ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Ministry of Science and Technology is planning to establish a campus of COMSATS University in Quetta to facilitate students of the area.
“The government is making all out efforts to increase Research and Development (R&D) work in the country as it will help strengthen national economy,” an official in the Ministry told APP.
He said that Global Innovation Index Report 2015 indicated Pakistan’s ranking in R&D as 68th among 141 countries.
The present government had taken several steps for promoting science and technology and it introduced National Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Strategy 2014-18, he added.
He said that in the ST1 strategy, national R&D expenditure would be enhanced up to 1 percent of GDP by 2018 for building capacity and Human Resource Development in Science and Technology Sector.
The official said that Technology Foresight Studies in the 11 areas have been conducted by Ministry of Science and Technology and disseminated among the stakeholders.
The National Research Agenda had priority areas and under each priority area, a number of focus areas of research had been identified, he added.
He said that work was in progress in consultation with Higher Education Commission (HEC) to update the National Research Agenda in line with Pakistan Vision 2025 document of the Government.
To encourage scientists, researchers and technologists categories of awards including Civil Awards in the category of Science and Technology, President’s Medal for Technology and Research Productivity Award had been announced by the government, he added.
He said in the present age, investment in R&D was very crucial for socio-economic development of any country adding realizing this, the government was making efforts to increase its allocations.
Source: APP
