Mrs. Mehtab Rashidi, Brigadier (R) Aamir Zahid Khan, Regional Director NUML and others speak at a ceremony on World Science Day at Sindh Agriculture University.
Tando Jam
Eminent writer, academician, and former member of Sindh Assembly, Mrs. Mehtab Akbar Rashidi has said that till now science has been used for defense purposes and survival in the world, the practical role of science for peace and welfare is questionable.
Stressing that the country’s education system needs improvement, she said that there is room for scientific research on economic conditions, climate change, and health issues.
She was speaking as a special guest at a ceremony on the theme of “Peace and Development” on the occasion of World Science Day, hosted by the Students Teachers Engagement Program (STEP) of Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) Tando Jam, at Dr. A. M. Sheikh Auditorium Hall, on Thursday.
She said that nature has given many signs and opportunities for science. When there was a fear of the world running out of energy reserves, the nature opened the way for solar energy from sunlight and wind energy from the air.
Mrs. Rashidi said that the developed as well as developing countries of the world use science to save themselves and survive, and such needs are the causes of inventions.
The educational institutions are actually centers of research, therefore the government, institutions and all stakeholders must take seriously the issue of education, she urged.
Brigadier (R) Aamir Zahid Khan, Regional Director of National University of Modern Languages (NUML) said that the world’s greatest scientific inventions and technologies were made for defense purposes, which later reached the common people.
He said that the engine of any vehicle was first prepared for a war tank, while countless things including information technology, wireless, and walkie-talkies were made only for war purposes.
He said that the United States still spends 45 billion dollars on military research, while the United Nations organizations that work for peace in the world also have their own army.
He said that in the present era wars have also become privatized and are being fought with scientific equipment and software through private contractors. He emphasized that the education should be promoted for peace in the world.
Dr. Jan Muhammad Marri, Pro Vice Chancellor, Sindh Agriculture University said in his address that many wars were fought in the world for religion and resources, now these wars are being fought using the science.
He said that the industrial expansion of developing countries has created problems like climate change and environmental degradation in countries like ours. He said that now education and research should be for peace.
Dr. Muhammad Ismail Kumbhar, Director, University Advancement and Financial Assistance said that climate change is a major problem in the world, and a global conference in this regard has started in Egypt, where global issues like food security and climate change are being discussed.
He said that Sindh Agriculture University has established an Agricultural Science Society and now also establishing Science Development Society.
Dr. Syeda Eram Shah, a renewed Social Activist said that not even 10% of the problems are being researched in the world, and exhorted that the research is needed in all fields in our country.
Dr. Mahmood Mughal, the Consultant to the Vice Chancellor for Media and Heritage said that the Sindh Agriculture University is building an agricultural museum, in which the scientific history of peace and wars will be preserved, including science and research history.
Dean Dr. Aijaz Ali Khoharo, Dr. Abdul Mubeen Lodhi, Dr. Imran Khatri, Wasif Pahwer and others were also present on this occasion. (PR)
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