Making valuable links

When Pakistan was founded in 1947 it had just one university; teaching and research in chemistry was not significant and there were only a few small chemical industries. The situation now is very different. The country enjoys over 70 universities (in both the public and private sector) and chemistry is widely taught as a subject in schools, colleges and universities. Pakistan has world-renowned institutes of chemistry which are advanced technically and professionally.

As with many of the RSC's international activities, the enthusiasm and involvement of members based in the country led to the eventual formation of an International Section, established in Pakistan in 1963.
The activities of international sections are important in enhancing the profile of the RSC and help to promote chemistry on a global platform. They also allow the RSC to recognise and respond to the specific needs of the chemical sciences in that region.

Prof Dr C M Ashraf, secretary of the Pakistan section, appreciates the role the RSC can play in advancing the chemical sciences in his country: "Links with the RSC can help Pakistan in the spheres of chemicals, education, research and development. It also provides a platform for Pakistani scientists to exchange views, thoughts and experiences with other nations."

Ashraf believes that the future of chemistry in Pakistan is very promising. The establishment of chemical industries means there is now a greater need for teaching applied chemistry and the subject must be developed at all levels. "The mutual sharing of knowledge, through the RSC, can help enhance this potential."

One of the main activities of the section is to run conferences on important scientific issues. Last year the section held a series of national conferences in Lahore, in collaboration with the monthly environmental publication The Environ Monitor.

These conferences focused on the essential role of the chemical sciences on some of the issues closest to the social and economic needs of the nation: food quality, water supply and sustainable development, with emphasis on the social, environmental and scientific requirements of Pakistan.

The next national conference on "Impacts of the World Trade Organization on Chemical Industries" will be held on 15 March 2008 (see box below). 

Alongside these valuable conferences and seminars, the section also plans to develop chemistry laboratories and build on the research potential in schools, colleges and universities. In some institutions laboratories are either non-existent, or are considerably deficient in essential equipment.

Promoting chemistry in schools and universities and launching education and awareness initiatives across all sectors of the community is seen to be essential to the sustainable growth of the chemical industries within Pakistan. Ashraf also emphasises the importance of encouraging collaborations between universities and industry.

Ashraf would like to see the RSC investigate how it can provide support in these areas. He welcomes the valuable links forged with the RSC, however he believes that there are shortfalls in the provisions available to chemists in Pakistan and would be grateful for any additional assistance that the RSC can offer.