International Workshop on “Modern Research Techniques in Ecology” Concludes

5-day International Training Workshop “Modern Research Techniques in Ecology” was held on 16, April 2012. The workshop was jointly organized by Department of Animal Sciences Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), Pakistan Museum of Natural History, Pakistan Science Foundation and Snow Leopard Foundation Pakistan.

The objective of the workshop was to build capacity of the participants in designing ecological studies and analyses of simple to complex ecological data through different statistical models. The workshop also provided hands on training on modern data collection and data analysis techniques by using statistical software “R-Program”.

QAU, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Masoom Yasinzai, while addressing the inaugural ceremony said that there is an urgent need to enhance our capacity to investigate biodiversity resources scientifically and integrate them into our economic development. “By ratifying international treaties, Pakistan has taken on the responsibility of incorporating principles of ecologically sustainable development into national policies and legislation and this workshop will defiantly help us for meeting such challenges” said Dr. Masoom.

Dr. Ali Nawaz, focal person and organizer of the conference, in a detailed presentation briefed the audience about historical background and development of Ecology and its importance in world politics.

He said that throughout history humans have demonstrated innate curiosity and desire to understand their relationship with other creatures. Ecological thinking at some level has been around for a long time, and the principles of ecology have developed gradually, closely intertwined with the development of other biological disciplines. He emphasized the need to organize international training workshops on modern research techniques regularly at the universities. “Such events would provide a unique opportunity of interaction with specialists and foreign experts to young scholars and students” said Dr. Ali Nawaz.

Resource persons of the workshop include the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Norway’s Dr. Richard Bischof, Snow Leopard Trust, USA, Science and Conservation Director Dr. Charudutt Mishra, University of Siena, Italy’s Prof. Sandro Lovari, Snow Leopard Programs, Panthera, USA Executive Director Dr. Tom McCarthy, Oryx-The International Journal of Conservation, Fauna and Flora International, Cambridge, UK Editor Dr. Martin Fisher, QAU Department of Animal Sciences Dr. Muhammad Ali Nawaz and PMNH Zoological Sciences Division Director Dr. Muhammad Rafiq.