In a major boost to academic research in Pakistan, the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) at the University of Karachi (UoK) has inducted 174 students from 17 universities nationwide into its BS/MSc Thesis Support Program.
The program, which aims to enhance research capabilities and academic growth among undergraduate and master’s students, officially launched during a ceremony held at the UNESCO Chair on Medicinal and Bioorganic Natural Product Chemistry, located within ICCBS.
Speaking at the inauguration, Prof Dr Muhammad Raza Shah, Director of ICCBS and UNESCO Chair Holder, congratulated the newly inducted scholars. He emphasized that the initiative is designed to improve the student research experience and foster a culture of scientific excellence. “Youth are the true wealth of Pakistan,” he said. “With strong academic foundations, they have the potential to transform the country’s future.”
Dr Shah added that participants in the program would have access to state-of-the-art laboratories and infrastructure at the center, providing them with an environment comparable to leading international institutions.
Prof Dr Syed Ghulam Musharraf highlighted the program’s structure, noting that it will run for 6 to 12 months and cover diverse fields such as Organic, Analytical, Physical, Inorganic, and Applied Chemistry; Textile Chemistry; Biochemistry; Biotechnology; Physiology; Microbiology; Genetics; Pharmacology; and the emerging area of Artificial Intelligence in Health Sciences. He stressed the opportunity for scholars to work under expert mentors and publish in high-impact journals.
Dr Reaz Ud Din, Coordinator of the UNESCO Chair, underscored the center’s commitment to fostering collaborative research. Since its establishment in 2019, the UNESCO Chair has played a pivotal role in advancing scientific partnerships at both national and international levels.
The Thesis Support Program is seen as a step toward building a more research-driven academic culture in Pakistan and preparing the next generation of scientists and innovators.
