This Science Communication initiative is outlined after detailed deliberations and discussions on the recommendation of the COMSTECH International Conference on Science Communication and Community Engagement Conference held from 1-3 February 2023, COMSTECH, Islamabad. The event was co-sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was attended by around 500 students, academicians, science communicators, and journalists.
The establishment of a Science Communication Advisory Committee – OIC COMSTECH will ensure the success and sustainability of science communication efforts for OIC member states. The role of a Science Communication Advisory Committee can vary, but generally, it is to provide guidance and advice in the implementation of the above initiatives. The committee should also review the impact of the initiatives, and develop new initiatives to strengthen existing programs. The committee may be composed of experts in science communication, journalists, educators, and scientists, with a range of perspectives and experiences in the field.
Patron:
Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhury, Mustafa (pbuh) Prize Laureate, H.I., S.I., T.I.
Coordinator General, COMSTECH
Coordinator:
Prof. Dr. Syed Javaid Khurshid, Consultant
Science Communication & Diplomacy, COMSTECH
Advisor:
Dr. Mahaletchumy Arujanan
Global Coordinator BioTrust
Preamble
To sustain the success of the recent COMSTECH’s International Conference/Workshop on Science Communication and Community Engagement, and expand similar efforts in this area to other OIC member states, it is proposed that COMSTECH outlines a series of science communication initiatives under the leadership of a Science Communication Advisory Committee.
Many OIC member states have excellent research capabilities
but lack an ecosystem for commercialization, and many others require stronger political will to strengthen their R&D. All of them need science-based policies and regulations, funding mechanisms, a strong technopreneur and startup culture, public acceptance of emerging technologies and more students pursuing STEM education. Strong science communication initiatives could build this ecosystem and COMSTECH could support this.