US Charge d’ Affaires Ambassador Richard Hoagland on Wednesday announced $4 million (more than 378 million Pakistani rupees) in new grants for Pakistani and American researchers to collaborate on projects in science and technology.
The grant was announced during the launching ceremony of Phase-V of Pakistan-United States Sciences and Technology Cooperation Program held at the Higher Education Commission (HEC). Along with Secretary of Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Akhlaq Ahmad Tarar and Executive Director of the Higher Education Commission Pakistan Prof Dr Sohail H Naqvi, Ambassador Hoagland praised success of the 70 joint projects funded over the previous four phases. He also encouraged Pakistani scientists and researchers to apply for the Pakistan-US Science and Technology Cooperation funds before the November 30, 2012 deadline, with one goal in mind: improving life for the people of Pakistan throughout the country.
“The U.S.-Pakistan Science and Technology Cooperation Program is one of the highlights of the U.S.-Pakistan bilateral relationship. By supporting joint U.S.-Pakistan research across a wide range of issues critical to Pakistan’s prosperity – like education, economic development, and energy – this program will bring the fruits of research into the hands of Pakistan’s private sector and support broad-based economic growth in Pakistan,” Ambassador Hoagland stated.
During the event, a selected cadre of scientists shared their innovative works with the US Embassy guests. Ambassador Hoagland was impressed to see the impact of a telemedicine project at Holy Family Hospital in Rawalpindi that brings doctors to remote areas of Pakistan through the use of teleconference technology.
Speaking to scientists working on a solar energy project housed at COMSATS Institute of Information and a sewage treatment project at Quaid-e-Azam University, the Ambassador commended these projects for improving access to energy and clean water for residents of the community.
Federal Secretary Ministry of Science and Technology Mr Akhlaq Ahmed Tarar termed the program a great success. He was of the view that this program represented a true collaboration between Pakistan and the United States. Presenting an overview of the program, Executive Director HEC Prof Dr Sohail H Naqvi informed that this joint program had been greatly helpful in facilitating capacity building in science, technology, and research at higher education institutions of Pakistan, with the goal of application of science and technology for the socio-economic development of Pakistan and well-being of ordinary Pakistanis.
“The grant proposals are evaluated on the basis of scientific merit, relevance to program objectives, qualifications of participants, and cost effectiveness,” he added.
