Islamabad, January 23, 2016 (PPI-OT): Prime Minister of Pakistan visits the European Centre for Nuclear Research (CERN) and lauds efforts of Pakistani Scientists. Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif visited the European Centre for Nuclear Research (CERN), one of the foremost international centres of scientific research. During the visit, while addressing scientists, including Pakistani scientists and technicians the Prime Minister stated that Pakistan considered it a matter of immense pride to have become an Associate Member of CERN last year especially as it was the first non-European country to have achieved this milestone.
He paid a rich tribute to outstanding contribution of Pakistani scientists, “Our Associate Membership of CERN is a recognition of the achievements of our scientists, engineers and technicians”. He underscored that Pakistan and CERN had been collaborating since 1994, and had carried out a number of successful projects involving sophisticated technologies and precision engineering. Pakistan was also involved in accelerator developments, making it an important partner for CERN.
The Associate Membership of Pakistan has open a new era of cooperation that will strengthen the long-term partnership between CERN and the Pakistani scientific community. It will allow Pakistani scientists to become members of the CERN staff, participate in CERN’s training and career-development programmes and CERN Council as well as allow Pakistani industry to bid for CERN contracts, thus opening up opportunities for industrial collaboration in areas of advanced technology.
Pakistan’s partnership with CERN is based on solid foundations. Pakistan has a long history of research in elementary particle physics and has produced some renowned scientists in this field, including the Nobel laureate Dr. Abdus Salam. Pakistan has also supplied equipment since 2003 to support CERN programs. Pakistan’ Heavy Mechanical Complex-3 (HMC-3) won a CERN award for best industrial partner in 2006. Prime Minister’s visit to CERN is a demonstration of the Government’s strong commitment to the promotion of science and technology in Pakistan.
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