Speakers at a Symposium expressed great concern over the deaths of over 200 children suffering from measles in Sindh and termed it a matter of apprehension for health experts and scientists working in the area of molecular medicine and stressed on to conduct extensive research on diseases like measles and polio at the molecular level.
The Symposium has being organized by Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD), University of Karachi at its Campus. The aim of the Symposium was to develop understanding and appreciation of this emerging field Molecular Medicine and Drug Research in Pakistan, to bring together the leading experts in the field of molecular medicine. Over 350 scientists including 30 researchers from 15 countries attended the Symposium.
Prof Dr Mohammed Qaiser, Vice Chancellor, University of Karachi speaking as the Chief Guest at the Inaugural Ceremony said that it is highly appreciable that a galaxy of scientists has come to University of Karachi and that is an opportunity for young scientists to learn from the vast experience of these scientists.
He further informed that the University’s dedication towards scientific activities could be judged from holding of this event in which internationally renowned scientists belonging to Bangladesh, India, Iran, Azerbaijan, South Korea, Egypt, Italy, Sri Lanka, the UAE, Jordan, Sudan, Turkey, Nepal, Myanmar, Germany, Sweden and Canada were taking part.
Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, Former Chairman, Higher Education Commission (HEC) in his address said that science was beyond borders and it could bridge the gap between nations. Education and science was the only solution to all problems of Pakistan.
Despite financial and cultural constraints, the HEC under his leadership had changed the landscape of public sector universities and research and development institutions in the country. Although the real impact of our struggle of a decade will appear in times to come, we are already witnessing over 600 per cent increase in scientific publications in international journals, along with inclusion of three universities of Pakistan in a list of top 400 and 500 universities of the world.
Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Director of ICCBS said that this symposia series covered all important aspects of molecular medicines and rational drug development which was an interdisciplinary field exploiting advances in molecular and cellular biology and genetic engineering. The aim of this event is to develop an understanding and appreciation of this emerging field [molecular medicine and drug research] in Pakistan and bring together leading experts in the field of molecular medicine from all around the world.
Prof. Dr. Shahana Urooj Kazmi, Prof. Dr. Nusrat Jamil and Dr Asmat Saleem also spoke on the occasion.
During the symposium various plenary and invited lectures by eminent scientists were also held on the day. Scientific programme of the symposium includes plenary sessions and lectures by eminent scientists and poster presentations by young scholars from 15 countries of the world. The training sessions was focused on developing concepts of molecular medicines and its applications in understanding diseases at the molecular levels. These sessions was conducted by international experts.