Past Events

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Registration link: Click Here

Program: Click Here

Date: April 15, 2026
Time: 10:00-14:00
Venue: OIC-COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad

Introduction

In an era where data is the new “national resource,” the infrastructure that carries and processes this data defines a nation’s independence. “The Infrastructure of Autonomy” seminar explores the critical intersection between ultra-high-speed 5G connectivity and the preservation of digital sovereignty. As emerging technologies like AI and the Internet of Things (IoT) become central to economic growth, this seminar focuses on how nations can build robust, high-performance networks while maintaining full control over their digital borders, data residency, and strategic decision-making.

Importance for OIC Member States

For the OIC community, digital sovereignty is not merely a technical requirement but a pillar of geopolitical and economic autonomy.

• Data Decoupling: Ensuring that the vast amounts of data generated within the OIC are stored and processed locally, preventing “digital dependency” on external platforms.
• Leapfrogging through 5G: Leveraging 5G as a transformative utility to bypass traditional industrial hurdles, enabling smart cities, digital healthcare, and precision agriculture.
• Collective Resilience: Harmonizing standards across member states to create a unified digital bloc that can negotiate more effectively in the global tech landscape.
• Economic Security: Protecting national intellectual property and financial data in an increasingly interconnected global economy.

Target Participants

To ensure a balance between policy, technology, and execution, the seminar is designed for:

• Policymakers & Regulators: Officials from Ministries of IT, Telecommunications, and Science & Technology.
• Diplomatic Corps: Representatives from OIC member states focused on regional cooperation and STI (Science, Technology, and Innovation).
• Telecom & Infrastructure Leaders: Executives and technical leads from national carriers and infrastructure providers.
• Academic & Research Heads: Directors of national research centers focusing on cybersecurity, AI, and data science.
• Industry Strategists: Leaders from sectors poised for 5G disruption, such as manufacturing, logistics, and energy.

Topics to be Addressed

The theme will be explored through four open-ended, strategic lenses:

1. Defining the Sovereign Network: What does “autonomy” look like in a globalized supply chain? Discussing the balance between international partnerships and localized control.
2. 5G as a Catalyst for National AI: Why 5G is the “nervous system” required for real-time AI applications and how it empowers local innovation.
3. Data Governance & Localization: Strategies for building sovereign cloud solutions and regional data centers to ensure data remains a national asset.
4. Cyber-Resilience & Standards: Developing common security frameworks for 5G and emerging tech to protect critical national infrastructure from evolving threats.

Registration:

For Physical Registration, register at: Click Here
For virtual Registration, register at: Click Here
For further queries, please contact workshops@comstech.org

Date: 13^th and 14^th April 2026
Time: 10:30 Am – 12:30 Pm
Venue: Hybrid(LEJ ICCBS + Online)

Flyer: Click Here

Registration:

The OIC-COMSTECH is organizing a two-day hybrid short course entitled “Philosophy of Science” in collaboration with the Sindh Innovation, Research, and Education Network (SIREN), working under the auspices of the Government of Sindh, and the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi. All research scholars, students, scientists, and faculty members of SIREN and CCOE universities are cordially invited to attend this important course.

The course provides students with complete knowledge about scientific foundations and research methods and their effects on society through scientific knowledge development and validation and practical application in contemporary times. The study will examine important philosophical ideas which include scientific theory development and observation and experimentation processes and the connection between science and society and ethical considerations.

Objectives:

This short course is designed to critically analyze the foundations, methods, and implications of scientific knowledge, enabling students to distinguish between science and pseudoscience, understand how theories change, and evaluate scientific claims.

Jointly organized by:

Sindh Innovation, Research, and Education Network (SIREN),

International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS),

OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (OIC-COMSTECH).

Workshop Coordinator
Prof. Dr. Hina Siddiqui
Email: hinahej@gmail.com

Coordinator SIREN
Mr. Nadeem A. Khan
Manager, SIREN
Email: siren@iccs.edu
Coordinator OIC-COMSTECH
Md. Rakibul Hasan
Junior Program Manager
Email:  rakib@comstech.org

Date: April 7-10, 2026

Venue: Prof. Addow Hall, Benadir University Main Campus, Mogadishu, Somalia

Flyer: Click Here

The Oncology Training Course at Benadir University, Somalia, scheduled for April 7-10, 2025, is a significant educational endeavor aimed at enhancing the expertise of healthcare professionals in oncology. This training is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of cancer, its causes, and the various approaches to its management. With the rising incidence of cancer worldwide, it is imperative for medical practitioners to stay up to date with the latest advancements and methodologies in oncology to improve patient outcomes.

Importance of the Workshop:

• Enhancing Knowledge: The training will equip participants with a foundational understanding of oncology, focusing on the biological nature of cancer and the principles of cancer aetiology.
• Multidisciplinary Approach: Emphasizing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, the course will cover the collaborative management of cancer, highlighting that curative treatment is just one aspect of comprehensive cancer care.
• Prevention and Early Detection: Participants will learn about the principles of cancer prevention, early detection, and screening, which are critical in reducing cancer incidence and improving survival rates.
• Non-Surgical Treatments: The course will delve into the principles underlying non-surgical treatments for cancer, broadening the therapeutic options available to healthcare providers.

Topics to be Covered:

• Introduction to Oncology and the Biological Nature of Cancer
• Principles of Cancer Aetiology and Major Causative Factors
• Multidisciplinary Management of Cancer
• Curative Treatment as a Component of Overall Cancer Management
• Principles of Cancer Prevention, Early Detection, and Screening
• Principles Underlying Non-Surgical Treatments for Cancer
• Distinction Between Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care
• Principles of Palliative Care

Who Can Attend?

This comprehensive course is designed for a wide range of medical professionals and students dedicated to improving cancer care in the OIC Member States. These include:

• Medical Students & Recent Graduates: Ideal for those seeking a foundational understanding of oncology, from cancer biology to multidisciplinary treatment and palliative care principles.
• Practicing Healthcare Providers: Essential for general practitioners, nurses, interns, and clinical officers who are often the first point of contact for patients and play a critical role in early detection and ongoing management.
• Public Health Professionals & Policymakers: Highly beneficial for individuals involved in community health, aiming to develop effective cancer prevention, screening, and public education strategies.

About the Resource Person:

Dr. Asghar H. Asghar
MBBS, M.Sc, FCPS, Consultant Clinical Oncologist
Deputy Chief Medical Officer
Director KIRAN Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.

Dr. Asghar H. Asghar is a seasoned Consultant Clinical Oncologist affiliated with KIRAN and Memon Medical Institute, Karachi. With over 25 years of experience, he specializes in the management of all cancer types and is well-trained in chemotherapy, radiotherapy (IMRT, VMAT), brachytherapy, and immunotherapy. Dr. Asghar is also proficient in using Eclipse and Monaco radiation contouring software developed by Varian and Elekta, respectively.

He holds a Master’s in Nuclear Medicine from PIEAS and FCPS in Radiation Oncology. A founding member of the City Tumor Board, he is also a supervisor and examiner for CPSP and regularly facilitates research methodology workshops. Dr. Asghar actively contributes to national and international oncology forums and is a motivational speaker for PAEC. He is a member of ASCO, ESMO, FARO, PSCO, RSP, and PMA. In 2016, he received the Gold Medal from the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission for his outstanding contributions to oncology.

Registration Process:

Step 1: For Physical Participation, please register at (Somalia Only) : https://forms.gle/BUk2pL8tCHnZdfxp7

Step 2:  For Virtual Participation, please register at:https://forms.gle/34xaMsVTePZoPDPb7

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

Technical Focal Person:

Dr. Mohamed Abdullaahi Awale,
Dean, Faculty of Medicine,
Benadir University, Somalia

Training Coordinator:

Muhammad Haseeb Ahmad
Program Officer, COMSTECH                               
haseeb.ahmad@comstech.org

Date and Time: 7^th April 2025, 10:30 am to 01:00 pm Pakistan Time
Venue: COMSTECH Secretariat, G-5/2, Islamabad.

Flyer: Click Here

Introduction:

Drug discovery and development have entered a new era driven by cutting-edge technologies, innovative methodologies, and a deeper understanding of disease biology. The modern drug development pipeline integrates artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, high-throughput screening, and structure-based drug design to accelerate the identification and optimization of potential therapeutics.

With the increasing complexity of diseases and drug resistance, researchers are leveraging computational modeling, genomics, and personalized medicine to develop targeted and more effective treatments. AI-driven approaches allow for the rapid analysis of vast datasets, improving hit identification, lead optimization, and predictive modeling for drug efficacy and safety. Additionally, advances in biopharmaceuticals, gene therapies, and nanotechnology are transforming the way drugs are designed and delivered.

In this workshop, leading experts will discuss the latest breakthroughs in drug discovery and development, highlighting how modern technologies are shaping the future of medicine and therapeutic innovation.

Brief profile of the speakers:

1. Prof. Ehmke Pohl: https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/ehmke-pohl/
2. Prof. Paul Denny:  https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/p-w-denny/
                                                                                   

Program of the event: Click Here

Participation:

Registration Link: Click Here

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

Participants will receive certificates.

Contact persons,

Ms Khazima Muazim; Program Manager

khazima@comstech.org

Abstract

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a powerful analytical tool for exploring molecular structure and dynamics, with wide applications in chemistry, biochemistry, pharmaceuticals, and materials science. This COMSTECH Certificate Course aims to strengthen the theoretical understanding and practical skills of young researchers and professionals from OIC Member States. The course will enable participants to effectively apply NMR spectroscopy in their research and industrial projects, fostering scientific capacity and innovation across the OIC region.

Objectives

• To provide an understanding of the theoretical principles underlying NMR spectroscopy.
• To familiarize participants with the operation and use of NMR instruments.
• To provide an overview of data analysis and interpretation in NMR studies.
• To foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among researchers from OIC member states.

Target Audience

Researchers, scientists, students, and professionals in:

• Chemistry and Biochemistry
• Pharmaceutical and Material Sciences
• Biotechnology and Molecular Biology
• Analytical and Industrial Research Laboratories

Participants from OIC Member States are particularly encouraged to apply.

Flyer: Click Here

Programme: Click Here

Profile of Speakers:

Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary (H.I., S.I., T.I., Mustafa (PBUH) Prize Laureate)

Coordinator General, COMSTECH
Prof. Choudhary is a globally renowned scientist in natural product chemistry and structural biology, with extensive expertise in NMR-based molecular characterization. His leadership at COMSTECH has significantly advanced scientific cooperation and research capacity among OIC Member States.

Prof. Dr. Atia-tul-Wahab

Professor, H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, University of Karachi
Prof. Atia-tul-Wahab is an expert in NMR spectroscopy and natural product chemistry. Her research focuses on structural elucidation of bioactive molecules using advanced NMR techniques. She has conducted numerous workshops and training programs on analytical instrumentation and data interpretation.

Dr. Humaira Zafar

Assistant Professor, Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, ICCBS, University of Karachi
Dr. Humaira Zafar has authored 7 international publications in the field of enzyme inhibition. She has got training in the field of structural biology using NMR at University of Hamburg, Germany. Her focus is mainly on studying the protein-ligand interactions of therapeutically important enzymes using STD-NMR techniques.

Registration Link: Click Here

Mode: Online
Dates: 26-28 March, 2026
Venue: COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan

Contact Information

Name: Ms. Ayesha Malik
Address: COMSTECH Secretariat, 33-Constitution Avenue, G-5/2, Islamabad
Phone: +92 51 9220681-3
Fax: +92 51 9211115, 9220265, 9205264
Email: pcayesha@comstech.org

Jointly organized by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH),  Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC) in collaboration with

 the Uzbek Agency for Technical Regulation (UzATR) and Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), Kazakhstan

Venue: Uzbek Agency for Technical Regulation, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Date: 12 – 16 May, 2025

Physical Participation: Closed
Virtual Participation: Open

Flyer: Click Here

Introduction

In view of the diversity of several products, including processed food and other items of daily use in the present day, authentication and confirmation of their Halal nature is a growing challenge globally. Beside the environmental contaminants, both biological and chemical, addition of non-halal ingredients, which is prohibited for Muslims, are a matter of concern.  In recent years, awareness about Halal food and products has increased due to the cross contamination of several industrial products in our daily life. However, with increasing globalization, many Islamic countries import these products (or ingredients) from places, which do not observe the Islamic religious laws. It is therefore, imperative for the Muslim countries to establish Halal testing laboratories, which will ensure the ‘Halal’ status of the consumer products.

COMSTECH, SMIIC and other OIC institutions/organizations have been mandated by the Abu Dhabi Declaration (Second OIC Summit on Science & Technology, June 2021) to develop the capacity of Least Developed Countries of the OIC relevant to Halal (Clause # 32). Earlier 3 trainings in different OIC regions i.e Africa (Uganda), Asia (Bangladesh) and North Africa (Morocco) has been successfully completed. The Forth version of the training is placed in Uzbekistan during 12-16 May covering the Central Asian OIC member countries.

Course Objectives

The objective of this training courses is to encourage the harmonization of Halal Standards used in the OIC Countries and internationally by aiding in the adoption and use of the OIC/SMIIC Halal Standards. The training course is designed to train the participants from Central Asian-OIC Member States regarding the procedures for adoption, implementation and use of the OIC/SMIIC Halal Food Standards, mainly:

1. OIC/SMIIC 1:2019 – General Requirements for Halal Food
2. Auditing of Testing Labs in line with OIC/SMIIC 35:2020– Conformity Assessment– General Requirements for the Competence of Laboratories Performing Halal Testing.
3. The Testing Procedures standards such as Test Method for detection of porcine in Food Products (meat, processed food and gelatin) which are being chosen at SMIIC TC1 Technical Committee for Halal food issues.
4. OIC/SMIIC 4 Halal Cosmetics – General Requirements
5. OIC/SMIIC 50-1: 2022 Halal Pharmaceuticals – Part 1 – General Requirements

The aim is to transfer knowledge and skills, and to develop the human capital, while bridging the knowledge gap and enlightening the compliance requirements set forth by the regulatory bodies in the OIC Countries.

Practical session: A practical session will be conducted for a limited number of selected participants to transfer hands-on knowledge in halal laboratory testing methods. 

Who Should Attend?

The training course is designed to address the interest of scientists, research scholars, government officials, statutory policymakers, enforcement officers, and food safety auditors in OIC/SMIIC Halal Products Standards and Testing.

Travel & Local Hospitality:

The organizers will cover the flight tickets and accommodation expenses (7 nights) from Category-1 countries as listed below to attend the training. Please also note that there is a limit of maximum 10 (ten) participants whose expenses will be borne by SMIIC, COMSTECH and IOFS. (Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Albania, Uganda, Pakistan, Türkiye)

 The training is also open to Category II countries as listed below. Limited funds are available to cover accommodation expenses of shortlisted participants from Category II countries. Participants are expected to cover the flight tickets from parent organizations. (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Russian Federation). SMIIC and COMSTECH will arrange local hospitality for selected participants.

The organizers will arrange local hospitality for selected participants. Travel support will be provided to the speaker/resource persons only.

Selection Criteria:

• Chemists, Researchers and Test Specialists high level, no beginners
• At least 3 years of practical experience in Real-Time PCR
• Able to converse and write in the English language
• Hold a permanent position at their institute
• Daily work with the measuring equipment
• Good knowledge in GLP.
• Age between 27 – 45 years old
• Had not previously participated in any course under SMIIC and COMSTECH
• Number of participants is limited and selection is based on the relevancy of the
• Applicant’s job scope to the objective of the programme.

Registration Process:

1. For physical participation register at the following link:
2. For virtual participation register at the following link:  Click Here
3. Read instructions in the application form carefully and submit a properly filled form along with your CV.
4.  Selected candidates will be notified through email; hence, applicants are required to check their emails regularly.

Workshop Coordinators:

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

Mr. Çağrı Cankurtaran
Specialist
SMIIC, Türkiye.
Email: cagri.cankurtaran@smiic.org
Phone: +90 532 561 63 93

Flyer: Click Here

Registration link: Click Here

The COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence (CCoE) is organizing a special webinar in connection with International Women’s Day to highlight the role of women in scientific entrepreneurship and their contributions to innovation, research, and commercialization.

This webinar aims to encourage greater participation of women scientists, researchers, and innovators by discussing opportunities, challenges, and strategies for strengthening women-led initiatives in science and technology across OIC member states.

Date: Monday, 18 March 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM (Pakistan Standard Time)
Mode: Online (Zoom) https://zoom.us/j/93531098842?pwd=0wXdlWVANa1fMgrmB5b4DTZ9ZylfIR.1

The session will bring together experts, researchers, and professionals to share insights on empowering women in science, fostering innovation-driven entrepreneurship, and translating research into impactful solutions.

Participants from universities, research institutions, industry, and relevant organizations are encouraged to attend.

The Zoom link will be shared with registered participants prior to the webinar.