Interaction among the scholars of the Islamic world

05 Mar. 2019

MSTF Media reports:

Shaghayegh Haghjoo, Chair of the scientific committee of the 5th STEP, hosted by the University of Karachi, Pakistan said: “One of the important goals of the 5th STEP is to provide a good platform to increase interaction among scientists. The criteria for the selection of guests at the STEP5 include several aspects. Considering that well-known scientists of the Islamic world gather at the meetings, scientific capabilities of these scientists are very important; therefore, the first indicator for confirming and selecting them is the level of their capabilities and scientific indicators.”

Referring to the scientific evaluation index for specialists, she continued: “Theme of STEP5 meeting was health, including different dimensions that cover the categories of communicable and non-communicable diseases, in three areas of prevention, diagnosis and treatment. We review the experts’ conditions based on their scientific level and their contribution to the production of science and technology development.”

She further noted: “One of the important goals of the 5th STEP was the development of interactive platforms in scientific communities and giving opportunities for more scientific activities. Scientists and leaders of recognized science and technology organizations in the international arena will together with other actors in the field of science and technology, exchange views on science, technology and innovation in order to promote the general level of welfare of human societies.”

The Chair of the scientific committee of the fifth STEP in the Islamic countries stated: “According to the Mustafa Science and Technology Foundation (MSTF) plans, STEP meetings were scheduled to take place annually; however, this year, the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), the Karachi University of Pakistan, requested to host the STEP. Since it has a proper scientific level to host the program, we decided to organize it to be held in Pakistan.

She added: "The documents published among the Islamic countries of the world contain challenges to the Islamic world. There have been studies in this area and the STEP4 in Oman also had the same approach and focused on the same challenges in the field of water, health and energy. In this regard, SREP5 also focuses on health.”

This is while, Outstanding scholars from 23 countries, including Bangladesh, Denmark, Egypt, Germany, Indonesia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, Yemen, Singapore, Iran, Pakistan and other countries of the world took part in the event.

The secretary of the 5th meeting of STEP in the Islamic countries said that meeting topics and panels have been anticipated to on health, adding: "The criteria for meetings and conferences, with regard to the challenges of the Islamic countries and the expertise of the Center The chemistry and biotechnology (ICCBS), along with the field of activity at the meeting, was the discussion of communicable and non-communicable diseases in the three areas of prevention, treatment and diagnosis that the activities of similar international organizations, including the World Health Organization.”

Referring to the processing of selecting the topics for panels, she stated: “The theme of the panels was based on the challenges in the Islamic countries and panel members invited according to the subject and scientific backgrounds; in fact, in the field of communicable and non-communicable diseases, we examined what challenges exist, the most important ones, and the future approach in these areas. And eventually the experts at the meeting discussed the issues.”

"We had a major topic at the meeting, that was ​​health, which, in this regard, addressed the main challenges of the Islamic world, and we looked at its future solutions, which are recognized as important. Experts also worked together to present their latest scientific findings and provide solutions,” she continued.

The secretary of the 5th STEP in the Islamic countries, pointed out that the discussion of drugs and their preference were also issues that were considered with respect to host capacities and expertise of the attendees, with the emphasis on the role of women scientist in science and technology ecosystems. This session was focused on the contribution of women scientists of the Islamic world to the topic of the meeting. Considering the constructive role of women in the Islamic world led to a greater presence of women, with the background and desire of the ICCBS Center to empower women and youth in this regard. This approach led the participation of influential women making up half of the attendees at STEP5.

The activities of the Mustafa Science and Technology Foundation in the framework of the STEP forum has interested organizations like UNESCO, the ECO Foundation, Iranian Vice-Presidency for Science and Technology, Pakistan’s Ministry of Health, the Pardis Technology Park, the Institute for the Future’s Strategic Policy and Analysis, University of Karachi, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), and the Punane Institute of Pakistan, Parto Danesh Institute, Pakistan Pharmaceutical Package SEARLE and Ali Baba Airlines Agency, which participated in this conference as meeting supporters to increase its effectiveness.