COMSTECH Launches Virtual Incubator for Science-based Businesses

(Islamabad), July 14: OIC Standing Committee for Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) has launched a Virtual Incubator for Science-based Businesses (VISB) for the Islamic World.

VISB will help OIC member states’ companies, research institutions and scientists to transfer their homegrown technologies to other OIC countries. The terms of technology transfer will be mutually acceptable to both parties, and could include sharing royalties or setting up joint venture partnerships.

VISB is a pioneering initiative launched by the COMSTECH which aimed at strengthening links between scientific research and business development through promoting interaction between researchers and industry as well as investors who can translate potential scientific ideas and technological solutions into viable breakthrough products.

The VISB has been launched in view of the fact that the road to progress for OIC member countries lies in developing dynamic knowledge-based innovation societies.

Some OIC member countries have started to make good progress in developing science and technology. However, the industrial communities within the OIC region normally tend to acquire technology on turn-key basis from the West although there is much that can be shared among them.

“We hope that the VISB will prove to be an important step in creating technological self-reliance in OIC member states.” Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, Coordinator General COMSTECH, said in his message.

COMSTECH, the 57-country science cooperation body of the Organization of Islamic Conference has also announced the launch of the first issue of e-monthly bulletin of the Virtual Incubator for Science-based Business (VISB) entitled "empowering innovation for development"

COMSTECH is also establishing an e-library titled “Scientific Ideas for Investors…Turn Potential into Profits” which will list potential scientific ideas that could be translated into viable breakthrough products. These ideas will be presented to investors and private sector to develop them.

Under COMSTECH’s VISB initiative, “Ask the Experts” service is also being established which will help potential investors and the science-based private sector to acquire, adopt and upgrade technology. www.visbdev.net is the dedicated website for this COMSTECH initiative for the Islamic world. Queries may be directed to comstech@comstech.org.

By: M. Ameen Amjad, COMSTECH Media Manager

ameen.amjad@comstech.org

IDB and the University of Cambridge Launch a Joint Scholarship Program

IDB-University of Cambridge Joint Scholarship Program

Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust and Cambridge Overseas Trust have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on April 9, 2009 to launch the IDB-Cambridge International Scholarship Program. The signing ceremony as held in the Cambridge, England was attended by senior officials of the university and the IDB.

The joint program has been launched within the scope of IDB Merit Scholarship Program for Science and Hi-Technology to place talented and meritorious students from IDB member states and Muslim communities in non-member countries for 3-year Ph.D. study and research at the University of Cambridge.

This joint program with the Cambridge University, the second top-ranked university of the world in research and higher education, would significantly contribute to the human resources development of IDB member states. In his speech during the ceremony, Dr. Ahmed Mohamed Ali, President of the IDB, stressed that such partnership with an outstanding institution of knowledge would help build future leaders in OIC member states.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Cambridge termed launching of this joint program as a new dimension of the university activities to reach out emerging and developing countries. She emphasized that the university has a moral role to play to harmonize relationship between developed and developing nations to cater for world peace and stability. She hoped that this partnership is an important step to achieve that aim.

Science and Technology Office of the Islamic Development Bank has already in place a number of scholarship programs for nationals of the OIC member states. IDB-COMSTECH MSc Scholarship Program is one of those initiatives the Bank has taken to make science and technology the driving engine for development in the OIC region. In this regard, COMSTECH and IDB share the vision and have a greater level of cooperation.

Originally reported by: Ameen Amjad for printed copy of monthly COMSTECH News.

Islamic Development Bank Announces Winners of the Prize for Science and Technology

(Islamabad) April 30, 2009 (Latest news release from the COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad)

Science and Technology Office of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) has announced winners of the 7TH edition of the Prize for Science & Technology as determined by its Selection Committee which met from April 04-05, 2009 in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A total of 124 applications were screened.

First category of the prize is about institutions having achieved outstanding scientific or technological contribution to the development of a member country. The prize for this category has been won by University Putra Malaysia, located in Selangor, Malaysia.

The second category of the prize which is for the institutions having achieved outstanding contribution to a given scientific discipline was achieved by Department of Physics, Middle East Technology University (METU), situated in Ankara, Republic of Turkey.

The third category of the prize, as awarded to International Center for Diarrheal Diseases Research, located in Dhaka, People’s Republic of Bangladesh, is specified for noted scientific research institutions in IDB least developed member countries.

The Prize, which consists of a cash award of US$ 100,000/, and a certificate, shall be presented to the winners during a ceremony on the occasion of the 34th Annual Meeting of the IDB Board of Governors scheduled to take place during 2-3 June 2009 in Ashgabat, the Republic of Turkmenistan.

IDB, through its Office on Science and Technology, is working towards increased financial assistance to member countries for science and technology projects and programs. The IDB launched this Prize in 1422H (2001) to promote scientific talent and excellence in the S&T education in R&D institutions of its member countries. The objectives of Prize are to promote sound and fruitful competition among the S&T education and research institutions in the member states.

Reported originally by Ameen Amjad for “COMSTECH News”

COMSTECH Supports International Conference on Bio-safety and Bio-security

(Islamabad) Organization of the Islamic Conference Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) extended financial support for holding an international conference on bio-safety and bio-security.

The conference, a significant step towards promoting healthier and more secure communities in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) was arranged in Casablanca, the biggest city in Morocco from April 02-04, 2009. Regional leaders and international experts participated in the conference. COMSTECH was represented by its Advisor on Science, Dr. Anwar Nasim.

Recognizing the need to address the threat posed by pandemics, major biological incidents or accidents, some 100 participants from 37 countries agreed upon a plan of action for improving the region’s preparedness and ability to respond.

The conference titled “Bio-safety and Bio-security International Conference (BBIC-09) “was held with the theme “Healthier and More Secure Communities in the Middle East and North African Region”. It was co-hosted by the Moroccan Ministry of Education, Training and Scientific Research and the International Council for the Life Sciences (ICLS).

Her Royal Highness, Princess Sumaya bint el Hassan was also present in the conference in her role as President of the Royal Scientific Society of Jordan. She delivered an important speech on the need to protect and promote human dignity and security. In her speech, she offered Amman as the site for the next Bio-safety and Bio-security International Conference to be held in 2011.

The experts discussed the development of bio-safety and bio-security strategies in the MENA region, the creation of bio-safety and bio-security regional training centers, and the establishment of a regional bio-safety association.

Apart from financial support from COMSTECH, the conference was also funded by the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi and the Royal Scientific Society of Jordan, the Kingdom of Morocco, the United Kingdom (UK), Alfred Sloan Foundation and the Robert & Ardis James Foundation of New York.

Reported by: Ameen Amjad

OIC meeting on Water Suggests Conservation Policies

Recognizing the seriousness of threat to water resources in OIC member states, Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) held a ministerial meeting on the sidelines of the 5th World Water Forum in Istanbul, Republic of Turkey. The meeting suggested a balance between water consumption and its conservation in OIC member states. COMSTECH was represented by its Coordinator General, Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman.

Islamic Conference of the Water Ministers and experts highlighted the importance of serious approach towards solving water problems in the OIC member states. They declared the issue of water the most important and sensitive matter for the Islamic world and suggested mutual and international cooperation as a reliable approach towards solution.

Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the secretary general of the OIC also chaired a session in the international water forum and he also headed the ministerial meeting of the OIC member states. The theme of the OIC ministerial meeting was "water vision for OIC."

The OIC Secretary General called for developing sustainable proposals aiming to address water problems. He said clean water is a requisite for good health and therefore the problem of water pollution should figure out more important among the proposals and action plans to address water problems.

Ihsanoglu also called on the ministers in charge of water issues in the OIC member states to develop feasible proposals that would ensure a balance between water consumption and its conservation.

He pointed up the ramifications that might arise out of water scarcity that may aggravate the food problem in the OIC member states. He explained that the OIC member states face shortage in food, inducing most of them who import food staples from other countries. He emphasized that the global hike in food prices, coupled with drought in some OIC member states, requires urgent action on food security issue.

Serving as stepping-stones towards global collaboration on water problems, the World Water Forum is a unique platform where the water community and the policy and decision-makers from all regions of the world can link together, debate and attempt to find solutions to achieve water security.

World Water Forum by the World Water Council is organized every three years in close collaboration with the authorities of the hosting country and is the largest international event in the field of water. The forum was held in Morocco in 1997, the Netherlands in 2000, Japan in 2003 and Mexico in 2006. More than twenty-five thousand participants took part in the fifth forum held in Turkey. However, the OIC ministerial meeting was the first such event to dwell on water issues in the Muslim world.

The OIC ministerial meeting was earleir recommended during a special session arranged by COMSTECH Inter-Islamic Network on Water Resources Development and Management (INWRDAM), in cooperation with OIC General Secretariat and Islamic Development Bank during October 18-19, 2008. The session was called to launch the OIC Water Vision process.

It was attended by H.E. Professor Atta-ur-Rahman, Coordinator General of COMSTECH and H.E. Professor Anwar Battikhi, Secretary General of the Higher Council for Science and Technology, Amman, Jordan (HCST) in addition to more than twelve esteemed water scientists from OIC member states’ institutions.

Reported By: Ameen Amjad

COMSTECH Launches Technology Forum

A Technology Forum Launched for Islamic Countries

(Islamabad) Organization of the Islamic Conference Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) has launched a Technology Forum through which all OIC member states can offer their endogenously developed technologies to other countries of the OIC. The countries seeking some specific technology can also contact COMSTECH Secretariat for routing of their demand to other member states.

“There are a number of technologies which have been developed within the OIC member states and have been commercialized. These are available in various fields of engineering, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, biotechnology, medicine, agriculture, agro-food, energy etc. There may be many companies within the OIC member states who are willing to offer such technologies to other OIC countries on mutually acceptable terms of sharing of royalties or as joint venture partnerships. COMSTECH has therefore launched the “COMSTECH Technology Forum” which will allow member states having suitable technologies to offer to other OIC member states through this forum.” said the Program in-charge.

“Similarly OIC Member States which are interested in acquiring specific technologies can place their requirements on the COMSTECH website so that they can benefit through the expertise available in other Member States”, he added.

It is expected that COMSTECH Technology Forum will serve as an important open tool for the promotion of industrial and technological collaboration and cooperation among OIC member states through sharing of useful technologies for industrial production. Further information regarding how to share technology is available at COMSTECH website www.comstech.org.

Report by,
Ameen Amjad
Islamabad, Pakistan

Thirteenth Session of COMSTECH General Assembly held in Islamabad, Pakistan

Ministers of Science and Technology from Islamic countries and Secretary General OIC attended the historic occasion, decisions likely to bring the Ummah at par with advanced countries, Dr. Atta ur Rahman called for renewed pledge, commitment of resources for scientific and technological uplift of the Muslim Ummah
(Islamabad) Three day long General Assembly meeting of the Organization of Islamic Conference Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) is was held from 1-3 April 2008 at Islamabad, Pakistan. It was thirteenth meeting of the COMSTECH General Assembly in which Ministers of Science and Technology from OIC member states participated. H.E. Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Conference also graced the occasion with his presence whereas representatives of International organizations also participated.
The inaugural sessions started with the speech of the Chief Guest, Mr. Pervez Musharraf, President of Pakistan whereas the Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Yousaf Raza Gilani spoke during the concluding session.
The General Assembly of COMSTECH is composed of the Chairman of the Standing Committee, the Ministers in-charge of science and technology in the member states, the Secretary General of Organization of the Islamic Conference, and the Coordinator General of COMSTECH. COMSTECH General Assembly is charged with the responsibility of Implementing all decisions taken by the Islamic Summit in relation to promotion of science and technology within OIC region, it considers proposals from the member states for the development of science and technology infrastructure and makes deliberations over reports presented by the relevant organizations of OIC system for the purpose of coordination and cooperation. The meeting approved the program and budget submitted by its Executive Committee meeting of which was a day earlier at COMSTECH Secretariat building in Islamabad.
The main objective of COMSTECH is to promote cooperation and collaboration amongst the member states in the fields of science and technology. The strategy used to achieve this objective is to assist the member states to build science and technology systems and to create effective institutional structures in scientific research and high technology areas.
As a Ministerial Standing Committee, all the member states of the Organization of Islamic Conference are members of COMSTECH. Selected organizations of the OIC system and some international organizations that have a stake in development of science and technology were also invited to attend the Thirteenth General Assembly session of the COMSTECH. The provisional agenda for the thirteenth meeting of General Assembly was prepared by the COMSTECH Executive Committee during its twenty-fifth meeting held in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman during 7-8 January, 2007 and during the recent (26th) meeting held on March 31, 2008 in Islamabad.
The General Assembly began with an open inaugural meeting. There were five plenary sessions in which the work of the meeting was transacted. A concluding session was held at the end of the meeting in which the report and resolutions proposed were adopted.
The Coordinator General, Prof Dr Atta ur Rahman, as the Chairman of the Executive Committee of COMSTECH, presented a report to the General Assembly on behalf of the Executive Committee. The report highlighted the work accomplished and initiatives taken by the Coordinator General on behalf of the Executive Committee since the Twelfth General Assembly meeting of COMSTECH. The report also presented his efforts on cooperation and collaboration with the OIC member states, OIC institutions and other international organizations. The report gave detail of program implementation by the COMSTECH Secretariat, works done and decisions taken by the Executive Committee in running affairs of the COMSTECH. Reports by different OIC organs and institutions were also presented in the meeting.
The General Assembly discussed budgetary matters as well and approved COMSTECH Programs and Budget for the biennium 2008-2009. Report and discussions on the implementation of OIC Ten-year Program of Action were also part of the 13th General Assembly of COMSTECH.
COMSTECH was launched by the OIC member states in 1981 during the 3rd Islamic Summit Conference held in Makkah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in order to achieve collective strength in science and technology for solving problems at national and regional levels. The main objective was to boost the indigenous capability of the OIC region through cooperation and coordination. COMSTECH has contributed to scientific and technological uplift of the member states in spite of lack of commitment of resources. It is a general consensus that paucity of finances and absence of indigenous expertise in planning a well-coordinated and forward-looking development plan is the major hurdle in the growth and development of scientific apparatus and a credible scientific infrastructure in the OIC region.
The General Assembly has so far held thirteen meetings i.e. in May 1983, December 1983 November 1986, May 1989, November 1991, September 1993, December 1995, December 1997, November 1999, February 2002, December 2003, February 2006 and April 2008. The COMSTECH Program for 2008-2009 has been planned to take into account the scientific weaknesses of the OIC region and then attempt to address those issues of fundamental importance to the development of science and technology infrastructure of the member states. In this regard, the Executive Committee meeting of COMSTECH recommended many actions which were approved by the General Assembly meeting.

Ameen Amjad,

PR ManagerIslamabad-Pakistan

+923009568889

minnykhan@gmail.com