Speakers

Manzoor Hussain Soomro

Place of Birth : Pakistan
Born : 1957
Position : Founder President of ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF), Pakistan
Field of study : Agriculture-Biology, Environment, Plant Protection
H. Index : 11

Prof. Dr. Manzoor Hussain Soomro is the Founder President of ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF)- a Specialized Agency of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), which is a 10- country Inter-governmental Organization. He is Member of Governing Board of the International Science, Technology and Innovation Centre for South-South Cooperation under the auspices of UNESCO (ISTIC), Kuala Lumpur- Malaysia, Member of Governing Board of Isfahan Regional Center for Technology Business Incubators and Science Parks Development (IRIS) under the auspices of UNESCO, Isfahan, Iran, Member of Global Council of the Inter-Academy Partnership Science Education Programme (IAP SEP), Member of International Advisory Board of La main a la pate Foundation of France, Founding Member of the Asian Innovation Forum and founding Member of Asian STI Think Tanks Network (ASTN) based at Seoul, South Korea. He is also the Founder Fellow and Council Member of the Academy of Engineering and Technology of the Developing World (AETDEW), Chief Editor of Pakistan Journal of Nematology and Regional Editor (West & Central Asia) of the Journal of Science, Technology Policy Management.

Dr. Soomro has an experience of over 38 years in; science, technology research, policy management, and science education; science, engineering, technology and innovation (SETI) capacity building. Previously, he has been Chairman of Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF), Director General of Pakistan Scientific and Technological Information Centre (PASTIC), DG of Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH) Islamabad and Professor of Plant Protection at Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam. Dr. Soomro has also served FAO of the United Nations as an Expert and Country Officer/National Coordinator for Pakistan of the FAO-EU Cotton IMP for Asia for over four years.Dr. Soomro is a proponent of Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE) and learning approach across the educational systems and human development, especially at schools, and promotes science education at grass root levels not only in the ECO region but also at global forums. He has developed numerous programs for international cooperation. Dr. Soomro in collaboration with UNESCO and FIEAP is promoting Standardization of Engineering Qualification and Accreditation in the ECO Region

He earned his Ph.D. in Crop Protection from the University of Reading- England in 1987. 

In recognition of his contributions for the promotion of science education cooperation between Pakistan and France, the French Republic bestowed upon him their erstwhile Civil Award “Order of Academic Palms” in 2013. The award was originally instituted in 1808 by Napoleon Bonaparte.

Professor Soomro so far has to his credit, 6 industrial patents, 9 gene sequences, numerous science documentaries and 193 publications of various nature, including; books & book chapters.

Currently the President of Economic Cooperation Organization Science Foundation (ECOSF), has been Chairman of Pakistan Science Foundation, Director General of Pakistan Scientific and Technological Information Centre (PASTIC), Director General of Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH), Chief Scientific Officer in PSF and Country Programme Leader/Coordinator of the Integrated Pest Management Programme for Cotton in Asia of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations.