Science and research are not merely a collection of instruments, data, and experiments, but rather an effective means of understanding nature, unveiling its hidden secrets, and discovering the fundamental laws of the universe.
KU advances physics education, research, technology for national progress
KARACHI, Oct 07 (APP): Science and research are not merely a collection of instruments, data, and experiments, but rather an effective means of understanding nature, unveiling its hidden secrets, and discovering the fundamental laws of the universe.
Scientific research begins with questions, curiosity, and observation, and through evidence, analysis, and experimentation, humankind strives to comprehend unknown realities. These views were expressed by the Chairman of the Department of Physics, University of Karachi, Professor Dr Intikhab Ulfat.
He expressed these views while addressing the inaugural session of the two-day Frontiers of Physics National Symposium on Modern Trends in Physics Research, jointly organized by the Karachi Physics Society and Pakistan Physical Society and hosted by the KU Department of Physics at the department’s auditorium.
Dr Intikhab Ulfat said that even phenomena that appear trivial in the universe hold extraordinary importance from a scientific perspective. The advancement of human knowledge is in fact the result of continuous questioning, research, and discovery, while modern scientific instruments and technology have enabled humans to observe and analyze phenomena that were once considered inaccessible.
He further said that nature does not always answer our questions in the same language in which we ask them; sometimes its responses appear in the form of sounds, signals, vibrations, or waves, which require modern instruments and scientific technology to interpret.
According to him, for centuries, humans have raised fundamental questions such as: What are matter, energy, time, and space? These very questions have laid the foundation of physics and other scientific disciplines.
He added concepts such as gravity, light, the interrelationship of time and space, atomic spectra, and quantum mechanics, which have given new dimensions to human understanding of the universe.
In particular, the discovery of gravitational waves is a major achievement of modern physics, through which it has become possible to trace the effects of colossal cosmic events such as the collision of black holes millions of light-years away.
Dr Intikhab Ulfat observed that language and culture are also vital means of connecting human societies and bridging different civilizations and intellectual traditions. Knowledge and research are continuous processes, where the answer to one question gives rise to many new questions.
According to him, the true spirit of science lies in the relentless quest to make the unknown known, to derive conclusions based on evidence, and to discover the hidden truths within the complex system of the universe.
The KU Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Professor Dr Muhammad Haris Shoaib said that in the present era, the field of physics has achieved extraordinary progress and its scope is continuously expanding.
He added that in Pakistan, especially at the university level, adequate investment and provision of resources for the promotion of physics education, research, and modern technology is the need of the hour.
He said that physics is not confined merely to fundamental scientific research, but its practical applications hold significant importance in medicine, pharmaceutical sciences, biophysics, and other scientific fields.
Professor Dr Muhammad Haris Shoaib informed the audience that in pharmaceutical sciences, principles of physics are utilized in capillary systems, capsule filling, compression processes, and other technical stages, while modern software and computational technology have also created new possibilities for research in this field.
He stated that in developed countries, large-scale investment is being made in research on physics and related modern technologies; therefore, Pakistan must also promote research and development in this field to play an effective role in the process of global scientific advancement.
Another speaker, Dr Afzal said that even in the rapidly advancing era of Artificial Intelligence the importance and utility of physics remain intact, and this discipline will continue to play a fundamental role in scientific and technological progress.
He said that the notion of artificial intelligence completely dominating humans is incorrect, because human consciousness, intelligence, and decision-making hold their own unique significance.
He urged students to choose their educational and research fields according to their interests, abilities, and inclinations, and to harness their talents with hard work, dedication, and determination, so that they may not only secure their own successful future but also bring honor to the country and nation.
Earlier, Symposium Secretary Dr Muhammad Khalid said that this symposium provides an effective platform for modern research, scientific progress, and intellectual exchange in various branches of physics.
He mentioned that this symposium features the exchange of research ideas in high-energy physics, computational physics, condensed matter physics, plasma physics, biomedical physics, energy and environment, and other advanced fields.
