On Wednesday, 11th August 2021, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the High Commission of Pakistan in Australia held a Virtual Science Summit on “Creating Synergies with Scientific Diaspora in Australia.” The event was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Science and Technology, the National Institute of Health, National Science and Technology Park, Khwarizmi Science Society, and the Special Technology Zones Authority of Pakistan. The event provided an interactive opportunity to explore opportunities in capacity building of Pakistani science and technology institutions and adding value to the existing scientific research in the STEM disciplines.

For News item special thanks to Syed Zafar Hussain Shah Sahib – Chief Editor – Sadaewatan Sydney, Australia. You can read other important news about events at: http://www.sadaewatansydney.com/0000001science.htm

In his opening remarks, High Commissioner Babar Amin highlighted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ efforts to connect diverse stakeholders in the domain of Science, Technology, and Innovation from all over the world. He briefed on the various initiatives of the High Commission including in the fields of IT, education, TVET,

pharmacy, and health sector. He commended the role of Pakistani Diaspora who was serving as an enduring link between Pakistan and Australia and promoting socio-economic development of both countries. He also underscored the key role played by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Diaspora Outreach Research and Innovation Network in creating synergies for international partnerships.

Federal Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology Dr. Akhtar Nazeer emphasized the potential of Pakistani diaspora in supporting and scaling the local hi-technology industry and enterprises along with the thriving start-up space in Pakistan. He lauded the role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in mapping, showcasing, and linking innovation stakeholders for building institutional linkages.

Several Pakistan-origin scholars and professionals based in Australia made brief presentations regarding their ongoing work, highlighting potential areas of collaboration and outlining concrete recommendations for establishing institutionalized mechanisms. The platform brought together nearly 100 participants from the Pakistani diaspora in Australia engaged in the field of Science and Technology as well as from the relevant institutions within Pakistan.7

In his closing remarks, the High Commissioner Mr Babar Amin appreciated the keen interest of the Pakistani diaspora and thanked the representatives of Pakistani institutions for providing a holistic picture of the vast opportunities that are available in the country for collaboration and commercialization linkages.

The meeting was held under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Science Diplomacy Initiative which is aimed at connecting national science and technology stakeholders with international partners, with a special focus on leveraging science diplomacy to implement Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The meeting will be followed by a series of sectoral meetings for targeted cooperation in specific STEM fields.