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ECO Science Foundation established

ISLAMABAD (February 13, 2012): The 9-day International Traveling Expo "It's all about Chemistry" started at Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU), Multan on Monday.

Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) in collaboration with France Embassy has arranged the Expo, prepared by Centre Sciences-France, UNESCO and partners, for providing a first-hand picture of the role of Chemistry in our daily life to students and general public. The Expo is aimed at increasing the interest of young people in chemistry and to generate enthusiasm among students to study chemistry for their study.

PSF Chairman Prof Dr. Manzoor H. Soomro, BZU Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof. Dr. Syed Khawaja Alqama and French Ambassador to Pakistan Mr. Philippe Theibaud inaugurated the exhibition, which will continue here till February 20, 2012 in Multan.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Expo, the PSF Chairman talked on the PSF functions and activities to popularize science in the country and the role of travelling Expos for creating science awareness among the students and general public. He said Chemistry is an exciting experimental science which makes us to understand our world and make our life easier. It is scientific study of matter, its properties and interactions with other matters and energy, he said, adding, study of Chemistry is critical in addressing challenges such as global climate change, in providing sustainable sources of clean water, food energy and in wellbeing of all people. The science of chemistry and its applications produce medicines, fuels, metals and virtually all other manufactured products, he added. Chemistry is closely related to Physics and Biology and Mathematics is also an essential tool for its study, the chairman said, adding that the procedures of Chemistry are systematic and reproducible and hypothesis of this important subject are tested using the scientific method.

Need for creating awareness about Chemistry and its applications is recognized all over the world and PSF is playing its due role in this regard by popularization of science and technology through funding for research, education and awareness programmes, Dr. Soomro maintained.

He said through this expo the visitors can explore how chemistry is critical for solving the global problems involving food, water, health, energy, transportation and many more.

He emphasized on the need for inquiry-based science education at grass root level and ensured best possible support from PSF to the students and teachers in science popularization activities.

BZU VC Dr. Alqama said the expos provide first-hand knowledge to students and arouse their curiosity about different phenomena of science and develop their interest in this important subject of studies. He urged the students from educational institutions of Multan to fully benefit from this opportunity of expo to know as to how to Chemistry works in our daily life.

French Ambassador to Pakistan Mr. Philippe Theibaud spoke on different educational programmes of France in Pakistan. He appreciated the efforts of PSF for promotion of science among the young generation and said that this cooperation would be expanded. He said France is paying special attention to the science education at primary level.

Earlier, Prof. Dr. T.M. Ansari in his talk on "Role of Chemistry in Our Daily Life" spoke on importance of chemistry as well as various chemical phenomena and their impact on human life.

PSF Chief Scientific Officer Ms. Farhat Rajpar in her address thanked the BZU administration, French Embassy and others for their cooperation in organizing the expo in Multan to disseminate information on science in the area.

It is pertinent to mention that the Travelling Expo started its Journey from Kharachi and after exhibitions at Jamshoro, Khairpur and DG Khan has reached Multan from where it will travel to Lahore, Mansehra, Islamabad, Sibi and culminate in Quetta on March 31. The displays of the expo include Black and White Chemistry, Molecules in Action, Nature Returns with a bang, Intelligent Textiles - Dress Intelligently, Dress Usefully, Materials that Heal Automatically, Oil-bases or Water-based paint, Pure air at home, What's Going on in my saucepan, Town Water or field Water, Experts against Fraud, When Art and Science Meet, Molecular Motors, Bio-fuels for Green Driving and Responsible Farming etc.