Govt to continue patronising study of science, technology: Mamnoon
Islamabad - The President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain Tuesday said that government has accorded high priority to the study of science and technology and despite having limited resources, it would continue to patronise this vital area for a brighter future of the country.
Addressing at 5th International Conference on Aerospace Science & Engineering here at Institute of Space Technology, the President said scientists had taken mankind into space from the ages of stone and bronze and owing to hard work of such talented people, mankind today had stepped into the virtual life through cyber technology.
The President said the list of human conquests was getting lengthier with the unfolding of mysteries of this universe.
He mentioned the philosophy of Poet of the East, Allama Iqbal which pointed out that the journey of completion of this unfinished universe was still long and researchers and scientists had much yet to understand its secrets and mysteries.
The President said the research was not only an educational field but a way of life and urged the sincere and determined scientists of the country to take up the challenges of the new industrial era.
He expressed satisfaction that Institute of Space Technology (IST) and other national institutions of space research were working on these grounds. He mentioned that launch of the country’s first satellite ‘Badr-1’ for space exploration in 1990 to ‘CubeSat’ in 2013 was part of the same process.
The President said the country’s educational and research institutions had demonstrated remarkable performance in these matters.
He said the fourth position of IST in the ranking of national universities, the establishment of various Centres of Excellence in different fields of space research and their excellent performance, were the testament to this fact. President Mamnoon expressed the confidence that the projects, being initiated with the cooperation of other countries and institutions would also be successful and the country’s hardworking and intelligent scientists would succeed in these ventures.
President Mamnoon said over the last two decades, the field of space research had witnessed unprecedented development and not only a few particular developed countries of the world but also some of Pakistan’s neighbours had also made great strides in this area.
He said with the beginning of the age of cyber technology, rapid progress was also occurring not only in routine life but also in business practices and modes of communication.
He emphasized that institutions including IST and SUPARCO should broaden the scope of their research projects and endeavour to find answers to new questions arising in different sectors.
The President said he was aware of the achievements of the last generation of Pakistani scientists as well as of the eminent researchers of this era and believed that with the blessings of Allah Almighty and by dint of their hard work, they could achieve great accomplishments in these matters. He said the country’s limited resources had always factored in our educational and research activities but it was also a fact that despite lack of resources, successive governments had always generously patronized this field.
The President said it was heartening that IST and other educational institutions enjoyed an active and healthy liaison with the world’s leading space exploration institutions.