Science Diplomacy
Science Diplomacy Initiative
Cognizant of the potential of science diplomacy to advance Pakistan’s national interests and participate effectively in the global science and technology ecosystem, the Ministry launched its Science Diplomacy (SD) initiative with the designation of a Focal Point (Science Diplomacy Division) to act as a liaison between national science and technology (S&T) stakeholders and international partners.
Figure: Research and Development at NRTC, Pakistan
Efforts under the SD initiative have already started to bear fruit in the shape of signing of MoUs between Pakistani universities and high-ranking foreign universities, increasing post-graduate science scholarships for Pakistani students and engaging various international scientific partners.
Figure: Laboratories at Punjab Forensic Agency, Punjab
Ministry’s SD initiative focuses on thematic areas, institutions, and country-specific collaborations to provide direction to our science diplomacy agenda. Furthermore, a special focus has been laid on leveraging science diplomacy to implement Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), all of which have a strong science and technology component. Key international and local actors have been identified to increase our capacity, S&T collaboration potential and participation in large-scale scientific projects. This will build on our existing SD arrangements with key organisations in Pakistan and globally.
Figure: Four Nuclear Power Plants at Chashma
The Science Diplomacy initiative of the Ministry is being pursued in close coordination and collaboration with the concerned public and private sector entities which are relevant to the implementation of SDGs. Accordingly, the Ministry is continuously engaged with relevant stakeholders in planning and carrying forward the SD initiative in a manner to maximize synergies.
Objectives
Diaspora Outreach Research and Innovation Network
Portal Registration Form
A portal is being initiated which will include a survey of basic questions that will help the Ministry to identify specialized clusters of S&T professionals among our global scientific diasporas, which can be mobilized as a knowledge community to further Pakistan’s national interests in S&T diplomacy. The network will include researchers, scholars and practitioners in STEM and humanities areas.
Queries related to the Ministry’s Science Diplomacy initiative and portal may be directed at: sciencediplomacy@mofa.gov.pk
Special Issue on “Science Diplomacy Perspectives”
The contours of technology and diplomacy are evolving at a rapid pace, which have the potential to help address global challenges and offer new engagement pathways. The field of science diplomacy is also gradually thriving in the midst of these latest science-policy-society interactions. One of the objectives of the Ministry’s Science Diplomacy Initiative is to enable interdisciplinary experts and policy practitioners to provide perspectives about ongoing developments at the cross-section of scientific developments and international relations. With this pretext, in partnership with COMSTECH and other knowledge partners, the Science Diplomacy Division is launching its inaugural open-access peer-reviewed special issue on ‘Science Diplomacy Perspectives’.
We welcome manuscripts on various aspects of science diplomacy including but not restricted to the relevance of science policy interactions in international scientific cooperation, attaining sustainable development, historical case studies, South-South Cooperation, science diplomacy in handling pandemics/ attaining health security, impact of new and emerging technologies, science in the Muslim World, rendering science advice and STEM popularization.
We encourage manuscripts from scientists, policy makers, scholars and researchers across the globe, but will encourage submissions from the Global South.
Acceptable Manuscripts:
- Research-based Articles (up to 3,000 words)
- Perspective/ Practitioner’s Articles (up to 1,500 words)
- Manuscripts will follow Chicago Manual of Style for their citations
- Submission Period: July – October 2021
- Tentative Publication: December 2021
Editorial Assistance: COMSTECH and the Particle Editorial Team (SSBASE, LUMS) will help with peer review process of the publications. Other guest editors will be invited as well as per number of submissions.
To submit: Send the manuscript as a word attachment to sciencediplomacy@mofa.gov.pk with “Special Issue-Science Diplomacy” as subject. Queries can also be sent at the same email.
Queries related to the Ministry’s Science Diplomacy initiative and portal may be directed at: sciencediplomacy@mofa.gov.pk
