ISESCO Women in Science Conference on Contributions of Pakistani Women in Scientific and Social Development

ISESCO Women in Science Conference on Contributions of Pakistani Women in Scientific and Social Development
A one-day conference was organized on the international women’s day, Tuesday, 8th March 2016, by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) Women in Science Chair at the Department of Biochemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. The conference was organized to highlight the contributions of Pakistani female researchers in scientific and social development of the country.
The conference started with recitation of few verses from the Holy Quran. Prof. Dr. Bushra Mirza, the ISESCO Women in Science Chair, briefed the delegates about the objectives of ISESCO as an organization, and the idea of highlighting the achievements of female researchers. She briefed the audience of establishment of a dedicated ISESCO link on the Quaid-i-Azam University website (http://isesco.qau.edu.pk/); the site contains short profiles of the most productive female scientists of Pakistan. The site has been designed to facilitate interaction among the female scientists of the country. Speaking at the occasion, Prof. Dr. Anwar-ul-Hassan Gilani (SI), Chairman, Pakistan Council for Science and Technology (PCST), applauded the organizers on arranging this conference and bringing together researchers from very broad categories: Biological Sciences and its sub-disciplines, Natural Sciences and its sub-disciplines, and Social Sciences and its sub-disciplines. He also gave a brief introduction about PCST and the role PCST is playing in up-bringing the science and technology in Pakistan.
Speaking at the occasion, Prof. Dr. Rabia Hussain (Agha Khan University, Karachi; key-note speaker for the biological sciences session) highlighted important features of an international research program on infectious diseases, with a special focus on tuberculosis and leprosy. Prof. Dr. Bina Siddiqui (University of Karachi; key-note speaker for the natural sciences session) discussed her achievements on identifying and patenting natural products obtained from plant sources. Dr. Rubina Saigol (writer; key-note speaker for the social sciences session) deliberated the role which women researchers have played in developing the social sciences discipline.
The session was followed by the poster session and tea break. About 70 posters were at display, belonging to all three sessions of the conference. The poster presenters briefed the audience about their research.
The oral presenters included: Dr. Rani Faryal (Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad) and Prof. Nikhat Ahmed Siddiqui (Zia-ud-Din University, Karachi) to represent the Biological Sciences; Dr. Naveed Kausar Janjua (Quaid-i-Azam University) and Dr. Rumana Qureshi (Quaid-i-Azam University) to represent the Natural Sciences; while Dr. Naseem Razi (International Islamic University, Islamabad), Prof. Wasima Shehzad (Air University, Islamabad), and Dr. Yasmeen Maan (Lahore College for Women University, Lahore) represented the Social Sciences session. Dr. Aneesa Sultan of Department of Biochemistry served as the stage secretary. Prof. Dr. Bushra Mirza thanked the attendees. Certificates and shields were distributed among the presenters. The final session was followed by the conference lunch.