International cooperation in Science and Technology took center-stage in Surabaya, Indonesia, during the 26th meeting of the Coordinating Council of the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS), hosted by COMSATS Centre of Excellence, the Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS), Indonesia. The Council Meeting was participated by its Centres of Excellence, BCSIR-Bangladesh, TIB-China, ICCES-China, CIF-Colombia, NRC-Egypt, CSIR-Ghana, IROST-Iran, ITS-Indonesia, ICENS-Jamaica, RSS-Jordan, KazNU-Kazakhstan, NMC-Nigeria, ICCBS-Pakistan, CUI-Pakistan, AQU-Palestine, ITI-Sri Lanka, IRCC-Sudan, HIAST-Syria, TIRDO-Tanzania and TUBITAK-Turkiye. COMSATS International Partner Organizations namely; ANSO, SESRIC, IOFS, INSME, CPJRC, UNESCO, UNOSSC, The South Centre, and Members of Technical Advisory Committee participated.
The meeting also witnessed change of hands as the Chairperson, Prof. Dr. Ashraf Shaalan of Egypt, completed his third term and the Council unanimously elected Prof. Dr. Jibin Sun of China as Chair. The outgoing Chairperson of COMSATS Coordinating Council highlighted the significant progress achieved by COMSATS in recent years, particularly under the leadership of Executive Director, Ambassador Dr. M. Nafees Zakaria, including expanded scientific cooperation, stronger international engagement, and the revival of the COMSATS Internet Services (CIS). He emphasized the importance of fully utilizing the COMSATS Network of Centres of Excellence through collaborative research, technology sharing, and capacity building. Stressing the need for continued support from Member States, he called for stronger collective action to achieve COMSATS’ mission. The new Chairperson, Prof. Jibin Sun underline the importance of COMSATS as a vibrant platform with its global outreach. He highlighted that COMSATS holds the potential to deliver tangible benefits of science and technology to its Member States through enhanced cooperation among the Centres of Excellence.
Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Nafees Zakaria, Executive Director COMSATS paid tribute to the outgoing Chairperson and welcomed the newly elected Chair, Prof. Sun, who is an accomplished Biotechnology Scientist with 100 patents and 150 publications to his credit. He emphasized the critical role of science, technology and innovation in addressing development challenges across COMSATS Member States. He underscored the need for stronger intra-COMSATS collaboration. He cited COMSATS’ initiatives including COMSATS Joint Centre on Industrial Biotechnology, Electric Vehicle program, NanoTech Lab, Data Centre based pioneering Internet service, Telehealth clinics, and other innovative works. He highlighted COMSATS’ growing international recognition, manifested in the grant of observer status with the UNFCCC, institutionalization of cooperation with IPOs and joint activities with national and regional organizations.
The Consul General of China, while appreciating COMSATS active ST&I pursuit, reaffirmed China’s continued support and commitment to sharing technological expertise with developing countries under the framework of South-South cooperation.
ITS Rector, Prof. Dr. Bambang Pramujati highlighted ITS’ active role within the COMSATS Network and expressed readiness to the collaborative research and capacity-building initiatives. Expressing pleasure on hosting the Council meeting, Prof. Pramujati hoped that productive exchanges during the meeting would lay the foundation for future partnerships.
During the technical sessions of the meeting, the Executive Director presented COMSATS’ Activity Report. The Heads/representatives of the Centres of Excellence made presentations on their activities and technical collaboration. The Council deliberated upon the ongoing programmes of COMSATS and charted future course of action.
The Executive Director COMSATS and the Director General TIB, China, Prof. Hua Xiang signed the Renewal Agreement for the COMSATS Joint Centre on Industrial Biotechnology (CCIB) and appointed Prof. Jibin Sun as the Director of CCIB for next five years. Dr. Emil Elestianto Dardak, Vice Governor of East Java, hosted a dinner in honour of the participating delegates.
