Use of scientific knowledge stressed to help society

KARACHI- Karachi University Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Khalid Mehmood Iraqi has emphasized the need to apply scientific knowledge to help society, and said that research for the sake of research isn’t ethically sound.

The higher prevalence of diseases in the country has become a major problem, which needs to be addressed at the earliest, he said, adding that the first International Conference on “Pharmacology & Allied Sciences will address critical issues of national importance in the fields of pharmacology and allied disciplines.

He was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the first International Conference on “Pharmacology & Allied Sciences (ICPAS 2024)”, held in the Prof. Salimuzzaman Siddiqui Auditorium, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi (UoK). The Department of Pharmacology, University of Karachi, has organized the two-day science conference in collaboration with the ICCBS, University of Karachi. Around 300 scholars, including researchers from five countries, Sweden, Iran, UK, Oman, USA, are participating in this international event, while the participation of foreign scientists is online.

Among others who spoke included Prof. Dr. Muhammad Harris Shoaib, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Karachi, Prof. Dr. Farzana Shaheen, the Director of the ICCBS, University of Karachi, and Dr. Afshan Siddiq, the conference chair, and Chairperson of the Department of Pharmacology.

Prof. Khalid Iraqi said that the higher prevalence of diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease in the country had become a major problem, which needs to be addressed at the earliest. He urged Pakistani scientists to come forward and apply scientific knowledge to help society. He pointed out that research for the sake of research isn’t ethically sound, and added that research can play a vigorous role in our lives, from healthcare and education to technology and social policy.

Prof. Khalid Iraqi appreciated the efforts the Department of Pharmacology made in organizing such a useful international conference, and hoped that this conference would address critical issues of national importance in the fields of pharmacology and allied disciplines. Scientific events like this conference foster a dynamic environment for the exchange of ideas and the exploration of recent advancements in science and education, he said

Prof. Farzana Shaheen, highlighting a few significant features of her center, mentioned that ICCBS is one of the premier research establishments in the developing world. The center has the single largest doctoral program in the country, showing that the international center is a unique example of a public-private enterprise, which is a beacon light for others to follow, she said.

Talking about the Industrial Analytical Center (IAC), she said that IAC is a commercial entity of the H.E.J Research Institute of Chemistry, University of Karachi, which offers a range of professional analytical and consultancy services to more than 600 industries, and other private and public sector organizations.

Prof. Harris Shoaib congratulated the faculty members of the Department of Pharmacology, especially the Chair, for holding such an important scientific conference to promote the importance of pharmacology and giving a chance to interact with leading scientists to present their work in Pharmacodynamics, Clinical Pharmacology, and Toxicology.

Dr. Afshan Siddiq said the primary objective of this conference was to create a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange and innovation in the field of pharmacology. The conference aims to bring together researchers, scientists, and professionals around the world to share knowledge, ideas, and innovations in pharmacology and allied sciences, she said.