The first ‘Joint Laboratory for Innovation in Natural Products Research and Development’, jointly established by Kazakhstan and Pakistan was inaugurated at the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi on Tuesday.
H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry of ICCBS – University of Karachi and Al-Farabi Kazakh National, University, Almaty, Kazakhstan jointly setup this latest laboratory entitled, “Pak-Kazakh Joint Laboratory for Innovation in Natural Products Research and Development.”
Vice Chancellor University of Karachi Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ajmal Khan unveiled the plaque at the state-of-the-art laboratory, which is setup in the Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Voelter Laboratories Complex of the ICCBS.
Dr. Muhammad Ajmal Khan also delivered an opening speech in the inaugural ceremony of Pak-Kazakh Joint Laboratory, held at the Prof. Salimuzzaman Siddiqui Auditorium (ICCBS).
Prof. Dr. Tlekkabul Ramazanov, Vice-Rector of Science and Innovations, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Kazakhstan, Prof. Dr. Zharylkassyn Abilov, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Tajammul Hussain, Advisor (Programs) COMSATS, Prof. Dr. Tabassum Mahboob, Dean Faculty of Sciences – University of Karachi, ICCBS Director Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, Chairman Husein Ebrahim Jamal Foundation Mr. Aziz Latif Jamal and other officials also expressed their views on the occasion.
The ceremony was followed by a signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ICCBS – University of Karachi and Al-Farabi Kazakh National, University.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Ajmal Khan applauded the efforts made by the international center to collaborate with the leading institutions of Kazakhstan. He said that more international collaborations in the field of natural product chemistry and science were essential for the progress of science and technology in the country. In the end, he welcomed the Kazakhstani delegation of scholars.
Prof. Iqbal Choudhary said that on account for this project Kazakhstan received around Rs.42 million from Islamic Development Bank (IDB). He maintained that a very little amount from the total will be spent at the international center on account of hosting Kazakh students in the center.
Talking about mutual science cooperation, he informed the participants that as many as 50 young scholars from Kazakhstan had visited the international center to pursue their training programs.
During the last 20 years ICCBS and Al-Farabi Kazakh National University have made remarkable collaborative work especially in the field of natural product chemistry, he said.
“This is called science diplomacy,” he said.
He told the ceremony that Mr. Aziz Latif Jamal and his foundation “Husein Ebrahim Jamal Foundation” continued their patronage to the institute. The foundation, under the leadership of Aziz Latif Jamal, is constructing a state-of-the-art LEJ Nanochemistry Center building at the international center, he said.
Prof. Tlekkabul Ramazanov said that setting up a joint laboratory at the ICCBS was nothing but a developmental milestone for Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. He appreciated the efforts of ICCBS in term of imparting research training to Kazakh students.
Aziz Latif Jamal said that Husein Ebrahim Jamal (HEJ) Research Institute of Chemistry during the last five decades has achieved a number of milestones and remains at the pinnacle of excellence and sustained growth. He said the institute had the single largest doctoral program in the country with over 350 Ph. D. students.
Prof. Zharylkassyn Abilov said that this science collaboration between ICCBS and Al-Farabi Kazakh National University was almost 20 years old. Pakistani are hospitable nation, he said.
