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MINSK, 6 October (BelTA) – Pakistani scientists are interested in advancing cooperation with the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus in the area of biotechnologies and information technologies. The statement was made by Amin Badshah, head of the chemistry department at the Quaid-i-Azam University, Pakistan, during the first Belarusian-Pakistani scientific seminar on 6 October, BelTA has learned.

Amin Badshah said: “I hope the seminar will be successful and will facilitate further cooperation between our countries. If we talk about the most promising avenues of cooperation with Belarusian scientists, those are biotechnologies, chemistry, information technologies, and computer science. Apart from that, we should launch exchange programs for students soon.”

Sergei Kilin, Deputy Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, noted that the Pakistani side demonstrated genuine interest. About 20 scientists came to take part in the seminar and were holding negotiations on specific avenues. The visit will result in new projects, said the official. According to Sergei Kilin, the Pakistani scientists said they would like to visit the Academy’s United Informatics Institute and the Physics Institute. They also showed interest in biotechnologies. Apart from that, R&D projects for recycling industrial waste can be negotiated since industrial waste is a problem both in Belarus and Pakistan, said the official.

Sergei Kilin also noted that the possibility of joint funding for fundamental and applied research is under consideration. “Our side will be represented by the Fundamental Research Fund while theirs will be the Pakistan Science Foundation. It will be the first step in this direction,” said the Deputy Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

The first Belarusian-Pakistani scientific seminar is scheduled to take place in Minsk on 4-10 October. The administration of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus has invited a large number of scientists from Pakistan to participate in the seminar. Belarusian and Pakistani scientists are busy discussing promising cooperation avenues and are looking into ways to implement joint projects in the area of information technologies, physics technology, chemistry, Earth sciences, biological and medical sciences.