ISLAMABAD: The International Forum on Science Education was held in conjunction with the InterAcademic Partnership on Science Education Programme (IAP SEP) at the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Secretariat on Monday.
The forum themed ‘Quality Science Education at Schools- A Must for Quality Higher Education and Economic Development’ was jointly organised by HEC, ECO (Economic Cooperation Organisation) Science Foundation, Pakistan Academy of Sciences and Alif Ailaan.
HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, Pakistan Academy of Science President Dr Qasim Jan, ECO Science Foundation President Dr Manzoor Hussain Soomro and around 200 speakers and participants from 12 countries of the world attended the forum.
Global Council InterAcademic Partnership on Science Education Programme Chair Dato Lee Yee Cheong graced the forum as a keynote speaker.
In his address, Dr Mukhtar Ahmed said that science, technology and innovation are critical inputs for sustainable economic development and poverty alleviation. He underlined that effective science education at school level is a building block in providing quality higher education, which is critical to achieve sustainable economic development in Pakistan.
He signified the role of HEC in promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in Pakistan and urged the participants/stakeholders to use the forum as a platform to synergise strengths so as to ensure the provision of quality science education at school levels.
“We can achieve global competitiveness only if we promote and produce qualified human resources and a STEM workforce to the global challenges of water, climate change, energy and food security for future generations”, he added.
The Chairman urged Muslim countries to get united and jointly work to regain the scientific prestige they enjoyed during the Islamic Golden Age.
“The Muslim mindset needs to be shaken to harness the potential of our youth, as youth are the main powerhouse of the Muslim world,” he emphasised and urged world nations to direct their intellectual output for the development of humanity.
Delivering his keynote speech on “Digital Revolution, Development Revolution, Science Education and Science Literacy,” Dato Lee Yee Cheong highlighted the significance and emerging role of digital technology in shaping the ongoing digital revolution around the globe, particularly in the developing world. He suggested adopting STEM subjects for children to ensure the availability of human resources for the digital revolution and to train a rational and discerning citizenry working towards global peace, harmony and prosperity.
He observed that the world today is passing through the Fourth Industrial Revolution caused by a nexus of billions of people connected by mobile devices, with unprecedented processing power, storage capacity, and access to knowledge.
He underlined that One Belt and One Road (OBOR) is the visionary initiative of China that will transform regional socioeconomics and ensure sustainable development along the belt and road. He also emphasised promotion of Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE) in the region to prepare next generations to respond to future global challenges.
On this occasion, Professor Dr Manzoor Hussain Soomro shed light on the main objectives of organising the international forum. He said it was an ideal space to generate debate on science education in Pakistan and share global experiences in order to create new paths for the improvement of human life, sustainable economic growth and policy making.
Quality higher education can lead to promote Science, Technology and Innovation and Sustainable Economic Development in the ECO region, he added.
