Pakistan Academy of Sciences

Pakistan Academy of Sciences
Name	Pakistan Academy of Sciences
Formation	1953
Founder	Abdus Salam, Salimuzzaman Siddiqui
Type	National academy
Headquarters	Islamabad
Location	Pakistan
Leader title	President
Leader name	I. H. Qureshi

Pakistan Academy of Sciences is the premier learned society for natural and applied sciences in Pakistan, established to promote scientific research, advise on science policy, and recognize scientific excellence. It was founded by leading scientists including Abdus Salam and Salimuzzaman Siddiqui and has engaged with national and international bodies such as the UNESCO, Royal Society, and Academia Sinica. The Academy fosters links with universities like Quaid-i-Azam University, University of the Punjab, and Aga Khan University and research institutes including Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, National University of Sciences and Technology, and COMSATS.

History

The Academy was formed in 1953 with key figures like Abdus Salam, Salimuzzaman Siddiqui, P. C. Dutta, Rahimuddin Khan, and Khawaja Zaman participating in foundational meetings. Early collaborations connected the Academy with International Council for Science, Royal Society, Institute of Physics, and regional bodies such as Indian National Science Academy and Bangladesh Academy of Sciences. During the 1960s and 1970s the Academy interacted with institutions like Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, KARACHI Nuclear Power Plant, Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, and hosted delegations from Soviet Academy of Sciences and China Academy of Sciences. In later decades the Academy advised ministries including Ministry of Science and Technology (Pakistan) and partnered with World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and Commonwealth Science Council.

Organisation and governance

The Academy is headquartered in Islamabad and governed by an elected Council with offices such as President, Vice-Presidents, Secretary, and Treasurer; leadership has included eminent figures formerly associated with Quaid-i-Azam University, Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, and National Defence University. Administrative functions coordinate with national agencies such as Higher Education Commission (Pakistan), Pakistan Science Foundation, and provincial universities including University of Karachi, Lahore University of Management Sciences, and University of Peshawar. The Academy maintains international liaisons with the Royal Society, National Academy of Sciences (United States), Academia Sinica, and regional networks like InterAcademy Partnership.

Membership and fellows

Fellowship is conferred upon distinguished scientists and technologists including fellows from institutions such as Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Aga Khan University, and Allama Iqbal Open University. Notable fellows have included Abdus Salam, Atta-ur-Rahman, Pervez Hoodbhoy, Salimuzzaman Siddiqui, and members who served at Quaid-i-Azam University, University of the Punjab, and National University of Sciences and Technology. Election to fellowship recognizes contributions in areas linked to institutes like Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology, International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences, and HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry. The Academy also elects foreign fellows from organizations such as Royal Society, National Academy of Sciences (United States), Indian National Science Academy, and Academia Europaea.

Programs and activities

The Academy runs programs to support researchers from universities like University of the Punjab, University of Karachi, Quaid-i-Azam University, and technical institutes such as NED University of Engineering and Technology and Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology. Activities include policy advice to bodies like Ministry of Science and Technology (Pakistan), capacity-building workshops co-organized with UNESCO and UNDP, and collaborative projects with World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization. The Academy facilitates science diplomacy engagements with China Academy of Sciences, Royal Society, and German Research Foundation and supports young scientists through schemes linked to Higher Education Commission (Pakistan) and regional networks including South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. It also partners with research centers such as Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources and National Institute of Oceanography.

Publications and conferences

The Academy publishes proceedings, policy briefs, and monographs referencing research from Pakistan Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research, Journal of the Chemical Society of Pakistan, and universities including University of the Punjab and Quaid-i-Azam University. It organizes national and international conferences, symposia, and workshops with participation from institutions like Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences, COMSATS, Royal Society, Academia Sinica, National Academy of Sciences (United States), and regional partners including Indian National Science Academy and Bangladesh Academy of Sciences. Conferences have covered themes linked to Nuclear Institute for Food and Agriculture, Heinrich Böll Foundation collaborations, and health topics involving World Health Organization representatives.

Awards and recognitions

The Academy confers medals, lectureships, and prizes to scientists affiliated with Quaid-i-Azam University, University of Karachi, Aga Khan University, and research organizations such as Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission and International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences. Notable awards have honored work in fields represented by fellows like Abdus Salam, Atta-ur-Rahman, Pervez Hoodbhoy, and recipients connected to HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry and Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology. The Academy’s recognitions are sometimes coordinated with institutions such as Higher Education Commission (Pakistan), Pakistan Science Foundation, and international bodies including Royal Society and InterAcademy Partnership.

Category:Scientific organisations based in Pakistan Category:National academies of sciences