Editors’ Note: The Atlas project team is seeking examples of significant scientific or commercialisation accomplishments in Muslim countries that have received major international acclaim or achieved commercial success. Scientists and technologists are invited to send in their nominations by August 31st, 2010, at the latest. Details are included at the end of the article.
The Atlas is a study (Atlas Brochure) that will explore the changing landscape of science and innovation across a diverse selection of countries with large Muslim populations in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, including in-depth case studies of fifteen geographically and economically diverse countries. It aims to draw important cross-country conclusions to help national policy-makers, international stakeholders, and development planners to chart the way forward. Working closely with partners in each of these countries, the project will chart the delicate interplay between science, innovation, culture and politics, and explore new opportunities for partnership and exchange with the wider world.
The project is a true partnership between OIC family institutions and member countries and partners in Europe, Canada and the US. With oversight by the Secretary General of the OIC, Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, and jointly managed by the Royal Society and SESRIC in Turkey, this project draws upon a wide range of OIC institutions, local country partners, independent experts and other partners such as the COMSTECH, ISESCO, IDB, the British Council, IDRC (Canada), and Qatar Foundation. In that respect, the AIWSI project is an important example of how the West and the Muslim World can work together to achieve their common objectives of development.
Country Case Study: Pakistan
The Pakistan Case study of the Atlas Project has been launched in Nov 2009 and will conclude by December 2010. The Pakistan Case Study will look at the innovation landscape in Pakistan paying due emphasis to geographical as well as sectoral dimensions of innovation as well as other factors such as collaboration, people and diasporic interactions, and socio-cultural and economic factors affecting innovation. These Atlas studies build upon earlier work (here) carried out on other countries but also extend them as per the specific terms and conditions of the AIWSI project (e.g. Brazil, India and China).
Each country case study is led by a Country Leader Researcher from the Project’s International Research Team and supported by other members of the project office at Royal Society and SESRIC. This Lead Researcher works with a National Focal Point (a policy-making entity like a Ministry or relevant entity within the host country that takes on the role of the key “door opener” and supporter) and a National Research Partner (a non-for-profit university, think tank, or civil society organization with extensive links with relevant organizations and existing or potential research capacity to support the research work within country). One of the core elements of the Atlas programme is the desire to build local capacity to carry out research work of this nature and to help support the continuation of the research agenda through local ownership and capacity building.
Timeframe:
The Lead Country Researcher along with members of Royal Society Team carried out a scoping trip in November 2009. The study kicked off in December 2009. HEC was appointed as the National Focal Point in February 2010 followed with the nomination of LUMS as National Research Partner in May 2010. The final report will be released in December 2010 at the COMSTECH Science Ministers Meeting in Islamabad.
Call for Nominations for Research and Commercialisation Success Stories for Atlas of Islamic World Science & Innovation (Pakistan Country Study)
The Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) in Collaboration with The Royal Society (United Kingdom) is currently carrying out an exercise to document the state and promise of science and innovation across the Islamic World. This is a multinational effort funded by a number of international donors that seeks to bring visibility to Science in the Muslim World, identify pockets of excellence and good scientific practice, and hence promote greater scientific collaboration between OIC countries and between OIC Countries and the West. The Pakistan Atlas Study will be released in December 2010 at the COMSTECH’s Science Ministers Conference in Islamabad.
In addtion, the Atlas Project seeks to create national dialogues across the Islamic world on the importance of science and innovation in Muslim Societiesand thus lead to policy change and create better opportunities and environment for for research and research commercialisation. The project’s objectives and timelines are described below.
The Atlas Project Team comprising researchers from The Royal Society (UK) and the National Research Parter (Lahaore University of Management Sciences are seeking inputs on research and commercialisation success stories that the Principal Investigators believe are worthy of projection at the OIC and international level. In particular, we’re interested in examples of significant scientific or commercialisation accomplishments done for the first time in the Muslim Countries or the World and that have received major international acclaim or achieved commercial success.
Scientists and Technologists are invited to send in their nominations by August 31st, 2010 at the latest. Each nomination must include the following:
a) Name of the Principal Investigator and other researchers
b) Contact of the Principal Investigator (including mobile number and email)
c) Name and Contact of Foreign Collaborator (if any)
d) Research or Patent Abstract (or Brief Description of Commercialisation Activity)
e) Scientific Significance or Commercial Value of the Innovation (especially what has already been achieved)
d) Any external (third-party) validation of the work and conact information for the validator
f) Links to Published Work (or Patent) and Impact factor of the Journals where the work has been published
g) A Short Statement Outlining why you believe this work is worthy of show-casing Pakistan at an International level.
One individual may make more than one nominations although it is unlikely that both will be included. It is better to focus on your most significant work with greatest impact (or likely impact). The Atlas Team will evaluate the significance of each entry and will contact those they feel could be included in the Atlas Report.
These entries may be sent to: athar.osama@gmail.com and zahoor@lums.edu.pk
Dr. Athar Osama
Visiting Fellow, Pardee Centre, Boston University,
Country Lead Researcher – Pakistan
Atlas of Islamic World Science and Innovation (AIWSI)
Dr. Zahoor Hassan
Professor, SDSB, Lahore University of Management Sciences
Co-Principal Investigator – Pakistan
Atlas of Islamic World Science and Innovation (AIWSI)