Scientists across South Asia decide to work closely in research initiatives

Updated on: Monday, September 10, 2012

Scientists across South Asia decided to work closely in research initiatives and advise decision makers in offering solutions to problems ranging from healthcare to energy security.

The Science Academies of South Asia, at their first-ever summit meeting here, also decided to create a network and meet annually to exchange ideas on improving research and innovation.

A Delhi Declaration issued after the first meeting hosted by Indian National Science Academy (INSA) said, "It has been resolved that a Network of South Asian Academies of Science should be created. These summits should be held on yearly basis," The academies also resolved to play a key role in working closely on issues of concern to science and society and prepare recommendations for decision makers, scientists, educationists and other stakeholders.

The three-day meeting saw participation from the Science Academies of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, Mauritius and Sri Lanka. The Summit deliberated a range of issues including energy security, affordable healthcare, furthering science education, increasing participation of women in science and climate change.

At the summit, Academy of Sciences of Afghanistan (ASA) made a fervent appeal to the international science community to rehabilitate the science sector, which has been destroyed by over 30 years of war. "Afghanistan had 48 research laboratories, all of which have been badly damaged," Ahmad Shah Omar, Director of the Medical Research Institute of ASA, said.

Last year, the ASA built a seven-storey building in Kabul where attempts were being made to aggregate scientists from these institutes, he said. Three decades of war has left a deep impact on science in Afghanistan, which now has only 250 scientists 220 of them having bachelor's degree, over a dozen holding master's degree and just about 10 PhDs.

The ASA delegation G N Tarin, Shah and Mirwaiz Haqmal held preliminary talks with INSA on how the two academies could work together. The meeting was also utilised by Pakistan Academy of Sciences to sign a memorandum of understanding for collaboration with the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology.

Scientists across South Asia decide to work closely in research initiatives

More Education news