PABIC Achievements
Promotion of Applications of Agriculture Biotechnology:
The project entitled, “Promotion of Applications of Agriculture Biotechnology in OIC Member Countries by the Establishment of Biotechnology Information Centers (BICS)”, has been approved by COMSTECH (OIC’s Standing Committee for Science and Technology). The project is designed to promote agro-biotechnology in OIC member countries by creating an institutional mechanism for dissemination of information and training of stakeholders. To achieve this, five new biotechnology centers (BICs) in OIC member countries (Iran, Turkey, Kazakistan, Qatar and Uganda) will be established thorough training of staff and some logistic support. The venue of the training will PABIC.
Establishment of IrBIC:
In continuation of PABIC plan to established 5 BICs, in OIC member countries through the financial support of COMSTECH under the umbrella of the project entitled, “Promotion of Applications of Agriculture Biotechnology in OIC Member Countries by the Establishment of Biotechnology Information Centers (BICS)”, the first BIC (Iran Biotechnology Information Centre, IrBIC) has started its activities in Tehran, Iran.
To establish the IrBIC, PABIC has invited Prof. Behzad Ghareyazie, President of Biosaftey Society of Iran, Tehran, in April 2010. Prof. Dr. Behzad Ghareyazie visited PABIC, Karachi during April 12 -15. PABIC had an extensive discussion on the infrastructure and the training requirements of the nominated staff of the proposed IrBIC, including the venue of the Biotechnology Information Center. It was decided that venue will be the office of the Biosafety Society of Iran in Tehran (letter attached). It was also decided that 2-3 staff members of the IrBIC will be trained by PABIC and MABIC jointly and the logistic and other expenditures will be covered through the above mentioned project.
After discussion it was decided that the training workshop will be conducted during the MyBio carnival i. e. the 10th anniversary celebrations of MABIC, so that new staff can learn more in a systematic way about the regular BIC activities.
The training of the staff of the IrBIC has been successfully completed in Kuala lampur, Malysia. The preliminary website of the IrBIC can be view at www.irbic.ir. The further work is going on to improve the website.
It was also decided that the website will be officially launch after finalization and in the presence of officials from Iran, Pakistan and ISAAA.
Patron of PABIC Dr. Anwar Nasim and other renowned scientist of Pakistan are honored by Life time Achievement Awards:
The life long contributions of Dr. Anwar Nasim (Patron of PABIC and Adviser Science at COMSTECH) was honored by life time achievement award in a two-day “National Biotechnology Exhibition and Seminars 2010”, jointly organized by HEC and the Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Vaternity and Animal Sciences, Lahore during, 20-21 October 2010. Honorable Chief Guest of the occasion, Chief Minister of the Punjab, Mr. Shabaz Sharif presented this award to Dr. Anwar Nasim and other distinguished Biotechnologists of Pakistan. Dr. Kausar Abdulla Malik (Secretary, National Commission on Biotechnology, Islamabad), Prof. Dr. Riazuddin, Prof Dr. Shahana Urooj Kazmi (Pro-Vice Chancellor of Karachi University) and Prof. Dr. Masroor Ellahi Babar (Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences) were also awarded for life time achievements in different fields of biotechnology.
Director of ICCBS Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, H.I., S.I., T.I., has been honored by Prestigious COMSTECH Award-2010:
Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary (Director PABIC and ICCBS) has been honored by the prestigious COMSTECH Award-2010 in recognition of his services in the field of chemistry. Dr. Choudhary has received his award from Prime Minister of Pakistan Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, on Tuesday, January 11 2010, during the 14th meeting of the OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) in Islamabad.
The Internship Program For Youth:
The Pakistan Biotechnology Information Center (PABIC), is always work to design educational approaches to train interdisciplinary scientist in emerging area of health, agriculture, bioinformatics and environmental biotechnology.
To promote the understanding of the Biotechnology and biological sciences among the youth of Pakistan, the PABIC announced the first internship program in biotechnology for the youth of Pakistan during 20th December 2010 to 05th January 2011, in the following fields:
- Agriculture Biotechnology
- Molecular Biology
- Stem Cell Research
- Cell Biology (Microscopy)
- Bioassay Screening
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology
Selected candidates were placed in various sections of the ICCBS institutions (www.iccs.edu) and have completed their training successfully.