ISLAMABAD: The 57 members of The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) with a population of 1.6 billion had 70 percent of world energy resources; 40 percent of natural resources, but the collective GDP of these countries ($4.7 t) was less than that of Japan ($4.8 t).
While the contribution of OIC was only 8 percent towards world GDP while 40 percent of the population were living below poverty level.
This was stated by Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC), Dr. Javaid R. Laghari while interacting with Education Attaches of OIC member states which was organized by Academics Division HEC here.
Dr. Laghari informed that the Muslim World of 1.6 billion inhabitants has produced only two Nobel Laureates in Chemistry and we spend 0.81 percent GDP on Research and Development, about one third of world average.
He also shared some of success stories of OIC countries in higher education sector i.e Saudi Arabia's KAUST, opened in 2009, has an $20b endowment with world's leading faculty and global collaboration, Qatar bumped up Research and Development spending from 0.8 percent to a planned 2.8 percent of GDP and could reach $5 billion a year.
Similarly, Turkey's research spending increased by 10 percent each year between 2005 and 2010 and research is on the rise as Scimago forecasts that by 2018, Iran will be 4th, Malaysia 13th, Turkey 18th, Pakistan 27th, Egypt 40th and Saudi Arabia 43th in the number of scientific publication worldwide.
He also underlined the importance of acquisition of Science and Technology knowledge for promotion of creativity, innovation and indulge in technology based entrepreneurship as we now live in an increasingly competitive, technologically complex, and knowledge intensive global economy, he remarked.
Executive Director HEC, Prof.Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed highlighted the achievements of the country in higher education sector and informed that Vice Chancellors Forum 2013 of OIC member states would be organized on 23-24 September 2013 at Islamabad.
The purpose of this important activity would be to provide a platform to the university leaders in the OIC member states in forging linkages for initiating joint programmers, promoting research, pooling resources, offering scholarships, promoting exchange of students, establishing Centre of excellence.
He was of the view that through collaborative efforts and availing one another experience/expertise in the fields of higher education and Science and technology, the OIC countries can work for welfare, progress and prosperity of Muslim Ummah.
Earlier, Director General Academics Division HEC, Fida Hussain welcomed the diplomats from OIC countries.
The diplomats appreciated contribution of Pakistan in the field of higher education sector and assured their cooperation in organizing Vice Chancellors Forum 2013 at Islamabad.
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