ISLAMABAD, Jun 09 (APP):International cooperation in science, technology and innovation (ST&I) took centre stage in Surabaya, Indonesia, during the 26th meeting of the Coordinating Council of the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS), hosted by the COMSATS Centre of Excellence, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS). The meeting brought together representatives from COMSATS Centres of Excellence across Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East, …
COMSATS Coordinating Council meets in Indonesia, elects new Chairperson
ISLAMABAD, Jun 09 (APP):International cooperation in science, technology and innovation (ST&I) took centre stage in Surabaya, Indonesia, during the 26th meeting of the Coordinating Council of the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS), hosted by the COMSATS Centre of Excellence, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS).
The meeting brought together representatives from COMSATS Centres of Excellence across Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East, along with international partner organizations, including UNESCO, UNOSSC, South Centre was the election of Prof. Dr. Jibin Sun of China as the new Chairperson of the COMSATS Coordinating Council.
He succeeds Prof. Dr. Ashraf Shaalan of Egypt, who completed his third term in office, said a news release.
In his farewell remarks, Prof. Shaalan highlighted the significant progress achieved by COMSATS in recent years under the leadership of Executive Director Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Nafees Zakaria, including expanded scientific cooperation, strengthened international engagement and the revival of COMSATS Internet Services (CIS). He stressed the importance of fully utilizing the COMSATS Network of Centres of Excellence through collaborative research, technology sharing and capacity-building initiatives.
Addressing the Council, the newly elected Chairperson Prof. Jibin Sun described COMSATS as a vibrant platform with global outreach and emphasized its potential to deliver tangible benefits of science and technology to member states through enhanced cooperation among Centres of Excellence.
Executive Director COMSATS, Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Nafees Zakaria, paid tribute to the outgoing Chairperson and welcomed Prof. Sun, an accomplished biotechnology scientist with more than 100 patents and 150 publications to his credit.
He underscored the crucial role of science, technology and innovation in addressing development challenges across COMSATS member states and called for stronger intra-COMSATS collaboration.
He highlighted several COMSATS initiatives, including the COMSATS Joint Centre on Industrial Biotechnology, electric vehicle programmes, nanotechnology laboratories, data centre-based internet services, telehealth clinics and other innovative projects.
He also pointed to COMSATS’ growing international recognition, reflected in its observer status with the UNFCCC and expanding cooperation with international partner organizations.
The Consul General of China reaffirmed his country’s support for COMSATS and its commitment to sharing technological expertise with developing countries under the framework of South-South cooperation.
ITS Rector Prof. Dr. Bambang Pramujati highlighted the university’s active role within the COMSATS network and expressed readiness to further collaborative research and capacity-building initiatives. He said hosting the Council meeting would help lay the foundation for future partnerships among member institutions.
During the technical sessions, the Executive Director presented COMSATS’ Activity Report, while heads and representatives of Centres of Excellence shared updates on their activities and collaborative projects. The Council reviewed ongoing programmes and discussed future priorities for scientific and technological cooperation.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Ambassador Dr. Zakaria and Director General of TIB China, Prof. Hua Xiang, signed a renewal agreement for the COMSATS Joint Centre on Industrial Biotechnology (CCIB). Prof. Jibin Sun was also appointed Director of CCIB for the next five years.
The participants were later hosted at a dinner reception by Dr. Emil Elestianto Dardak in honour of the delegates attending the Council meeting.
