programs

Background

Almost one-third of World’s Muslim population resides in Africa. One of the major developmental challenges in the African region is the limited number of skilled professionals and workforce. This issue can be addressed by improving their tertiary education system. The tertiary education system has faced many challenges around the globe during COVID-19 pandemic and each country adapted different modes to tackle those challenges. The core mandate of COMSTECH is to strengthen cooperation among the OIC Member States in the realm of S&T, Higher Education and Health. COMSTECH has initiated a major program entitled COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence (CCoE) with an aim to build S&T interpedence among OIC member states. CCoE consists of several higher education institutions from different OIC member states. Realizing the importance of capacity building and support for tertiary education system in African region, COMSTECH is launching a new initiative entitled “Alliance of Islamic Universities of Africa – AIUA”.

Objective

The main objective of AIUA program is to build cooperation among Higher education institutions of Africa and the CCoE member institutions. COMSTECH will identify the needs and areas of interest in which the member institutions of AIUA require assistance from CCoE member institutions. COMSTECH will act as a facilitator to create a bond between the two networks and to empower both in the development of their tertiary education system through existing COMSTECH Programs and other collaborative activities. This initiative will help to build an ecosystem of collaboration and enable knowledge-based economic growth in the OIC member states, particularly in the African region. The alliance will open avenues to share ideas, skills, expertise, and best practices to pool resources for mutual support and benefit for each institution.

Modes of implementation:

In the first phase for the initiation of this Alliance, it is decided to:

• Invite around twenty (20) Vice Chancellors/Rectors of various Universities from Muslim majority regions of Africa to COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan.

• The visiting dignitaries will sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on behalf of their university/institution with COMSTECH to join AIUA as members.
• They will meet with VCs/Rectors of CCoE member institutions and discuss matters related to the capacity building of African universities in the fields of Science and Technology.
• The visiting officials will participate in the “International Symposium on Post-COVID Challenges in Higher Education” which is scheduled to be held on 8th December, 2022 (Thursday) at COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan.
• The dignitaries will participate in the Rectors Forum which is scheduled to be held on 10th December, 2022 (Thursday) at COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan mutually organized by COMSTECH and Association of Private Sector Universities of Pakistan (APSUP). The forum will provide a platform for Rectors to meet with the heads of leading universities of Pakistan (Members of CCoE) and to exchange ideas regarding the implementation, and effectiveness of this joint venture, as well as to collaborate with them in the areas where the assistance is required.
• The representatives of the members of AIUA will visit several Higher education institutions of Pakistan (Member of COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence), located in the Islamabad, Sargodha and Lahore cities, to get a better insight of tertiary education system of Pakistan.

Participants:

• VCs/Rectors from universities/institutions of Africa.
  • VCs/Rectors from CCoE member universities/institutions.
  • Representatives from COMSTECH and APSUP
  • Excellencies from OIC Member states.

Events held under the AIUA Program to date:

Partner Institutions of the AIUA Program: Click Here

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

Call for Application is Open

Flyer: Click Here

Muslim minorities living in Non OIC states comprise of 500 million Muslims which constitute one third of the total Muslim population. With such large population spread all over the world, the complexity of social and economic problems of these Muslims have gained immense importance for the OIC. COMSTECH plans to extend assistance for the Muslim minorities in the non OIC Member States, and address the difficulties that stand in the way of their academic development and progress. A major focus of COMSTECH has been on Higher Education and human resource development of fellow Muslims. Therefore, through this initiative, COMSTECH wishes to promote economic, technological and social change, and build capacity of the Muslim minorities.

COMSTECH and prestigious CCoE member Institutions in Pakistan, Malaysia, Turkey, Bangladesh, Iran, Indonesia and Uganda etc. will jointly offer research fellowships to young researcher in Muslim minorities in Non-OIC countries, to enable them to spend 6-12 months at a relevant center of excellence in many listed institutions of OIC member states. The purpose of these fellowships is to enhance the research and development capacity of promising researchers and engineers from Muslim minorities in the Non-OIC member states who are at the beginning of their research career, to help them to foster linkages for further collaboration in their fields.

List of currently enrolled Fellows under CCoE COMSTECH Research Fellowship Program for Muslim Minorities in Non-OIC Countries; 2022- 2023 click here

Details of the call;

Call Status: The call is currently open 

Hosting Country/Institutions:  Various R &D and higher education institutions of OICmember states
List of CCoE Members

Eligible nationality: Muslim Minorities (5 to 10 percent of the total population) in Non-OIC countries

Minimum degree held: B.S/M.S./Ph.D. or equivalent

Duration: 6-12 months

Age limit: Maximum 35 years (For graduate studies), 45 years (For post-graduate studies)

Field: Natural Sciences/Applied Sciences/Engineering and technology

Eligibility

• The scholarships are for research and advanced training. They are offered to young scientists holding at least a B.S, M.S or equivalent degree for graduate studies, and Ph.D. for post-graduate studies or involved in active research.
• Eligible applicants for the research fellowships are young scientists and Engineers who in Muslim Minority in a non OIC country, or are employed by a research institution in that country.
• There is an age limit for these research fellowships. However, preference is given to young applicants (particularly women scientists) at the beginning of their research career.

Please note that Research fellowships are awarded by COMSTECH, along with Host Institutions Joint Scholarship Committee, based on scientific merit.

Deadline: Applications /Nominations are open all around the year

Terms of the Scholarships

• The Research Fellowships are offered for Six to twelve months, and Technician Trainings are offered for 2 to 4 weeks.
• COMSTECH will bear international low-cost airfare.
• The host institutions are expected to provide subsistence supervision, and mentor local trainings.

Application Submission

Applicant is required to submit applications through this link. Click here for application form.
All the supporting documents must be named correctly. In case any information is incomplete or missing, the application will be considered incomplete and rejected.

Contact Information: 

• khazima@comstech.org

Address: COMSTECH Secretariat, 33-Constitution Avenue, G-5/2, Islamabad 
Phone No. : 92 51 9220681-3
Fax : 92 51 9211115, 9220265, 9205264

Life-Time contributions
In ‘Mathematics’ and ‘Physics’

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) announces awards intended to encourage and support scientific contributions in basic sciences. COMSTECH will offer awards in the fields of Mathematics and Physics during the forthcoming Session of COMSTECH General Assembly. Each award consists of a certificate, shield of honour, and cash prize of US$ 8000.

1- Mathematics: Download Form Here

2- Physics: Download Form Here

COMSTECH Awards for Excellence in Science & Technology

• COMSTECH Young Researcher Award Download Form Here
  > Under the age of 40 years by Friday, March 31, 2023.

• Best Scientific Book Download Form Here
  > Published by an International Publisher during 2021-2022

• Patent Download From Here
  > The award recognizes individuals for their outstanding contributions to their respective field for discovery that has had lasting impact in furthering the theory and/or development of commercial systems
  > Only those patents registered during the past five years would be considered

Each of the above three awards carries a certificate, shield of honour, and cash prize of US$4000.

• Best Research Paper
  1. Biology   Download Form Here
  2. Chemistry   Download Form Here
  3. Mathematics   Download Form Here
  4. Physics Download Form Here
  > Based on original Research. Review paper is not acceptable.
  > Published in Impact Factor International Journal during 2021-2022

The above award in each discipline carries a certificate, shield of honour, and cash prize of US$2500.

IMPORTANT:

Nominations for the COMSTECH Awards 2023 are invited from science academies, national research councils, universities, research institutions, and internationally distinguished scientists who are citizens of, and working in, OIC member states. Nominations will be judged by the committees of distinguished scientists/experts in relevant field appointed by Coordinator General COMSTECH.

A signed cover letter by the applicant along with softcopies of the relevant nomination papers be sent to COMSTECH Secretariat (awards@comstech.org). Nominations should clearly state the contributions made in the field for which the prize would be given. The nominations must be submitted in the English language and English translation of the related documents must be accompanied along with the following documents.

• Complete application form with signatures
• CV (no longer than 4000 words)
• List of Publications
• Endorsement letter from the Head of Institution

Application forms can be downloaded from our website(comstech.org/comstech-awards-2023/).The closing date of receipt of the applications is Friday, March 31, 2023. Applications received after the closing date shall not be entertained. For enquiries please contact awards@comstech.org

Introduction

The Standing Ministerial Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) launched the COMSTECH Forum on Environment and Ecosystem Restoration (CFEER) in June 2022 in the backdrop of  growing importance to promote environmental sustainability and resilience in face of the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and ecosystem restoration.

The COMSTECH Forum is intended to be a platform for knowledge and information sharing among the institutions of OIC member countries and developing countries in the spirit of South-South and Triangular Cooperation on issues relating to climate change, biodiversity loss, nexus of food, water and energy security and ecosystem restoration under the framework of the Paris Climate Agreement, 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development and 2012-2030 UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

Objectives

• Foster knowledge brokerage on cross cutting issues of climate change and ecosystem restoration to strengthen OIC collaboration through promotion of information exchange, knowledge brokerage, sharing experience, evidence-based research and success stories;
• Create a seam of learning and expertise, partnerships and collaborative programs on nature based solutions and homegrown knowledge and experience;
• Facilitate sharing of development solutions and applications of appropriate technologies;
• Discuss critical role of science, technology and innovation as an effective means in tackling challenges in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals;
• Exchange ideas, experiences, good practices and lessons learnt as well as to showcase successes, address challenges;
• Highlight the value added of intra OIC, regional and global cooperation in knowledge sharing and technical transfer by showing evidence from concrete partnerships and their results.

Events held under the CFEER Program to date:

1- World Environment Day: COMSTECH International Seminar on “Land Degradation” and Launching Ceremony of COMSTECH Forum on Environment and Ecosystem Restoration (CFEER)
Date and Time: June 06, 2022, from 12:00-15:00 (Pakistan Standard Time)
https://comstech.org/launching-ceremony-ecosystem-restoration/

2- International Virtual Seminar on “Solutions to Combat Food Insecurity and Malnutrition in the Sahel”
Organized by COMSTECH Forum on Environment and Ecosystem Restoration (CFEER) to be held at the Science Summit during the 77^th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
Date:  September 26, 2022.
https://comstech.org/international-virtual-seminar/

3- International Training Workshop on “Addressing Challenges of Food Security in the Sahel”
Date:  15-19 May 2023.
Venue: AGRHYMET Regional Centre, Niamey, Niger
Organized by COMSTECH in collaboration with CILSS, ICESCO, and IoFS
https://comstech.org/international-training-workshop-on-addressing-the-challenges-of-food-security/

4- COMSTECH-ANRSI-HSS-ASRT joint Training Course on “Applications of AI in Precision Agriculture for Food Security”
Jointly Organized by OIC – COMSTECH, National Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation (Mauritania), Hanns Sidel Stiftung (Maghreb), the Academy of Science Research & Technology (Egypt) and National Institute of Agronomic Research of Algeria (INRAA)

Date: 13-15 February 2024
Venue: Nouakchott, Mauritania

https://comstech.org/comstech-anrsi-hss-asrt/

5- International Training Workshop on “INNOVATIVE PRACTICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SUSTAINABLE AGRI BUSINESS FOR THE FUTURE”

Date:  19-23 February 2024.
Venue: Songhai Center, Benin

Organized by COMSTECH and ICESCO in collaboration with Songhai Center

https://comstech.org/international-training-workshop-on-innovative/

6- COMSTECH-UTS International Workshop on Renewable Energy:Affordable & Clean Energy for ALL (CURE-ALL)

September 23-25, 2025
Venue: University of Technology Sarawak, Malaysia

https://comstech.org/comstech-uts-international-workshop-on-renewable-energy/

Partner Institutions of the CFEER Program: Click Here

Focal Person for the Forum
Amb. Shahid Kamal
Advisor (Climate Change),
COMSTECH, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9220681-3
Email: shahid.kamal@comstech.org

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

Click here to Apply

Registration Closed

Registration Closed

COMSTECH is leveraging its network of relevant institutions in the OIC member states including Pakistan to promote and facilitate initiative of indigenous Human Vaccine Production by MoST , GoP. COMSTECH has organized 3 expert level meetings on human vaccine development in Pakistan. Two meetings  of these meetings were chaired by H.E. Federal Minister of Science and Technology, Senator Syed Shibli Faraz on 14th July 2021 and 16 August 2021 respectively.

Meeting had representation from leading pharmaceutical companies of Pakistan (i.e. i. The Searle Company Limited,  ii.     Getz Pharma (Pvt). Limited, iii. Ferozesons Laboratories Limited; and iv.  Amson Group of Companies). Premier R&D institutions of Pakistan (i) National institute of Health (NIH), (ii) International Center for Chemical and Biological sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, (iii) National Center for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Faisalabad, (iv) Centre of Excellence for Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab

Two meetings were chaired by H.E. Federal Minister of Science and Technology, Senator Syed Shibli Faraz on 14th July 2021 and 16 August 2021, respectively. These meetings were attended by representatives from private sector leading pharmaceutical companies of Pakistan and relevant R&D institutions.

Senator Shibli Faraz emphasized the need of vaccine development for meeting local needs as well as for export purpose. He said that we should be ready for the future health challenges. The federal government is fully ready to cooperate in this regard, he remarked. Coordinator General of COMSTECH Dr Iqbal Choudhary assured that COMSTECH would provide every sort of possible support in this regard (Ref: 14th July 2021) through its network of relevant institutions in the OIC member states.

H.E. Minister advised to incorporate these suggestions with policy paper, so he can take this forward to the level of Prime Minister of Pakistan for the timely and appropriate interventions. He thanked all distinguished participants and appreciated their efforts towards a national cause, (Ref: 16^th August 2021: via Zoom Meeting).