S-Dev – TechnoMoot 2009 at CIIT Abbottabad.

11-12 May 2009

 

 The Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT) Abbottabad organized various activities collectively named as Science for Development (S-Dev) under the umbrella of Technomoot 2009 on May 11-12, 2009.  S-Dev was jointly organized by four departments i.e. Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, Pharmacy and Development Studies. Various events of S-Dev included seminars and lectures, display of posters projecting the major research achievements of various research groups, display of gems, exhibition of published research papers and a free check up of blood pressure, blood group and Body Mass Index (BMI).
The proceedings of S-Dev started with a session on “Role of Chemistry in Health and Industry” organized by the Department of Chemistry on 11 May 2009. Main objective of conducting the session was to create awareness about the importance of Chemistry. Three eminent scientists from the prestigious institutions of Pakistan were
invited to share their research experiences. Dr. Rehana Rashid, Chairperson, Department of Chemistry welcomed all the guests and gave a brief Introduction of the Chemistry Department of  CIIT Abbottabad.

The first lecture was delivered by Dr. Viqar-ud-din Ahmad. He is one of the leading chemists of Pakistan with more than 450 international publications. He is a senior faculty member at HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry. His talk was focused on the characterization and screening of various biological activities of the newly isolated natural products and their contribution to the pharmaceutical and food industry.

The second lecture was delivered by Dr. Ahsana Dar, who has vast experience in the field of Pharmaceutical Chemistry. She is also a senior faculty member at HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry, Karachi University Karachi. The topic of her presentation was “Bioassay guided active molecules or Standardized Antidepressant: A challenge for chemists & pharmaceutical Industry”.

The Final Presentation was given by Dr. Muhammad Ali. He is the Ex-Chairman of Chemistry Department, Sargodha University, Sargodha. He gave the lecture on “Nanotechnology and Drug Delivery”. In his talk he highlighted the increasing importance of nanoscience and its increasing demand in the field of medicine.

The Faculty members and students from other colleges and universities also attended this Symposium and Visited different laboratories. They were highly appreciative of the standard of laboratories and applauded the efforts of CIIT Abbottabad for all their on going research work.

The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Rubina Farooq, Head of Chemistry Department.
A special lecture was delivered by Professor Dr. Muhammad Hanif from University of Peshawar in the session organized by the Department of Environmental Sciences, CIIT Abbottabad. The title was “Debris flow hazards, Hindukush, Pakistan”. All faculty members and a large number of students of Environmental Sciences Department attended this lecture. Professor Hanif highlighted various causes and effects of debris flow in Hindukush mountain ranges. The attendees found it very informative.
Another symposium under the title “Biotechnology-the science and the business” was held on May 11, 2009 under the umbrella of S-Dev. Realizing the fact that little is known about this subject in Pakistan, the Department of Environmental Sciences, CIIT Abbottabad organized biotechnology symposium in TechnoMoot 2009. The aim was to create awareness among students, faculty and business community about the prospects and advancements made in the field of biotechnology at the national and international level. Eminent scientists and researchers from reputed universities and institutions shared their knowledge, experiences and findings about the subject.

The speakers included Professor Dr. Zahoor Ahmad Swati, a renowned professor, who earned his PhD in Plant Breeding and Genetics from the South Dakota State University, Brookings, USA. His teaching and research career spans over more than 25 years. So far he has won research and development projects from the Government of Pakistan worth rupees 520 million to establish and strengthen biotechnology education and research in NWFP. He is the founder of Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (IBGE), NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar. He has published more than 65 research articles. Recently, he authored a book on the Glossary of Biotechnology in English and Urdu that was published in Maryland USA. He delivered a very informative talk on “Biotechnology: an emerging science for socio economic development”. He enlightened the audience about how biotechnology has emerged as a powerful science and the role that it is playing in the socio-economic uplift of many developed and developing countries.
The second lecture was delivered by Dr. H.U.Khan who has 16 years of experience in the areas of Management Sciences, Projects Planning, Risk management, Quality Management, Training & Development, Public Affairs, Consultancy, Administration, Media & TV Programs and research work. The topic of his presentation was “Progress and Prospects of Biotechnology in Pakistan”. Being part of National Commission on Biotechnology (NCB), Dr. Khan elaborated the role of NCB in establishing and strengthening the discipline of biotechnology in the country. He called the current century as the century of biotechnology.
The third presentation was made by Professor Dr. Syed Dilnawaz Ahmad Gerdezi who is the Chairman of the Department of Plant Breeding and Molecular Genetics at the Faculty of Agriculture, Azad Jammu and Kashmir University, Rawalakot. He got his PhD from the University of Wales, UK majoring in Plant Molecular Genetics. He is the recipient of Best University Teacher Award in 2007 from HEC, Productive Scientist of Pakistan 2006 Award from Pakistan Council for Science and Technology, Best teacher and best researcher award for the year 2002 by the Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He delivered a very comprehensive lecture on “Agricultural Biotechnology: present status, prospects and potential in the development of agriculture in Pakistan”. His comprehensive talk was about the role of biotechnology in the crop improvement.
A large number of students not only from CIIT but from local colleges and universities also attended the seminars and visited stalls. They inquired about the on-going research projects and lab facilities at CIIT Abbottabad and were appreciative of all the developments made by CIIT Abbottabad.
The Department of Pharmacy organized special talk under the umbrella of Technomoot 2009 on May 12, 2009. Dr. Taous Khan introduced Prof. Dr. Mansoor Ahmed, from Faculty of Pharmacy, Karachi University who was especially invited to deliver a lecture on the topic titled “Medicinal Plants and Public Health”. Dr. Mansoor highlighted the importance and distribution of medicinal plants in Pakistan. He stated that people should realize the importance of wild plants as these plants can be used for the treatment of various ailments. The importance of traditional medicinal plants can not be overlooked. The allopathic medicines have many side effects; however, the medicines extracted from native medicinal plants are without any side effect. The students of M.Sc. (Botany) from Government Post Graduate College Abbottabad were invited to attend the lecture. The CIIT students and all the guests showed great interest in the seminar and were of the view that they learned many new things by the talk delivered by the guest speaker. Prof. Dr. Izhar Hussain, Chairman, Pharmacy Department extended vote of thanks to the guest speaker and all participants for sparing their precious time and attending the seminar.

A major feature of interest for students and participants was the stall organized by the Department of Pharmacy for free check up of blood pressure, blood group and Body Mass Index (BMI). This facility was provided to nearly 200 students and faculty members.
S-Dev was organized for the first time by CIIT Abbottabad and it really proved to be a success. All this was due to the dedicated and untiring efforts of all faculty members, staff and students of the Departments of Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, Pharmacy and Development Studies who spared no efforts in making this event a success and the cooperation of TechnoMoot 2009 organizing team under the visionary guidance of Worthy Director CIIT Abbottabad, Dr. Haroon Rashid.