KARACHI: The 14th International Symposium on Natural Product Chemistry held by University of Karachi’s (KU) International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) on concluded on Thursday as scientists from across the globe shared their ideas at the said forum.
“Global extremism can be resolved by promoting scientific culture in the world. Science has universal values that can bridge the gap among the nations. Scientific thinking is a culture which needs to be promoted especially in Muslim World. Medicinal plants and natural products are a massive source for new medicines to battle major diseases for instance malaria, cancer, AIDS and others,” a foreign scientist said at the occasion.
The concluding ceremony was addressed by English Scientists Dr Tom Simpson and Dr Michael D Threadgill, Dr Kamala Kamal (Azerbaijan), Dr Mannan (Lebanon), Dr Nohad A Al Omari (Iraq), Dr Rami Mamdouh Arfeen (Palestine), Dr Rahim Jantan (Malaysia), Dr Alain Krief (Belgium), Dr Belgi Sener (Turkey), Dr M Jamaluddin Ahmed and ICCBS Director Dr Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary.
Over 600 scientists, including 100 foreigners, from 40 countries participated in the symposium, which is considered as one of the most prestigious international events in the field of natural product sciences.
Number of brainstorming sessions, plenary lectures, invited presentations and session lectures were held in the four days of global science gathering.
Along with this around 90 posters were also presented by the young scholars. During the symposium, many foreign scientists agreed as adjunct faculty to serve ICCBS-University of Karachi. It is also worth mentioning here that various agreements between the international centre and research institutions of different countries were also made for the promotion of science and research.
Prof. Iqbal Choudhary said that science was ‘one language’ which united the whole of humanity. He stated that science could put an end to global extremism and fundamentalism in the world. This fanaticism can be resolved by promoting scientific culture among the nations, he said. Through science and technology nations can bridge the gap, and engage themselves in a productive and useful dialogue for common human values, he observed.
Medicinal Plants and Natural Products are the massive sources for the development of new medicines to battle major diseases.
Prof. Alain Krief said that there was a dire need to have more research on medicinal plants as various fatal diseases can be avoided by developing effective drugs by plants.
Dr Tom Simpson and Dr Michael D. Threadgill appreciated the efforts of Dr Atta-ur-Rahman Dr Iqbal Choudhary made for the progress of the leading research establishment of Pakistan (ICCBS).
Dr Rahim Jantan and Dr Belgi Sener said that Pakistan is a hospitable and sociable nation.
Dr Nohad A. Al Omari said that the exciting field of natural product chemistry needs more attention and growth in third world countries.
In the end, Dr Iqbal Choudhary distributed the certificates among the participants and position holders of the poster competition.
