Executive Director COMSATS, Ambassador Dr. Nafees Zakaria, and Head of the Science and Technology (S&T) Sector at ICESCO, Prof. Raheel Qamar, convened a productive meeting on May 6th, 2024, at COMSATS Secretariat. The meeting served as a platform to reinforce the existing collaboration between the two esteemed organizations.

During the meeting, both parties expressed mutual appreciation for the active collaboration between COMSATS and ICESCO. Prof. Raheel Qamar highlighted ICESCO’s recent achievements and initiatives aimed at advancing socio-economic development in its member states. Noteworthy initiatives include the ICESCO accelerator program for young entrepreneurs in the technology sector, efforts to foster entrepreneurship in the space sector, and support for small-scale farmers through smart agriculture initiatives.

Additionally, ICESCO organizes specialized ministerial conferences and high-level sectoral gatherings to address mutual interests in education, higher education, scientific research, and environmental sustainability. These conferences serve as platforms for ministers and decision-makers from member states to explore key questions and collaborate on sustainable solutions.

On the COMSATS side, Ambassador Dr. Nafees Zakaria briefed Prof. Raheel Qamar about recent initiatives, particularly the development of 100% indigenous kits for converting internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric vehicles (EV) through retrofitting. This initiative aligns with COMSATS’ commitment to sustainable solutions to address global challenges.

Both organizations affirmed their commitment to continued collaboration and agreed to share their work plans and action plans for 2024-2025. Through strengthened collaboration, COMSATS and ICESCO aim to contribute significantly to socio-economic development and technological innovation in their member states. This meeting underscores the shared commitment of COMSATS and ICESCO to leverage science, technology, and innovation for the benefit of their member states and the broader Islamic world. By pooling their resources and expertise, both organizations are poised to make meaningful contributions to sustainable development and prosperity in the region.