ISLAMABAD: Chairman Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), Dr Raja Ali Raza Anwar, on Saturday urged young scientists of Pakistan to become creators of technology rather than mere consumers of innovations developed elsewhere, saying sustained investment in science, research and human resource development was vital for the country’s future competitiveness.
He was addressing the closing ceremony of the 51st International Nathiagali Summer College (INSC) on Physics and Contemporary Needs, which concluded after two weeks of scientific deliberations on emerging frontiers of science and technology.
Organised by PAEC from July 6 to 18, the Summer College brought together leading scientists, researchers and young scholars from Pakistan and other countries to exchange knowledge and explore emerging technologies shaping the future.
Dr Raja Ali Raza Anwar said the world was passing through a defining technological transformation driven by artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology and clean energy technologies. He said nations were now competing through ideas, innovation, talent and technology instead of natural resources alone.
The Chairman said Pakistan possessed the talent, institutions and determination to emerge as a knowledge-producing nation capable of developing indigenous technologies and contributing solutions to global challenges.
He said the International Nathiagali Summer College had, for more than five decades, played a vital role in nurturing a scientific culture by connecting young researchers with world-renowned scientists and promoting innovation, collaboration and critical thinking. He noted that many former participants were now serving in leading research institutions, universities, industries and strategic organisations.
Dr Raja Ali Raza Anwar said this year’s academic programme focused on technologies directly relevant to Pakistan’s future, including Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Advanced Manufacturing Techniques, Nuclear Techniques in Agriculture and Biotechnology, Nuclear Techniques in Health and Environment, and Advances in Plasma Science and Fusion Technology.
He said these emerging fields would strengthen industrial competitiveness, enhance food security, improve healthcare, protect the environment and support future energy solutions.
The Chairman said the themes of the Summer College complemented the Government of Pakistan’s Uraan Pakistan initiative, which envisioned sustainable economic growth through innovation, digital transformation, industrial modernisation and investment in human capital. He said platforms such as INSC contributed to the national mission by developing highly skilled scientists and strengthening Pakistan’s innovation ecosystem.
Highlighting the international dimension of the programme, he said the Summer College generated meaningful outcomes beyond the lecture hall by opening new avenues for prospective collaboration with the Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, China, in agriculture and biotechnology.
He said technical meetings with distinguished international faculty also explored opportunities for joint research, technology development and long-term institutional cooperation, further strengthening Pakistan’s scientific diplomacy and international partnerships.
This year’s Summer College brought together 45 distinguished scientists from 20 countries, while around 300 selected participants attended the programme in person. Hundreds more joined virtually through live streaming facilitated by the Higher Education Commission (HEC).
Reaffirming PAEC’s commitment to the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology, Dr Raja Ali Raza Anwar said the Commission continued to contribute to Pakistan’s socio-economic development through clean nuclear power generation, comprehensive cancer care delivered by its nationwide network of 21 Atomic Energy Cancer Hospitals, development of improved crop varieties for enhanced food security, and advanced research in artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, advanced materials and semiconductor sciences.
Addressing young scientists, the Chairman urged them to treat the knowledge gained during the Summer College as the beginning of a lifelong journey of discovery and innovation. He said Pakistan’s future would be shaped by those who had the vision and determination to create new knowledge, develop indigenous technologies and transform innovative ideas into practical solutions.
Congratulating the organising committee, international faculty, partner institutions and participants on the successful conclusion of the Summer College, the Chairman expressed confidence that continued investment in scientific research, innovation and human resource development would enable Pakistan to play an increasingly important role in shaping future technological advancements.
In his address, Member Science PAEC, Dr Shakeel Abbas Rofi, said the event was organised to explore the emerging needs of Pakistan. He said new courses related to health and environment were added along with emerging technologies, Artificial Intelligence and the use of nuclear techniques in agriculture to achieve food security.
“Lively discussions over tea, technical meetings, curiosity of the participants and generosity of the faculty in answering those curiosities remained the signature note of the INSC-2026. We were successful in transforming scientific meetings into scientific communities and long lasting partnerships,” Dr Shakeel Rofi said.
He especially thanked Chinese and Malaysian experts for their contribution to opening new avenues of cooperation with Pakistan in agriculture, environment, isotopic hydrology and fuel cell technology. He also thanked Dr Gerd Helmer from Medical University Vienna for extending complimentary access to Pakistani research institutes to his AI lab on radiotherapy.
Earlier, Scientific Secretary INSC, Dr Rahat Ullah, briefed the participants on the key themes of the College and the achievements made during the two weeks of interactive sessions.
A poster competition was also held and evaluated by an expert panel comprising foreign faculty. The first prize was won by Ms Salka Javed from Islamic International University Islamabad for her poster on water quality. The second prize went to Ms Rubab Mansoor from Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad for her work on the effects of microplastics on the environment in Northern areas, while the third prize was bagged by Ms Amina Zakaullah from COMSATS University Lahore.
At the end of the ceremony, Chairman PAEC Dr Raja Ali Raza Anwar distributed prizes among the winners of the poster competition and presented commemorative shields to national and international faculty members.
