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PSF implements plan to promote research work

RECORDER REPORT

FAISALABAD: Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) is implementing a comprehensive plan for the promotion of research activities besides popularising science among the students.

Talking to newsmen, PSF Chairman Dr. Khalid Mahmood Khan said that the foundation has released RS 200 million this fiscal for 77 research projects in the fields of natural and physical sciences in addition to various scientific subjects of socio-economic importance.

He said the PSF is already arranging five science caravans. These mobile scientific exhibitions are visiting far-flung rural areas to inspire the students to adopt science as their ultimate profession. These science caravans are operating from Islamabad, Peshawar, Lahore, Faisalabad, Quetta and Tando Jam. He also said the PSF has planned to establish 15 science centres throughout the country to promote science as one of the most interesting and popular subjects among the students.

Dr. Khalid Mehmood said that the science centre in Faisalabad is the first of its kind that has been completed with an estimated cost of Rs 6 million. However, we have not acquired funds from the government. But arranged it from our own resources as well as from the local industrialists. "Country diorama has been provided in its natural history museum fully depicting various regions of Pakistan from snow-capped hills up to the blue coast line brimming our deep blue sea," he said and added that these regions have been further embellished with their specific birds, animal and trees eloquently explaining its ecological and topographic diversity.

A textile gallery has also been added to represent the agro-industrial city of Faisalabad, he said and added that various stages from raw cotton to finished garments have been displayed along with relative pictures and models in this section. About chemistry and physics division, he said that it has a number of scientific models explaining various theories with a mimic model of Karachi Nuclear Power Plant. He also said that various scientific models to be displayed at the Faisalabad Science Centre.

Dr. Khalid said that the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad has provided a piece of land at strategic location on Main Jail Road for the science centre, while the PSF has arranged funds from its own as well as from the local industrialists for the completion of this project of national importance.

Rafique Tarar will inaugurate this first science centre of the country in Faisalabad on Tuesday January 18, 2000.