20000314

Dr Riffat to deliver

lecture,

hold workshops

ISLAMABAD: Dr Riffat Ali Siddiqui, a biochemist from USA will deliver lectures and conduct four workshops on 'Apoptosis, radio-labelling bioassay work, immunoassay and use of computer in enzymatic analysis' during his five-week visit to Pakistan.

Dr Riffat is a research scientist, Cellular Biochemistry Laboratory, Methodist Research Institute, Indianapolis, USA, with specialisation in cancer biology and cellular signalling.

He has extensive experience in cancer research and Apoptosis and published over 40 paper in leading international journals.

He is presently on a five-week assignment with H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, Karachi as a consultant under UNDP funded 'Transfer of Knowledge Through Expatriate Nationals' (Tokten) Programme.

This programme is being implemented by National Talent Pool, Ministry of Labour, Manpower & Overseas Pakistanis.

Siddiqui is also training several young scientists of H.E.J Research Institute of Chemistry and other institutions on state-of-the Art biochemical Techniques of research.

As a patriotic Pakistani, he has brought with him a large quantity of chemicals and other items as a donation for the Institute.

Dr. Siddiqui during his previous two visits under the same programme played an important role in the establishment of Cancer Research Laboratory in the Institute and several new research fields, relevant to the development of new medicines in Pakistan, are introduced.

Dr Siddiqui and other distinguished scientists who visited the Institute under the Tokten programme have provided very valuable services to the country and played pivotal roles in the genuine technology transfer in the field of science & technology.

Training of students by leading experts has not only introduced new disciplines in Pakistan but also helped in creating core group of experts in key area of science and technology.

Tokten programme is very cost effective to train scientists within the country than sending them abroad for such training.

It helps in stopping the brain drain and foster collaboration between national and expatriate Pakistani scientists.ÑAPP