Federal Minister for Science and Technology Khalid Hussain Magsi issued a powerful call to action for the nation’s youth, urging them to lead a scientific revolution as the 19th International Symposium on Advanced Materials (ISAM-2025) concluded with the announcement of two new national research centers.
Speaking as the Chief Guest at the closing ceremony at the National Centre for Physics (NCP) on Friday, the minister emphasized the critical need to empower young scientists with state-of-the-art knowledge and practical skills to tackle global challenges.
Magsi pointed to China as a prime example of a nation transformed into a global leader through relentless innovation and technological progress. He expressed immense confidence in the capabilities of Pakistan’s next generation, stating that the country’s history of institution-building demonstrated its inherent potential for scientific greatness.
‘Pakistan’s youth possess the intellectual and creative strength to shape a promising and progressive scientific future for our country,’ the minister remarked.
Earlier in the proceedings, Dr. Syed Khalid Mehmood Shah, the symposium’s Scientific Secretary, provided a comprehensive summary of the five-day event. The gathering featured 60 oral and 100 poster presentations spanning diverse fields, including artificial intelligence (AI), additive manufacturing, nanotechnology, renewable energy, and biomaterials.
Complementing the academic discussions, a technology exhibition titled ‘Revolutionizing Industry Through Science and Engineering (RISE 2025)’ ran concurrently, showcasing innovative products and industrial applications from both domestic and international institutions.
Mirza Rizwan Baig, President of the Pakistan Advanced Materials Forum (PAMF), which organized the event, noted that ISAM has been a vital platform for scientific collaboration in Pakistan for over three decades. ‘ISAM has served as a bridge between academia and industry, enabling young researchers to engage with international experts and translate research into practical outcomes,’ he said.
Looking ahead, Baig announced that plans are in motion to establish a Center of Excellence in Advanced Materials. This facility will serve as a national hub for research, innovation, and technological development across the industrial, energy, and defense sectors.
Additionally, attendees welcomed the government’s decision to create a National Center for Advanced Materials at Quaid-i-Azam University. The institution will be named after Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan to honor his monumental contributions to Pakistan’s self-reliance.
International delegates from Russia, Malaysia, China, Indonesia, Turkey, and Norway attended the conference and commended Pakistan’s expanding scientific ecosystem and the promise shown by its young researchers.