The four-day 16th International Symposium on Natural Product Chemistry (ISNPC-16) commenced on Monday at the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi (UoK). The event was inaugurated by Prof Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), with the participation of around 60 scholars from over 29 countries and 400 scholars from Pakistan.
The inaugural ceremony, held at the Prof. Salimuzzaman Siddiqui Auditorium (ICCBS), was attended and addressed by key figures, including Prof Dr Khalid Mehmood Iraqi, Vice Chancellor of the University of Karachi; Prof Dr Atta-ur-Rahman, Professor Emeritus and former Federal Minister for Science and Technology; Prof Dr Farzana Shaheen, Director of ICCBS; and Prof Dr Syed Ghulam Musharraf, ISNPC Organizing Secretary.
In his address, Prof Dr Mukhtar Ahmed emphasized the role of science in serving humanity, urging researchers to work toward solutions that provide relief to the common man. He also highlighted ongoing HEC initiatives, including investments in cutting-edge tools and technologies in Pakistan’s higher education sector. He noted the establishment of two state-of-the-art data centers at the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, and NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi.
Additionally, he mentioned HEC’s ongoing efforts in strategic research, quality assurance, IT advancements, and industry-academia collaboration. He emphasized the commission’s commitment to enhancing quality education, research, and digital infrastructure across affiliated institutions.
Prof Dr Khalid Mehmood Iraqi underscored the importance of scientific research in addressing societal needs. He stressed the significance of preserving medicinal plants and urged relevant authorities to implement measures preventing their depletion. He also expressed his appreciation to all national and international delegates for their participation in the symposium.
Delivering a comprehensive lecture on “Some Advances in Higher Education, Science, Technology, and Natural Products Chemistry,” Prof. Dr Atta-ur-Rahman highlighted Pakistan’s rising global research ranking and increased citation rates. He called for greater investment in scientific research to position Pakistan competitively on the international stage.
Prof Dr Farzana Shaheen, in her welcome address, acknowledged the contributions of all attending scholars and highlighted ICCBS’s international recognition as a UNESCO Center of Excellence, WHO Collaborating Center, and OIC Center of Excellence. She credited the Higher Education Commission and the Government of Sindh for their continued support in fostering research and innovation at ICCBS.
Prof. Shaheen also emphasized the vital role of the Sindh Forensic DNA and Serology Laboratory (SFDL) at ICCBS in aiding criminal investigations and justice delivery. She noted that DNA evidence from SFDL has played a crucial role in both convicting criminals and exonerating the innocent.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof Dr Syed Ghulam Musharraf, expressing gratitude to all participants and stakeholders for making ISNPC-16 a successful academic gathering.