Past Events

Date: 05-07, October 2023
For more information: asomps2023.com

Date:   21, July 2023
Venue: COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan.

COMSTECH is a Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), with the mandate to strengthen cooperation among the OIC Member States in the realm of science and technology and higher education by enhancing their capabilities through capacity building and institutional strengthening in emerging areas of science, technology and innovation (STI). Therefore, COMSTECH has launched a series of programs and initiatives for the STI capacity building of the OIC member states.

The strategic intent of these programs/ initiatives is to:

1. Create S&T interdependence among the OIC member states
2. Increase investment, and trade through technology based projects
3. Promote culture of science in the OIC region through international cooperation

The COMSTECH, in close coordination with the OIC General Secretariat Jeddah, has launched several new initiatives and programs for the capacity building of OIC Member states, particularly for the African OIC LDCs. Somalia, being one of the largest OIC member            states in the African Continent, is desired to play a leading role in implementation of COMSTECH S&T programs in the OIC region.

Brief details about the initiative are as under:

1. COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence (CCoE) is one of the major initiatives, comprising of key Science, Technology and Engineering Research and Academic Institutions of the OIC Member States.  We would like to officially invite top two universities of the Somalia to join the COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence (CCoE).
2. Fellowship Program: COMSTECH, in collaboration with the member institutions of COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence (CCoE), will offer fully funded 10 fellowships to the Somalian students, researchers and technical personnel, who are currently living and working in Somalia.

          COMSTECH will provide economy class return air fare to the selected fellows. The host institutions will provide boarding & lodging and modest scholarship, along with free training.

• Workshops and Training Courses: COMSTECH,  in collaboration with the relevant institutions in Somalia will organize thematic workshops and training courses on emerging technologies relevant to the national and regional needs.

          COMSTECH will provide economy class return air fare to the resource persons of the workshops/trainings. The local host institutions in Somalia will provide venue, boarding and lodging and food cost of the participants. COMSTECH and local institution will work together to organize the event.

• Health Camps/Trainings in Ophthalmology and Neuro Critical Care: COMSTECH in collaboration with Islamic Development Bank and OIC General Secretariat will conduct Health Camps for high quality cataract services to improve vision related quality of life and reduce blindness related poverty. Similarly, COMSTECH in collaboration with the relevant institutions in Somalia and Pakistan will arrange training programs in Ophthalmology and Neuro Critical care for capacity building of local health professionals.
• Women in Science Fellowship Program: Somalian women scientists will be able to benefit from “Women in Science” fellowship program to conduct research studies in leading R&D institutions of Pakistan, and other COMSTECH member states.

          COMSTECH will provide economy class return air fare to the fellows. The offering institutions will provide boarding & lodging and modest scholarship along with free training.

Apart from the above programs, Somalian students and scholars may also participate in other COMSTECH programs which are launched and publicized through COMSTECH website and social media. Similarly, the R&D institutions of Somalia may collaborate with CCOE institutions for exchange of knowledge, expertise, technology and resources to develop their capacities and devise solutions for their autonomous development under Reverse Linkages Program of Islamic Development Bank.

COMSTECH-Somalia Science and Technology Cooperation Program is being launched jointly with the Embassy of the Republic of Somalia in Islamabad, in coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Science & Technology, in presence of the national and international media. 

For inquiries please contact Mr. Umer Ali, Program officer, COMSTECH at umerali@comstech.org

Jointly Organized by OIC – COMSTECH and Universitas Airlangga, Indonesia, in collaboration with Pardis Technology Park, Iran
Date: 4 – 7 September, 2023

Venue: Universitas Airlangga, Gubeng, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia

Flyer attached,

Introduction:

The first science park was established in 1970 by the University of Cambridge to facilitate the sharing of knowledge between the industry, academia and the government. Science parks play a key role in attracting talent to bring forward technological advancement and innovation. It is an effective medium to attract entrepreneurs in desirable science and tech industries by providing high quality working space with a chance to work in close collaboration with the industry.

At a Science and Technology Park, businesses, start-ups and entrepreneurs have access to purpose built office spaces, laboratories and meeting areas designed to facilitate research in growth in various fields of science and technology. These parks are managed by trained professionals who stimulate and coordinate the flow of technology and knowledge among the universities, research and innovation institutions, and manage the park facilities. These technology parks have proven to be the bridge between converting innovative ideas into commercial products and services. 

OIC – COMSTECH and Universitas Airlangga, Indonesia, in collaboration with Pardis Technology Park, Iran are organizing an international training workshop on “Managing Science and Technology Parks”. This workshop will analyze the path of development of an idea into a commercial product along with discussing the different models of accelerators, incubation centers and technology parks. Furthermore, the workshop will focus specifically on training managers and personnel that run the technology parks.

Target Audience:

Managers/CEO of technology parks, managers from incubation parks, university based technology incubation centers, consultants, start-ups, ORIC in-charge, Scientists, researchers, policy maker/government officials, and academicians from the OIC countries are encouraged to participate.

Key Contents:

The training workshop will cover the following topics over three days:

• The growth of an idea and team: from idea to the end of incubation period.
• Product and market development, fundraising and commercialization.
• Accelerators: How to manage and support
• Case studies of different types of accelerators and their development plan in Indonesia, Iran, and Pakistan.
• Pre-incubation & incubation; Graduation policies & post-incubation interaction
• Publication: Success stories documentation
• Different types of Tech parks (public/private)
• Assessment policies, financial, credit & investment services and marketing services in parks (national & international).
• Case study of Pardis Technology Park: Planning, funding, government policies and execution.

The training will be over three days, two days for lectures and interactive sessions, followed by visit to Science and Technology Parks in Indonesia.

About the Resource Persons

The resource persons will consist of managers and heads of various world renowned technology parks who will deliver lectures on key areas of technology park management.

Travel & Local Hospitality:

Universitas Airlangga, Indonesia, to provide all local hospitality (accommodation, meals, etc.) for resource persons and international participants, and COMSTECH will provide air travel support to resource persons and selected participants from OIC member countries travelling for the workshop.

Registration Process:

Step 1: For Physical Participation please register at https://forms.gle/4mwhCDCLkyttZ2W5A

Step 2: For Virtual participation please register at: https://forms.gle/rGxdaXFCAwKEAfAW6

Step 3: Selected candidates will be notified through email; hence, applicants are required to check their emails.

Workshop Coordinators          

Dr. Andi Zaidan
Head
Institute of Life Sciences, Technology and Engineering,
Universitas Airlangga, Indonesia.

Muhammad Haris Akram
Program Manager, COMSTECH
Tel: +92-51-9220681-3
Fax: +92-51-9205264, +92-51-9220265
Email: haris@comstech.org

For more information, Visit the websites:

1- https://napreca2023.com
2- https://naprecanetwork.net

PROGRAM SCHEDULE: July 17-28, 2023
Time: 10.00 AM to 12:00 PM
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 14th July 2023
FOR REGISTRATION USE THE GIVEN LINK: Click Here

Course Title:     Drug Development and Advanced Technique for Drug Research

Credit: One                                                           Instructor: Prof. Dr. M. Hafizur Rahman, Ph.D. (Japan)

CLASS SCHEDULE: JULY 17 to JULY 28, 2023                       Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM)

CERTIFICATES: Registered participants will receive a digital certificate after the successful completion of all the necessary requirements of the course.

For more information: siren.lej@gmail.com;  Call:  021-111-222-292 Ext: 267, 275.

Room No. 202, 2nd floor, L.E.J. National Science Information Center, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, Karachi-75270.

Final Exam:

Critical Success Factors (Passing Criteria)

Time duration of Exam: 60 minutes, Passing marks: Min 50 %,Attendance: >=75 % or as per
rules of ICCBS

Suggested reading

1. Barrett JS (editor). Fundamentals of Drug Development. 1st ed. Wiley, USA: 2022.
2. Drugs@FDA Glossary of Terms. US Food & Drug Administration; Silver Spring, MD, USA: 2022.
3. Young DC (editor). Computational Drug Design. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.; Hoboken, NJ, USA: 2009.
4. Rowland M and Tozer TN (editors). Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics. 4th ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Baltimore, MD, USA: 2011. Hafizur RM, Raza SA, Chishti S, Shaukat S and Ahmed A (2015) A ‘Humanized’ rat model of pre-diabetes by high fat diet-feeding to weaning Wistar rats. Integrative Obesity and Diabetes 1: 44-48
5. Shaukat S and Hafizur RM (2014) A long term high fat diet/low dose streptozotocin develops a type 2 diabetic rat model showing clinical presentation and pathophysiology of natural history of diabetes. Journal of Biological and Chemical Research 31, 1187-1204.

Organized by:
COMSTECH
with the collaboration of the Pakistan Nuclear Society (PNS)
and the Pakistan Society of Nuclear Medicine (PSNM)
Venue: COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Date:   19-20 September 2023

Background:

Nuclear technology has transformed health sector by advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for non-communicable pathologies. Hybrid imaging, especially PET-CT has altogether changed the diagnostic horizon, especially in the management of cancer patients. However, not only Pakistan but most of the OIC countries are still lagging behind in hybrid imaging facilities, especially PET-CT imaging.

The indispensable role of PET-CT and hybrid imaging needs to be highlighted for the benefit of various stakeholders and patients. Furthermore, the emergent role of theranostics and advanced radionuclide therapies using alpha and beta emitters has given new insights in cancer treatment paradigms. These rapid advancements in the field of nuclear medicine warrant continual education of referring physicians, oncologists, nuclear physicians, medical physicists and technologists from OIC countries.

COMSTECH, in collaboration with the Pakistan Nuclear Society and Pakistan Society of Nuclear Medicine (PSNM), is organizing a workshop to address the above-described needs of the medical community. International and local experts of nuclear medicine and its applications would contribute invited lectures. Local faculty and researchers are invited to share their research findings as contributed talks. The theme of the workshop would be on the changing horizons of Nuclear Medicine, incorporating the translation of basic laboratory research to clinical practice, establishment of clinical and technical standards, and the translation of molecular technological advances in diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine.

Target Audience:

1. Clinical practitioners, Oncologists
2. Researchers and students in nuclear medicine
3. Medical technologists

Mode of Workshop:

• Physical as well as Online participation

Venue of Workshop:

• Auditorium COMSTECH Secretariat, G-5, Constitution Avenue, Islamabad.

Schedule:      

• 19-20, September 2023

Travel & Local Hospitality:

Outstation participants have to cover the cost of travel themselves. Local hospitality would be provided to selected outstation participants as notified. Participation from all OIC countries is welcome

Registration Process:

Step 1: Registration for Physical Participation : Click Here

Step 2: Registration for Virtual Participation : Click Here

Step 3: Read instructions in the application form carefully and submit a properly filled form.

Step 4: Selected candidates will be notified through email; hence, applicants are required to check their emails regularly.

Organizing Institutions:

1. OIC Ministerial Sanding Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH)

As the premier S&T organ of the OIC, the primary role of COMSTECH is to contribute to the development of science and technology in Islamic countries through cooperative mechanisms, and to promote the applications of science, technology and innovation as major contributors to the socio-economic development and prosperity of OIC member states. 

• Pakistan Nuclear Society (PNS)

Pakistan Nuclear Society (PNS) is a forum of scientists, engineers, medical doctors and university teachers from nuclear science fields and allied disciplines. The Society was established in 1990 to promote public awareness and understanding of the peaceful application of nuclear science and technology and it is purely an academic, educational and scientific body. Among its objectives, the emphasis is to inform the public about safe use of radiation and radioisotope based technology in the sectors of environment, industry, health & agriculture.

• Pakistan Society of Nuclear Medicine (PSNM)

Pakistan Society of Nuclear Medicine (PSNM) was established in 1995 and serves as a representative body for professionals working in the field of Nuclear Medicine. It connects members of the Society with each other and with other similar organizations, national as well as international. The PSNM has been regularly publishing the ‘Pakistan Journal of Nuclear Medicine’ since 2011. It maintain its website at: https://psnmed.com/

Organizing Committee:

• Prof. Dr. S. Khurshid Hasanain
  Adviser COMSTECH

• Dr. M. Tahir Khaleeq
  President, Pakistan Nuclear Society (PNS), Islamabad

• Mr. Waqar Ahmad Butt
  Vice President, Pakistan Nuclear Society (PNS), Islamabad

• Mr. Aftab Hussain Zaidi
  Senior Director HR & Administration COMSTECH

• Mr. Naveed Aamer
  General Manager Hospitality COMSTECH

• Mr. Usman Quddus Malik
  Senior Manager IT COMSTECH

• Mr. Umer Ali
  Programme Officer COMSTECH

• Mr. Shabbir Hussain
  Media Coordinator COMSTECH

Technical Committee:

• Dr. Shazia Fatima, Director, Karachi institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine (KIRAN), Karachi. President Pakistan Society of Nuclear Medicine (PSNM)
• Dr. Muhammad Adnan Saeed, Head Nuclear Medicine Nuclear Medicine, Oncology and Radiotherapy Institute (NORI), Islamabad
• Dr Muhammad Babar Imran, Director Punjab Institute of Nuclear Medicine (PINUM) Faisalabad 
• Dr Arzoo Fatima, Head Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology Lahore (INMOL) Lahore 

For any queries:

• Mr. Waqar Ahmad Butt
  Vice President
  Pakistan Nuclear Society (PNS), Islamabad
  Phones. 0322-8883339 &  0344-8883339

Email: waqaraaabutt@gmail.com

• Mr. Umer Ali
  Programme Officer
  COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad
  Email: umerali@comstech.org

Tuesday, July 25, 12:00-14:00 (PKT)
COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad.
Deadline for Registration: 16th July, 2023

Background:

Bioethics is the fundamental basis for research. An international consensus on research integrity was jointly organized by UEARS, and COMSTECH (The Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation of the OIC). The project was led by COMSTECH Distinguished Scholar, Professor Khalid Khan of the University of Granada in Spain. Professor Khalid Khan is one of the top scientists worldwide, having been ranked in the highest 2% of all researchers by Stanford University of the USA. In the biomedical research integrity project, 30 experts from 14 countries in 5 continents came together in Cairo Egypt to make specific recommendations for scientific integrity. UEARS organized the event as part of its international conference. The integrity statement was recently published in the British Journal. The implementation of this international consensus statement is expected to enhance science integrity worldwide.

This event will include the launching of the proceedings of the International Workshop on “Integrity in Biomedical Research” along with talks by experts in the field of Bioethics in research.

Registration Process:

1. For physical participation register at the following link : https://forms.gle/QS35YjhFNkvgHAHk8
   (Accommodation will not be provided)
2. For virtual participation register at the following link: https://forms.gle/BLWnjJNgdWxyPkhu8
3. Read instructions in the application form carefully and submit a properly filled form.
4.  Selected candidates will be notified through email; hence, applicants are required to check their emails regularly.

Tentative List of Speakers:

1. Professor Khalid Saeed Khan, COMSTECH Distinguished Scholar, Distinguished Investigator, University of Granada, Spain
2. Professor Yacoub Khalaf, President of UEARS activities and co-convener of Cairo Consensus Group on Research Integrity,United Kingdom.

Workshop Coordinators:

Muhammad Haris Akram
Program Manager
COMSTECH, Islamabad.
Email: haris@comstech.org
Phone: +92 51 9220681

Muhammad Haseeb Ahmad
Program Officer
COMSTECH, Islamabad.
Email: Haseeb.ahmad@comstech.org
Phone: +92 51 9220681

PROGRAM SCHEDULE: 15^th June 2023

DAY & Time: Thursday, 2:30 PM (PST)

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 13^th June 2023

FOR REGISTRATION USE THE GIVEN LINK: https://forms.gle/NPepVNnAXQwSShW19

The Natural Products Research Network for Eastern and Central Africa (NAPRECA) in partnership with COMSTECH and ICCBS is pleased to announce THREE competitive travel fellowships to PhD students in Natural Products research to ICCBS in Karachi Pakistan and TWO technician fellowships.

The fellowship is earmarked to help students to access equipment and technologies that can help them complete their PhD project activities. This contributes to fulfilling one of NAPRECA’s objective or vision to foster networking and collaboration, and to allow scientific creativity to flourish. The technician fellowships will enhance skills of technicians to maintain and repair equipment. These will act as trainers in their respective countries on return.

1. Before the submission of applications, applicants must ensure that the eligibility criteria are met and that all arrangements with the home institution have been confirmed.

• Eligibility and selection criteria

 PhD fellowships:

Candidates wishing to be considered for a Fellowship must ensure that they meet all

of the following criteria, namely that they:

(a) are a junior or middle-level researcher in the area of Chemistry or Biology of natural products;

(b) the applicant must provide a concept paper (max 5 pages) of the project to be addressed in the six months mentioning clearly the study area and the type of equipment needed during his/her visit.

(c) are a member of NAPRECA chapter of their country and involved in the activities of local chapter as evidenced by support letter from the chairperson of the node;

(d) possess a master’s degree;

(e) are currently pursuing their PhD degree in the area of Chemistry/Biology of Natural Products and in the advanced stage; evidenced by letter of admission, proof of registration (year of commencement), research progress highlights indicated in the project/concept paper 

(f) work in a recognized university, research institution, publicly funded laboratory, or recognised  university laboratory in their home country or in another State Party

(g) have been employed in their home institution for a minimum period of one

year at the time of the application.

Technician fellowships:

1. work in a recognized university, research institution, publicly funded laboratory, or recognised  University laboratory in their home country
2. Must possess a minimum of a diploma in the relevant technician field
3. Indicate the list of equipment needed to be trained on in the application

       3. Other factors that will be considered in the evaluation of applications include:

The need for an equitable gender and geographical distribution of supported Candidates in the twelve NAPRECA member countries. NAPRECA supports the closing of the gap of gender parity and therefore 50 % of the awardees will be females where possible.

• It is the responsibility of applicants to make all the necessary arrangements with their home institutions in respect of their employment contracts, to ensure that the home institutions agree with their participation in the Fellowship and to ensure that their positions are reserved during their absence.

• Application procedures

Signed Applications shall be received by the Secretariat from 1^st July 2023 to 1^st August 2023 and will be reviewed within two weeks; decisions on such applications will be made within four weeks. Submit your application by email to: jnamukobe@gmail.com and copy to thannington@yahoo.com.

• Selection procedure

A Review Committee will be constituted to select the successful applicants. Membership to this Committee will include NAPRECA Secretariat staff, members from COMSTECH and ICCBS.

When making its recommendations, the Review Committee will evaluate the candidates against the eligibility and selection criteria described above.

The decision of the Review Committee shall be final. The results will be announced in on the NAPRECA website and COMSTECH website and all applicants will receive a decision on their application successful or not.

• Funding

7.1 Subject to any specific decision taken by the Secretariat on a case-by-case basis, COMSTECH shall provide:

(a)  the Fellow with a round-trip airfare (economy) which will be paid directly by COMSTECH

(b) visa fees

7.2 ICCBS shall cover accommodation and stipend.

No additional funding will be provided to the Fellow. If some additional funding by any other organization(s) has been sought for the purpose of the same research visit, the support provided by the COMSTECGH and ICCBS will be reduced accordingly as deemed appropriate.

• Fellows shall be responsible for obtaining all necessary travel insurance, visas, including any transit visas that may be necessary for their travel to the location of the host institution.

• The fellowship granted under the terms of this Note is essentially for training/educational purposes, and is intended to cover the cost of lodging/accommodation, board, transport, and other basic expenditures. It is not a salary or honorarium. It is also not intended to cover any expenses incurred for the family members or dependents of the Fellows. The Secretariat will not provide any support for the visa applications of the Fellows’ family members. No costs, other than those specified in this Note, shall be charged against the funds provided by the Secretariat.

1. Payment for Fellowships

COMSTECH shall buy cost effective return airfare (economy) from the country as provided by the applicant. ICCBS will accommodate the successful applicants and provide the stipend to cover the meals.

1. Reporting

The Fellow shall submit to the Secretariat (jnamukobe@gmail.com and copy to thannington@yahoo.com) for evaluation, two progress reports, one in the middle of the fellowship (after three months) and another at the end of the fellowship. The report shall summarise the results achieved with reference to the research and training objectives. The reports shall be endorsed by the Fellowship/host supervisor, who may include his/her comments immediately after the expiry of the six months’ period of the fellowship. For avoidance of doubt, the final report should be submitted not more than thirty days after the last date of the fellowship. The reports and all publications must acknowledge NAPRECA, COMSTECH and ICCBS for the support rendered using the following phrase; “This work was supported NAPRECA, COMSTECH and ICCBS. The statements made and views expressed in this work are solely the responsibility of the authors”