CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) Task Force consisting of five expert members conducted virtual meeting with honorable Federal Minister for Science and Technology Mr. Shibli Faraz as part of the five-year review of Pakistan’s Associate Membership with CERN. Though Pakistan became an Associate Member of CERN in 2015, it has been contributing to CERN projects since 1994, with valuable contributions from local scientists, engineers, and technicians. The Minister thanked the Task Force members, on behalf of Government of Pakistan, for virtual meetings with different institutes and universities of the country. He appreciated the long-standing collaboration of Pakistan with CERN and particularly the increased cooperation after Pakistan attained the status of Associate Member. The minister said that Pakistan has a long history of research in elementary particle physics and has produced some renowned scientists in this field, including the Nobel Laureate Dr. Abdus Salam. He expressed that Pakistan has gained numerous benefits from Associate Membership of CERN; increased number of engineering contracts to support CERN programs which are beneficial for our industrial sector, human resource development and sharing of techniques and technology in key areas, and numerous other intellectual benefits. He said that the Ministry of Science and Technology is backbone for prosperity of Pakistan. Ms. Charlotte L. Warakaulle, CERN Director for International Relations and delegate for Belgium, further added that science ministries are particularly important for every country and should be made priority by all governments. CERN Task Force members appreciated the contribution of Pakistani engineers and scientists in CERN projects and suggested that Pakistan may support its students and researchers for PhD programs with CERN. The minister expressed that Pakistan is willing to welcome scientists and engineers from CERN to visit Pakistan for knowledge sharing and to improve R & D programs. To conclude, the minster thanked the Task Force members for devoting their precious time for meetings with different entities in Pakistan and proposed to hold such meetings on annual basis.
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