Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS)

Science Diplomacy

As an organization advocating the centrality of science and technology for prosperity, human development and social progress for over 29 years among its Member States, COMSATS has long practiced the principles of Science Diplomacy in its conventional dimensions. This has helped raise awareness, facilitated scientific exchanges and allowed international collaborative projects and research under its umbrella. The recent launch of the COMSATS’ Science Diplomacy Programme is a new approach towards addressing needs of scientists, diplomats, journalists and policy-makers to build peace among nations using scientific knowledge and principles for allowing informed decision making.

The programme entails a COMSATS’ Science Ambassador Scheme, a series of lectures on Science contributing to International Diplomacy, Discussion forums on Contemporary Issues affected by science and other capacity building activities in the planes of Science popularization, advocacy and diplomacy.

Currently there are seven Science Ambassadors in different fields:

  • Science Ambassador Emeritus for Science Diplomacy
    Dr. Imtinan Elahi Qureshi
    Former Executive Director COMSATS
    Islamabad, Pakistan
    Email: imtinanq@comsats.net.pk
  • Science Ambassador for Biotechnology
    Prof. Dr. Raheel Qamar
    Rector
    COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI)
    Park Road, Chak Shehzad Campus
    Islamabad, Pakistan
    Email: rector@comsats.edu.pk
  • Science Ambassador for Physics
    Dr. Arshad Saleem Bhatti
    Dean/ Professor
    Faculty of Science
    COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI)
    Park Road, Chak Shehzad Campus
    Islamabad, Pakistan
    Email: asbhatti@comsats.edu.pk
  • Science Ambassador for Engineering and Technology
    Dr. M. Sabieh Anwar
    Associate Professor
    Department of Physics
    Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering
    Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS)
    D.H.A, Lahore Cantt. 54792
    Lahore, Pakistan
    Email: sabieh@lums.edu.pk
  • Science Ambassador for Energy
    Dr. Nasrullah Khan
    Foreign Faculty Professor
    Department of Electrical Engineering
    COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI)
    Park Road, Chak Shehzad Campus
    Islamabad, Pakistan
    Email: nasrullahk@yahoo.com
  • Science Ambassador for Climate Change
    Dr. Athar Hussain
    Professor
    Department of Meteorology
    COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI)
    Park Road, Chak Shehzad Campus
    Islamabad, Pakistan
    Email: athar.hussain@comsats.edu.pk
  • Science Ambassador for Microbiology
    Prof. Dr. Habib Bokhari
    Department of Biosciences
    COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI)
    Park Road, Chak Shehzad Campus
    Islamabad, Pakistan
    Email: habib@comsats.edu.pk

COMSATS’ Lecture Series in Science Diplomacy

– Prospects of Sino-Pak Agriculture Cooperation Highlighted at Roundtable Dialogue
– Talk on South-South Cooperation Day and Bilateral cooperation between Pakistani and Chinese Institutions
– Talk Highlighting Denmark’s Green Transition and Sustainable Practices Held at COMSATS
– Scientific Perspective on Sustainable Development Goals for Pakistan (May 2016)
– Biosurveillance: Science Needs for Microbial Forensics (April 2016)
– Science Diplomacy: An Overview (March 2016)
– UNFCCC, Koyoto Protocol and beyond (June 2015)

Capacity Building and Sensitizing Activities

– Observance of World Science Day for Peace and Development 
– Webinar on Digital Health in COVID-19: Sharing Experiences of COMSATS’ South Asian Member States
– Webinar on Challenges to Agriculture and their Solutions in the Global South
– Webinar on Sustainable Water Governance in the Global South under Changing Climate
– Observance of UN’s First Ever International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies
– Observance of UN’s International Day for South-South Cooperation
– Webinar on UN’s World Cities Day
– Webinar on Breast Cancer Awareness
– COMSATS Seminar marks first UN’s International day for Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace
– COMSATS Co-organizes Seminar on Science Diplomacy
– COMSATS Co-organizes Seminar on Science Diplomacy– COMSATS-ECOSF Seminar on Science Communication & Journalism
– Seminar on ‘Quality Science Education: Securing a Sustainable Future for All’

Discussion Forums and Networking
– COMSATS hosts Discussion Session on Future of S&T System in Pakistan
– COMSATS Explores Cooperation Avenues with ACDIS-II & Science Diplomacy Division, MoFA, Pakistan
– COMSATS participated in 3rd Meeting of the FPCCI Bio-economy Committee
– Consultative Meeting on COMSATS’ Forthcoming Accra Forum on S&T for Sustainable Development Held at Secretariat
– President of Ghana Hosts COMSATS’ High-Profile Breakfast Meeting on the side-lines of African Union Summit
– COMSATS Organizes Talk on “Air Pollution in Pakistan” In Commemoration of the Earth Day 2019
– Roundtable Discussion on Science Diplomacy in the South
– COMSATS’ Discussion Forum on ‘Science for a Sustainable Future’

Cooperative Agreements and Exchanges on Science Diplomacy
– TWAS-COMSATS MoU
– Participation of COMSATS’ Official in AAAS-TWAS Summer Course on Science & Diplomacy