4th STEP wraps up with a Closing Ceremony

04 Dec. 2018

After three days of hot discussions among 80 scientists on Water, Energy and Health, it's time for farewell.
The MSTF Representative, Rassoul Dinarvand, announced the final statement of the fourth STEP.  He said based on extensive discussions during the sessions about the R&D status in their respective institutions, following observations and recommendations were made to further enhance scientific and technological collaboration among Islamic countries and beyond.
1. To establish an online hub as an enabling platform for Science and technology collaboration networking, data sharing and dissemination of information.
2. To create an endowment with a purpose to fund activities that go above and beyond the present level of competence such as supporting exceptional scholars, productive researchers and new initiatives.  It is envisioned that this will have high priority projects.
3. Sharing of research and R&D infrastructure.
4. To support scholarship programs jointly funded by institutions and MSTF.
5. To promote public awareness and knowledge promotion in Islamic countries
6. To establish an international advisory board for MSTF.
7. To promote gender balance and young scientists representation at meetings and research projects.
8. To support mentorship programs by leading scientists for young students.
9. To facilitate the translation of science and  technology for the benefit of the society.
The closing ceremony also presented the Award for young scholars for outstanding achievements. The winners are Jokha Abdullah al Kalbani for her PhD presentation in ICT, Amal Bati al Abri in ICT and Khadeeja Said al Rashdi in Physics.

Participants at the 4th STEP forum praised Mustafa Science and Technology Foundation (MSTF) and Sultan Qaboos University for organizing STEP and providing a chance for scientists from the Islamic world to come together and network for a better scientific future in Islamic countries.
STEP was launched in 2015 by MSTF as part of its plans to enhance collaboration among scientists. The event is held on an annual basis, but upon the request of Pakistan’s University of Karachi, an extraordinary round of STEP is scheduled to be held in Pakistan from February 27th to March 2nd next year.