Tehmina stresses for trained, competent manpower for industrialization
By Hina Kiyani

ISLAMABAD—The Federal Minister for Science and Technology Mrs. Tehmina Daultana has urged upon the need for an indigenous supply of highly trained and competent manpower for industrialization and development of the country.
She made these remarks while speaking at the 13th meeting of the OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation as the Head of the Pakistan Delegation here on Tuesday.
She said that the goal of a developed, industrialized, just and prosperous nation through rapid and sustainable development - in a resource-constrained economy - can be achieved by an indigenous supply of highly trained and competent manpower and development of indigenous technology.
She said that we need to encourage the best and the brightest to a career in teaching and research to bridge the gap between the requirement and current availability of highly trained professional in various fields.
The Minister appreciated various initiatives taken by the Ministry so far on international cooperation in the field of science and technology and extended her cooperation to any other OIC member state with the inclination to share their experiences with Pakistan.
She said that indicators such as three-fold increase in the research publications from Pakistan in international journals, increase in R&D expenditure to 0.37% of GDP (2006), and in the number of researchers per million population, that now stands at 155, up from 85 in 2001 - give satisfaction that we are on the right track.
Meanwhile, on the sidelines, she had an exclusive meeting with the delegation of Iran headed by Dr. Mohammad Mehdi Zahedi, Minister for Science Research and Technology and plans to meet more international delegations in the days to follow.