Pakistan Media Practitioners Trained on Science Communication

Pakistan Biotechnology Information Center (PABIC) and International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) organized a skills development session for print and electronic media practitioners focused on the theme, "Science and Society - Science Communication and Public Engagement" on October 19, 2016. The seminar was addressed by Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman FRS, (the patron-in-chief of ICCBS, former chairman higher education commission and the federal minister for science and technology), PABIC Director and ICCBS Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Professor Dr. Shakil Farooqi, (Department of Genetics, University of Karachi), Mr. Nizam-ud-Din Siddiqui (senior journalist and sub-editor, Daily Dawn, Karachi), and Dr. Sardar Nazish (chairman, Department of Media Studies, Jinnah University for Women, Karachi). The event was attended by more than 250 journalists and representatives from the mass communication department of different universities.

The senior journalists and scientists said that political and security issues are covered more extensively in important pages of newspapers while very little space is given to science, health, and even education news reports. They emphasized that leaders and politicians need to be informed about the significance of science and technology via print and electronic media and for effective communication. Thus, journalists and scientists need to learn science communication skills.

Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman, FRS who delivered a talk on the "Wondrous World of Science" said that PABIC is playing a pivotal role in dissemination of knowledge to the public regarding biotech applications. He mentioned several examples of biotech discoveries related to health and agriculture that can serve towards better economy and if to be utilized effectively in Pakistan.

For more information about biotechnology in Pakistan, visit the PABIC website.