan; services for scientific over the country. • “BIM for Energy Efficiency in capacity-building. • RSS’s start-up incubator (iPARK) is the Public sector (BEEP)” project The Society serves as supporting Khaleek bil bait – ‘Stay at under the Framework of EU the local as well as regional reference point Home’ – a mindset incubation and Funded Programme “ENI CBC of knowledge for science and technology. acceleration platform that launched Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme”, an innovation hackathon on 2nd April in collaboration with Consiglio 2020. National and Institutional Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Italy; • RSS along with its sister organisations • Characterization of pharmaceutical Contributions to COVID-19 (the Princess Sumaya University compounds in different water sources Pandemic Response for Technology, the Amman (i.e., wastewater, surface and ground Baccalaureate School, the Higher water) and food chain (i.e. vegetables) • Biosafety and Biosecurity Centre Council for Science and Technology in Jordan; of RSS has been engaged in testing and the Jordan Museum) also • Improvement of wastewater treatment coronaviruses in bats as a part of a launched a fundraising campaign to operations at Yarmouk Water Global Research Project. To facilitate support the national efforts during the Company (YWC); the local health authorities, it is also COVID-19 emergency. • Guidance development and case study
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 57 programs (digital marketing or comprehensive web development), English language and soft skills courses; • Specialized RETScreen Software Training in partnership with the German Development Cooperation office (GIZ) and Jordanian German Centre of Excellence for solar energy. The training was certified by the Canadian Institute for Energy Training (CIET); • Under the Jordan’s Second Biennial Report (BUR) Project, two capacity building activities were held for stakeholders from different ministries and national institutions. The first training activity was on the Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP) and the second event was on 2006 IPCC Guidelines for the preparation of GHG National Inventories; • Four training workshops were documentation of green chemistry Establishment of Research Facilities conducted by RSS, Jordan, for the and technologies; capacity-building of construction • High energy efficiency for the public Institutional Capacity-building workers regarding the building of stock buildings in Mediterranean rock gabions in the streams flowing (SOLE) Project; • UK-Jordan El Hassan bin Talal into the Wala Dam of Jordan to • A first step valorization of waste Research Chair for Sustainability prevent sediments flow into the Dam. atmospheric carbon dioxide via its • Advanced Research Centre under The trainings were funded by GIZ, sustainable capture; which six research units were formed Germany; and • Study of the feasibility of decentralized for research in areas of materials • The National Software Quality olive mills’ wastewater treatment; design and discovery, biosynthesis Assurance Centre of RSS conducted • Completion of the Adapt ICT and biocatalysis, emerging pollutants following specialized courses in knowledge system, which will in water systems, light metal alloys, software testing from 19th January to be used by farmers in Jordan and computational atmospheric 4th February 2020: Valley, under the programme of modelling. “Increasing the Resilience of Poor • Pharmaceutical Innovation Division -- ISTQB Certified Tester – and Vulnerable Communities to at RSS Biosafety and Biosecurity Foundation Level course. Climate Change Impacts in Jordan Centre -- ISTQB Certified Tester – through Implementing Innovative Foundation Level Agile Tester Projects in Water and Agriculture Capacity-building Activities course. in Support of Adaptation to Climate -- ISTQB Certified Tester – Advanced Level – Test Analyst course. Change” supported by the UNFCCC- During the reporting period, RSS’ events Adaptation Fund; comprised of: • Development of new tests for face Webinars masks; Workshops • Development of new calibration RSS co-hosted a webinar with COMSATS Centre for Climate and Sustainability service for forehead thermometer; • Capacity building in Information (CCCS) on Sustainable Water Governance • New tests for medical ventilators; and and Communication Technology in the Global South under Changing • Testing of governmental e-Services (ICT) sector for Syrian Refugees, in Climate (details in Chapter 4), on 8th under the umbrella of the Jordanian customized intensive ICT training Digital Transformation Project. October 2020.
58 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 Moreover, Engr. Jehan Haddad, Manager (IIASA) in July 2020; elected member • Higher Council for Science and of Air Studies, at RSS participated as a of the Alliance of International Science Technology (HCST), Jordan, on speaker in webinar on “Energy Efficiency Organizations in November 2020; and ‘Leaders in Innovations Fellowship and Cleaner Production Practices elected member of the Compact Muon (2020), Royal Academy of Engineering in Industry Based on Sustainable Solenoid Program at the European UK’ (4th February 2020). Development”, co-hosted by CCCS and Organization for Nuclear Research Environment and Cleaner Production (CERN), Switzerland, in August 2020. Awards and Honors Institute (ECPI) of TUBITAK, Turkey, on 25th November 2020. Furthermore, agreements with following The National Energy Research Centre organizations were reached by RSS during at RSS won the Energy Globe Award Advocacy and Publications 2020: - world’s most prestigious award for sustainability – for its work on “Solar • Opinion Editorial on “Steering a • British Academy for the establishment Water Pumping Project in Jordan Valley Course to Sanity for International of Jordan – United Kingdom El and the Highlands”. The project involved Institute for Applied Systems Analysis Hassan bin Talal Research Chair in the replacement of inefficient electrical and (IIASA)” by HRH Princess Sumaya Sustainability (7th February 2020); diesel irrigation pumps, and operating the bint El Hassan, President of RSS, • CARBON LIMITS for the 214 water pumps in the Jordan Valley and Jordan; development of Article 6 strategy for the southern valleys and 106 pumps in the • Statement on “A Call for Unified supporting Jordan to participate in highlands (Azraq, Mafraq and Madaba) National and Global Science and market mechanisms under the Paris with solar energy (PV systems). Technology Responses to the agreement (10th February 2020); COVID-19 Pandemic” by HRH • Mediterranean Agronomic Institute The Scientific and Technological Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan, of Bari (CIHEAM-Bari), Italy (5th Research Council of Turkey President of RSS, Jordan; March 2020); • Arab Women in Science (Editorial in • Joint Venture with IK Healthcare, (TUBITAK), Turkey Science magazine) by HRH Princess Geneva, to establish the Sumaya bint El Hassan, President of Pharmaceutical Innovation Division Founded in 1963 an autonomous public RSS, Jordan; at RSS Biosafety and Biosecurity institution, the • Women during the COVID-19 Era: Centre (22nd June 2020); Scientific and Eye on Food Safety and Another • United Nations Development Technological Looking for Coronaviruses in Bats by Programme (UNDP) for joint Research Council of Dr. Nisreen DaifAllah AL-Hmoud, program for investing in SDG Turkey is a national RSS, Jordan; and Acceleration in Jordan (21st October agency of Turkey • Jordan’s Second Biennia Update 2020); whose stated goal is Report for UNFCCC Secretariat • Universiti Putra Malaysia for joint to develop science, on Climate Change prepared in research and development work in technology and collaboration with the Jordan Ministry materials design and discovery (30th innovation (ST&I) policies, support of Environment and UNDP. June 2020); and and conduct research and development.
In addition, RSS issued several publications in reputed journals during the reporting periods that related to renewable energy, waste management, biotechnology, biodegradable materials, nanotechnology, biochemistry, and microbiology, among others.
International Collaborations and Agreements
RSS became a member of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 59 TUBITAK became COMSATS Centre of (BOREN), Turkey, developed a new Excellence in 2019 in lieu of its Centre domestic car that is powered by an – TÜBITAK Marmara Research Centre electric motor and hydrogen fuel. The (MAM). car’s hybrid engine allows it to travel up to 450 kilometers by utilizing electricity R&D Activities for 300 kilometers and hydrogen fuel for an extra 150 kilometers. The vehicle has Exhibition of R&D Products zero emission value and accelerates to 100 kilometers in a very short time. TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center COVID-19 Related Developments (MAM), Turkey, participated in the first National Capabilities” conducted by the Smart Cities and Municipalities Congress COVID-19 Platform of Turkey under the By using electrospun nanofiber technology, and Exhibition held under the auspices of umbrella of TÜBİTAK, feasibility studies the Materials Institute of TÜBİTAK the President of Turkey, from 15th -16th have started for synthesis of an active Marmara Research Center (MAM), January 2020, at Ankara, Turkey. The event ingredient, Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate, Turkey, has produced “Nanofiber Filters” provided a platform for cooperation and and its production at large scale. Under of high protection N95-N99/FFP2-FFP3 interaction among smart city technology the project conducted jointly with the masks. The synthesized nanofiber filters producers, solution and service providers Pharmaceutical Factory of the Ministry have passed impermeability and breathing so as to establish an effective smart city of National Defence, the studies aim to resistance tests according to relevant ecosystem. TÜBİTAK MAM displayed produce the tablet dosage form of 200mg European standards. The produced mask its products including Fuel Cell Modules Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate with filters feature a thinner and lighter material and Components, Lithium Ion Battery indigenous resources. Samples, Trigen Project Fuels, Noise Maps compared to their counterparts and offer and Noise Barriers, Dissolved Oxygen high impermeability and low breathing Capacity-Building Sensor, National Flue Gas Analyzer resistance giving them an edge over the (YEBA), Zero-Waste Approach in commercially available products. Zero Waste Certification Treatment Sludge Management, Cavitation System, Smart City Sustainability Model, Scientists at Food Institute of TÜBİTAK Due to efficient waste management Environmental Label for Accommodation MAM are also working on the activities carried out under the aegis of Facilities, Photovoltaic Solar Panel and development of immunity-boosting “Zero Waste” project, TÜBİTAK Marmara Terahertz Imaging System. products on the basis of reliable scientific studies by taking advantage of Turkey’s Research Centre (MAM), Turkey, has been awarded with a “Zero Waste Certificate” Development of Hydrogen and Electric endemic plant diversity. by the Turkish Ministry of Environment Cars As part of the project titled “Synthesis and Urban Planning. Under the above- mentioned project, TÜBİTAK MAM TÜBİTAK MAM, in collaboration with of Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate and has made significant improvements in the National Boron Research Institute Production in Tablet Dosage Form with
60 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 economical and low power consuming chemical sensors with high sensitivity against toxic gases. With the use of twisted bilayer graphene in sensor applications as a first in Turkey and in the world, it is targeted to further develop chemical sensors. It is aimed to create added value for Turkey by transferring the sensor system to be developed to the industry and national security sector and meeting the needs of security units and various state institutions and organizations in military and industrial sectors.
Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology (TIB), China the reduction of waste generation, use the development and production of value- of environmentally friendly products, added industrial products in Kocaeli. Tianjin Institute of Industrial waste sorting and recycling alongside Biotechnology (TIB), increasing awareness of the employees on Awards and Honors Chinese Academy of environment and zero-waste approach. Sciences (CAS) is a TUBITAK MAM’s Senior Research non-profit national Project on Encouragement for the Specialist Wins L’Oréal-UNESCO “For research institute Production of Medicinal and Aromatic Women in Science” Program Award jointly established Plants with Municipalities in Marmara by CAS and Associate Professor Dr. Dilek Dündar Tianjin Municipal TÜBİTAK MAM is collaborating Erbahar, Senior Research Specialist in Government in 2012. TIB’s mission is to with the Union of Municipalities of CBRN Sensor Technologies Project strengthen its capabilities in innovation the Marmara Region, and Kocaeli Group at TÜBİTAK Marmara Research and technology-transfer so as to become a Metropolitan Municipality for the project Center (MAM), Turkey, has been awarded global leader for research and development on “Encouragement for the Production L’Oréal-UNESCO “For Women in Science in industrial biotechnology. of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants”. Prize”. The Award aims to celebrate the The project will be initiated by Kocaeli perfection of women scientists (under 40) COVID-19 Related Developments Metropolitan Municipality in the Kandıra conducting advanced scientific studies and Town of Kocaeli Province and aims to to support the continuation of scientific Scientists from the Tianjin Institute of increase the income levels of villagers studies by young talents. Industrial Biotechnology (TIB), China, and farmers through various incentives. together with other Chinese R&D It will make use of human and technical Dr. Erbahar aims to develop compact, institutions, including Capital Medical resources of the collaborating parties for high performance, mass-producible, University, Institute of Microbiology, and Beijing Institutes of Life Science isolated two neutralizing antibodies— B38 and H4—that bind to the glycoprotein spike of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and thereby prevent the virus from entering host cells. Isolated from recovered COVID-19 patients, the two antibodies were found to neutralize the virus in cell culture and target a shared epitope. Experiments already carried out on mice confirmed the antibodies can reduce the virus load in the lungs and can be mixed to contain the infection.
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 61 Post-Coordinating Council Virtual Presentation Sessions
In continuation of the deliberations of the 23rd Meeting of COMSATS Coordinating Council virtually held in July 2020. COMSATS Secretariat held weekly virtual sessions through which Centres of Excellence shared their programmes and activities held since the last Coordinating Council Meeting. These sessions helped facilitate interaction among Centres in order to initiate joint programmes for the benefit of the Member States.
The presentations made during these strains collected from different divisions sessions highlighted the mandates, Al-Quds University (AQU), Palestine of Bangladesh to aid national and global current activities, major programmes, new COVID-19 response. initiatives, R&D activities, future plans as Dr. Radwan F. H. Qasrawi, Assistant well as offers of collaborations sought and Professor of Information & It was noted that BCSIR has published extended by Centres in various areas. An Communication Technology at AQU, 141 research papers, won 8 patents, and account of these is covered in the relevant Palestine, informed that the university developed 12 industrial processes during segment of Chapter 1. The following has established Al-Quds Business last year. section covers major achievements and Center for innovation, technology, research related developments, including and entrepreneurship (B-CITE) that those relating to COVID-19, made by currently has 182 entrepreneurial projects, Centro Internacional de Fisica (CIF), Centres during the reporting period. conducted 8 training programs, has 517 Colombia partnerships, and 6878 beneficiaries. Al-Farabi Kazakh National Prof. Eduardo Posada, Director of He also briefed about the Environmental CIF, Colombia, informed that a pilot University (KazNU), Kazakhstan and Sustainability Innovation Technology project has been developed and relevant (ESIT), which is a research facility consultations are being made with the Prof. Tlekkabul Ramazanov, Vice-Rector that helps develop a comprehensive, Government of Colombia and other for Research Science & Innovations at multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary stakeholders in the country for scaling-up KazNU, Kazakhstan, shared progress of approach to research, education, policy, of CIF’s research projects on sugarcane the University during the preceding year and development to overcome Palestine’s production. as: implementation of 492 projects; 126 energy obstacles. He also noted the research projects in collaboration with three hubs of the institute as: 1) Clean Among others, CIF plans to: business enterprises; and 142 projects with Technology Innovation Hub; 2) Waste grant funding from Ministry of Education Water Treatment Innovation Support Hub; • Construct an eco-park in Casanare and Science of Kazakhstan. and 3) Science and Technology Innovation Department of Colombia; Support Hub. • Develop technologies for tropical fruit Sharing KazNU’s response to COVID-19 processing and preservation; and crisis, Prof. Ramazanov stated that Bangladesh Council of Scientific • Digitize the power consumption of KazNU is setting-up a Digital University National University of Bogotá. Electronic Campus – the first ever smart and Industrial Research (BCSIR), university in Central Asian region. He Bangladesh also communicated that KazNU aspires COMSATS University Islamabad creating 25 “Start-up companies” and 8 Dr. M. Nashir Uddin, Director Planning (CUI), Pakistan small innovative enterprises by the year and Development at BCSIR, Bangladesh, 2022. informed that BCSIR’s Genomic Research Prof. Dr. Muhammad Tabassum Laboratory has sequenced more than Afzal, Rector CUI, informed that CUI 300 whole-genomes of SARS-CoV-2 has established collaborative R&D
62 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 infrastructure to foster research and innovation that includes Sino-Pakistan Joint Research Centre for Buffalo, and CUI – TIB Joint Institute of Biotechnology which is at planning stage. A project led by CUI has also won research grant for collaborative research projects under ANSO for 2020 – 2021.
According to CUI’s SDGs ranking for the year 2020, the University has made remarkable progress towards Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
Council for Scientific and Industrial soil and nitrogen fixing microorganisms; Industrial Research and Consultancy Research (CSIR), Ghana microbial diversity of microorganisms Centre (IRCC), Sudan and soil fauna; organic agriculture; Dr. Daniel Asenso-gyambibi, Director rehabilitation of degraded areas; bioenergy Dr. Omer Kamal, Researcher, IRCC, CSIR-Building and Road Research crops; nutrient cycling; and greenhouse Sudan, informed that major research Institute, (CSIR), Ghana, informed that gas emissions in agroecosystems. developments during the 2019 related CSIR is using Biotechnology for crop to: development of knowledge and production with a focus on cereals, roots & Higher Institute for Applied Science small industries; projects in agricultural tubers, as well as horticultural crops, tree and Technology (HIAST), Syria manufacturing and renewable resources crops and food processing. utilizations; and projects in efficiency Dr. Chadi Albitar, Director of Scientific of industrial business. Some other Other advances by the Institute that were Collaboration, Media and Publishing, achievements during the year included: highlighted included improved “Akosombo HIAST, Syria, noted that 44 Engineers, capacity-building activities, including 3 Strain” of Nile Tilapia fish which grows 71 Masters, and 6 PhDs have graduated short training courses, and 21 institutional 25-30% faster than the wild and other local from HIAST during the period 2019-20. and technical trainings. IRCC has also stocks; collaborative work with Unilever In addition to this, HIAST has published established following three institutes and World Agroforestry Centre, Nairobi; 8 scientific books and 25 research papers during 2019: and work on technologies for production in International Scopus ranked journals of Allanblackia Oil. during this period. • Cleaner Production Centre; • Energy Design Centre; and Embrapa Agrobiologia, Brazil HIAST has been cooperating with the • Mining & Building Material Ministry of Agriculture to implement Laboratory. Dr. Robert Boddey, Research Scientist at management information system for Embrapa Agrobiologia, Brazil, informed animal resources in Syria. HIAST has also It was noted that a cooperation agreement that Embrapa Agrobiologia has established initiated joint research with the General with Shanghai University of Engineering a network of experiments for research Commission for Scientific Agriculture Science, China, was also signed by IRCC and technology-transfer and also offers Research (GCSAR) to improve pomace during 2020. training in microbiology and molecular oil extraction, and providing water and air biology. pollution assessments. Industrial Technology Institute (ITI), Sri Lanka It was informed that Embrapa houses Regarding the future plans of HIAST, Dr. National Research Center for Agrobiology Albitar informed that the institute plans Dr. Radhika Samarasekera, Director which conducts research, inter alia, in the to build a new nanotechnology laboratory, General, Industrial Technology Institute areas of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) launch a new Master’s program in (ITI), Sri Lanka, informed that ITI in legumes and non-legumes; molecular Aeronautics, and upgrade its educational has established ‘China-Sri Lanka Joint biology (genomics and proteomics) of system to comply with credit system Biotechnology Laboratory’ under the MoU standards.
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 63 signed between Ministry of Science and Technology Cooperation Award’ awarded techniques to meet the needs of forensic Technology, China, and the Ministry of to Prof. Atta-Ur-Rahman, Patron-in- science. The project is aimed to use nuclear Higher Education and Scientific Research, Chief of ICCBS. Dr. Shaheen also noted analytical techniques such as INAA to help Sri Lanka. that Center had collaborations with ITS, investigations of food forensics/food fraud, TUBITAK and TIB during the year 2019. potentially adulterated pharmaceuticals Research output of ITI during 2019-20 and illicit drugs. included: 26 scientific publications in International Centre for Climate referred journals, 90 international and and Environment Sciences (ICCES), Furthermore, it was learnt that local communications, 10 patents, and 05 China ICENS’ work on Climate Change and book chapters. Dr. Radhika also informed Biogeochemistry focuses on soil carbon that ITI’s scientists have won 10 national Prof. Zhaohui Lin, Director of ICCES, and land-use with the following targets to awards for Science and Technology China, noted ICCES’ activities during 2019 be achieved till 2023: achievements, and presidential awards. as: establishment of International Network on Climate and Environment Sciences • measure soil carbon stock and assess ITI has made a number of technology (INCES), and holding of two international carbon quality across major land-use transfers to SMEs, micro entrepreneurs conferences on climate & environmental types island wide (e.g. coastal forest, and large enterprises in 2019, including sciences. agricultural lands); applications in fruit-vegetable based • survey 50% of major agro-ecological products; cereal-based products; herbal ICCES also started various projects to zones across Jamaica; cosmetics; and herbal drugs and health achieve SDGs, including enhancing the • collect soil-based GHG emissions data supplements. forecast and preparedness capacity for from 50% of major agro-ecological climate and environmental disasters; zones across Jamaica; International Center for Chemical development of a for weather-to-climate • training in forestry emissions and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), prediction; and establishment of the modeling; and Pakistan Southeast Asia Regional Climate Change • running of emission models to Information System (SARCCIS). generate forestry GHG inventory. Prof. Dr. Farzana Shaheen, ICCBS, Pakistan, noted COVID-19 related It was informed that ICCES is planning Iranian Research Organization for activities of the Centre as: sequencing of to establish ANSO Technology Center for Science & Technology (IROST), Iran SARS-COV-2 as well as facilitation to the Earth System Modeling and Prediction Government of Pakistan through setting- (ATC-EaSyMP) with involvement of Dr. Alireza Allahyari, Director General up a diagnostic facility and conducting COMSATS’ Member States. for International Cooperation, IROST, over 100, 000 tests for COVID-19. Iran, highlighted some of the technologies International Centre for developed by IROST as: development of Furthermore, ICCBS established: Environmental and Nuclear Sciences engine prototype for DME and Bio-diesel (ICENS), Jamaica fuel; Biotechnology Pilot Plant facility; • Modern Forensic DNA and Serology Vertical Wind Tunnel; and Hemodialysis Laboratory; Prof. Charles N. Grant, Director General, Machine. • National Institute of Virology. ICENS, Jamaica, informed that under IAEA Coordinated Research Project years It was also learnt that in addition to ICCBS also won many awards including (2019-2024) of worth €35,000, ICENS is being home to 7 technology institutes, the ‘China International Science and working on enhancing nuclear analytical IROST has 131 knowledge-based
64 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 units and incubators; 472 commercial the research output of his Centre during Hassan, President of RSS; technologies; and 412 technologies for 2019 as: 2,180 publications (SCOPUS), • Designing of Multi-Level Integrated commercialization. 21 approved patents, 71 NRC awards, Monitoring, Reporting and 36 convoys, and 233 book chapters. Verification (MRV) System for National Mathematical Centre Furthermore, NRC made funds available Greenhouse Gas Emissions & (NMC), Nigeria for various projects, including technology Mitigation of Climate Change; transfer and assigned research projects as • Second Phase Launch of the Prof. Stephen E. Onah, Director, well as collaborative research projects with EU Funded Project “Transfer of NMC, Nigeria, informed that NMC is Italy and Romania. Environmentally Sound Technology collaborating with the National Defense (TEST)” in cooperation with UNIDO; College (NDC) and Baze University of While noting the NRC’s efforts against • Regional workshop on Abuja for the following research projects: COVID-19, Prof. Hosam stated that NRC entrepreneurship for scientists and funded eight research projects to face engineers in COMSATS member • Big Data Analysis and Simulation of COVID-19 and pre-clinical trials for four states; and Terrorism Activities in Nigeria; and COVID-19 vaccines are also underway. • Election of RSS to Executive Board of • Development of Big Data Security IAP for Science, Seoul, South Korea. Architecture for Enhancing National Collaborations with other centres included Security. establishment of Centre of Excellence for It was also informed that RSS has made Research & Applied Sciences on Climate considerable progress in achieving NMC’s progress on the following Change & Sustainable Development of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), initiatives was also highlighted: National Research Centre at the start of particularly, Goal 4 (Quality Education); UNESCO Chair – Research Group on 2020. Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation); Capacity Development for Algebraists; Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy); Ethno-Mathematics Research Group; Royal Scientific Society (RSS), Jordan Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Computational Mathematics Research Production); Goal 13 (Climate Action); Group; and Artificial intelligence (AI) Some major achievements and and Goal 17 (Partnerships for Goals). and Computer Human Interactions (CHI) developments of RSS shared by Eng. Research Group. Abeer Arafat, Assistant to the President Sepuluh Nopember Institute of for Organizational Knowledge Technology (ITS), Indonesia National Research Centre (NRC), Documentation, RSS, Jordan, included: Egypt Prof. Bambang Pramujati, Vice Rector of • Launching of Arab Charter of Ethics Research, Innovation, Partnership and Prof. Hosam El-Sayed, Assistant Vice in Science at World Science Forum Alumni at ITS, Indonesia, informed that President for Research, NRC, Egypt, noted 2019 by HRH Princess Sumaya bint El ITS developed a robot for assisting the
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 65 (KazNU), Kazakhstan. A collaboration with Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST), Iran, pertained to organization of a symposium in order to initiate collaborations on the development of active components in microalgae, and enzyme engineering for high value compounds.
National Technology Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology (NC-Synbio) was officially approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) of China in 2019 to be established at TIB.
TIB also hosted the 20-day International Training Course on Industrial Synthetic medical personnel during the COVID-19 post-harvest losses through hybrid Biotechnology in which 21 young scholars pandemic. biomass solar drying technology. from 10 Belt & Road countries including COMSATS’ member countries were Focus areas of ITS for research include: The Scientific and Technological trained. manufacturing, transportation, and Research Council of Turkey logistics; sustainable energy; artificial (TUBITAK), Turkey University of The Gambia (UTG), intelligence and biomedical technology; The Gambia advanced materials and nanotechnology; Prof. Dr. Orkun Hasekioğlu informed that internet of things and defense technology; in 2018, 27,468 projects/experts received Prof. Faqir Muhammad Anjum, Vice agri-food and biotechnology; climate funding, and an amount of 1.9 Billion TL Chancellor of UTG, The Gambia, change and disaster mitigation; maritime was given to departments as academic informed that UTG is serving as the science and technology; fundamental research funding, technology innovation powerhouse for the transformation of The sciences and infrastructure and sustainable funding, science fellowships grants, and Gambia through creation, application, and environment. science and society programmes funding. transfer of knowledge as well as leading government’s capacity development Tanzania Industrial Research He also informed that TUBITAK has and research projects. He informed that and Development Organization 348 ongoing international cooperation UTG is making considerable progress in (TIRDO), Tanzania projects, including 161 bilateral, 105 achieving Goal 4 (Quality Education) and COST, and 82 ERA-NET. Goal 17 (Partnership for Goals). Dr. Lugano Wilson, Director of Engineering Development, TIRDO, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Water Researches and Technologies Tanzania, informed that TIRDO has Biotechnology (TIB), China Centre of Borj-Cedria (CERTE), produced COVIDOL for battling Tunisia COVID-19 pandemic, which is a natural Prof. Jibin Sun, Deputy Director-General blend of plants with zero addition of of TIB, China, highlighted the activities of Prof. Ahmed Ghrabi, Director General chemicals. TIB under South-South Cooperation that of CERTE, Tunisia, highlighted CERTE’s included establishment of Joint Center on intellectual output as: 110 international He also noted that the activities of TIRDO Plant Natural Products in collaboration research articles/publications, 03 books, are highly related to the Sustainable with the International Center for Chemical and 17 PhD and 48 Master theses. Development Goals 1, 2, 6, 7, 9 and 13. and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), Pakistan. TIRDO’s activities during 2019 included: Moreover, it was informed that CERTE research and development of coal In another collaboration, TIB signed organized 2nd Atlas Geo-Resources briquetting; development and transfer of cooperation agreements with COMSATS International Congress: Applied Geo- mushroom substrate blocks; value addition University Islamabad (CUI), Pakistan; resources for Groundwater (AGIC’2019); on leather and leather products in pastoral and Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and CMGA8 8th Maghrebian Symposium. areas in Arusha region; and controlling
66 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 7
SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS
• COMSATS Tele-health Programme (CTH) 68
• COMSATS Internet Services (CIS) 71
• COMSATS Centre for Climate & Sustainability (CCCS) 73
• COMSATS Science Diplomacy Programme 77
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 67 SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS
For the benefit of its Member States, COMSATS undertakes special assignments, such as conducting scientific studies, undertaking pilot projects, or implementing educational programmes. Other than CUI, two of COMSATS' flagship projects, COMSATS Internet Services (CIS) and COMSATS Telehealth (CTH) continue their operations and are being overseen by COMSATS Secretariat. The administration related to graduate students from Member States studying at CUI is also a special assignment of the Secretariat. Activities of COMSATS Centre for Climate & Sustainability (CCCS) that have grown over the last year or so and COMSATS’ Science Diplomacy have also been covered in this Chapter.
COMSATS Tele-health training of the telehealth staff and patient mushroomed within Pakistan, COMSATS Programme (CTH) care in COVID and non-COVID cases telehealth endeavored to expand its without much exposure to both patients network of telemedicine clinics through The year 2020 has been the year of and the doctors. new collaborations with the Government pandemic for the whole world. COVID-19 of Balochistan through People’s Primary emerged as a driver of sudden changes at Access to Healthcare Healthcare Initiative (PPHI), resulting in all levels, especially in healthcare sector. establishment of new telehealth clinics Lockdowns, shortage of doctors, social The year started with relatively low influx at Mastung, Dukki, Cowki Jamali and distancing needs and closure of OPDs in of telemedicine patients in the four Washuk. tertiary care led to a major paradigm shift telehealth clinics at Pind-Sawika, Gokina, for health professionals, policy makers Quetta and Gawadar. Early during the By the time the first wave subsided, and patients in terms of better utilization year, the sudden surge on the pandemic led a number of these centres had been of telehealth. Studies show a stark to a drastic drop in the number of patients established and the number of patients upward trend in the use of telemedicine presenting at telemedicine, the main consulting these clinics spiked. After with a drop in physical visits during the reasons being the lockdowns imposed by the initial months, the patients’ number COVID-19. the government, fear of pandemic and the declined as the second wave hit the closure of OPD based services. country. During the reporting period, the With the outpatients in tertiary care total number of patients presenting to hospitals closing down during 2020, As pandemic gained momentum telemedicine clinics leveled around 4,000. COMSATS Telehealth (CTH) continued in the country, policy makers and playing its role in provision of healthcare, health authorities started to realize the Majority of the patients benefitting from capacity-building programs and awareness importance of telehealth as a tool to CTH were women seeking facilitation for campaigns. The focus of most of these provide healthcare to keep movement maternal care and antenatal ultrasounds. activities remained upon information of patients to a minimum. As other dissemination related to pandemic, digital health and telemedicine initiatives
68 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 WHO under guidance of Pakistan’s Ministry of Health were the resource persons for the training. These included Dr. Samina Naeem Khalid (Associate Professor with Health Services Academy and Senior Consultant (SRH) at WHO Islamabad); Dr. Nusrat Shah (a well- known Gynecologist and a Professor in Dow Medical College and Civil Hospital, Karachi); Dr. Qudsia Uzma (National Professional Officer, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health at WHO); and Dr. Sobia Khateeb (a clinical psychologist running Sobia Khateeb Foundation).
The training phases were graced by the Capacity-Building Development organization also joined notable presence of Dr. Palitha Mahipala the training. The need for this training (WHO Country Representative, Pakistan); Awareness Session on COVID-19 was realized by the closure of tertiary Dr. Malik Muhammad Safi (Director care OPDs, travel restrictions and lock General Health at MoNHSR&C); and Dr. As soon as COVID-19 pandemic hit down in various areas of Pakistan, turning S.M. Junaid Zaidi (Executive Director Pakistan, it was realized that safety and telemedicine as a significant mean of COMSATS) during the closing ceremony precautions of the workplace are the health services provision. of the phase one while Dr. Nirmini only measures to prevent disease spread Hemachandra (WHO Regional Office for within the organization. Therefore, an The training was imparted to telehealth the Eastern Mediterranean, Egypt); Ms. awareness campaign was launched within professionals in two phases. In the first Ellen Thom (Technical Officer WHO), the Secretariat that included preparation phase (held from 8th to 12th June 2020) and Dr. Atiya Aabroo (Deputy Director of SOPs and the information material for doctors from telehealth centres of the Programmes, MoNHSR&C) were some the employees. In this connection, on 9th participating organization were trained notable speakers to conclude the second March 2020, an awareness talk on “Corona while in the second phase (13 to 24 July phase of the training. Virus preparedness in the workplace”, 2020) focus was on the training of the lady was held at COMSATS Secretariat for the health workers and community health Outcomes of technical sessions of the employees. The talk delivered by Dr. Zawar workers affiliated with the telemedicine virtual training were aided by videos Ali (Vaccinologist and Travel Health organizations. and interactive comments and question Physician at Excel Labs, Pakistan) covered & answer sessions. The participants various aspects of the epidemic, including The session introduced them to new found the training useful in enhancing disease prevention and control. concepts, techniques in SRH and a their capacity and appreciated training refresher of the older ones still in use. curriculum with special considerations Training on Sexual/Reproductive Health The training provided a whole package of for COVID-19. The training also helped with WHO and Government of Pakistan care from pre-natal period to post-natal address existing misconceptions and care of the pregnant women along with taboos related to SRH. A collaboration between COMSATS, the other aspects of women’s health on World Health Organization (WHO) the whole. In addition, good practices on Webinar on Digital Health in COVID-19 and the Ministry of National Health the use of Personal Protective Equipment Services, Regulations and Coordination (PPEs) as recommended by WHO In the wake of pandemic, the boost gained (MoNHSR&C), Government of Pakistan, and other preventive measures to be by digital health services led COMSATS resulted in organization of a virtual taken by the reproductive and maternal to organize an event, aimed at gathering training on Sexual, Reproductive and health professionals within the context relevant stakeholders from South Asian Maternal Health (SRH) for telemedicine of COVID-19 were also the part of the Member States of COMSATS for sharing providers. Other than COMSATS, course. experiences in response to the pandemic, telemedicine providers of two other in particular, COVID-19 related digital organizations, Sehat Kahani and Human Four master trainers arranged by the health developments at governmental and
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 69 upon issues relating to cooperation in policy and strategy sharing at governments and institution levels; data collection and analytics; joint publications based on indigenous researches and success stories; training of doctors and young practitioners for better pandemic response; application of digital technologies for pandemic as well as for non-emergency response, building better infrastructure in remote areas that are affected the most in both situations. Details of this event can be found in Chapter 4.
Observance of Breast Cancer Day
With October celebrated as the Breast Cancer Awareness Month worldwide to help generate necessary support and awareness about the disease, COMSATS Secretariat highlighted the impact of this issue of great concern to help the population of the world by holding a webinar. The webinar entitled “Breast Cancer Awareness: Give Hope, Save Lives”, institutional level. As a result, COMSATS, (Chairman BCSIR, COMSATS Center was virtually held on 29th October 2020, in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Excellence); joined by the participants from COMSATS Centre for Digital Health (CWCDH), on • Dr. Anil Jasinghe (Secretary for Secretariat and its flagship projects. 7th September 2020, organized a webinar Ministry of Environment and Former titled “Digital Health in COVID-19: Director General, Health Services, Sri Information on this event is available in Sharing Experiences of COMSATS’ South Lanka); Chapter 4. Asian Member States”. Speakers from • H.E. Vice Admiral (R) Mohan the three South Asian member countries Wijewickrama (High Commissioner Visitors and Collaborations i.e. Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, of Sri Lanka to Pakistan) participated in webinar that was attended • Ambassador (R) Fauzia Nasreen, On 30th July 2020, a two-member by a significant number of relevant (Advisor SDGs, COMSATS delegation from Yaran-e-Watan visited individuals from Pakistan and abroad. Secretariat); COMSATS Secretariat and CTH Resource • Dr. Ghazna Khalid (Member of Prime Centre (located at CIS) and discussed The event had participation from eminent Minister’s Task Force on COVID-19, potential collaboration on digital health speakers belonging to a number of areas Government of Pakistan); and ICTs. Dr. Zafar Mirza was shown of expertise relating to the theme of the • Dr. Nowshin Jabin (Chattogram around various technologies and telehealth event, these included: Medical College Hospital, facilities available with CTH. Dr. Zaidi Bangladesh); extended offer of support to Yaran-e- • Dr. Sania Nishtar (SAPM on Poverty • Dr. Anil Samaranayake (Director, Watan initiative through its Internet Alleviation and Social Protection and Health Information, Ministry of Service Provider. The meeting resulted in Federal Minister to Government of Health, Sri Lanka); COMSATS Internet Services joining hands Pakistan); • Ms. Lubna Yaqoob (Senior Specialist with Yaran-e-Watan as technical partners. • Dr. Vajira Dissanayake (Chairperson Digital Health and Information CWCDH); System HPSIU, Ministry of National On 2nd July 2020, Ms. Tanya Aidrus • Dr. Selim Reza (Deputy Secretary for Health Services Regulations and (Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Ministry of Science and Technology, Coordination (NHSR&C). Digital Pakistan Initiative) visited various Bangladesh); facilities of COMSATS’ flagships projects, • Prof. Dr. Md. Aftab Ali Shaikh Discussions during the event touched i.e., COMSATS Internet Services (CIS) and
70 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 services through the Resource Center at Isolation Hospital and Infectious Diseases Treatment Centre (IHITC) recently inaugurated in the wake of COVID-19 with the support of China. On the other hand, CIS shall mobilize resources and help build the technical capacity of IHITC. Furthermore, through this MoU, training activities shall also be carried to help build the capacity of the personnel in various aspects pertaining to natural and human- induced disasters.
COMSATS Internet Services (CIS) COMSATS Telehealth (CTH) housed at COMSATS and NDMA MoU for CIS Technology Park, Islamabad. Cooperation in Telehealth Services Operational since 1996, COMSATS Internet Services (CIS) is the pioneer On 6th August 2020, Prof. Dr. Ghazna Since its inception, CTH is continually Internet Service Provider (ISP) of Pakistan, Khalid (honorable Member of the striving to expand its quality services offering diversified services like Wireless Parliament, Member Task Force on digitally to all parts of country. broadband, Domain & web hosting, COVID-19, MoST, Pakistan) visited On-demand broadband, Data Center COMSATS Secretariat and met A Memorandum of Understanding Services, Video conferencing, Website COMSATS’ officials to discuss possible (MoU) was signed between COMSATS’ designing and development, Search Engine collaboration with CTH with regard flagship project, i.e., COMSATS Internet Optimization, Virtual Private Servers, to Pakistan’s government response Services (CIS), and the National Disaster Networking, IT training, Telehealth and to COVID-19. Potential avenues of Management Authority (NDMA) of Internet-related research facilities. cooperation were also explored in areas Government of Pakistan, with an aim to of mutual interest for launching joint support tele-health services and trainings CIS is currently operating in 20 cities and programs in Pakistan as well as other in natural and human-induced disasters. has customers belonging to prominent Member States of COMSATS. CTH is currently housed at CIS for organizations in public and private sectors, technical and operational convenience. well-known national and international Other visitors of telehealth Resource NDMA has been working to enhance companies and firms, software and Centre in reporting year include, Dr. disaster resilience in Pakistan and is the business companies, foreign missions, Zaeem Zia (District Health Officer leading policy and coordination body for non-governmental organizations, Islamabad); Mr. Muhammad Jahanzeb combating natural and human-induced universities, social development and Khan (Deputy Chairman Planning disasters in Pakistan. research organizations. Commission); Mr. Khalid Rafiq (DG-IT Board, AJK) and Secretary Health (KPK). The MoU was signed by Dr. S.M. Junaid CIS affairs are managed by a Board of In addition, District Support Mangers of Zaidi (Executive Director COMSATS), Management headed by Executive Director PPHI, DHO (Washuk) also visited the and Mr. Muhammad Idrees Mehsud COMSATS. Dr. Zaidi made significant rural telehealth clinics in their respective (Member DRR, NDMA), in a ceremony contribution for the future growth of CIS areas after setting up of these clinics were held at NDMA at Prime Minister’s Office, which includes expansion of network, completed. Government of Pakistan, on 16th October introduction of new services like IOT, 2020. Lieutenant General Muhammad launching new nodes in other regions and During the calendar year, a virtual visit of Afzal (Chairman NDMA); Prof. Dr. establishment of new Tele-Health Centers the telehealth for Mr. Mahmoud Farfoura Ghazna Khalid (Member of the Parliament in Baluchistan. from the Royal Scientific Society (RSS), and Member Task Force on COVID-19) Jordan, was arranged. Mr. Farfoura was along with representatives from both sides invited to virtually join the ongoing witnessed the signing of the agreement. CIS Core Services tele-consultations at the Resource Centre CIS offers nine services known as ‘The in Islamabad and was briefed about the Under this agreement, NDMA is Colors of CIS’, comprising; Tornado® operations regarding telemedicine. facilitating the provision of tele-health
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 71 (Wireless broadband), Hawaii™ (Domain, R&D in energy sector under CIS-IoT has communicating for past few years in-order hosting, and VPS) and COMSpeed™ resulted in developing the Net Metering, to limit travel cost and save time, Due to (Optical Fiber Connectivity). The value generating real time report for client to COVID-19 in reporting year, the rapid added services of CIS are Hurricane™ monitor energy utilization. Other related shift toward virtual systems and online (On-demand broadband), Prism™ activities include development of the platforms for meetings resulted in further (Website development), Viacon™ (Video following IoT applications/tools: Soil utilization of related services of CIS. CIS conferencing), COM Meeting™ (web Moisture Detector, Bird Eye View and provides video-conferencing services Conferencing Service) and COMSATS Surveillance System Development. within Pakistan and abroad by means Innovation and IoT. Further, IoT related R&D work of of well-equipped Video Conferencing CIS pertains to manufacturing and Studios, located in Islamabad, Peshawar, Data Centers construction, transportation, retail, S&T, Lahore and Karachi. During 2020, the ITC, educations, healthcare, energy and video-conferencing platforms were also CIS expanded its IT & Data Center agriculture. Some specific work includes: established for the potential customers as infrastructure with the latest state of the per demand. art equipment at CIS Technology Park • On-going planning and building, Islamabad. In-order to grab the implementation of IoT-based sensors Bandwidth Growth emerging opportunities, setting standard for civic system; services and customer satisfaction. • Portal development to connect vehicle To ensure high uplink and downlink tracking system for online and precise speeds for customers, CIS gets bandwidth CIS’ data centres include the features, tracking of organizational fleet; from multiple providers. In the reporting including: Capacity of 1,526 Sq. ft. • Cyber security solutions to connect year, CIS bandwidth grew from 5 in 2019 and approximately 45 racks can be with peripheral devices to bound to 6 Gbps in 2020. accommodated; IPV6 enabled (27001:2013 network Security; ISO Certified); Precision Cooling System • State-of-the-art ERP and “One ComClinic (Telehealth) alongwith Humidity Controller; Fire Window Online” development; Suppression alongwith four Stage Fire • Solutions for securing network The current status of CIS Tele-clinics, Alarm; N+1 Electric System including bounding and online threats; alongwith activities in the capacity of UPS and backup electric generators; • R&D for motion based sensors in digital health services of the reporting year Power backup facility; Deployed L-Root field on network surveillance and in have been covered in the earlier section of Servers; Entirely backed Cyber Security agriculture; this chapter. System with round the clock surveillance; • R&D and AI-based software for Completely Biometric Security System detection of cancerous tumor and COMSATS Centre for Climate & and Advanced Huawei & Juniper firewalls primary health prenatal issues. Sustainability (CCCS) protectors. Video Conferencing In recognition of the inter-connections Innovation and IoT Department between climate change and sustainable Video conferencing was being used for
72 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 development, COMSATS Centre for Climate & Sustainability (CCCS) was set-up in 2019 to serve as an innovative partnership model to work in a spirit of global solidarity to solve shared challenges within the framework of South-South and Triangular Cooperation.
A primary objective for establishing the CCCS network was to encourage developing countries to develop greater connectivity and cooperation among members of the network and to build closer linkages among countries of the Global South in addressing common challenges within the framework of the Paris Climate Agreement and the 2030 Development Agenda.
In pursuit of this vision, CCCS mobilized COMSATS' member states and its institutions to foster information exchange, knowledge sharing, sharing of good practices, collaborative actions and for developing countries in terms of were willing to work in the specific multi-partnerships based on South-South their relevance to climate change and research areas under each SDG. There and Triangular Cooperation. sustainable development. These goals are: was considerable interest in working on SDG-2 (Zero Hunger), SDG-3 (Good the 7 SDGs and as a result the institutions CCCS functions as a virtual platform Health and Well-being), SDG-6 (Clean conveyed their responses which enabled for promotion of multi-stakeholder Water and Sanitation), SDG-7 (Affordable CCCS to draw up a comprehensive listing. interaction across the 4Cs: Connectivity, and Clean Energy), SDG-11 (Sustainable Communication, Coordination and Cities and Communities), SDG-13 Webinars Collaboration. (Climate Action), and SDG-15 (Life on Land). In the backdrop of COVID-19 pandemic, Membership CCCS opted to start with a series of Subsequent to the understanding webinars so as to keep the member So far, twenty COMSATS' member states reached on the 7 SDGs, focus was made institutions connected and cooperation are a part of CCCS network though 25 on identifying partner institutions that among them continued. By the end of the institutions. In order to increase Africa’s representation in CCCS’ network, discussions were held with representatives from five Senegalese institutions. Virtual meetings were also held with the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Germany, and the University of Kent, UK, to initiate cooperation.
Focus on SDGS and Working Scope
CCCS member institutions agreed to focusing on 7 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) considered crucial
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 73 SDG, Related Scope of CCCS' Work and Partners
Sustainable Development Goals Research Areas Participation of CCCS Member Institutions (SDGs) SDG 2: Zero Hunger • Agriculture productivity/ Food Security • TIB, CAS, China End hunger and ensure safe, nutritious • Malnutrition • CIF, Colombia and sufficient food for all • Resilient Agricultural Practices • CCC&SD, NRC, Egypt • Genetic Diversity of Seeds • University of The Gambia • Agricultural Waste Management • CSIR, Ghana • Improving Agricultural Land • West Africa Science Service Centre on Climate Change & • Climate Smart Agriculture Adapted Land Use (WASCAL),Ghana • Climate Smart Agriculture • University of Tehran, Iran • Food safety/Food quality • RSS, Jordan • Value added food • CCCS, KazNU • Post-harvest losses reduction and management • CCCS, Nigeria • Genetic improvement of livestock • CCRD, Pakistan • Tree crops for household food security • Al-Quds University, Palestine • ITI, Sri Lanka • CCCS-IRCC, Agricultural Research Center-Sudan • TIRDO, Tanzania SDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being • Health & Nutrition • TIB, CAS, China Ensure healthy lives and promote well- • Impacts of Environmental Toxicology on Health • CCC&SD,NRC, Egypt being for all at all ages • Monitoring and Dispersal of Vectors of Infectious • ICENS, Jamaica Diseases • RSS, Jordan • Supplementary food for specific patients. • ICCBS, Pakistan • Safe drinking water / Functional food formulation. • CCRD, Pakistan • Traditional herbal based food • Al-Quds University, Palestine • ITI, Sri Lanka • CCCS-IRCC, FMOH- food research Center-Sudan SDG 4: Quality Education • Sustainable Community Development and • TIB, CAS, China Foster International Collaboration in Education • CCCS, KazNU ensuring education • Community Capacity building for Sustainable Development SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation • Water Resources Management • TIB, CAS, China Ensure access to water and sanitation • Water Quality • IFRD,BCSIR, Bangladesh for all • Hydrology • ICCES, China • Water Recycling • CIF, Colombia • Wastewater Treatment • CCC&SD,NRC, Egypt • Water Metering and Pricing • University of The Gambia • Groundwater Management • CSIR, Ghana (Water Research Institute) • Agriculture Runoff Pollution • University of Tehran, Iran • Salt Water Intrusion • RSS, Jordan • ICENS, Jamaica • CCRD, Pakistan • Al-Quds University, Palestine • ITI, Sri Lanka • NCPC and CCCS at IRCC, Higher Council for Natural Resources-Sudan • TIRDO, Tanzania • CERTE, Tunisia • Environment and Cleaner Production Institute (ECPI),TUBITAK MRC, Turkey SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy • Renewable Energy (Solar, Wind and Biofuel) • IFRD,BCSIR, Bangladesh Ensure access to affordable, reliable, • Energy Efficiency • TIB, CAS, China sustainable and modern energy • Biotechnology Applications for production of Biogas • University of The Gambia and Biofuel • RSS, Jordan • Al-Quds University, Palestine • ITI, Sri Lanka • NCPC, CCCS and UNESCO chair on Technology transfer at IRCC, General Directorate of Renewable Energy • TIRDO, Tanzania • Environment and Cleaner Production Institute (ECPI),TUBITAK MRC, Turkey
74 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and • Mitigation of GHG Emissions • ICCES, China Communities • Air Quality • TIB, CAS, China Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and • Solid Waste Management • CCC&SD,NRC, Egypt sustainable • Wastewater Management • University of The Gambia • Environmental Impacts of Urbanization • University of Iran, Tehran • Environmental Toxicology • ICENS, Jamaica • Adaptation Measures Against Climate Risks • RSS, Jordan • Impacts of Urbanization on Regional Climate • CCCS, KazNu Change • CCRD, Pakistan • Urban Weathers and Climate Extremes (urban • ITI, Sri Lanka flooding and Urban Heat Island • NCPC- NLTC, CCCS at IRCC and University of • Noise levels Khartoum (U of K)- Sudan • Safe disposal of wastewater • TIRDO, Tanzania • impact of climate change on critical infrastructure • Environment and Cleaner Production Institute • Natural Disasters and Economy (ECPI),TUBITAK MRC, Turkey • Land use change and physical planning imperatives SDG 13 : Climate Action • Impacts and vulnerability assessment on major • ICCES, China Take urgent action to combat climate socioeconomic sectors • CIF, Colombia change and its impacts • CSIR, Ghana Mitigation for Climate Change • University of The Gambia • University of Ghana Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability Studies (C3SS) • ICENS, Jamaica • CCCS,KazNu • CCCS, Nigeria • CCRD, Pakistan • ICCBS, Pakistan • Al-Quds University, Palestine • ITI, SriLanka • UNCST, Uganda • FHENR, IRCC-Sudan • TIRDO, Tanzania • CERTE, Tunisia • Environment and Cleaner Production Institute (ECPI),TUBITAK MRC, Turkey • Adaptation to Climate Change • CCC&SD,NRC, Egypt • CSIR, Ghana / University of Ghana Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability Studies (C3SS) / West Africa Science Service Centre on Climate Change & Adapted Land Use (WASCAL), Ghana • University of Tehran, Iran • RSS, Jordan • CCRD, Pakistan • ITI, Sri Lanka • NCPC , CCCs at IRCC and FHCENR -Sudan • TIRDO, Tanzania • CERTE, Tunisia • Environment and Cleaner Production Institute (ECPI),TUBITAK MRC, Turkey • Multi-scale characteristics of regional climate • CIF, Colombia change, with focus on weather and climate extremes • ICCES, China • Quantitative evaluation of climate change impact on • University of Tehran, Iran water resources, agriculture, energy, etc • U of K and IRCC-Sudan • Enhancement of Prediction capability for multi- • CCRD, Pakistan scale hydro-meteorological disasters • TIRDO, Tanzania • Projection of future climate change and its • CERTE, Tunisia uncertainty analysis • Geographic Information System/ Remote Sensing • Meteorological Modeling
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 75 SDG 15: Life on Land • Biodiversity conservation /Ecosystem • CIF, Colombia Sustainably manage forests, combat • Land Degradation and Desertification • ICCES, China desertification, halt and reverse land • Environmental Policy • CCC&SD,NRC, Egypt degradation, halt biodiversity loss • Sustainable Land Use • University of The Gambia • Land Use and Land Cover Changes • CSIR, Ghana • Analysis of the impact of climate change on the • CSIR, Ghana / West Africa Science Service Centre on biodiversity (climate models) Climate Change & Adapted Land Use (WASCAL) • University of Tehran, Iran • ICENS, Jamaica • CCCS, KazNu • CCCS, Nigeria • CCCS-IRCC and ENDRI, CCCS-NRC at IRCC and UNESCO chair on Desertification –Sudan • CERTE, Tunisia year, CCCS had organized/co-organised Institute of Council for Scientific and September 2020); nine webinars on a range of subjects in Technological Research Council of • Sustainable Water Governance in the the context of the agreed SDGs. CCCS Turkey, Global South under Changing Climate webinars generated a lot of interest and in • Uganda National Council on Science with Royal Scientific Society (RSS), the process over 65 scientists, researchers and Technology. Jordan (8th October 2020); and policy makers were involved. Besides, • Challenges of Rapid Urbanization CCCS partner institutions, numerous Held on 22 December 2020, the last in the Global South with Tanzania other institutions around the world webinar was organized in cooperation with Industrial Research & Development attended the webinars. An important the Islamic World Educational, Scientific Organization (TIRDO), Tanzania aspect of the CCCS webinar initiative and Cultural Organization (ICESCO). The (29th October 2020); was to develop closer working links with webinars covered in detail in other parts of • Energy Efficiency and Cleaner partner institutions by inviting them to this report were on the following topics. Production Practices in Industry co-host the webinars. This helped to forge Based on Sustainable Development stronger connections with partners. • Climate Change Risks and Impacts with Environment and Cleaner on Vulnerable Communities Post Production Institute (ECPI), In 2020, five webinars were co-organized COVID-19 with National Research TUBITAK, Turkey (25th November with the following partner institutions: Centre (NRC), Egypt (8th July 2020); 2020); • Impacts of Climate Change on South • Challenge of Reducing Food Loss and • National Research Council of Egypt, Asian Monsoon (28th July 2020); Waste to Improve Food Security in the • Royal Scientific Society of Jordan, • International Day of Clean Air for Global South with Uganda National • Tanzania Industrial Research and Blue Skies (7th September 2020); Centre for Science and Technology Development Organization, • Challenges to Agriculture and their (UNCST), Uganda (29th November • Environment and Cleaner Production Solutions in the Global South (9th 2020); and
76 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 • Air Quality under South-South the increased recognition that science, COVID-19 awareness, and discussions and Cooperation: What Works for technology and innovation are the exchanges on key topics. Developing Countries, through the primary drivers for a more sustainable Lens of Science, Technology and and prosperous future. Going forward, the International Observances Governance with Islamic World Center is aimed to continue co-opting new Educational, Scientific and Cultural member institutions in the Global South World Science Day for Peace and Organization (ICESCO), Morocco as well as with institutions from the North Development (22nd December 2020). so that it can better engage in Triangular Cooperation. To observe World Science Day for Collaboration with United Nations Peace and Development, a seminar was Office on South-South Cooperation CCCS platform will be strengthened arranged on November 10, 2020, with (UNOSSC) by connecting with partner institutions the collaboration of United Nations to explore and identify potential areas Educational, Scientific and Cultural Cooperation between COMSATS and of collaboration, share knowledge and Organization (UNESCO) Pakistan, the UNOSSC continued under an agreement expertise, offer perspectives and solutions Organization of Islamic Cooperation signed in November 2018 between the two. and create networks for cooperative Standing Committee on Scientific activities in addressing key challenges and Technological Cooperation Information material on CCCS was of climate change, sustainability and (COMSTECH), the Economic featured in the UNOSSC South–South development. Cooperation Organization Scientific Galaxy portal so that UN member Foundation (ECOSF), the Pakistan Science countries and UN agencies could learn COMSATS Science Diplomacy Foundation (PSF) and the Pakistan about the mission and work of CCCS. Programme Academy of Sciences (PAS). The seminar CCCS will continue to intensify its was attended by the senior officials of the connectivity with UNOSSC for knowledge Since inception, COMSATS has been afore-mentioned organizations and the exchanges and collaboration opportunities. engaged in advocacy of Science at all levels members of COMSATS Secretariat. through its different organs. Through Information on all the webinars organized activities under Science Diplomacy H.E. Mr. Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, by CCCS as well as in cooperation with Programme, the organization aims to Federal Minister for Science & Technology, its partners was regularly posted on the address the needs of scientists, diplomats, graced the occasion with his presence. Galaxy portal. Additionally, COMSATS journalists and policy-makers to build Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Fawad and UNOSSC has been projecting each peace and harmony among nations stated that the Day as an occasion to other’s activities reciprocally through through scientific knowledge. During renew our commitment to the cause of social media network. 2020, the activities under the programme science, i.e., peace and development, and included relevant international advancing scientific knowledge and its CCCS Web Portal observances, government engagement and practical applications to bring peace and
Recognizing the critical importance of digital platforms, a CCCS website has been designed and developed for building connectivity, and collaboration among COMSATS' partner institutions as well as for showcasing the work of CCCS at international level. Features and modalities of the website are being strengthened for a stronger impact. Discussions on launching of the portal early during 2021 are ongoing with COMSATS Internet Services (CIS).
Going Forward
CCCS' efforts of building a network of scientists and experts is in line with
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 77 harmony in the world. In the wake of the science through sharing of scientific data betterment of the developing South. pandemic and recent success of Pfizer and information among all stakeholders. and BioNTech in developing COVID-19 She stated that UNESCO promotes the H.E. Mr. Chad Blackman, Barbados vaccine, Mr. Fawad emphasized the need concept of open science to encourage the Ambassador and Permanent of vaccine at equitable and free basis to all. exchange of global experiences and best Representative to the UN and other practices in order to deal the challenges in international organizations based in Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Dr. M. improved way. Geneva, Switzerland, in his remarks Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General underscored the importance of South- (COMSTECH), highlighted the need International Day for South-South South cooperation that has acquired for responsible science where fruits of Cooperation further significance in wake of COVID-19. human ingenuity must reach to the ones He noted that the countries with medium in most need. Dr. Choudhary added that On 16th September 2020, an international and low income, are most vulnerable to this day is a reminder for us to go back webinar on “Current Challenges: emergent situations caused by pandemic to the basics, start looking science from Imperative of South-South Cooperation”, and climate change. Mr. Blackman opined the perspective of a philosopher, embrace was arranged by COMSATS in order to that the interlinking issues of developing the characteristics of logic, reasoning, mark UN’s International Day for South- countries makes them more complex and conceptual rigor, and most importantly South Cooperation. hard to resolve. argumentation. Speaking on the occasion (on the behalf Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Denis Nkala, Dr. M. Aslam Baig, Secretary General of the Executive Director COMSATS), Regional Coordinator and Representative (PAS), Prof. Dr. Manzoor Hussain Ambassador (R) Shahid Kamal, Advisor at UNOSSC, Asia and the Pacific Office, Soomro, President (ECOSF), Ambassador (Climate Change and Environment at shared key findings of a survey assessing (R) Fauzia Nasreen, Advisor SDGs COMSATS), introduced COMSATS the level of cooperation amid COVID-19 (COMSATS), and Dr. Zabta Khan as an active proponent of South-South pandemic. He remarked that institutions Shinwari, Professor Emeritus (QAU) also Cooperation for over a quarter of a century in the South should work in cooperation spoke on the occasion. that has acquired special significance in with IGOs like COMSATS to fight global recent years owing to the increased global issues such as climate change. He further Some young students with their innovative recognition of significance of South-South highlighted the need of taking bold projects and S&T solutions also made Cooperation. Highlighting COMSATS’ actions to address the biggest threats and a strong case for advocacy and use of linkages in the Global South, he avail opportunities by pooling resources, Science in society. considered COMSATS’ collaboration with collecting data and better planning in the the United Nations Office for South-South Global South. The Guest of Honour, Ms. Patricia Cooperation (UNOSSC) and South-South McPhillips (UNESCO Pakistan), sharing Galaxy to be of pronounced significance Senator Hazel Thompson-Ahye of Trinidad her remarks on occasion, advocated open for achieving the shared mandate of and Tobago appreciated COMSATS’ part
78 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 in the field of education and its efforts to These included: Ms. Maria Katherina Asia Pacific Clean Air Partnership, UNEP, address increased discrepancies in the Patdu, Coordinator, Asia Pacific Clean highlighted the deleterious impacts of air education system that surfaced during Air Partnership, United Nations pollution on human health in the Asia pandemic. Ms. Ahye stated that mutual Environment Programme (UNEP); Dr. Pacific region while citing some statistics cooperation and support is absolutely Eric Zusman, Senior Policy Researcher/ in this connection. necessary to find solutions to common Area Leader, Institute for Global problems and achieving the global agenda Environmental Strategies (IGES), Japan; The representative from the Institute for of 2030 in these challenging times. Prof. WU Chenglai, Associate Professor, Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) International Centre for Climate and in his talk focused on the integration of air Ms. Ellen Thom, Technical Officer, Environment Sciences (ICCES), Institute pollution control strategies and identified Reproductive Health at WHO Pakistan of Atmospheric Physics (IAP), China; conventional controls, development represented H.E. Dr. Palitha G. Mahipala, Ms. Madina Tursumbayeva, Senior priority and next-stage solutions as Head of Mission, WHO Pakistan. Speaking Lecturer, Department of Meteorology and three layers of solutions for air quality on his behalf, Ms. Thom remarked the Hydrology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National improvement. He was of the view that need for strong collaboration in health University (KazNU), Kazakhstan; Mr. the international financing mechanisms, sector in order to harmonize approaches Zia Islam, National Program Manager, technology platforms and investment among countries as well as to share National Ozone Unit, Ministry of Climate channels could help fill critical funding experiences in the areas of service delivery, Change (MoCC), Government of Pakistan; gaps for ‘development priority’ solutions. governance and emergency response. and Ms. Jacqualine Godfrey Mwendwa, Research Officer, Tanzania Industrial Mr. Zia ul Islam (MoCC, Government International Day of Clean Air for Blue Research and Development Organization of Pakistan), highlighted the challenges Skies (TIRDO), Tanzania. and prospective eco-friendly solutions in various areas, including industries, CCCS hosted a webinar to mark the first The event was moderated by Dr. Anjum transport, brick kilns, SMEs, agriculture, ever International Day of Clean Air for Rasheed, Assistant Professor, Centre and waste management, among others. He Blue Skies, on 7th September 2020. The for Climate Research and Development expressed his concern over introduction event was aimed at sharing knowledge, (CCRD), COMSATS University Islamabad, of Euro-V fuel in Pakistan in the backdrop good practices, and experiences on various Pakistan. Speaking on the occasion, of old vehicular fleet, non-compliant aspects of air pollution and impact of Ambassador (R) Shahid Kamal, Head refineries and unprepared government deteriorating air quality on sustainable of CCCS, highlighted the significance of machinery. development and growth. reinforced environmental policies and international cooperation to promote clean Ms. Tursumbayeva, in her talk, highlighted The webinar attracted environmental technologies. three ways to measure Volatile Organic experts from China, Japan, Kazakhstan, Compounds (VOCs), i.e., whole air Pakistan, Tanzania, and Thailand. Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Patdu from sampling, active sorbent tubes sampling
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 79 and SPME in grab sampling mode. In the occasion, Prof. WU discussed air quality prediction from regional to global scales.
Ms. Mwendwa presented the case study of Dar-es-Salaam and underscored the effects of air pollution by the reason of traffic congestion. She considered air pollution by urban traffic a major health hazard and wrapped her talk by a suggestion of placement of a nation-wide monitoring system and corresponding database in order to combat air pollution.
The event was concluded with the recommendations that underscored: Pakistan-Azerbaijan Alumni Association, to make them responsible members of organized a Seminar titled “Youth a harmonious society, for which CUI is • Need for science and research- Engagement for Global Action”, on 12th playing its due role. backed solutions for combating of air August 2020, to mark UN’s International pollution; Youth Day (IYD). Honorable Mr. Shehryar Khan, Pakistani • Robust coordination and integration Minister to SAFRON and Narcotics & mechanisms for reduction of air The event was hosted at COMSATS Chairman Kashmir Committee, honored pollution; University Islamabad. The objective of the event as a Chief Guest. Speaking on • Promotion of effective air monitoring the seminar was to encourage youth the occasion, Mr. Afridi appealed the and forecasting systems; engagement at national and international international bodies to make serious • Integration of climate change policies levels and making our institutions capable efforts to ensure the equality and justice as to achieve SDGs and co-benefits on of responding to global challenges a basic human right for all. human health, environment and identical to pandemic and climate change economy; and in an effective manner. Alongside some The event was also attended by Prof. Dr. • Strengthening partnerships at the physical participation, the event was Ghazna Khalid, Advisor to NDMA on regional and international levels. virtually joined by a number of audience, COVID-19. Ms. Khalid deemed the youth including the diplomats, parliamentarians, involvement necessary for the socio- International Youth Day social activists and youth leader across the economic uplift and building a knowledge globe. based economy. She considered refugee COMSATS in collaboration with ICYF- crisis in various parts of the world a major ERC, THE Society, ICHI Foundation Prof. Dr. Muhammad T. Afzal, Rector CUI, challenge for youth development. China, IEEE-CUI, USIDHR, GSW inaugurated the session by his welcome International Youth Union Azerbaijan, remarks. His talk emphasized the need Ms. Liu Jian, Co-Founder Illchi COVID-19 Youth Task Force and for tapping the youth’s potential in order Foundation China, highlighted the
80 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 challenges, opportunities, engagements World Cities Day awareness about the disease, COMSATS and S&T related projects for youths. Mr. Secretariat highlighted the impact of this Elmaddin Mediyev, Director General To mark United Nations World Cities issue of great concern to a big population ICYF-ERC, considered implementing Day 2020, CCCS organized a webinar of the world by holding a webinar entitled effective policy measure crucial for better on “Challenges of Rapid Urbanization “Breast Cancer Awareness: Give Hope, engagement of youth in OIC member in the Global South”, on 29th October Save Lives”. states. 2020. The webinar was co-organized with COMSATS’ Centre of Excellence, Tanzania Held on 29th October 2020, the event Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Isabelle Industrial Research and Development was opened by Ambassador (Retd.) Vladoiu, Founder US Institute of Organization (TIRDO). Fauzia Nasreen, Advisor (SDGs) at Diplomacy and Human Rights, shared her COMSATS, who highlighted the need for experience as an immigrant youth in the Moderated by Dr. Lugano Wilson, Director early diagnosis, access to proper medical United States. In her opinion, youth have a of Engineering Development, TIRDO, the facilities, affordable and timely care as key role in global peace, diplomacy as well webinar included speakers from China, cornerstones of breast cancer control. She as policy development. Iran, Kazakhstan, Sudan, and Tanzania. emphasized on having effective measures for overcoming lack of knowledge, The keynote speaker of the seminar was The talks and discussions of the event appropriate facilities, family support and Mr. Ziauddin Yousafzai, father of Ms. touched upon a number of important fear related to cancer in our society. Malala Yousafzai, a Peace Noble Laureate issues related to urbanization that from Pakistan. Based on his experience, included: land-use planning, controlling In her keynote address, Dr. Farheen Raza, he spoke on the significance of right of emissions caused by transport and Chief Registrar Radiology Department safe education and equal opportunities of industrial sector, reduction in arable land, at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences growth for female youth. He emphasized over-population, and waste management. (PIMS) Islamabad, emphasized the the need for better integration of women Adopting waste-to-energy approach was importance of regular screening and the in development process. deemed crucial as a sustainable option to need to have community-based health address waste and energy related problems. education component in treatment of the Concluding the event, the coordinator of disease. She proposed a one-stop breast the event, Engr. Qaiser Nawab, highlighted Breast Cancer Awareness Month cancer clinic with the aim to answer the role of COMSATS towards youth financial, cultural, mental and physical development in the South which he With October celebrated as the Breast needs of women as one of the ways linked to 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Cancer Awareness Month worldwide forward towards reducing breast cancer Development. to help generate necessary support and cases.
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 81 Dr. Samina Naeem, ex-Associate Dr. Khalid Mahmood Khan (Secretary avenues to improve S&T infrastructure Professor of Health Services Academy, General NASIC); Mr. Parvez Butt (Former in the country, including KPIs and and Consultant at WHO Pakistan, gave a Chairman PAEC; and Dr. S. M. Junaid routine evaluation of S&T institutions; comprehensive overview of the disease. Dr. Zaidi (Executive Director COMSATS). mainstreaming the use of ICT in Azeema Fareed, Principal Medical Officer, Ministries; more funding for important COMSATS Secretariat and Coordinator Discussing the future prospects of S&T, S&T interventions and R&D; importance of the session, opined that breast cancer Professor Atta-ur-Rehman shared his of STI, industrialization and digitalization awareness is not only needed among views by stating that: “The COVID-19 has in national development. women but everyone from family and seriously affected the national and global society who are a part of the recovery development by upsetting progress of all Some Interactions with Host journey. As a member of the pioneer team sectors in the short and long-run. Progress Country, Pakistan of telehealth in Pakistan, she also hoped to in S&T is the key to mitigate the aftermath initiate telemedicine training for medical of this crisis”. Chairperson COMSATS Consultative practitioners in remote areas for helping to Committee address the issue nationwide. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Zaidi highlighted the necessity of investment Dr. S. M. Junaid Zaidi, Executive While sharing her story during the in emerging technologies and moving Director COMSATS, met H.E. Mr. Fawad webinar, a breast cancer survivor, Dr. towards contemporary science. He Chaudhry, Federal Minister for Science Fauzia Cheema, drew attention to the lack urged to adopt creative and innovation- and Technology (MoST), Government of psychological, emotional and social led mechanisms to overcome barriers of Pakistan, at his office, on 24th June support for cancer patients and urged of economic growth and national 2020. The key agenda of the meeting having cancer support groups to help development. was to apprise the Honourable Minister such patients deal with the mental and – ex-officio Chairperson of COMSATS physical trauma attached with such serious Issues regarding the progression of S&T Consultative Committee – about ailments. across country alongwith the role of the COMSATS’ recent undertakings aimed present scientific institutions constituted at scientific and technological growth Discussion Session on Future of S&T key points of discussion. Moreover, the and advancement of its member states, System in Pakistan effects of worldwide pandemic on the including Pakistan. development at global level were also the On 29th April 2020, a meeting was held at part of the meeting. Capt. (R) Nasim Nawaz, Secretary MoST; COMSATS Secretariat to discuss the future Dr. Hussain Abidi, Member (Science and prospects of S&T in Pakistan. The meeting The participants suggested some Technology), MoST; and Dr. Ahsan Feroze, was attended by the dignitaries, including Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman (Chairman of Prime Minister Task Force on S&T, Pakistan); Dr. Akram Sheikh (Co-Chair and Distinguished Senior Fellow at Global Think Tank Network (GTTN), Islamabad); Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary (Coordinator General of COMSTECH & Director of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), Karachi; Prof. Dr. Anwar-ul-Hassan Gilani (Former Chairman of the Pakistan Council for Science & Technology (PCST), Islamabad); Dr. Aslam Baig (Distinguished National Professor at the National Centre For Physics (NCP), Islamabad); Dr. Kauser Abdulla (Distinguished Professor and Dean of Postgraduate Studies at Forman Christian College, Lahore; Dr. Zabta Khan Shinwari (Professor of Biotechnology at Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad);
82 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 Director (IL), Pakistan Science Foundation were also present during the meeting along with Mr. Bilal Chohan (Director of Admin & Establishment); and Mr. Farhan Ansari (Sr. Assistant Director Programmes) from COMSATS Secretariat.
After his detailed presentation, Dr. Zaidi shared with the Minister the future plans of COMSATS, which included work on:
• Establish an Innovation Lab in Islamabad; • Develop a Distance Learning Support Network; • Set-up 50 Rural Telehealth Clinics in Pakistan; • Provide wireless broadband services Task Force on COVID-19 of the Ministry Having visited the telehealth facilities for socio-economic development in of Science and Technology, Government at CIS Technology Park earlier, Dr. Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) of Pakistan, visited COMSATS Secretariat, Ghazna expressed interest in initiating region of Pakistan; and on 6th August 2020, and met COMSATS’ collaboration with CTH through setting- • Establish higher education institutions officials to discuss possible collaboration up telehealth service at a hospital that is in other Member States on the line of with COMSATS Telehealth (CTH) with being established through public private its flagship project, i.e., COMSATS regard to Pakistan’s government response partnership in Dara Zinda, FATA region University Islamabad. to COVID-19. A briefing was given to Dr. of KPK province. She also suggested Ghazna on COMSATS’ organizational conducting virtual trainings especially in It was communicated that COMSATS structure and operations. Potential avenues the maternal and child healthcare domain aspires promoting Science, Technology, of cooperation were also explored in areas through specialized simulation gadgets Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) of mutual interest for launching joint and softwares. education in Pakistan and is already acting programmes in Pakistan as well as other as a conduit between Governments of COMSATS' member states. Yaran-e-Watan Initiative Team Pakistan and China for establishing an S&T Park in Jhelum, Pakistan. Dr. Ghazna deemed digital technologies In connection with an ongoing a need of the hour as well as necessary collaboration on digital health and ICTs, a Mr. Fawad recommended scaling-up of for swift recovery from COVID-19. two-member delegation of Yaran-e-Watan CTH within Pakistan and also expanding it to other COMSATS member states. Taking keen interest in COMSATS' Scholarship Programme, Mr. Fawad encouraged COMSATS to give priority to the underprivileged brotherly countries.
The Minister also expressed Pakistan’s willingness to support other COMSATS member states to aid their response to the global outbreak of Coronavirus.
Prof. Dr. Ghazna Khalid, Honourable Member of the Parliament of Pakistan, and Member Task Force on COVID-19
Prof. Dr. Ghazna Khalid, Honourable Member of the Parliament, and Member
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 83 the Executive Director COMSATS, Dr. S.M. Junaid Zaidi, and other officials of COMSATS at the organization’s Secretariat in Islamabad. Mr. Khan was accompanied by Mr. Muhammad Sarwar Gondal, Member Planning Commission for Support Services from Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
In this meeting, Dr. Zaidi briefed the worthy guest on COMSATS’ programmes and activities that have had effective patronage of Government of Pakistan, apart from generous hosting of COMSATS Secretariat in Islamabad, since inception in 1994.
Mr. Khan emphasized on due and right use of media and good communication initiative of Ministry of National Health Ms. Aidrus was given briefing on the approaches to effectively engage all sectors Services, Regulation and Coordination inception, operations and services of the of society to create useful debates and (MoNHSR&C), Government of two projects. It was informed that CIS opinions on matters pertaining to general Pakistan, visited COMSATS Telehealth is the pioneer Internet Service Provider well-being and community engagement, (CTH) Resource Centre housed in CIS (ISP) of Pakistan that has established a such as climate change. He strongly Technology Park, on 30th July 2020. network of 19 offices across Pakistan to advocated the use of Big Data coupled serve government organizations, small and with AI for good decision and policy Visiting on behalf of the former Prime medium enterprises (SMEs), and private making. He considered it important that Minister Special Assistant (SAPM) on organizations as well as marginalized COMSATS should help build expertise in Health, Dr. Zafar Mirza was shown around communication of Pakistan. Besides, areas, including: precision engineering, various technologies and telehealth COMSATS Telehealth project, being the biotechnology, and biomaterials. On a note facilities available with CTH. The pioneer in the field of telemedicine in of more future mutual cooperation, Mr. delegation also held a meeting with the Pakistan, is providing primary healthcare Khan considered COMSATS’ advisory role Executive Director COMSATS, Dr. S.M. facilities along with specialist consultations important and showed interest in Planning Junaid Zaidi, and appreciated the efforts of to rural populations of Pakistan. Commission and COMSATS developing COMSATS in promoting the use of digital joint partnership frameworks. technologies in every field, especially During the visit, Ms. Aidrus was also health. Dr. Zaidi extended offer of support introduced to various facilities, services Some specific suggestion made during to Yaran-e-Watan initiative through its ISP. and technologies developed by CIS the meeting pointed towards: better including CIS Data center, software integration of databases and MIS in Ms. Tanya Aidrus, Special Assistant solutions, and telehealth set-up. She healthcare as parts of Decision Support to Prime Minister on Digital Pakistan appreciated the services and solutions Systems (DSS); creating an ICT Roadmap Initiative being provided by CIS and CTH across with public-private partnership; open and Pakistan. flexible policies to encourage international On 2nd July 2020, Ms. Tanya Aidrus, partners; better modeling for integrating Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Mr. Jehanzeb Khan, Deputy Chairperson digital health in existing health systems. Digital Pakistan Initiative visited various Planning Commission of Pakistan He considered it especially important for facilities of COMSATS' flagships projects, gains of ICTs and other technologies to i.e., COMSATS Internet Services (CIS) and On November 9, 2020, the Deputy trickle down to farmers as patrons of food COMATS Telehealth (CTH) housed at CIS Chairperson Planning Commission of security, especially in agrarian societies. Technology Park, Islamabad. Pakistan, Mr. Jehanzeb Khan, called on
84 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 8
ADVOCACY THROUGH PUBLICATIONS, INFORMATION DISSEMINATION AND COMMUNICATION
• COMSATS Newsletter 86
• Print, Electronic and Social Media 87
• COVID-19 Awareness 88
• Impact and Objectives Achieved 88
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 85 ADVOCACY THROUGH PUBLICATIONS, INFORMATION DISSEMINATION AND COMMUNICATION
COMSATS’ publications are an important means of outreach and advocacy for the organization, which is done through a bimonthly Newsletter, COMSATS’ official website and other publications, and promotional material. From time to time, COMSATS also collaborates with different institutions to bring out joint publications on work and matters of common interest. Dissemination of important information, news and articles, electronic and social media further aides this activity throughout the year.
COMSATS Newsletter solution to contemporary challenges; promoted knowledge sharing, skill COMSATS Newsletter is not only a development and capacity-building of means of dissemination of information on telehealth providers; as well as helped COMSATS’ undertakings, but is also an leverage South-South and Triangular effective science advocacy and diplomacy cooperation. All of this was effectively tool. During the calendar year 2020, the projected in published issues of COMSATS last issue of the 11th volume (2019) and Newsletter. five issues of the 12th volume (2020) of the newsletter documented and presented the Opinion Articles included in these issues activities of COMSATS Secretariat as well highlighted various aspects of S&T-related as its Centres of Excellence. developments and touched on important themes of interest to the stakeholders Apart from the standard sections covering of COMSATS. Broad themes of these the activities of COMSATS Secretariat articles were COVID-19 pandemic, and Centres of Excellence, following women empowerment, digitalization, reports were covered as ‘Special Section’: science diplomacy and cooperation for COMSATS High-Level Breakfast Meeting, development. These articles were: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 23rd Meeting webinar on “Current Challenges: of COMSATS Coordinating Council Imperative of South-South Cooperation”; • Silencing the Guns for Peace and (Online); and Post 23rd Coordinating COMSATS-CUI International Seminar on Development, Op-ed by Amb. (R) Council Meeting Virtual Presentation “Youth Engagement for Global Action”; Fauzia Nasreen; Sessions. Furthermore, the special section webinar on “Role and Challenges of • Corona: Pandemic in Times of in the last issue of volume 12 covered Youth in Global Crisis – COVID-19”; Technology and Innovation by Dr. the news of 4th Meeting of COMSATS COMSATS-AIPS-IUCPSS Startup Azeema Fareed; Consultative Committee that was held Founder Workshop on “How to Build • COVID-19 Crisis: An Unprecedented virtually in November 2020. Successful Team and Businesses”; Push for SDGs by Ms. Huma Balouch; COMSATS-IUCPSS-ICTD session on • Women and SDGs: COMSATS’ In the different issues of volume 12, the ranking and quality assurance of Perspective by Ms. Farhana Saleem; comprehensive reports of the following universities; COMSATS-IUCPSS-ICTD • Dynamics of COVID-19 in the Era of events/webinars were covered under lecture on “Ranking and Universities – 4th Industrial Revolution by Amb. (R) the section ‘Highlights from COMSATS Importance and Challenges”; COMSATS Fauzia Nasreen; Secretariat’: COMSATS-WHO- – IPDS roundtable dialogue on “Sino-Pak • COVID-19 Crisis and Developing MoNHSR&C virtual trainings on Sexual, Agriculture Cooperation – Way Forward”; Countries: Digital Health Perspective Reproductive and Maternal Health (SRH) and COMSATS-GTTN lecture on “Belt by Amb. (R) Fauzia Nasreen, Dr. for telemedicine providers; COMSATS- and Road Initiative and its implications on Azeema Fareed, Ms. Huma Balouch; CWCDH International webinar on ‘Digital sustainable development in Pakistan”. and Health in COVID-19: Sharing Experiences • Digitalization as a Cross-cutting Issue of COMSATS’ South Asian Member These events encouraged exchange of in UN Programmes and the Role States’; COMSATS-COMSTECH-ECOSF- experiences, solutions and best practices of SSC and TrC by Amb. (R) Fauzia PSF-PAS Seminar on World Science Day for a better COVID-19 response; suggested Nasreen. for Peace and Development; International ways to apply youth’s potential to find An interview relating to COVID-19,
86 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 infodemic and e-health with Dr. Najeeb Al-Shorbaji, President, Jordan Library and Information Association, and Former Director Knowledge, Ethics and Research, World Health Organization (WHO) Headquarters, Switzerland, was also published in newsletter for the awareness and education of the wider audience.
Science Diplomacy aspect of the information covered in the newsletter majorly comes from ‘Development and S&T News from Member States and Beyond’. The section aims to highlight important scientific and technological advancements from across the globe that have the potential to help ameliorate the development process, especially in the countries of the South. The issues published during the reporting period covered R&D from COMSATS Member States relating to renewable energy, food security, climate action, effective waste management, ICTs, as well as sustainable and good practices. Furthermore, they also projected COVID-19 related developments, including efforts for vaccine of COMSATS, including the Newsletters, contemporary issues and challenges. development, therapeutic drug design, Annual Reports, updated brochure, and development of novel and AI-based updated flyer, and other information COMSATS’ officials also remained diagnostic tools for coronavirus detection. material were made available on the engaged with news channels and electronic website for easier access. media to help advocate the organization’s The Newsletter was widely distributed objectives that are centered upon the to all the member countries, COMSATS' As part of its advocacy of science and principles of scientific collaboration, Centres of Excellence and other related development issues, COMSATS engages inclusion, and sustainability in every organizations, mainly through electronic with the local print media by means of aspect. During these engagements, means. Present and past issues of important messages and information on COMSATS’ new initiatives and recent COMSATS Newsletter are available for the organization. Major events having developments regarding the on-going viewing and downloading at the following COMSATS’ participation included: 94th programmes, including COMSATS URL: http://comsats.org/?page_id=150. Birth Anniversary of Prof. Dr. Abdus telehealth were shared with the wider Salam (Jan 29); International Women’s day audience. Print, Electronic and Social Media (March 08); 73rd Independence Day of Pakistan (August 14); 69 years of Pakistan Furthermore, COMSATS also effectively – China diplomatic relations (May 20); utilized its social media platforms – As per practice, COMSATS’ official website and 70th Anniversary of People’s Republic Twitter (COMSATS_en), Facebook was kept updated with information on of China (October 01). Advertisements (COMSATSofficial), LinkedIn (company/ various undertakings and related aspects and relevant articles in these issues helped comsats), and Instagram (comsats_en) of the organization. The information create awareness on the days’ themes as – to expand outreach; showcase made available on the website included: well as on the mandate and scope of the organization’s programmes and ongoing announcements, news and reports of all organization. COMSATS also published activities; broadcast information about major happenings of the organization; a number of articles in news journals various scientific developments from new and updated information material; featuring its various projects and initiatives COMSATS Centres of Excellence and and updated contact information of and highlighting development-related Member States; sharing success stories, members of major organs of COMSATS. issues in the Global South, as well as best practices and scientific breakthroughs The PDF versions of all the publications
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 87 from across the globe; as well as ideas and policy foresight on pertinent development A devoted web-page “CORONA and Furthermore, COMSATS continued to issues, such as Sustainable Development Sustainable Development” (http://comsats. make intellectual contributions with Goals (SDGs), sustainable development, org/?page_id=6712) was developed regard to different aspects of the pandemic corona, and South-South Cooperation. by COMSATS to serve as a repository through various means, which includes Information about various scholarships of information on the pandemic with a policy paper for South Centre, articles and sponsorships programmes available respect to elements and entities relevant in COMSATS Newsletter and daily with COMSATS’ Network and elsewhere to COMSATS as well as to showcase the newspapers of Pakistan, and social media. for the countries of the South have also relevant strength and developments at Executive Director COMSATS, Dr. S.M. been broadcasted through these channels. COMSATS’ Centres of Excellence and the Junaid Zaidi, and COMSATS Telehealth COMSATS’ also continued its advocacy of rest of the world. The page includes articles officials also remained engaged with news SDGs through social media, in particular and opinion from COMSATS’ officials, channels and electronic media to advocate during the 5th Anniversary month of 2030 interview(s) from relevant expert(s), and good practices and pass on relevant Global Agenda (September 2020). thematic articles from other sources. A knowledge, including distance education, look at the pandemic from sustainable right applications of virtual platform COMSATS’ activities were also promoted development perspective has also been for provision of basic amenities, and on the social media channels of South- included among other things. Besides, telemedicine. Some articles in this vein are South Galaxy and UNOSSC as part of a prominent feature of the page is the as follows: latter’s ‘Partner of the Month’ campaign. projection of scientific developments This was done by highlighting the relating to COVID-19 pandemic in • ‘COVID-19 Crisis and Developing organization’s vision, mission and COMSATS Member States and Centres Countries: Digital Health Perspective’ objectives, good practices on South- of Excellence. Information sharing and by Amb. (R) Fauzia Nasreen, Dr. South and Triangular cooperation, aided advocacy through social media regarding Azeema Fareed, Ms. Huma Balouch. by visual material, information on key COVID-19 also remained a prominent • ‘Dynamics of COVID-19 in the Era of partners, and publications. feature of COMSATS’ activities that were 4th Industrial Revolution’ by Amb (R) relatively diluted during the periods of Fauzia Nasreen. COVID-19 Awareness lockdown. • ‘COVID-19 Crisis: An Unprecedented
88 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 Push for SDGs’ by Ms. Huma Balouch. measures, and digital health. fraternity and internationally, • ‘Corona: Pandemic in Times of establishing the importance of its Technology and Innovation’ by Dr. During the reporting period, COMSATS' integration in development process. Azeema Fareed. social media platforms were in particular • Improved networking by highlighting utilized, inter alia, for projecting collaboration potentials and Rising to the communication challenges COVID-19 related developments at opportunities, and better outreach and needs related to COVID-19 pandemic institutional and government level and visibility for Member States and during 2020, efforts were made to present globally, and in COMSATS' member states, institutions at important fora and views from relevant experts. In this whereby they served as an effective means quarters. vein, a special interview on COVID-19, to highlight COMSATS’ efforts in this • Improving COMSATS’ image infodemic and e-health with Dr. Najeeb respect. as an important contributor to Al-Shorbaji, President, Jordan Library the global narrative on S&T-led and Information Association, and Impact and Objectives Achieved development, key and arising Former Director Knowledge, Ethics and development challenges and Research, World Health Organization • Effective information sharing sustainable development goals. (WHO) Headquarters, Switzerland, was with and sensitization of Member Through information exchange and published during the reporting period. The States, associated Network and relevant collaborations, COMSATS’ interview covered the various dynamics of other stakeholders on activities of recognition in this regard has applications and use of digital technologies COMSATS in line with its mandate. considerably improved during recent with respect to the pandemic, infodemic • Diplomacy and advocacy of key issues years. on coronavirus, good communication relating to S&T within COMSATS’ strategy, foresight on public health
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 89 90 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 9
FINANCIAL AFFAIRS
• Annual Membership Contribution (AMC) 92 • • COMSATS Endowment Fund 92 • • Audit and Accounts 92
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 91 Financial Affairs
The major source of financing operations of COMSATS Secretariat is annual contribution of the Government of Pakistan towards running cost of COMSATS Secretariat. The other member states of COMSATS pay Annual Membership Contribution (AMC) towards COMSATS on voluntary basis. The AMC received from member states is kept as ‘Trust Money’ and is spent on activities related to the respective country. In order to have a regular source of financing technical programmes, COMSATS Secretariat created an Endowment Fund of US$ 10.00 million in the 2nd General Meeting of COMSATS, held on 16-17 April 2012, in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Host Country Contribution COMSATS Endowment Fund & Financial Standards. The financial year of COMSATS Secretariat begins The major source of finances for In order to strengthen the financial from 1st July and ends on 30th June of operations of COMSATS Secretariat is health of COMSATS and to have a more the succeeding year. The accounts of annual contribution of the Government of sustained financial support for technical COMSATS Secretariat are audited by Pakistan being made since the inception activities of COMSATS, an endowment a reputed chartered accountancy firm of the organization and is being hosted fund of worth US$ 10.00 million was every year. The audited accounts along by the country as a statutory decision. created during the 2nd General Meeting with the auditors’ report are submitted In addition, the Government of Pakistan of COMSATS held on 16-17 April 2012, to COMSATS Management Committee is also paying Annual Membership in Islamabad, Pakistan by the then Prime for endorsement and the Coordinating Contribution (AMC) towards COMSATS Minister of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Council for approval. on regular basis. in his capacity as the Chairperson of COMSATS. During this meeting, the The financial statements on accounts of Annual Membership Government of Pakistan pledged seed COMSATS Secretariat for the financial Contribution (AMC) money of US$ 1.00 million (Rs. 100 year ended on June 30, 2019, audited million) as its contribution towards the by M/s HLB IJAZ TABUSSUM & Co., Chartered Accountants, have been The member states of COMSATS are fund and representatives of other member approved by the Coordinating Council of paying Annual Membership Contribution states also made pledges to contribute COMSATS in its 23rd (Online) Meeting, (AMC) towards COMSATS on voluntary towards COMSATS Endowment Fund. held on 14 July 2020. The accounts for basis. The AMC received from member The Government of Pakistan has the financial year ended on June 30, states of COMSATS is kept as “Trust contributed Rs. 10.00 million towards the 2020, have also been audited by M/s Money” and it is utilized to support fund against its total commitment of Rs. HLB IJAZ TABUSSUM & Co., Chartered technical activities and programmes of the 100 million (US$ 1.00 million). Efforts Accountants. contributing member state. During the continue to build the Fund to its proposed reporting period (January to December level. The auditors’ report and audited financial 2020), COMSATS received AMC from statements for the year 2020 will be China, Kazakhstan, Nigeria and Pakistan. Accounts and Audit submitted to the Coordinating Council of The accounts of COMSATS Secretariat are COMSATS for approval in its next meeting managed and maintained in compliance expected to be held in March 2021. with the International Accounting
92 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020 LIST OF FOCAL POINTS IN COMSATS’ MEMBER STATES
Hon. Architect Yafesh Osman Hon. Dr. Dia-Eddin Arafah Minister Secretary General Ministry of Science and Technology Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST) People’s Republic of Bangladesh Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
H.E. Mr. Wang Zhigang H.E. Mr. Askhat Aymagambetov Minister Minister Ministry of Science and Technology Ministry of Education and Science People’s Republic of China Republic of Kazakhstan
H.E. Dr. Mabel Gisela Torres H.E Mr. Jang Chol Minister President Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation State Academy of Sciences Republic of Colombia Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
Prof. Dr. Mahmoud M. Sakr H.E. Prof. Saaid Amzazi President Minister Academy of Scientific Research and Technology Ministry of National Education, Vocational Training, Arab Republic of Egypt Higher Education and Scientific Research Kingdom of Morocco H.E. Dr. Badara Joof Minister Hon. Dr Ogbonnaya Onu Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Minister Technology Federal Ministry of Science & Technology Republic of The Gambia Federal Republic of Nigeria
H.E. Dr. Kwaku Afriyie Hon. Chaudhry Fawad Hussain Minister Minister Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Ministry of Science & Technology Innovation Islamic Republic of Pakistan Republic of Ghana H.E. Prof. Mahmoud Abu Mowais H.E. Dr Mansour Gholami Minister Minister Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research Ministry of Science, Research and Technology The State of Palestine Islamic Republic of Iran Hon. Fortunato T. De La Peña Hon. Daryl Vaz Secretary Minister Department of Science and Technology Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology Republic of the Philippines Jamaica, West Indies
Annual Report 2020 www.comsats.org 93 Hon. Dr. Cheikh Oumar Anne H.E. Prof. Olfa Benouda Sioud Minister Minister Ministère de l’Enseignement Supérieur Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research Republic of Senegal Republic of Tunisia
Hon Eng. Abdullahi Abukar Haji Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal Minister President Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Federal Republic of Somalia Turkey (TUBITAK) Republic of Turkey Hon. Prof. G.L. Peiris Minister Dr. Peter Ibale Ndemere Ministry of Education Executive Secretary Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Uganda National Council for Science & Technology (UNCST) H.E. Dr. Intisar Sigheiroun Alezein (Ms.) Republic of Uganda Minister Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research Hon. Prof Dr. Khalid Ahmed Alwosabi Republic of the Sudan Minister Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research Prof. Dr. Bassam Ibrahim Republic of Yemen Minister Ministry of Higher Education Hon. Prof Dr. Amon Murwira Syrian Arab Republic Minister Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science Hon. Prof. Joyce Ndalichako and Technology Development Minister Republic of Zimbabwe Ministry of Education, Science & Technology The United Republic of Tanzania
94 www.comsats.org Annual Report 2020
COMSATS’ Centres of Excellence
BCSIR-Bangladesh Embrapa Agrobiologia-Brazil ICCES-China TIB-China CIF-Colombia NRC-Egypt
UTG-Gambia CSIR-Ghana ITS-Indonesia IROST-Iran ICENS-Jamaica RSS-Jordan
KazNU-Kazakhstan NMC-Nigeria CUI-Pakistan ICCBS-Pakistan AQU-Palestine ITI-Sri Lanka
IRCC-Sudan UCAD-Senegal HIAST-Syria TIRDO-Tanzania CERTE-Tunisia TÜBITAK-Turkey
COMSATS SECRETARIAT Shahrah-e-Jamhuriat, G-5/2 Islamabad, Pakistan Ph: (+92-51) 9214515-7; Fax: (+92-51) 9216539 URL: www.comsats.org; Email: [email protected]
COMSATSo cial/ COMSATS_en @comsats_en company/comsats