The inauguration session of the nineteenth International Symposium on Material Science at the National Centre for Physics in Islamabad announced the establishment of the Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan Institute of Material Sciences at Quaid-i-Azam University. The new centre, to be set up under the PSDP, is described as a modern research hub designed to advance materials research and foster homegrown scientific talent.
Officials said the A Q Khan Institute will be a cornerstone of the government’s Udaan Pakistan vision, aiming to convert scientific capability into economic transformation. Planned initiatives include fellowship programmes for young scientists, industry-linked PhD schemes and international research partnerships to ensure Pakistan’s annual 25,000 STEM graduates gain world-class skills and employment-ready expertise.
Speakers emphasised that effective collaboration between the public and private sectors, industry and academia is essential. They urged that Pakistan’s manufacturing centres evolve into research and innovation hubs rather than remaining mere assembly units, underscoring the need for closer ties between universities and industry to drive commercialization of research.
The A Q Khan Institute was presented as a symbol of a new scientific dawn for Pakistan, promising to build national confidence, nurture scientific leadership and create sustainable prosperity for future generations through focused investment in research, education and industry partnerships.
