ISLAMABAD: The Chinese government is particularly welcoming entrepreneurs, scientists and researchers from Pakistan to make use of their facilities.
In this regard, a Pakistani delegation comprising of university faculty members, researchers and science media persons are currently visiting various emerging metropolitans and Hi-Tech industry focused provinces of China. The two weeks visit is expected to illicit opportunities for scientific and technological cooperation, and infrastructural support that China has evolved in recent years to build a startup culture for young entrepreneurs.
International Cooperation in Science and Technology is the cornerstone of the knowledge economy in China, said Ms. Zeng Xiaopeng, Director, International Cooperation Division, Zhejiang Provincial Science and Technology Department, China.
The visit is part of the efforts of the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad for promoting people to people level contact between the citizen of China and Pakistan, particularly in the context of developing sustainable linkages between the research communities of both countries.
Dr. Rashida R. Zohra who is also part of this delegation appreciated the government policies of the Chinese Government which have created a conducive environment for research and development and its translation into commercial products. Dr. Rashida is serving Director, Office of Research Innovation and Commercialization at Jinnah University for Women, Karachi.
Dr. Zaffar Mehmood, Associate Professor Forman Christian College, Lahore said that the experience is immensely useful in enhancing his knowledge on how to create ecosystems that brew entrepreneurship. He said that the visit moved him to build more cooperation with the Chinese scientists who are also innovating remarkably in his area of research and development.
“This visit is also very helpful for Pakistani students, scientists and businessmen to have their startup companies incubated in China due to very strongly connected support system and relevant industry in China and overseas”, told by Dr. Abdul Hakim Shah, Assistant Professor/Director ORIC at Khushal Khan Khattak University, Karak.
Dr. Mehmood Khwaja, Advisor Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Islamabad said that this visit not only did his overview about his subject area improved, but also helped him identify opportunities of trade with the Chinese which he would carry back to his institution.
Dr. Barkat Ali Khan, Lecturer, Gomal University, D.I. Khan said that the visit helped him connect to various research resources housed in the technology parks working in the areas of traditional Chinese and complimentary medicine.
“COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) has immensely increased cooperation with Chinese Universities in recent years. One part of my effort during the visit is to gain new ideas for enhancing the incubation centre of CUI as well as identify futuristic ideas for cooperation in various areas with Hi-Tech Parks of China”, said Mr. Abdul Majid Qureshi, a representative of COMSATS University, Islamabad.
A hallmark of the development is its consideration of an eco-friendly China, which forms an essential component of the scenic beauty of Chinese Industrialized National Indigenous Innovation Development Zones (NIIDZs). The Chinese government is also committed to preserving cultural and historic heritage for future generations which is a role model for other developing economies of the Eastshared Ms.Hina Baloch, a science media expert.
China is home to several international cosmopolitan cities which have intensely industrialized under the open policy framework of the current Chinese Government. In addition to Beijing, Shenzen, Guangzhou, and Shanghai, the Chinese government plans to develop Jinan, Nanjing, Hangzhou and Wuhan so as to distribute the benefits of its knowledge economy, said Sayyed Paras Ali, Editor Technology Times, who is leading the delegation. Further he said, that he is extremely optimistic that the One Belt One Road initiative will open up several new in-roads for cooperation along the silk route.
The delegation is expected to visit more NIIDZs in Wuhan and Technology Transfer Facilities in Beijing before returning to Pakistan on Friday.
The science and technology parks all across China are established to help boost the economy and are gearing up for achieving ambitious targets laid down in their 50:50 Plan and 3315 Program. The philosophy is centered on and concept 3.0 i.e. support at the spiritual and intellectual levels in addition to solutions and infrastructural support for young entrepreneurs to startup.
A Pakistani delegation visiting various emerging metropolitans and Hi-Tech industry focused provinces of China. The two weeks visit is expected to illicit opportunities for scientific and technological cooperation, and infrastructural support that China has evolved in recent years to build a startup culture for young entrepreneurs.
The delegation earlier visited National Indigenous Innovation Demonstration Zones (NIIDZs) in Jinan, Nanjing, Hangzhou, and Ningbo, which are the entrepreneurial hubs of different Chinese provinces. The delegation was shown tech-giants like HK Vision, H3C and Bio-Club which are working to develop and successfully market hi-tech electronics, big data, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security and IoT systems as well as implementing Smart City projects across China.
Published in Daily Times, December 8th 2018.