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The high level session of the Pakistan-U.S. Joint Committee on Science & Technology was held on 13 & 14 February 2007 in Washington D.C
The Joint Committee on Science and Technology was established under the Pakistan-U.S. Strategic Partnership affirmed by President Musharraf and President Bush during the March 2006 visit of President Bush to Pakistan. The purpose of the Joint Committee is to enhance cooperation in areas of science & technology, higher education and engineering between the two countries and to strengthen the capacity of education, research and innovation at Pakistan's institutions of higher education and in the research establishments working in the field of science and technology. The Joint Committee is also mandated to develop collaborative activities between the scientific and technological communities and institutions of both countries. During the meeting, wide-ranging discussions were held on proposals and initiatives for future cooperation in the science & technology and higher education sectors. The two sides laid out their priorities and programmes for cooperation in different areas. As a result of these discussions, both sides agreed to promote collaborative activities between the relevant institutions of the two countries. In the Joint Committee meeting the discussions focused on:
· Connecting Pakistan with USA through cyber infrastructure · Research on Water Quality and Water Management · Earth science research, Climate and Earthquake studies · Agricultural research including agricultural science projects · Strengthening of Metrology, Standards and Accreditation capabilities · Health Research and disease prevention including health science projects · Renewable energy and energy related issues · Workshops and collaboration on key science and technology areas · Setting out priorities for S&T development and Higher Education projects · Identifying Engineering, Science and Technology projects · Promoting Innovation and entrepreneurship
The two sides discussed methods to enhance networking capabilities to facilitate access to databases, digital libraries and research material. They also agreed to focus on education and training programs, enhancing linkages and creating working groups on areas of mutual interest. During the meeting a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC). The MOU aims to help strengthen cooperation between the two sides in areas such as animal science, soil science, agriculture, natural resources management, aquaculture and other additional fields as may be mutually agreed upon. The meeting decided to issue a joint statement on the agreed areas of cooperation, modalities for intensifying collaborative programmes and establishing linkages between the scientific and higher education communities of the two countries.
Islamabad February 15, 2007
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The high level session of the Pakistan-U.S. Joint Committee on Science & Technology was held on 13 & 14 February 2007 in Washington D.C. The Pakistan side was led by Dr. Atta-ur-Rehman, Federal Minister/Chairman Higher Education Commission and Adviser to Prime Minister on Science & Technology while the US side was led by Dr. Arden L. Bement, Director National Science Foundation (NSF). The Joint Committee consists of members from several government departments on both sides to underscore the importance that the two sides attach to expanding cooperation in diverse areas of science & technology and higher education.