Past Events

Date:  December 18^th, 2025
Venue: COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad.

Background

OIC member states face high climate vulnerability but also have large untapped renewable resources. Scaling climate-resilient development and a just energy transition (JET) across OIC countries is feasible, but will require: targeted adaptation, policy reform to derisk renewable investments, regional cooperation for technology/skills transfer, and blended public-private finance mechanisms.

In fact, access to electricity is a striking example of the country’s limited infrastructure, but also of the inequitable distribution of that infrastructure. The main sources of energy used today in remote areas in many countries are sources of deforestation in the case of biomass and a very uncertain supply in the case of fuel (which powers generators). But there are still many levers for improvement, especially if we want to ensure balanced development from a geographical point of view.

Nowadays, solar, hydro, and wind energy are growing fast enough to meet the world’s growing demand for electricity. However, it is clear that this growth is slowing down and that renewable energy capacity forecasts are “5% lower” in some OIC member states and observer states, reflecting changes in policy, regulation, and the market since 2024, according to the IEA.

The initiative to strengthen youth, and policymakers commitment for just energy transition in OIC member states align with Sustainable Development Goals 7 (Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all); 8 (Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth); 11 (Ensure inclusive and sustainable cities, communities, and human settlements); and 13 (Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts).

Objectives:

• Strengthen youth skills in climate change resilience;
• Reinforce training in renewable energy sector for agricultural and industrial production;
• Establish appropriate policies for suitable just energy transition (JET).

Outcomes:

• Enhanced Climate-Resilient Development Pathways;
• Promotion of energy access and equity, ensuring that vulnerable populations are not left behind.
• Investment in research, innovation, and training for climate resilience and renewable energy.

Target audience:

Young entrepreneurs, Applied Science students; NGOs; policymakers and technicians with experience and people without experience in the building sector who would like to improve their skills and/or specialize in the renewable energy sector.

Speaker Profile

Prof. Youba Sokona has over 30 years of expertise in energy, environment, and sustainable development in Africa and has led numerous national and continental initiatives. He served as Vice-Chair of the IPCC’s sixth assessment report and Co-Chair of IPCC Working Group III for the fifth report, contributing since 1990. He received a Nobel Committee certificate in 2007 for his significant work with the IPCC. Prof. Sokona has held leadership roles, including as the inaugural Coordinator of the African Climate Policy Centre, and is affiliated with prestigious academies, including TWAS and the African Academy of Sciences. He is renowned for his technical knowledge and commitment to African-led development.

Kindly follow the link for Registration : Click Here

Zoom link: Click Here

Contact Person: akim@comstech.org

Registration Form

Registration Form

1. Context

Humanity faces complex challenges: climate change, health crises, food insecurity, and social inequalities, all intensified by environmental degradation and demographic pressures. Addressing these challenges demands coordinated global efforts built upon innovation, scientific knowledge, and sustainable practices. Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) lie at the heart of transformative solutions needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and the OIC’s Agenda 2026. However, despite significant progress in policy formulation, STI policy implementation across many developing countries remains constrained by:

• Weak inter-sectoral coordination;
• Limited monitoring and evaluation frameworks;
• Short-term political priorities overshadowing long-term development goals; and
• Insufficient inclusion of youth, women, and marginalized groups.

Unfortunately, despite the efforts made to define STI policies here and there, it must be recognized that implementation mechanisms face constraints such as a lack of coordination, sometimes counterproductive political measures, the difficulty of measuring policy performance and the potential mismatch between short-term political interests and long-term societal objectives. Therefore, it becomes urgent to conduct a detailed analysis of the various bottlenecks for the implementation of STI policies in countries and to propose solutions that can ensure their effectiveness and alignment with the SDGs; notably the “Leave No One Behind” principle, which is a fundamental commitment to end poverty and reduce all inequalities, giving priority to the most vulnerable and marginalized people.

Faced with these persistent obstacles, COMSTECH and COMSATS University in Islamabad took the initiative to jointly organize this international conference, which aims to strengthen the capacity of policymakers, researchers and practitioners to design and implement mechanisms for the implementation of inclusive and evidence-based STI policies, in line with the SDGs.

• Aim and Objective

The training aim is to strengthen participants’ capacity to develop, implement, and evaluate STI policies that are coherent with national priorities and the SDGs. Participants will analyze implementation challenges, learn from best practices, and identify actionable strategies for transparent, participatory, and inclusive policymaking.

Following are the Objectives of Training:

• To enhance understanding of STI policy design and implementation mechanisms.
• To identify bottlenecks and constraints hindering policy effectiveness.
• To share good practices and innovative solutions from OIC and global contexts.
• To foster networking and collaboration among STI policymakers, researchers, and innovators.
• To draft a technical framework for developing and implementing effective STI policies.

• Topics to be covered
• Conceptual and Analytical Frameworks
• Methodological approaches for the design and implementation of STI policies and instruments
• Alignment of STI policies and instruments with the SDGs
• Mechanisms for monitoring STI policies and evaluating their performance
• Implementation Challenges and Case Analyses
• Constraints in the development and implementation of STI policies
• Governance, Success/Failure
• Gender perspectives and inclusion in STI policymaking
• Solutions and Future Directions
• Good practices for SDG-aligned STI policies implemented
• Recommended solutions for a transparent, participatory, inclusive, and evidence-based STI policymaking process capable of addressing challenges.
• Policy tools, Multi-stakeholder collaboration
• Training content

The training will be in the form of interactive sessions alternating theoretical presentations and discussions. Two training sessions of two hours each are proposed and structured around the basic elements (1) conceptual framework of STI policies, (2) youth innovation and entrepreneurship to respond to global challenges related to the SDGs, (3) diagnosis of constraints to the implementation of STI policies, (4) solutions and strategies for the development and implementation of effective STI policies, and (5) analysis of cases of success or failure in the implementation of STI policies.

• Profile of the speakers

• Senior STI policy experts
• Researchers
• STI policy managers
• Private sector STI policy experts
• Civil society members
• Think Thanks
• Target audience

• Scientific community (researchers, teachers, students, etc.)
• Industrialists (including innovators)
• Policymakers and government officials in STI sectors Civil society actors
• Development actors
• Local elected officials
• Learners
• Representatives of industry and innovation ecosystems
• Civil society and youth organizations
• Development partners and local government officials
• Invited institutions

• Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF)
• President Academy of Science
• Higher Education Commission (HEC)
• Association of Private Sector Universities of Pakistan (APSUP)
• Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST)
• Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI)
• Islamabad Policy Research Institute
• National Defense University (NDU) Pakistan
• National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST)
• Planning Commission of Pakistan
• Qatar Charity in Pakistan
• TUBITAK, Turkiye
• International Science, Technology and Innovation Centre (ISTIC, Malaysia)
• Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST, Iran)
• National Research Centre (NRC), Egypt
• Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT, Egypt)
• WUACD, Indonesia
• SESRIC
• OIC-GS, ASG Science & Technology

REGIISTRATION LINK:    https://forms.gle/NCoPfUWsmXzBwWmX9

• Agenda

Registration Form: Click Here

Description: Join us for the International Symposium on Halal Science and Wellness, a premier event dedicated to exploring the convergence of scientific innovation, ethical standards, and holistic well-being. This symposium will bring together leading experts, researchers, and industry professionals to discuss the latest advancements and future directions in Halal science, spanning pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food technology, and lifestyle products. The event will be held on 5^th December 2025 at the COMSTECH Secretariat in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Registration Form: Click Here

For more information and registration, contact:

Muhammad Tufail (Program Officer)
Email: mtofil@comstech.org
Phone: 03439140306

SHAPING THE FUTURE: GOVERNANCE, LEADERSHIP AND REFORMS IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Date: 3-5 DECEMBER 2025
VENUE : COMSTECH SECRETARIAT, ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN

The higher education landscape across many OIC member states stands at a defining moment. Despite significant growth in the number of universities and student enrollment, systemic challenges continue to undermine the sector’s potential to drive scientific innovation and sustainable development. There is a dire need to improve governance structures, address critical leadership gaps, and modernize policy frameworks to meet the demands of the 21st-century knowledge economy. To truly harness higher education as a driver of collective progress for the Ummah, these deficits must be confronted with courage, clarity, and collective resolve across the Islamic world.

Objectives:

• To critically examine common governance challenges in OIC higher education systems and explore innovative models for accountability, transparency, and institutional strengthening.
• To address the leadership crisis by promoting the development of ethical, visionary, and people-centric academic leaders, drawing inspiration from universal values and the Prophetic model of character.
• To deliberate on educational reforms aimed at aligning curricula, pedagogy, and research with global competitiveness and the sustainable development needs of OIC societies.
• To foster collaboration among rectors, policymakers, and stakeholders from OIC member states to build a collective roadmap for transforming higher education into a catalyst for innovation, and social development.

Purpose of the Conference:
The COMSTECH Rectors’ Conference 2025 provides a vital international platform for rectors, vice-chancellors, scholars, and thought leaders from OIC member states to engage in a candid dialogue. The goal is to critically examine shared challenges, including governance deficits, leadership crises, and the need for reform, while identifying practical, collaborative solutions that can transform our higher education institutions into engines of innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable nation-building for the Islamic world.

Conference Coordinators:

Murtaza Noor
Focal Person/coordinator CCoE, Media, and linkages
Mnoor@comstech.org

Muhammad Haris Akram
Program Manager, COMSTECH                               
haris@comstech.org

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

Date: 28 November 2025 (Hybrid)
Venue: COMSTECH Secretariat Islamabad, Pakistan

For Registrations: Click Here

Jointly Organized by OIC-COMSTECH and Benadir University, Somalia, in collaboration with IOFS.                                   

Date: November 24-26, 2025
Venue: Prof. Addow Campus, Benadir University, Somalia

INTRODUCTION

This theme emphasizes the critical role of research, education, and innovation in transforming food systems to be more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable. It highlights the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative approaches to address food security challenges and ensure long-term food system sustainability.

BACKGROUND OF FOOD SECURITY

Food security is a pressing global issue with significant local implications. As the world grapples with challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity, urbanization, and population growth, academic institutions have a critical role to play in generating knowledge, fostering innovation, and preparing the next generation of leaders in sustainable food systems.

Food security remains a critical global challenge, particularly in the face of climate change, population growth, conflict, and economic volatility. Millions of people around the world continue to lack reliable access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.

This workshop seeks to bring together students, faculty, researchers, policy makers, and practitioners to explore solutions to food security through interdisciplinary research, education, and community engagement. It aims to bring the policy-based solutions that can enhance food security at the Institutions, national, and regional levels.

OBJECTIVES

– To increase awareness of food security challenges and opportunities among universities.

– To promote interdisciplinary collaboration on food Security systems research.

 – To provide a platform for students and researchers to present innovative ideas and projects.

– To build linkages between academia and government, NGOs, and private sector actors.

THEMATIC AREAS

A. Agricultural Production and Sustainability

Focuses on promoting sustainable farming practices and climate-resilient agriculture to ensure long-term productivity and environmental health.

B. Food Systems and Value Chains

Aims to strengthen local food systems through improved food processing, distribution, and reduced post-harvest losses for better access and efficiency.

C. Policy, Governance, and Institutional Frameworks

Encourages the development of national and global food security policies, including strategies for emergency response and food aid, to enhance coordination and preparedness.

D. Access and Equity

Addresses food affordability, while promoting indigenous knowledge and food sovereignty to ensure inclusive and just food systems.

E. Climate Change and Environmental Impact

Explores the impact of climate change on food production, emphasizing water and soil management as key to resilience and sustainability.

F. Innovation, Research, and Technology

Highlights the use of digital tools in agriculture, such as AI and precision farming for crop improvement and pest management through evidence-based research.

G. Trade, Economics, and Markets

Focuses on global food trade and food subsidies to empower cooperatives and agribusiness, supporting economic growth and food system stability.

WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS

The workshop will bring together a diverse group of participants, including faculty and researchers from key academic disciplines such as agriculture, public health, environmental science, and economics. It will also engage university students at both undergraduate and graduate levels, alongside government officials, policy makers, representatives from local and international NGOs, and private sector stakeholders involved in agri-food industries. This multi-stakeholder participation ensures a rich exchange of knowledge and perspectives on food security.

FORMAT AND ACTIVITIES

The workshop will be conducted in a hybrid format, allowing for both physical and virtual participation to ensure wider accessibility and inclusivity. The event will span 2 to 3 days, featuring a variety of sessions including lectures, discussions, and interactive activities designed to promote engagement and knowledge sharing.

Registration Process:

1. For Physical Participation (Somalia Only): Click Here
2. For Virtual Participation: Click Here   

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

VENUE AND DATE

The Food Security Workshop will be held during November 24-26, 2025, at Prof. Addow Campus, Benadir University, Somalia. The venue offers a conducive environment for learning, collaboration, and meaningful dialogue among participants.

Workshop Coordinators:

1. Mr. Muhammad Haseeb Ahmad
   Program Officer
   COMSTECH, Islamabad.
   Email: Haseeb.ahmad@comstech.org
2. Mr. Mohamud Aweys
   Benadir University
   aweysagri@bu.edu.so  

Date: 24-26 November 2025
Location: Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia
Jointly organised by:
OIC-COMSTECH and Institute for Big Data Analytics & Artificial Intelligence (IBDAAI),
Department of Research & Innovation,
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia.

Collaborative Partners:
CyberSecurity Malaysia (CSM), and OIC – Computer Emergency Response Teams (OIC-CERT)

Flyer: Click Here

INTRODUCTION

In an era defined by rapid digital transformation, the convergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cyber Security, and Disruptive Technology is not just an academic interest rather it is a critical imperative. Navigating the opportunities and challenges of this new landscape requires global collaboration, shared knowledge, and a commitment to ethical and secure innovation.

Hence, OIC-COMSTECH and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) are jointly organizing an international workshop on “Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security and Disruptive Technology” during November 24-26, 2025, at UiTM, Malaysia. Furthermore, this workshop is being conducted in collaboration with Cyber Security Malaysia (CSM) and the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation – Computer Emergency Response Teams (OIC-CERT).

This workshop is being organized to foster essential dialogue on the transformative impact of these technologies, addressing both their immense potential and their associated global security challenges. It will serve as a vital platform for knowledge exchange, strategic networking, and international partnership building.

OBJECTIVES

This workshop aims to:

• Provide exposure to participants in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, and Disruptive Technology, aligning with Malaysia’s commitment to developing a strong, innovative, and highly competitive digital ecosystem to become a leader in digital technology in the region.
  
  
• Introduce Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and the Institute of Big Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (IBDAAI) as the center of excellence in the fields of data analytics, artificial intelligence, and digital innovation in Malaysia.
  
  
• Strengthen networking and explore collaboration opportunities in the areas of science, technology, and innovation, aiming to foster joint capacity building and sustainable advancement among OIC member countries.

Themes:

1. Ethical & Responsible Artificial Intelligence
2. Next-Generation Cyber Threat Landscape & Defense
3. Quantum Computing: Impact & Implications
4. Data Science, Analytics & Machine Learning
5. Critical Infrastructure & National Security
6. Disruptive Technologies: Blockchain, IoT & Metaverse
7. Policy, Governance & International Cooperation
8. Digital Transformation for Sustainable Development

Target Audience

• Academicians & Researchers: Professors, PhD scholars, and students in relevant fields.
• Industry Professionals: IT leaders, cybersecurity experts, data scientists, and developers.
• Government & Policy Officials: Representatives from OIC nations, regulators, and policy makers.
• International Bodies: Members of OIC-CERT, and related organizations.

Modalities: Local hospitality, including accommodation, meals and internal transportation will be provided to a selected number of international participants.

Registration Process:

Step 1: For Physical Participation, please register at: Click Here

Step 2:  For Virtual Participation, please register at: Click Here

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

Tentative List of Resource Person & Guest of Honour

Technical Focal Person:

Prof. Dr. Jasni Mohamad Zain
Director,
Institute for Big Data Analytics & Artificial Intelligence (IBDAAI),
UiTM, Malaysia

Workshop Coordinators:

Muhammad Haris Akram
Program Manager, COMSTECH                               
haris@comstech.org

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

Objective: To provide comprehensive, practical training to 500 selected trainers (nominated by OIC-COMSTECH) in emerging digital skill areas.

Eligibility: Trainers from OIC Member States (including Pakistan) Seats Available: 500 Participants.

Program Duration: 1 to 3 Months (online learning modules).

Google registration form: Registration Closed

Deadline: 30^th November 2025

Flyer: Click Here

18^th – 20^th November 2025

COMSTECH secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan

Organizers: OIC – COMSTECH – OIC Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation & Asian Network of Research on Antidiabetic Plants (ANRAP)

Supported by: OIC – COMSTECH, ANRAP & International Program in the Chemical Sciences (IPICS), Uppsala University, Sweden

Seminar Focus:

This regional seminar aims to bring together experts, researchers, pharmacologists, and traditional medicine practitioners from the OIC region and beyond to discuss the current scientific and regulatory challenges, explore new research methodologies, and identify collaborative opportunities in the pharmacological validation of medicinal plant materials used in managing diabetes and metabolic disorders.

Objectives:

• To assess the scope and potential of indigenous plant materials in diabetes management
• To identify gaps in pharmacological validation and research capacity
• To discuss strategies for translating traditional knowledge into evidence-based therapeutics
• To foster networking and collaboration among institutions in Asia and OIC countries

 Key Themes:

• Traditional medicinal plants with antidiabetic properties
• Pharmacological screening and standardization challenges
• Role of ethnopharmacology in drug discovery
• Integrative approaches combining traditional and modern medicine
• Regulatory pathways for plant-based therapeutics
• Collaborative research opportunities within the OIC member states
• Pre-Clinical and Clinical on plant based antidiabetic agents

Expected Outcomes:

• Policy and research recommendations for integrating validated plant-based therapies into mainstream diabetes care
• Strengthened collaboration between regional and OIC institutions working on medicinal plant research
• Establishment of a regional working group or consortium to pursue joint studies and funding opportunities
• A roadmap for capacity building and training in pharmacological validation and quality control
• Compilation and publication of validated data on plant-based antidiabetic treatments as a regional reference resource
• Identification of priority plants and candidate compounds for further development through pre-clinical and clinical research

Target Audience:

• Researchers & Scientists working in the area of Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Medicinal Plants, Metabolic Disorders, & Traditional Medicines.
• From all OIC Member & Observer Countries.

Registration link: Click Here

Template for Abstract Submission: Attached here

Deadline for Abstract Submission: 15^th October 2025

Last date to Register: 15^th October 2025

Contact Info
For any query, Please contact on the below given Email address.
Email: Khazima@comstech.org
Khazima Muazim
Programme Manager

Flyer: Click Here

Abstract

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has revolutionized genomics by enabling the mass production of high-resolution biological data. However, the enormous volume, complexity, and heterogeneity of this data pose major challenges in terms of storage, processing, and interpretation. The complexity of the field means that it is necessary to maintain an appropriate pace in the training of qualified personnel.  Artificial intelligence (AI), and more specifically machine learning and deep learning, is therefore an essential tool for meeting these challenges.

Objectifs

• Mastering bioinformatics tools and pipelines by training trainers;
• Learning how to integrate AI algorithms for processing, aligning, and annotating genomic data;
• Implement predictive models to identify variants, genes, or molecular signatures;
• Know how to combine genomic data with other sources (transcriptomics, proteomics, clinical data);
• Train participants to design and evaluate new algorithms for NGS analysis.

Key Topics:

1: AI on RNA-SEQ data 

2: Local AI tools,

3: AI on Variant Calling data 

4: AI on Metagenomic data

Target audiences: Bioinformaticians; PhD students; Researchers; Biotechnologists; and clinicians with a background in NGS Data analysis in OIC member states.

Profil of trainers:

Prof. Dr. Silvano PIAZZA

Prof Silvano is a distinguished researcher, and devoted scientist; Group Leader, Computational Biology at International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB, Trieste Italy). He carried on by the Bioinformatics research unit is focused on extensively using and interpreting High-throughput analysis of genomic profiles used to discover molecular patterns, both in normal biological processes and in disease states. The research unit together with external collaborators (from both Italian and international institutions), has demonstrated that the synergistic use of genomic data, biological experiments and bioinformatics analysis might not only further the understanding of the processes involved in several diseases and in particular in cancer progression, but also provide lists of molecules with the potential to be incorporated in clinical settings. Nevertheless, with the massive amount, diversity, and availability of genomic datasets, bioinformatics research faces the challenge to integrate all of these source of information. For these reasons, the unit is particularly interested in integrated approaches because they are the key to understanding the complexity underlying the diseases, thus leading to the development of new therapies and diagnostic tools.

Dr Waseem Haider

Dr. Haider is a Professor of Bioinformatics at COMSATS University Islamabad (Pakistan), where he leads the Next Generation Sequencing Research Group (NGSRG) within the Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Group (CBBG). With over two decades of distinguished service, he is recognized as an accomplished researcher and trainer in data analysis, Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), and Machine Learning (ML).

His research group works across diverse NGS domains including genome, exome, transcriptome (RNA-Seq), and metagenomics, as well as Artificial Intelligence applications involving Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Forecasting, and Language Models (LMs). Together with his students, Dr. Haider, also founded Next Gen Solutions (NGS), through which they have trained more than 2,000 researchers and students in hands-on data analysis workshops held at prestigious institutions in Pakistan and abroad. The proceeds from these training programs are dedicated to social welfare initiatives.

Registration link: Click Here

Deadline for application: November 7^th , 2025

Focal Person:

Prof. Dr. Waseem Haider, CUI Islamabad.
Email: haider.waseem@gmail.com

Contact Person:

Dr Akim Socohou Moutala
Senior Program Manager (OIC-COMSTECH)
Email: akim@comstech.org