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