ISLAMABAD:Coordinator General, OIC Ministerial Committee of Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Chaudhary on Tuesday announced to start various programs for the academic and research training of Afghan students and researchers.
He said that the programs would kick-started at COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence (CCoE) universities of Pakistan.
He expressed these views while meeting with the Ambassador of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Sardar Ahmed Khan Shakeeb held at COMSTECH Secretariat.
Prof. Chaudhary highlighted the role of COMSTECH to strengthen the science and technology in 57 Muslim Countries.
He informed about the ongoing joint programs with Palestine, Yemen, and Somalia. Coordinator General highlighted that the President of Pakistan, who is chairman of COMSTECH, has emphasized the need of supporting higher education and skill development in Afghanistan.
In this regard, various programs for the academic and research training of Afghan students and researchers in CCoE universities of Pakistan will be started.
The second part of the program will focus on food security in Afghanistan which is the dire need of the community.
The Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), Kazakhstan and Pakistan Agriculture Research Council, Ministry of National Food Security and Research are also organizing a workshop in this regard during February, 2023.
This 3-Day joint IOFS-COMSTECH- PARC workshop on “ Climate Resilient Wheat Crop Improvement for Food Security “ will dedicate one day for the problems of wheat growing in drought conditions in Afghanistan under the theme of “Afghanistan Wheat Issue : Breeding Nutritious and Climate Resilient Varieties”.
In the third part of the program, COMSTECH in collaboration with Health Services Academy and University of Lahore will help support the health sector in Afghanistan.
He said we can work together in Public Health in primary health settings, disease surveillance, medical technologies, ventilator, medicines and regulatory affairs to train Afghan healthcare workforce.
Ambassador of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan thanked Prof. M. Iqbal Chaudhary and appreciated the outstanding work of COMSTECH for Muslim Ummah.
He said that there are strong indications from the leadership of the Afghan government for the people and government of Pakistan and OIC member states and COMSTECH close liaison.
Mr. Shakeeb said that the Afghan students desire to study in Pakistan and other OIC member states and avail the opportunities.
He assured that the embassy of Afghanistan is strongly committed to follow up proposals, programs and initiatives for the benefit of Afghan people.
Consultant Health initiatives, COMSTECH, Dr. Abdur Rashid and Head of Political, Cultural and Education, Embassy of Afghanistan, Mr. Ali Mansoor Khaliqyar, were also present at this occasion.