- Advertisement -
ISLAMABAD, Oct 27 (APP):Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Prof Ahsan Iqbal, on Monday, announced the establishment of the National Center for Advanced Materials at Quaid-e-Azam University, named after Pakistan’s eminent scientist, Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan.
He announced while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 19th International Symposium on Advanced Materials (ISAM-2025) held at the National Centre for Physics (NCP).
The five-day international event, organized by the Pakistan Advanced Materials Forum (PAMF), has brought together leading scientists, engineers, and researchers from across the world to discuss breakthroughs in materials science and engineering.
Prof Ahsan Iqbal lauded Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan’s contributions to making Pakistan self-reliant and praised PAMF for its three decades of scientific collaboration and innovation through the ISAM platform.
“For more than 30 years, this symposium has connected experts from around the world, promoted cutting-edge research, and helped build lasting scientific partnerships,” he said.
Highlighting the central role of materials science in global progress, the Minister noted that it drives advancements in clean energy, healthcare, environmental sustainability, and defense.
He emphasized that disciplines like physics, chemistry, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence are converging to develop next-generation materials that are stronger, lighter, smarter, and more sustainable.
Underscoring the importance of science and technology for national progress, the Minister stated,
“Science and technology are no longer optional—they are a strategic necessity. We must invest in research, train our youth, and build stronger links between academia and industry.”
He announced that the newly proposed National Center for Advanced Materials will focus on specialized research in aerospace, energy, defense, and other strategic industries.
The center will also promote applied research, technical training, and international collaboration.
Concluding his remarks, Prof. Iqbal said, “The real value of science lies in how it serves humanity. Let us translate knowledge into impact and innovation into shared progress.”
Earlier, President PAMF Mirza Rizwan Baig described ISAM as a platform for collaboration, innovation, and shared learning, transcending borders and disciplines.
He noted that since its inception in 1989, the symposium has been held every two years without interruption, reflecting Pakistan’s strong commitment to scientific advancement.
He also highlighted the parallel Technology Exhibition, RISE 2025, jointly organized by PAMF and the Institute of Space Technology (IST), which showcases cutting-edge innovations and connects researchers with industry partners to promote commercialization.
Rizwan Baig emphasized the transformative role of materials science, stating that it underpins innovations in every field—from clean energy and quantum computing to advanced healthcare and smart mobility.
He also pointed out how Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing materials research by enabling faster discovery and predictive modeling.
The symposium features over 20 international speakers from Russia, Malaysia, China, Indonesia, Turkey, and Norway, with more than 60 oral and 40 poster presentations scheduled over five days.
ISAM-2025 will explore frontier areas, including AI-driven materials research, additive manufacturing, and advanced
materials characterization, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to scientific excellence and knowledge-based industrial transformation.