PABIC-ICCBS-COMSTECH Winter Internship Program 2025 Concludes Successfully in Karachi
In a significant boost to scientific education in Pakistan, the month-long PABIC–ICCBS–COMSTECH Winter Internship Program for Youth 2025 has concluded successfully in Karachi. The program saw the participation of 34 BS and MS students who received intensive hands-on laboratory training at the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi.
Program Overview and Objectives
Funded by OIC-COMSTECH, the Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, this initiative aimed to promote multidisciplinary research while enhancing awareness and appreciation of modern sciences at both local and OIC levels. The internship was initiated by the Pakistan Biotechnology Information Centre (PABIC) under the project titled “Dissemination of Information, Raising Awareness and Capacity Building about the Application of Modern Biotechnology in OIC Member and Observer States.”
Diverse Participation from Across Pakistan
The participants represented a wide range of educational institutions from various regions of Pakistan, including:
- University of Karachi
- Jinnah University for Women (Karachi)
- University of Turbat (Balochistan)
- University of Peshawar
- Dow University of Health Sciences
- University of Sindh (Jamshoro)
- NED University of Engineering and Technology
This diverse participation underscores the program's national reach and its commitment to fostering scientific talent across Pakistan.
Certification Ceremony and Key Addresses
At the certification ceremony held at the LEJ National Science Information Center, Director ICCBS Prof. Dr. Muhammad Raza Shah emphasized the program's core objective. He stated that the main aim was to motivate students and prepare them for real-world work environments with practical skills. Prof. Shah highlighted ICCBS as one of the largest research establishments in the country, renowned as a leading center of excellence in chemical, biological, and biochemical sciences, and a hub for training scholars from various countries.
Coordinator General OIC-COMSTECH Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, in his address, encouraged participants to learn the ethics of both life and science. He stressed the importance of soft skills and adaptability to stay relevant in their respective research fields. Prof. Choudhary added that excellence has no shortcut and can only be achieved through hard work and continuous learning, reinforcing the program's commitment to holistic development.
Impact and Future Implications
The successful conclusion of this internship program marks a pivotal step in building scientific capacity among Pakistani youth. By providing hands-on training in state-of-the-art laboratories, it equips students with the necessary tools to contribute to Pakistan's scientific and technological advancement. The emphasis on multidisciplinary research and modern science awareness aligns with global trends and positions participants for future success in their academic and professional careers.
