ISLAMABAD: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) and Institute of Space Technology (IST) for promotion and popularization of Science, STEAM Education in space science, technology and its application held here in the ministry of Science and Technology on Tuesday.
The ceremony was witnessed by the Federal Minister Agha Hassan Baloch, the Secretary G.M Memon and other senior officers of the ministry, PSF and IST respectively. The MoU was signed by the Chairman PSF Professor Dr Shahid Mahmood Baig and Vice Chancellor IST Major General (r) Rehan Abdul Baqi, says an official statement issued here on Tuesday.
In this programme of cooperation, PSF has planned to organize a teenager Space Maker Camp for young Pakistani students, for which Chinese leading organization the China Youth Science Centre (CYSC) of China Association of Science and Technology (CAST) has very kindly provided ten space maker kits to PSF.
The PSF on Tuesday handed over these kits to IST and the both would jointly undertake the space maker camp. Teenage student will be trained to make space baloons by these kits which would reach up to 30 kilometres in the space.
The objective of this MoU to define the general framework of Scientific and technological cooperation between the parties. In addition, the MoU is aimed at getting benefits from each other’s expertise through mutual collaboration and interaction in joint scientific activities. The MoU will also cover the areas of joint management, organizing and preparation of participation in international Olympiads, moots, galas and competitions.
In his remarks regarding the space maker camp, Federal Minister Agha Hassan Baloch said that this was the first program of its nature and it would borne positive results by uplifting the teenager students’ scientific skills and harness their talent in the right direction. He said for promotion of scientific aptitudes in the students, fifty STEM schools equipped with latest STEM labs were being developed across the country and in January the training sessions for STEM teachers would be started.
He also directed PSF to send scientific caravans to hold scientific exhibitions in the govt schools of backward and remote areas of the country to develop a scientific awareness in the students. The Minister reiterated his resolve to enhance the practical scientific research in the country according to the needs of 21st century.