Symposium on “Research and Development Funding Opportunities for ICT Industry and other Stakeholders”

Islamabad, February, 16, 2009:  National ICT R&D Fund organized a Symposium on “Research and Development funding opportunities for ICT Industry and other stakeholders”. The symposium was held for industry representatives and academicians stressing the need for conceiving innovative ideas and developing proposals in the field of Information and Communication Technologies and how they could avail funding opportunities from National ICT R&D Fund. The theme of this symposium was to bring together experts from a variety of fields to promote knowledge and research in ICTs in order to provide funding opportunities for concrete R&D proposals.

Mr. Hifz-ur-Rehman, Federal Secretary, Ministry of IT & Telecom was the chief guest on this occasion. In his address to the audience, he emphasized the importance of knowledge economy and its four pillars with special focus to its significance in developing countries.

Dr. Qasim Sheikh, CEO, National ICT R&D Fund highlighted the need to initiate thematic initiatives for Centers of Excellence and creation of value chain through research and development with  joint collaboration of academia and industry. He drew attention to the fact that innovation and problem solution through research in ICTs can lead to wealth generation.

On this occasion President of P@SHA Ms. Jehan Ara addressed the audience recognizing and acknowledging the significant contributions in the domain of ICTs in Pakistan by young entrepreneurs. She emphasized that Pakistan has a great potential for growth in Information and Communication Technologies and presently this industry stands at $ 2 billion and has a potential to grow manifolds in the future.

The ceremony was concluded by presenting souvenirs to the Federal Secretary of IT & Telecom and President of Pakistan Software Houses Association for IT & ITES. The symposium offered a platform to share experiences, exchange information and open new horizons to shape the future of ICT industry in Pakistan.