Research Support

During 2005-2006, a total 358 projects in the fields of Agriculture, Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Computer, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Medical Sciences and Physics remained under consideration. While 162 (98 under Non-Development budget and 64 under Development budget) remained on-going and an amount of Rs. 14.699 million was released on account of due installments of on-going projects. In addition to these one hundred & ninety six were under process, of which four projects costing Rs. 3.32 million were sanctioned.

Based upon the results of completed projects, 23 research papers were published in national/ international journals by the principal investigators. In addition, 04 Ph. D., 05 M.Phil/M. Sc. Agric. (Hons) degrees were awarded to the research associates employed and 02 B.Sc.Agric (Hons) were students working under PSF supported projects.

Institutional Support

PSF provided Institutional Support Grant of Rs. 0.350 million to Physics Research Division, Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (PINSTECH), Islamabad for the Purchase of Mossbauer Source.

Grants to Scientific Societies

Funds amounting to Rs. 17.303 million available through ongoing development projects were utilized to support 22 Scientific Societies for holding of conferences/ seminars/ workshops, publication of journals and establishing linkages with similar bodies abroad.

Science Caravan & Fairs

During the year, the nine Science Caravans organized 497 days of science exhibition in schools & industrial fairs, wherein, 472 schools participated and 99,670 students & general public visited.

Promotion of Scientific Books

For promotion scientific books, two books; “Manual of Insect Physiology” by Dr. Ashfaq Ahmad (500 copies) and “Biotechnology for Kids” by Syeda Maryam Bilal (250 copies) were distributed among S&T organizations and high schools. Another two books; “Man, Mountain and Medicine” by Dr. Muhammad Ilyas and “Safety Management and Engineering-An Integrated Approach” by Prof. Dr. Abdul Raouf were co-sponsored. Some 12000 copies of the Monthly Popular Science Magazine “Global Science” were also purchased and donated to 1000 schools around the country as a regular feature.

Competitions

15th Inter & Intra-Board Science Essay and Science Poster competitions were organized among the 22 Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISEs) across the country; the topic of essay was “Nano Science and Technology” while poster contest on “Water Pollution”. Winner students were given cash prizes through their Boards of Education.

First Meeting of Nobel Laureates

As a new initiative, the “First Meeting of Nobel Laureates with Pakistani Students/Young Scholars” was jointly organized by PSF, MoST, PAEC, HEC and COMSATS on 27-31 March, 2006 at Islamabad and Lahore. Three Nobel Laureates namely Prof. Charles H. Townes, USA, Prof. Ivar Giaever, USA and Prof. Gerardus ‘t Hooft, Netherlands and a member of the organizing committee of “Nobel Laureates Annual Meetings” in Germany, Prof. L. E. Feinendegen participated in the meeting. His Excellency Mr. Shaukat Aziz, Prime Minister of Islamic Republic of Pakistan inaugurated the meeting.

World Science Day

On the occasion of “World Science Day for Peace and Development”, PSF, MoST and UNESCO jointly organized a Convention of Scientists on 10th November, 2005 in Islamabad, with special emphasis on “Earthquakes, their Scientific Explanations and Forecasting”. A live talk show on PTV World “News Morning” was also aired on the day, wherein scientists discussed various aspects of earthquakes.

Year of Physics

The “World Year of Physics-2005” was commemorated by the Foundation and a lecture by Dr. Khalid Rashid on “Einstein- the Genius of the Century” was arranged on 29th December, 2005 in PSF Auditorium.

UNESCO Project “Breaking the Poverty Cycle of Women”

In connection with UNESCO Project “Breaking the Poverty Cycle of Women”, PSF in collaboration with MoST and UNESCO organized 3rd International meeting of Sub Regional Network on “Non-Formal Science Education and Popularization of Science” from 10-12 April, 2006. Scientists and Educationists from Pakistan, India, Nepal and UNESCO Paris, and some Pakistani NGOs participated in the meeting.