ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF), Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) and Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO) have joined hands to improve livelihood of the people through collaborative programmes. The MoU of this partnership will be signed shortly among both the partners to carry forward this initiative.
The decision to this effect was taken in a meeting of PSF Chairman Prof. Dr. Manzoor H. Soomro and SPO Chief Executive Mr. Naseer Memon here the other day at PSF. PSF Member Science Dr. Khalil Ahmed Ibupoto, Member Finance Mr. Rizul Islam and Chief Scientific Officer Ms Farhat Rajpar were also present. They discussed in detail a number of joint ventures including identification of core areas for mutual cooperation, initiation of inquiry-based science education under Pak-French joint programme La main a la pate for girls, arranging trainings and workshops for capacity building of the poor and rural communities for their improved livelihood.
PSF and SPO mutually agreed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would be signed shortly. Ms Isma Sana, Programme Specialist, SPO and Mr. Abdul Rauf, Senior Scientific Officer (SSO), PSF were nominated as focal persons to liaise for finalization of the MoU and chalking out mutual activities. Joining hands by PSF and SPO will be a good example of public-private partnership for poverty eradication and socio-economic development of the country through non-formal science education and capacity building.
PSF established in 1973 through an act of National Assembly and working under the Ministry of Science and Technology is a premier agency for the promotion and funding of scientific research and popularization of science in Pakistan. It undertakes a number of science popularization activities including science caravans (mobile science exhibitions), establishment of science centers, museums, herbaria and planetaria, strengthening of the laboratories of the government high schools in rural areas, organization of science and technology fairs and expos, preparation and distribution of science posters for schools, organizing science poster, essay and quiz competitions, holding popular science lectures, donation of popular science magazines and scientific books to schools, universities and research and development organizations and teacher training workshops on inquiry based science education.
SPO is a non-profit company registered on January 15, 1994. SPO has diversified to cover the emerging issues in the particular socio-economic and political context of Pakistan. Currently, SPO’s core areas are democratic governance, social justice and peace and social harmony. In addition, SPO has a component of special projects that deals with disasters and emergency situations, such as earthquake in Azad Kashmir, floods in Pakistan and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Human rights lies at the heart of SPO’s core programme of democratic governance, social justice and peace and social harmony in society. The core programme aims at nurturing democracy, justice and peace in the state and society through capacity building, action research, awareness raising, advocacy, policy dialogue, dissemination of information and literature, mobilization of communities, developing partnership with local organisation and encouraging and supporting peace movements.
