KARACHI: “Young Pakistani researchers are as precious as diamonds we just need to polish them a little bit to get maximum benefits as they are equally talented and skilful as others developed country’s researchers,” said nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan.

He was speaking as the chief guest at the certification distribution ceremony of the third oral presentation competition for MPhil and PhD students of the Dr A. Q. Khan Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (KIBGE), University of Karachi, on Saturday.

He said that the students who were planning to go aboard for studies should remember that their prime job was to get advanced education and knowledge. “They must spend more time in learning from teachers and laboratory experiences rather talking about politics or religion during their stays in foreign land,” he said. “Once you get your degree, work for a while to get some experience, and come back to your motherland and serve her. Whatever you study, it must be practically applied for the betterment of the society and masses. Otherwise, it does not worth much as our beloved country needs hardworking and dedicated youngsters to come forward and lead from the front so that Pakistan could become a part of developed nations,” he advised the youths.

He recalled that he had done his PhD around 48 years ago but still he was writing research and technical papers. “I have engaged myself for promotion of education and health sectors, I want to establish useful research and development culture in the country.”

He said that students must focus on the fact that their educational years were actually their grooming phase, if they studied with determination then they would not be worried in the future as hardworking and skilful persons always remain on the top.

Dr A. Q. Khan observed that the KIBGE, which was initiated some 20 years ago, was doing very well and gave lot of satisfaction to him as this institute had been producing best products since its establishment.

He said it was so unfortunate that government employees did not perform their duty well. “Being a government servant does not mean that you go to office for relaxation, it is about a service which should be performed by heart and dedication.”

Meanwhile, former senator Abdul Haseeb Khan shared that Dr A. Q. Khan had done a lot for the country and its people. “After the Founder of the Nation, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the Mohsin-e-Pakistan Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, is truly our national hero,” he said.

Dean of Science faculty Prof Dr Tabassum Mahboob and KIBGE director general Prof Dr Abid Azhar also spoke.

Hiba Saleem clinched the first position while Omiyya Abdali and Kulsoom Bibi were declared joint second.

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2019