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ISLAMABAD, Nov 13 (APP): In a powerful address that drew over 200 international participants, one of the world’s leading public health researchers delivered a compelling blueprint for building scientific resilience in developing nations, emphasizing that the next pandemic response depends on investments made today.
Prof Dr Quarraisha Abdool Karim, FRS, President of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) and a globally acclaimed expert in infectious disease research, headlined the OIC-COMSTECH webinar on “Building Resilient Research Institutions to Undertake Impactful Science: Experiences from South Africa” on November 12, 2025.
Drawing from three decades at the frontlines of HIV and TB research, Prof Abdool Karim painted a stark yet hopeful picture: research institutions in low- and middle-income countries must be fortified now to avert future health catastrophes.
Her message resonated with urgent clarity-local leadership, sustained investment in research infrastructure, and cultivation of the next generation of scientists are not merely academic priorities but matters of survival.
“Science saves lives, but only when we invest in the institutions and people who make it possible,” Prof Abdool Karim’s presentation demonstrated, showcasing how South Africa’s decades-long commitment to building research capacity enabled the country to mount a swift and effective response during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The distinguished scientist illustrated the powerful translation of laboratory discoveries into life-saving policies and practices that protect vulnerable populations.
Her examples from HIV and TB research provided a masterclass in how strategic scientific investment creates ripple effects that transform entire health systems.
Prof Dr M Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General of OIC-COMSTECH, underscored the webinar’s significance, stating that collaboration among OIC member states represents the pathway to building scientific institutions capable of addressing shared challenges through innovation and technology.
The session, organized by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation, attracted participants from numerous regions and countries, reflecting growing international recognition that scientific resilience knows no borders.