After mutual consultations  and due deliberations , SASSI University and PNS finally agreed to consolidate their bilateral cooperation through an MoU, which was signed between the two parties on 15th March 2021.

The signing ceremony was held in the committee room of PAEC Rest house in Islamabad. Speaking on the occasion, the PNS President, Dr. Imtinan Elahi Qureshi, reiterated the resolve of PNS Council to enter into partnerships with various NGOs, think-tanks and University departments engaged in strategic studies related to nuclear issues. He pointed out that the strength of the Society lies in the huge amount of nuclear technology experience of its members, many of whom constituted the vanguard of Pakistan’s nuclear journey. The knowledge and experience of these elite scientists and engineers has been under-represented in discussions on strategic matters and policy making. The strengths of institutions like SASSI University in terms of education, research, communication experience and media resources offer enormous opportunities of synergy with technical know-how of PNS membership. The representative of the SASSI University, Brig (R) M. Mehboob Qadir, Director Research, emphasized the need to counter anti-Pakistan narratives generated under the guise of ‘academic’ briefs  by fake or genuine international think-tanks.  This can best be done through well researched reports prepared jointly by experts of social sciences and natural sciences. He informed the participants about the wide spectrum of strategic themes being pursued by SASSI scholars. He agreed with Dr. Qureshi that the MoU between the two academic bodies will benefit both and serve Pakistan’s interests better.

The two sides have agreed to undertake the following joint activities:

  1. To organize joint webinars on topics of common interest, mainly peaceful applications of nuclear technology with due consideration of national and international safety and security framework;
  2. To undertake research and publish policy papers on implications of adopting or avoiding the use of nuclear energy, radiation sources in medical diagnostics and treatments, GMOs, etc.;
  3. To prepare content for on-line educational material pertaining to nuclear and allied disciplines for general public, students and professionals;
  4. To jointly organize short courses aimed at building communication capacities of pure science researchers;
  5. To organize briefing sessions for bureaucrats, diplomats, politicians, and journalists for comprehensive elaborations on topics of national interest having complex scientific underpinnings.

The signing of MoU was witnessed by Dr. Muhammad Mohsin, General Secretary PNS, and SASSI team members; Mr. Saeed Mullah and Ms. Erum.

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