ISLAMABAD, July 18, 2026: Chairman Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), Dr Raja Ali Raza Anwar, on Saturday called upon young scientists of Pakistan to become developers of technology instead of remaining consumers of innovations produced elsewhere.<\/p>\n
He was addressing the closing ceremony of the 51st International Nathiagali Summer College (INSC) on Physics and Contemporary Needs, which concluded after two weeks of scientific deliberations on emerging areas of science and technology.<\/p>\n
Organised by PAEC from July 6 to 18, the Summer College brought together leading scientists, researchers and young scholars from Pakistan and abroad to exchange knowledge and discuss new technologies shaping the future.<\/p>\n
Dr Raja Ali Raza Anwar said the world was passing through a defining technological transformation driven by artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology and clean energy technologies. He said nations were now competing through ideas, innovation, talent and technology rather than natural resources.<\/p>\n
The PAEC Chairman said Pakistan had the talent, institutions and determination required to emerge as a knowledge-producing country capable of developing indigenous technologies and contributing solutions to global challenges. He stressed that sustained investment in science, research and human resource development was essential for securing the country\u2019s future competitiveness.<\/p>\n
He said the International Nathiagali Summer College had, for more than five decades, played an important role in promoting scientific culture by linking young researchers with world-renowned scientists and encouraging innovation, collaboration and critical thinking.<\/p>\n
Dr Raja Ali Raza Anwar noted that many former participants of the College were now serving in leading research institutions, universities, industries and strategic organisations, reflecting its continuing contribution to Pakistan\u2019s scientific development.<\/p>\n
Referring to this year\u2019s academic programme, he said the courses focused on technologies directly linked with Pakistan\u2019s future needs, including Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Advanced Manufacturing Techniques, Nuclear Techniques in Agriculture and Biotechnology, Nuclear Techniques in Health and Environment, and Advances in Plasma Science and Fusion Technology.<\/p>\n
He said these emerging fields would help strengthen industrial competitiveness, improve food security, enhance healthcare, protect the environment and support future energy solutions.<\/p>\n
The Chairman said the themes of the Summer College closely complemented the Government of Pakistan\u2019s Uraan Pakistan initiative, which envisages sustainable economic growth through innovation, digital transformation, industrial modernisation and investment in human capital.<\/p>\n
He added that platforms such as INSC directly supported this national mission by developing highly skilled scientists and strengthening Pakistan\u2019s innovation ecosystem.<\/p>\n
Highlighting the international aspect of the programme, Dr Raja Ali Raza Anwar said the Summer College produced meaningful outcomes beyond lectures by opening new avenues for prospective collaboration with the Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China, in agriculture and biotechnology.<\/p>\n
He said technical meetings with distinguished international faculty also explored opportunities for joint research, technology development and long-term institutional cooperation, further strengthening Pakistan\u2019s scientific diplomacy and international partnerships.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s Summer College was attended by 45 distinguished scientists from 20 countries, while around 300 selected participants took part in the programme in person. Hundreds of others joined virtually through live streaming facilitated by the Higher Education Commission (HEC).<\/p>\n
Reaffirming PAEC\u2019s commitment to peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology, the Chairman said the Commission continued to contribute to Pakistan\u2019s socio-economic development through clean nuclear power generation, comprehensive cancer care provided by its nationwide network of 21 Atomic Energy Cancer Hospitals, development of improved crop varieties for enhanced food security, and advanced research in artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, advanced materials and semiconductor sciences.<\/p>\n
Addressing the young scientists, he urged them to treat the knowledge gained during the Summer College as the beginning of a lifelong journey of discovery and innovation. He said Pakistan\u2019s future would be shaped by those who had the vision and determination to create new knowledge, develop indigenous technologies and convert innovative ideas into practical solutions.<\/p>\n
Congratulating the organising committee, international faculty, partner institutions and participants on the successful conclusion of the Summer College, Dr Raja Ali Raza Anwar expressed confidence that continued investment in scientific research, innovation and human resource development would enable Pakistan to play an increasingly important role in shaping future technological progress.<\/p>\n
Speaking on the occasion, Member Science PAEC, Dr Shakeel Abbas Rofi, said the objective of organising the event was to explore the emerging needs of Pakistan. He said new courses related to health and environment were added along with emerging technologies, Artificial Intelligence and the use of nuclear techniques in agriculture to achieve food security.<\/p>\n
\u201cLively discussions over tea, technical meetings, curiosity of the participants and generosity of the faculty in answering those curiosities remained the signature note of the INSC-2026. We were successful in transforming scientific meetings into scientific communities and long lasting partnerships,\u201d Dr Shakeel Rofi said.<\/p>\n
He especially thanked Chinese and Malaysian experts for their remarkable contribution in opening new avenues of cooperation with Pakistan in the fields of agriculture, environment, isotopic hydrology and fuel cell technology. He also thanked Dr Gerd Helmer from Medical University Vienna for extending complimentary access to Pakistani research institutes to his AI lab on radiotherapy.<\/p>\n
Earlier, Scientific Secretary INSC, Dr Rahat Ullah, briefed the participants about the key themes of the College and the notable achievements made during the two weeks of interactive sessions.<\/p>\n
A poster competition was also held and evaluated by an experts\u2019 panel comprising foreign faculty members. The first prize was won by Ms Salka Javed from Islamic International University Islamabad for her poster on water quality.<\/p>\n
The second prize went to Ms Rubab Mansoor from Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad for her work on the effects of microplastics on the environment in Northern areas. The third prize was secured by Ms Amina Zakaullah from COMSATS University Lahore.<\/p>\n
At the end of the ceremony, Chairman PAEC Dr Raja Ali Raza Anwar distributed prizes among the winners of the poster competition and presented commemorative shields to national and international faculty members.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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