Briefing on Activities of Pakistan Science Foundation PAKISTAN

Briefing on Activities of Pakistan Science Foundation

PAKISTAN SCIENCE FOUNDATION 1 - Constitution Avenue, G-5/2, Islamabad

Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) Ø Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) was established in 1973 through an Act of the Parliament. It works under the administrative control of Ministry of Science & Technology (Mo. ST). Ø Similar types of Foundations/organizations including US National Science Foundation, UK Foundation for S&T, Indian Science & Technology Department, Chinese National Natural Science Foundation and many more are working for promotion of Science and Technology all over the world.

Main Objectives Ø Promotion and funding of scientific research and related activities having bearing on socioeconomic needs of the country. Ø Popularization of science for the development of science culture in society.

Policy Guidelines PSF takes guidelines from the following major documents/sources: Ø PSF Act 1973 by the Parliament. Ø Directives from the Ministry of Science and Technology. Ø Policy Documents of Government of Pakistan including National Science Technology and Innovation Policy 2012.

Some Policy Actions Ø “To significantly enhance the research funding role of PSF in direct support of projects, which have been thoroughly vetted by experts and deemed to have significant effect on national economy”. [STI Policy 2012, P-9] Ø “Strengthening PSF programs and Outreach for effective dissemination of information evoking public interest in science through, inter alia, science caravans and exhibitions”. [STI Policy 2012, P-23]

Subsidiary organizations of PSF are; § Pakistan Scientific & Technological Information Centre (PASTIC), Islamabad § Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH), Islamabad

Organizational Chart Ministry of Science & Technology Pakistan Science Foundation Executive Committee Science Wing Chairman Board of Trustees Admin Wing Pakistan Scientific & Technological Information Centre (PASTIC) Finance Wing Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH)

Statutory Functions (1) The Foundation functions as the financing agency for: I. The promotion of basic and fundamental research in the universities & other institutions on scientific problems relevant to the socio-economic development of the country; Major Achievements i. Almost all Universities and R&D organizations of the countries are undertaking a large number of scientific research projects funded by PSF. ii. Brief of Research Projects (Province-wise) iii. Major S&T disciplines funded by PSF are, Agriculture Sciences, Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, Chemical Sciences, Physics, Engineering, Medical Sciences, Environment, Earth Sciences and Computer Sciences. Contd…

Standard Procedure for Project Funding by PSF Principal Investigators Review at PSF Review By Subject Expert Technical Committee (10 -12 Scientists) PSF Executive Committee Funds Released Monitoring & Evaluation (6 -monthly & Annual Progress Reports) Prescribed Form

Statutory Functions II. Establishment of comprehensive scientific and technological information and dissemination centres; Major Achievements i. PASTIC National Centre, QAU, Islamabad ii. Pakistan Museum of Natural History, Islamabad iii. PSF Science Centres, Science Caravans, and PASTIC Sub Centres at i. Faisalabad ii. Lahore iii. Karachi iv. Quetta v. Peshawar vi. Muzzafarabad (AJK) vii. Sukkur viii. Tandojam ix. Jaffarabad (Establishment of Science Centres in Gilgit-Baltistan is underway) Contd…

Statutory Functions III. The utilization of the results of scientific and technological research including pilot plant studies to prove the technical and economic feasibility of processes found to be promising on a laboratory scale. Major Achievements i. PSF undertakes R&D Projects in collaboration with Universities, Chamber of Commerce and Industries for proper utilization of the research findings. Brief of the some R&D Projects. Contd…

PSF Model for Industrial Research Projects Identification of Project Concept -Chambers -Industry (Public/Private) -Seminars/Workshops -Institutions/Professionals Initial Analysis Identification of Researcher Preparation of the Project -Academia -R&D Institutes -Researcher/Scientist Review -PSF/Experts Funding -PSF/NSLP/Industry

Statutory Functions IV. the establishment of science centres, science clubs, museums, herbaria and planetaria; V. the promotion of scientific societies, associations and academies engaged in spreading the cause of scientific knowledge in general or in the pursuit of a specific scientific discipline or technology in particular; Contd…

Statutory Functions VI. the organizations of periodical science conferences, symposia and seminars; During 2013 -14, PSF provided partial financial assistance for 42 Science Conferences/Seminars and training workshops. Detail of the conference. VII. the exchange of visits of scientists and technologists with other countries; Contd…

Statutory Functions VIII. the grant of awards, prizes and fellowships to individuals engaged in developing processes, products and inventions of consequence to the economy of the country; PSF support scientists, technologist, research scholars and young students to develop invention-innovation culture in the country. Invention-Innovation Summit is organized in collaboration with Universities and local Industries. During 2013 -14, the Summit was inaugurated by Honorable Mr. Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Planning & Development. The Summit provides a great forum to the Inventors and Innovators to share their products and procedure with the Industry. Prizes are also awarded to the outstanding participants. Contd…

Statutory Functions IX. special scientific surveys not undertaken by any other organization and collection of scientific statistics related to the scientific effort of the country; PSF also provide funds to the Scientists for any scientific survey required for research study etc. Contd…

Statutory Functions (2) the Foundation shall also: - i. review the progress of scientific research sponsored by PSF and evaluate the results of such research; Evaluation and Monitoring Procedure to review: i. Review of progress reports by PSF Scientists ii. Evaluation of progress reports by Subject Experts iii. Assessment of progress reports by the Technical Committees iv. On-Site monitoring of projects by Experts/PSF scientists

Statutory Functions (2) the Foundation shall also: - ii. maintain a national register of highly qualified and talented scientists of Pakistan, including engineers and doctors; Ø PSF has the highly qualified and talented scientists as the Members of its Technical Committees. Ø At present, there are more than 450 Scientists on PSF panel as subject experts or members of its technical committees.

Statutory Functions (3) the Foundation shall also: - iii. Establish liaison with similar bodies in other countries. At present PSF is actively working for various collaborative projects and activities with a number of international organization including National Natural Science Foundation, China; European Union; Paris Academy of Sciences; Centre Science, France; Natural History Museum, Paris; UNESCO, US Department of Agriculture, British Council, ECO, The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), Turkey and many others. Details

Research Support Programme 1. PAK-US NSLP Endowment Fund: Natural Sciences with focus on Agriculture and Related Disciplines. PSF with support of US Department of agriculture is operating an Endowment fund for promotion of Agricultural Sciences. (Prescribed Form) Details of the NSLP funded Projects

Achievements/Performance (2009 to 2014) A. Research Funding B. Research Support (Other Activities) C. Science Popularization Activities Contd…

Network of PSF/PASTIC/PMNH (Head Offices) Peshawar Muzaffarabad Islamabad PASTIC Sub Centres (06) Science Caravan Units (09) D. I. Khan Planned new locations of Science Caravan Units Quetta Faisalabad Bahawalpur Jaffarabad Sukkur Karachi Tando Jam

Summary Statement (Non-Development Budget) (Rs. in Million) Year Approved Expenditure Statutory Admin 2009 -10 109. 000 45. 400 63. 600 2010 -11 146. 085 69. 430 76. 650 2011 -12 153. 000 55. 000 95. 000 2012 -13 153. 000 40. 550 112. 450 2013 -14 149. 271 23. 929 125. 342

Utilization of Budget 180 160 Rs. In Million 200 140 Total 120 100 Admin. Exp. 80 60 Statutory Exp. 40 2008 -09 2009 -10 2010 -11 2011 -12 2012 -13 2013 -14

Budget Comparison with International similar Organizations Sr. Organizations No Year (US $ /Million/Annum) 1. Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF), Pakistan 2013 -14 1. 50 2. Science & Technology Department, India 2012 -13 478 3. The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), Turkey 2010 -11 1186 The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NNSF), China 2012 -13 2800 US-National Science Foundation (US-NSF), USA 2013 -14 7000 4. 5.

Summary Statement (Development Budget-PSDP Projects ) (Rs. in Million) Year Approved Expenditure 2009 -10 4. 131 2010 -11 1. 120 2011 -12 3. 000 2012 -13 4. 500 2013 -14 5. 000 List of PSDP Projects

Funds from International Collaborations S. No Sponsoring Agency /Purpose Year Rs. Million 1. UNESCO MAB Program 2013 -14 7. 88 2. Pakistan National Commission for UNESCO (Strengthening of Science Centre) 2010 -11 1. 99 Embassy of France (Organizing Training Workshops for Teachers & Traveling Expo ) 2011 -12 1. 47 Embassy of France (Organizing Training Workshops for Teachers and Traveling Expo, IBSE) 2012 -13 2. 99 5. UNESCO, Islamabad (Popularization of Science at Grassroots level) 2013 -14 1. 27 6. Embassy of France (Traveling Expo – Training Workshop ) 2013 -14 0. 369 3. 4.

Future Plans Ø Strengthening of statutory functions (Project Funding/Science Popularization) Ø Enhanced Coordination with Chambers of Commerce & Industry for Applied Research Projects. Ø Establishment of five science centers in Bahawalpur, Tandojam, Khairpur, Lasbela, Mansehra (under submission) Ø Implementation of Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE) in Pakistan Ø Strengthening International Collaborations with TUBITAK, EU (Horizon 2020), UNESCO, TIKA. Ø Declaration of New Biosphere Reserves under UNESCO-MAB Program Ø Establishment of Pakistan Science Museum at Shakarparian Islamabad (allocation of land by CDA under process) Ø Implementation of National STI Policy 2012 § Strengthening PSF programmes and outreaches § Schemes for invoking interest in science at the very early age § Motivational programmes for students to engage in creative activities

Major Issues Ø Shortage of Non-Development Budget for statutory functions (47 projects could not be funded during FY 2011 -12, 2012 -13 & 2013 -14 due to shortage of funds) Ø Brain drain Ø Ban on fresh recruitments Ø Establishment of R&D Industry Endowment Fund

Some Pictorial Glimpses