ISLAMABAD:Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) and the Institute of Space Technology (IST) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the promotion and popularization of Science, STEAM Education in space science, technology, and its application.
The MoU was signed in a ceremony held on Tuesday at the Ministry of Science and Technology.
The ceremony was witnessed by the Federal Minister for Science and Technology Agha Hassan Baloch, Secretary G.M Memon and other senior officers of the ministry, PSF and IST respectively.
The MoU was signed by the chairman PSF. Professor Dr. Shahid Mahmood Baig and Vice Chancellor IST. Major General (R) Rehan Abdul Baqi.
In this programme of cooperation, PSF has planned to organize a Teenager Space Maker Camp for young Pakistani students, for which Chinese leading organization the China Youth Science Centre ( CYSC) of the China Association of Science and Technology ( CAST) has very kindly provided ten space maker kits to PSF. The PSF, today handed over these kits to IST and the both would jointly undertake the space maker camp.
Teenage students will be trained to make space balloons with these kits which would reach up to 30 kilometers in space.
The objective of this MoU is to define the general framework of scientific and technological cooperation between the parties. In addition the MOU is aimed at getting benefits from each other’s expertise through mutual collaboration and interaction in joint scientific activities.
The MoU will also cover the areas of joint management, organizing and preparation for participation in international Olympiads, moots, galas and competitions.
While giving his remarks regarding the space maker camp, Agha Hassan Baloch said that this was the first program of its nature and it would bring positive results by uplifting the teenager students’ scientific skills and harness their talent in the right direction.
He said that for the promotion of scientific aptitudes in the students, fifty STEM schools equipped with latest STEM labs were being developed across the country and in January the training sessions for STEM teachers would be started.
He also has directed PSF to send scientific caravans to hold scientific exhibitions in the govt schools of backward and remote areas of the country to develop scientific awareness in the students.
The minister reiterated his resolve to enhance the practical scientific research in the country according to the needs of the 21st century.