Islamabad - COMSATS and UNESCO have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for collaboration on S&T capacity-building programmes in the COMSATS’ centres of excellence.
The MoU was signed by Dr IE Qureshi, Executive Director COMSATS, and Irina Bokova, Director-General UNESCO. Along with other distinguished guests, Ghalib Iqbal, Pakistan’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO and Ambassador to France, was also present at the ceremony held at the UNESCO office, says a press note issued here by the COMSATS secretariat on Friday.
On the occasion, Dr Qureshi highlighted the role of COMSATS (Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South) as an organization dedicated to the promotion of scientific cooperation among developing countries.
He recounted the achievements of the Commission in areas of education and training, workshops and symposia, thematic research, as well as advocacy and policy advice, using mainly the model of South-South cooperation.
Pointing out the unique strength of COMSATS in having an affiliated degree awarding institution, the COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT), he recalled that an agreement to establish UNESCO Chair was made by CIIT and UNESCO last year. Moreover, a Category-2 Centre on Water Research has also been approved by the Intergovernmental Council of UNESCO’s International Hydrological Programme (IHP).
Dr. Qureshi reiterated that CIIT and other members of COMSATS’ Network of International Centres of Excellence would work closely with UNESCO in its S&T related activities.
The UNESCO Director-General appreciated the international programmes of COMSATS, adding that she is impressed with what she has learnt about the organization. She thanked Dr. Qureshi for his dynamic leadership and for his resolve to work closely with UNESCO.
Bokova added that the past cooperation and trust between COMSATS and UNESCO has led to the unanimous decision of the UNESCO Executive Board to enter into cooperative ties with COMSATS.
On the occasion, Dr. Qureshi also presented a souvenir to the Director-General. The ceremony concluded on a note of optimism for further strengthening the existing cooperative ties between COMSATS and UNESCO.