KARACHI, Oct 27: A four-day international symposium on natural product chemistry commences on Wednesday at the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi. About 76 foreign scientists are expected to participate in the event that is being organised without any government monetary support.

ICCBS Director Prof Iqbal Chaudhry, announcing this at a press conference at the KU’s HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry on Monday, said the aim of the symposium was to bring together leading experts in the field of natural product sciences and form a global partnership for sustainable utilisation of natural resources.

Giving details of the event, Prof Iqbal said the international symposia had been held every year in Karachi since 1984 and had contributed immensely towards creating a positive image of the country abroad. “Science flourishes when researchers meet and share their experiences.

“This annual feature provides an opportunity to young bright Pakistani scientists to interact with foreign senior experts who are recognised for their services,” he said, adding that the symposium was earlier planned to be held in January but was postponed due to political instability and law and order situation in the country.

It was because of such international events that a lot of local researchers were able to find foreign scholarships without any government support, he said. Also, this platform helped foreign experts to get first-hand information about the kind of research being done in Pakistan that was later used as a base for any future partnerships.

Natural product chemistry and biotechnology would be dealt in detail at the symposium that would feature over 600 scientists and researchers from 45 countries who include 76 guests from the UK, US, Germany, France, Belgium, Canada, China, Turkey, Malaysia, India and Bangladesh. The stay of the foreign guests has been arranged on the campus due to security reasons.

Twenty-six foreign researchers working at the HEJ are also participating in the symposium, which is supported by the Organisation for Prevention of Chemical Weapons and the Pakistan Academy of Sciences, besides others.

KU vice- chancellor Prof Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui will inaugurate the symposium while coordinator-general of Comstech and former chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr Atta-ur-Rahman will be the guest of honour.