In an impressive ceremony at NUST chaired by Federal Minister for Science and Technology Mir Changez Khan Jamali, an MoU was signed between Pakistan Council for Science and Technology (PCST) and National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) to establish a much-needed National Analytical Lab for Substances of Abuse.
Earlier, at the meeting, the NUST rector highlighted how Atta-ur-Rehman School of Applied Bio-Sciences (ASAB) had grown into a centre of excellence where highly qualified and experienced researchers were working on numerous research projects of national importance and where the proposed lab would be established by the end of 2012.
ASAB Principal Dr Ashraf and Dr Sadaf Zaidi gave presentation on salient features of the school. ASAB is a rare national facility focusing on advancement of healthcare, industrial and agriculture bio-technology. It was highlighted that the facility could do dope, alcohol, steroid, marijuana, hashish or heroin testing.
PCST Chairperson Dr Mudassar Asrar highlighted the importance of this venture and explained how it would enhance our national capability. He pointed out alarmingly that annually 100,000 new drug users were being added to the society, which called for attention at national level.
Akhlaq Ahmad Tarar appreciated this initiative and hoped that it would render useful service to the nation in particular and to mankind in general.
Mir Changez Khan Jamali commended the two institutions and hoped the project would save the nation’s huge foreign exchange and time by developing indigenous research capabilities in the important field of drug abuse. He particularly praised growing increase of female participation in and contribution to the fields of higher education and research. The ceremony concluded after the MoU signing between NUST and PCST.
