International Conference on space sciences concludes

The two-day first National Conference on Space Sciences concluded here with Chancellor Z.A. Nizami of Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) calling upon the engineers to keep pace with the fast changing technologies. The conference was organized by SSUET in collaboration with Karachi University, SUPARCO and HEC as a part of World SpaceWeek-2012.
The opening session was inaugurated by Sindh Education Minister,
Pir Mazharul Haq, at Karachi University while concluding session was held at SSUET on the second day with Chancellor Z.A. Nizami being the chief guest on the occasion.
Nizami said that technologies are witnessing rapid changes every moment and one can take advantages of the latest development only by keeping pace with the same.
He said a system has been worked out to introduce all important aspects of the engineering disciplines being taught here keeping the technological changes taking place so rapidly in view and it is here for the engineers to keep pace with the same if they want to progress.
Nizami said `We are faced with lot of challenges in space technology and we have to address them efficiently and promptly’.
He pointed out that over a hundred projects in various engineering disciplines are developed here at this university every year and he is introducing a system to make these projects self-financing.
In this regard Nizami assured all out support, whatever required from the university, to project developers.
He described the conference very fruitful and a laudable effort and said that new upcoming technologies will have to be pursued to achieve success in various engineering fields.
Earlier Dr M. Jawed Qamar, Founder Director Institute of Space and Astrophysics, Karachi University, presented some of the recommendations formulated at the conference calling for introduction of astronomy at school level, introduction of astronomy and space science at degree level in simple term and labs, observatory etc at science level; focusing importance on basic sciences mainly Astrophysics in developing countries, especially Pakistan. Another recommendation called for maintaining peaceful conditions necessary for continuous research, particularly in space sciences.
The Vice-Chancellor SSUET, Prof Dr Hawed H. Rizvi, said the conference brought new problems and issues to limelight which needs to be considered by international bodies.
The conference, he said, has also helped in promoting personal contacts between scientists and engineers, attending the two-day moot. Dr Jawed Iqbal, Incharge Institute of Space, Karachi University, spoke high about the outcome of the conference and thanked KU, SUPARCO and HEC for their valuable coordination.
Dr Syed Faisal Ahmed Bukhari, Chairman, Department of Computer Engineering and Convener, Organizing Committee, Sir Syed University, presented the vote of thanks and said this conference was a contribution towards World Space Week 2012 on the theme of `Space for Human Safety and Security’ and it produced valuable results.
At the conference space engineers and scientists made over half a dozen technical presentations.
The session concluded with distribution of certificates among chairmen of various sessions of the conference and shields to session secretaries.