World Science Day Celebrated with Colourful P rogrammes
Tuesday, November 21, 2017
World Science Day was celebrated in a befitting manner at Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) on November 10, 2017. PSF had chalked out different colourful programmes to celebrate the Day.
The World Science Day is celebrated all over the World on November 10 every year to create awareness on importance of science and its use for peace and development. Theme of the World Science Day 2017 is “Science for Global Understanding”.
The inauguration of this day-long celebration started with the Convention of Scientists at PSF and Federal Secretary for Science and Technology Ms. Yasmin Masood, National Center for Physics (NCP) Director General Dr. Hafeezur Rahman, PSF Chairman Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ashraf and eminent scientist Dr. Aslam Baig addressed the Convention to highlight the importance of science and its peaceful use for development and benefit of the mankind.
The Federal Secretary said that Pakistan was blessed with young talent but we need a lot of coordination among various organizations to tell the youth about the opportunities available for them. She congratulated the winners of various science quiz competitions.
Dr. Hafeezur Rehman Hoorani, the Chief Guest, said that science is something that not only changes the destiny of nations but also promotes peace as he considers science as a great instrument of peace. He said that science brought different warring nations together through joint scientific programmes.
Dr. Hoorani advised the students to strengthen their math and computer programming skills to excel in science. He also asked the students to read as much as possible and be good listener to become good learner. He called upon media persons to give more coverage to science activities for popularizing the science in the country.
PSF Chairman Prof. Dr. Ashraf in his address highlighted the Foundation’s research and science popularization programmes.
Met. expert Dr. Muhammad Hanif delivered a lecture on SMOG phenomenon during the convention. Award of PSF Gold Medals, certificates and cash prizes to winner-students of Inter-Board Science Essay, Poster and Quiz Competitions was also the part of this convention.
On the Occasion of World Science Day on November 10, Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH) remained open for the students. Students from different educational institutions also displayed models of their science projects in an exhibition at PMNH.
PSF through its sub-centers and Science Caravan Units also arranged different activities in other cities to mark the day in a befitting manner.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) during the General Conference at its 31st session (2001) proclaimed November 10 each year as “World Science Day for Peace and Development (WSDPD)”. Initially the proposal was floated by Eminent Pakistani Scientist Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad, N.I., H.I., S.I.
“The purpose of “World Science Day for Peace and Development (WSDPD)” is to renew the national, as well as the international commitment to science for peace and development and to stress the reasonable use of science for the benefit of society as postulated by the World Conference on Science” (Budapest 1999). Since 2002, PSF in collaboration with other organizations is organizing various activities for students and scientists to commemorate the day like Convention of Scientists, Science Caravan Exhibitions, Prize Distribution to the winners of PSF Annual Inter Board Science Essay and Poster and quiz Competitions etc.