4th STEP, a Beginning for a Change

03 Dec. 2018

Over 80 scientists from across the Islamic world are in Oman attending the fourth ‘STEP’, jointly organized by Mustafa Science and Technology Foundation and Sultan Qaboos University
(SQU).

Meeting internationally renowned scientist Prof Jackie Ying from Singapore, a celebrity in the world of science, an expert on nanotechnology and of course a Mustafa Prize laureate, meant it was time to understand that this technology is going to change how we perceive the field of medicine.

Nanotechnology is in the mainstream now from cancer treatments to cosmetics (!) that could fight wrinkles. It was amazing to touch the nano-sheet. The world is changing, the health challenges are different from yesteryears and so are the solutions too.

In other sessions of STEP, we listened to scientists talk about renewable energy. Also found out that the best thing that a common man could do is to save electricity. “Do we really need to have the air-conditioners this cold?” asked Shaukat Khan, previous Coordinator of OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH).

Energy, Water and Health; these are the main themes of STEP this year. Scientists in the 4th STEP say when they come together, they can make a change. And that’s the first step towards making our world better using science.

Request a scientist for directions and he is not going to tell you the fifth turn to your right. When asked for instructions a scientist advised, “Walkabout 100 meters and then to your right.”

In other words, even perceptions and descriptions vary when it comes to scientists. When we complain about mood swings and stress, scientists are busy with what they love – their passion to discover and invent!