Past Events

Organized by: OIC-COMSTECH Technovation Academy
Hosted by: Pardis Technology Park, Iran
Location: Pardis Technology Park, Iran International Innovation District, Tehran

INTRODUCTION

In today’s rapidly evolving global economy, technology and innovation ecosystems play a critical role in driving sustainable development, economic diversification, and competitiveness. Effective innovation ecosystems bring together policymakers, academia, industry, startups, investors, and support institutions to transform ideas into impactful solutions, generate high-value employment, and address complex societal challenges.

Recognizing the growing importance of innovation-led growth across OIC Member States, the OIC-COMSTECH Technovation Academy, in collaboration with Pardis Technology Park (PTP), Iran, is organizing the International Capacity-Building Training Program on Technology & Innovation Ecosystem Development, to be held from 14–25 April 2026 at the Pardis Technology Park, International Innovation District, Tehran.

This intensive, practice-oriented program is designed to equip mid- to senior-level professionals with the conceptual frameworks, practical tools, and hands-on exposure required to design, strengthen, and manage innovation ecosystems tailored to their national and regional contexts. Leveraging Iran’s experience—particularly the successful model of Pardis Technology Park—the program will combine expert-led training, technology tours, case studies, and collaborative group work to foster actionable learning and cross-country knowledge exchange among participants from OIC Member States.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

By the end of this program, participants will be able to:

• Understand the core components and dynamics of innovation ecosystems
• Design context-specific strategies for ecosystem development
• Identify key stakeholders and build effective collaboration models
• Develop funding, policy, and infrastructure roadmaps
• Learn from global best practices and Iranian success stories
• Build an international network of ecosystem builders

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

Duration: 10 Days

Daily Schedule:

• Workshops;
• Tech tours;
• Expert panels;
• Group projects;
• Networking sessions;
• Iranian culture experience;

BENEFITS

Limited to 20 participants from OIC member countries — Selection is competitive.

• Round-trip international airfare
• Accommodation (shared twin rooms)
• All local transportation (airport transfers & program-related travel)
• Daily meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• Training materials & certification of completion
• This program is fully funded for selected participants.
• No participation fee.
• Visa assistance provided.

QUALIFICATION FOR PARTICIPANTS

Eligible applicants include professionals from OIC member states, particularly those working in:

• Government officials & policymakers in science, technology & innovation
• Managers of science & technology parks, technology incubators, and innovation accelerators
• Innovation ecosystem developers & consultants
• Representatives of international development agencies
• Academics & researchers in innovation policy
• Startup ecosystem enablers & investors

Applicants must be fluent in English and committed to implementing learnings in their home ecosystems.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Application form (Download here)

CV/Resume (max. 2 pages in free format)

Passport copy (valid until at least December 2026)

HOW TO APPLY

Applications including the required documents must be submitted via email to events@comstech.org  

Training Coordinators:

Mr. Haris Akram, Program Manager, COMSTECH. (Haris@comstech.org)

Mr. Reza Aslani, Pardis Technology Park, Iran

UNDERSTANDING THE EXECUTIONERS OF LIFE

PCMD, ICCBS, KARACHI, PAKISTAN

REGISTRATION FORM: Click Here

REGISTRATION QR CODE

VENUE

Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan.

Flyer in English
Flyer in French
Flyer in Arabic

Introduction:

OIC-COMSTECH is pleased to announce an International Seminar on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), addressing critical global health challenges affecting vulnerable populations across Africa, Asia, and the Americas.NTDs comprise a group of 20 infectious diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and parasitic worms. With the impact of climate change and global warming, these diseases are increasingly spreading beyond tropical regions into temperate climates.

A special focus of this seminar will be Leishmaniasis, one of the top ten NTDs worldwide, affecting more than 12 million people globally. In this seminar, a team of internationally renowned speakers will discuss diagnostics of NTDs, structure-based and AI supported drug discovery targeting the Leishmaniasis causing parasites.

Participation:

• Physical participation is only open for residents of Islamabad, Rawalpindi and nearby Islamabad, Pakistan.
• Virtual participation is open to all interested individuals of OIC member states and others.

Flyer: Click Here

Registration Link: Click Here 

• Registration outcome will be shared through email, therefore, please give your valid email address.

Pre-Requisite:

• Education: MS or above
• Fields: Natural Sciences/Applied Biological Sciences/ Microbiologist/ Virologist/Medicine/Molecular Biology

For More Information: Click Here

Target Audience:

Researchers, Scientists, Students, and Professionals in Chemistry/Physics/Material, and Environmental sciences who are working on catalysis for green hydrogen, or carbon capture materials, and complex structure studies.

Venue: OIC-COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad

Date: Tuesday 29 September, 2026

Time: 9:30 to 12:30 AM

Registration link

https://forms.gle/yDEydPuR9EU4BsPz9

QR code for the Registration form

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/92268764974?pwd=jWZNWQUb4zGp507MJ698cTeuF7sNY6.1

Meeting ID: 922 6876 4974

Passcode: 138810

Jointly Organized by:
OIC – COMSTECH, Samarkand State Medical University, & A Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases
Venue: Samarkand State Medical University, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Dates: 21^st – 24^th September 2026

Flyer: Click Here

Background

Leishmaniasis is a major Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) affecting millions of people worldwide, particularly in OIC Member States across South Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. Accurate differential diagnosis and effective in vitro cultivation of Leishmania spp. are essential for disease confirmation, epidemiological surveillance, drug susceptibility testing, and research on parasite biology.

NTD inflicts substantial socioeconomic consequences for the affected communities. These consequences include long term disability, reduced productivity, and increased health costs. At the global level, and at the OIC level, strengthening the capacity of the endemic countries to detect, differentiate, and monitor Leishmania infections. It is critically important to achieve objectives of the World Health Organization’s NTD Road Map and advancing progress toward universal health coverage, and the Sustainable Development Goals.  There is pressing need to build sustainable laboratory and research capacities in the OIC member states particularly important for improving early diagnosis, effective disease surveillance, monitoring treatment outcome, and drug resistance, and developing improved diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

In continuation of previous successful capacity-building initiatives conducted in Kenya (2023) and Ethiopia (2024), Morocco (2025), COMSTECH, in collaboration with the NTD Network, and Samarkand State Medical University, Samarkand, Uzbekistan, is organizing this specialized hands-on training workshop in Samarkand, Uzbekistan to strengthen clinical diagnosis, laboratory and research capacities in the Central Asian region.

Objectives of the Workshop

The training aims to:

• Strengthen technical capacity in differential diagnostics of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis.
• Provide practical training in in vitrocultivation and maintenance of Leishmania spp.
• Enhance understanding of parasite biology, molecular characterization, and laboratory biosafety.
• Promote regional collaboration and networking among young scientists and researchers in OIC countries.

Key Topics to be Covered

• Epidemiology and burden of leishmaniasis in OIC Member States
• Clinical differentiation of cutaneous vs. visceral leishmaniasis
• Microscopic diagnosis (smear preparation, staining techniques)
• Molecular diagnostic techniques (PCR-based methods, species identification)
• Culture media preparation and parasite isolation
• In vitro cultivation, cryopreservation, and maintenance of Leishmania strains
• Quality control and laboratory biosafety standards
• Overview of drug screening and susceptibility testing

Target Participants

The workshop is designed for:

• Young scientists and researchers (preferably under 40 years of age)
• Clinicians, PhD scholars and postgraduate students
• Laboratory professionals and early-career faculty

Relevant disciplines include:

• Microbiology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics and Genomics
• Parasitology
• Pathology, Infectious diseases
• Medicinal and Natural Product Chemistry

Financial Support

Limited Travel support will be provided by OIC- COMSTECH for selected OIC participants from Central Asia and West Asia.

Application Procedure

Interested candidates are requested to submit their applications of the interest using following link. : Click Here

Young scientists are encouraged to submit their abstract using the above given registration link. Once selected, they can give oral presentation during scientific program.

The QR code for the zoom link is given below.

Climate change has emerged as one of the most significant challenges affecting fisheries resources and aquatic ecosystems globally. Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, salinity intrusion, habitat degradation, and increasing occurrences of extreme climatic events have profound implications for fish production, biodiversity conservation, and food security. Fisheries-dependent communities are particularly vulnerable to these environmental changes, necessitating innovative and sustainable approaches to fisheries management and aquaculture development.

Technological advancements are transforming the fisheries sector by introducing climate-smart aquaculture systems, biotechnology applications, precision monitoring technologies, remote sensing, and data-driven resource management tools. These innovations offer promising opportunities to enhance productivity, strengthen ecosystem resilience, and support sustainable utilization of fisheries resources. However, challenges related to technological accessibility, capacity building, policy implementation, and climate adaptation remain significant concerns, particularly for developing countries.

Guest Speakers

• Prof. Dr. Dr. Md. Samsul Alam
  Department of Fisheries Biology and Genetics
  Bangladesh Agricultural University, Bangladesh
• Prof. Dr. Eng. Sapto Andriyono, S.Pi., M.T.

Department of Marine Affairs,

Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science

Universitas Airlangga

• Prof. Dr. Dr. Md. Samsul Alam
  Department of Fisheries and Marine Bioscience
  Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST), Bangladesh

Event Details

• Date: Thursday, 10 September, 2026
• Time: 02:00 PM – 04:00 PM (Pakistan Standard Time)
• Platform: Zoom
• Registration Link: Click Here

Date: 07 – 09 September 2026

1. BACKGROUND

Water security remains a critical challenge across many OIC Member States due to climate variability, rapid population growth, urbanization, weak governance frameworks, and limited technical and financial capacity for sustainable water management. These challenges disproportionately affect vulnerable communities, exacerbate inequalities, and undermine progress toward sustainable development, public health, food security, and economic resilience. Addressing water insecurity, therefore, requires not only technical solutions but also inclusive governance, evidence-based decision making, and effective mobilization of resources for implementation.

Despite ongoing efforts, many water sector professionals and institutions across OIC Member States face gaps in access to practical training on integrated water governance, use of data for planning and monitoring, and development of bankable water projects. Strengthening these capacities—while fostering cross-country learning and collaboration—can significantly enhance national and regional responses to water stress. This 3-day intensive training is designed to respond to these needs by equipping participants with practical tools, applied knowledge, and peer-learning opportunities aligned with OIC priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6. Capacity building and institutional strengthening in Inclusive Governance and Policy Frameworks for Water Security, Data-Driven Decision Making for Sustainable Water Management and Project Development and Resource Mobilization for Water Security will promote the achievement of the OIC Water Vision of “working together for a water secure future”

Daily Thematic Focus;

Day 1: Inclusive Governance and Policy Frameworks for Water Security

Day 2: Data-Driven Decision Making for Sustainable Water Management

Day 3: Project Development and Partnerships for Water Security

• OBJECTIVES

• To enhance understanding of inclusive and participatory water governance approaches that promote equity and accountability.
• To build practical skills in using data, indicators, and digital tools for water planning, monitoring, and decision making.
• To strengthen participants’ ability to design and mobilize water security projects aligned with national priorities and donor requirements.
• To foster peer learning, interdisciplinary dialogue, and collaboration among water stakeholders across OIC Member States.

• STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE

This training will strengthen the capacity of water sector professionals and policymakers in OIC Member States to design, manage, and mobilize sustainable water security interventions through inclusive governance, data-driven decision making, and effective project development.

• EXPECTED IMPACTS

• Improved capacity of participants to apply inclusive governance principles in water management
• Enhanced ability to use data and evidence for informed water-related decision making
• Increased readiness of participants to develop and mobilize water security projects
• Strengthened networks and collaboration among water professionals across OIC Member States

• Who can Attend?
• Water Resources Experts, Network and Platforms in the OIC Member States, Observer States and beyond
• OIC Water Resources Institutions
• Water Departments from the OIC Member States
• Water Engineers, Hydrologists
• University Faculties related to Water and Environment,
• Water Monitoring Units and Utility Regulation Authorities
• Transboundary Water Cooperation Committees
• Invite interested Data Scientists from Universities, and Hydrological centers

Mode: Hybrid

Venue for Onsite participation: OIC-COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan

Registration Links: Click Here

Zoom Link for online Participation

[Link]

Flyers:

[English][Arabic][French]

Certificate
Participants will be certified

For more information, please kindly contact Mr. Omar Jallow at omarjallow@comstech.org

8-9 September 2025, University of Technology – Iraq

For More Information: Click Here