Horizon 2020 would provide funds amounting to 300 to 400 million dollars to Pakistani researchers for assistance in their respective research, said Steafano Gatto, Deputy Head of Delegation of European Union in Pakistan. He said this while speaking at a seminar on 'Horizon 2020, jointly organised by European Union Delegation to Pakistan, Pakistan Science Foundation and University of Karachi, here on Wednesday.
"Research and scholarly work in University of Karachi is commendable and indeed Pakistan is producing internationally-acclaimed researchers," Gatto said. He said that science and technology have no borders besides Europe has the most powerful system of integration. He congratulated Pakistan Science Foundation for organising this seminar while thanked University of Karachi for hosting this programme. These programmes would also be organised in different other cities of the country as they are very vital in guiding the researchers and providing them new horizons, he added.
Vice Chancellor KU Professor Dr M. Qaiser said that research grant from European Union would assist the researchers and it would provide uncounted opportunities of sustainable development in the field of science and technology in Pakistan. Professor Dr M. Ashraf said that Pakistan Science Foundation was founded in 1973 as per Pakistani parliament Act and providing funding to research institutions of Pakistan. "The basic aim of PSF is to promote and popularize science. Science and technology is the key to development in every walk of life. This grant of Horizon 2020 is highly competitive and open for all," he added.
Denis Dambois European Union Counsellor, Scientific Affairs based at New Delhi office India while addressing through video link emphasised on the dire need of innovative research for the developing nations. Europe is a highly-diversified region and has the largest number of researchers in the world. 1/3 of the production of Science and technology is produced by Europe alone.
"This 7 years programme of Horizon 2020 is open for all individual researchers from all countries. European Union is working in collaboration with Pakistan in this regard and 402 Pakistani students, 10 scholars have got grants from the European Union, which is highly appreciable and commendable," he said.