Young researchers need to be polished: AQ Khan

KARACHI:Young Pakistani researchers are as precious as diamonds we just need to polish them a little bit to get maximum benefits from them as they are equally talented and skillful as others developed country’s researchers.

The students who are planning to go aboard for studies should remember that their prime job is to get advanced education and knowledge. They must spend more time in learning from teachers and laboratory experiences rather talking about politics or religion during their stays in foreign land.

Once you get your degree, work for a while to get some experience, and come back to your motherland and serve her. Whatever you study, it must be practically applied for the betterment of the society and masses. Otherwise, it does not worth much as our beloved country needs hardworking and dedicated youngsters to come forward and lead from the front so that Pakistan could become a part of developed nations.

These views were expressed by the Fakar-e-Pakistan, the noted nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan on Saturday. He was the chief guest at certification distribution ceremony of the third oral presentation competition for MPhil and PhD students of Dr A Q Khan Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (KIBGE), University of Karachi. The event was held at the Jinnah Auditorium, KIBGE, KU.

“I have done my PhD around 48 years ago but still I am writing research and technical papers, I have engaged myself for promotion of education and health sectors, I want to establish useful research and development culture in the country.”

He said that students must focus on the fact that their educational years are actually their grooming phase, if they studied with determination then they would not be worried in the future as hardworking and skillful persons always remain on the top.

“This is so unfortunate that our government employees does not perform their duty well. Being a government servant does not mean that you go to office for relaxation, it is about a service which should be performed by heart and dedication and aimed to facilitate people and masses.”

Dr A Q Khan observed that KIBGE which was initiated some 20 years ago is doing very well and gives lot of satisfaction to him as this Institute has been producing best products since its establishment.

Meanwhile, Senator Abdul Haseeb Khan, shared that Dr A Q Khan has done a lot for the country and its people. “After the Founder of the Nation, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Mohsin-e-Pakistan Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, is truly our national hero.”

He expressed that when the Indian government tested their atomic technology, they were over the moon, as it was successful and they thought that now they were able to achieve the desire results. However, it was Dr A Q Khan who destroyed their dreams by promptly handing over the tools and technology to the then government to conduct underground test in Chahgi, Balochistan, in response to test conducted by the then Indian government.

He informed the audience that due to our successful test the Indian government and its citizens were shocked as like other part of the world, they were not expecting us to become a nuclear power as the country was facing number of sanctions by the super powers and other countries.

“Our armed forces are one of the best in the world, and they have achieved this position due to their abilities and nuclear technology provided by Dr A Q Khan. Pakistan has also a unique identification among all 54 Muslim states.”

Senator Abdul Haseeb shared that he was working on a project to establish a modern laboratory which would work in research and development domain only. A committee has been formed to formulate the working conditions and I would like to request Dr A Q Khan to be a part of it so that we could get maximum advantages due to his experience and presence.

“We always talk about academia and industries relationship and why it is important but the fact is we never tried to practically create a bridge between the two. The proposed laboratory would work on bring academia and industries closer so that maximum benefit could be taken in greater interest of the nation as the project is aimed to boost the economy and social values of Pakistan.”

Dean, Faculty of Science, KU, Professor Dr Tabassum Mahboob, all presenters and young researchers have established themselves scientifically, technically at par to any other forum of similar level.

She said that the KIBGE, KU, is providing active opportunity to all the students and researchers to practice and polish their scientific, research and presentation skills with effective participation of experts from variety of modern biological sciences like biotechnology, molecular biology, bioinformatics and etc.

One of the judges of third oral presentation competition for MPhil and PhD students of KIBGE, KU, Aqeel Ahmed, said that it was quite difficult to evaluate the students as most of them were carrying almost equal marks, the difference among their marks was very marginal and that’s why the judges decided to award joint second position rather announcing second and third position.

Hiba Saleem clinched the first position while Omiyya Abdali and Kulsoom Bibi were declared joint second.

Earlier, the Director General, KIBGE, KU, Professor Dr Abid Azhar, shared that this Institute provides equal opportunity to students across the country and we are so proud that our students are performing extraordinarily around the world.