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Syed Abdul Mujeeb

Prof. Dr. Syed Abdul Mujeeb

Syed Abdul Mujeeb (Urdu: سید عبدالمجیب ) (1957–2009) was a medical scientist of standing in the field of Microbiology. He was awarded the "Pride of Performance" by the President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf at an investiture ceremony on the Pakistan Day, on 23 March 2008.




Biography
Dr. Syed Abdul Mujeeb was a medical graduate in 1980 from Liaquat Medical College, Jamshoro Sindh University and Masters (M.Phil) in 1992 (Microbiology) from Basic Institute of Medical Science, Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi University. He also did MSc Epidemiology from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.^[1] At the time of his demise, he was Associate Professor at Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre, Karachi, Pakistan. He was founder member of Pakistan Biological Safety Association, a member of International Biosafety Working Group (IBWG).^[2] and was appointed member of the committee on biological drugs in pursuance to Section 10 of the Drugs Act, 1976 the Federal Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Health, (Re-constitution of the expert committee on Biological Drugs)
As a renowned medical scientist of Pakistan, he had done many pioneering works in the field of Haematology. His cooperation in the establishment of series of blood banks in Pakistan will always be remembered. He authored many books, papers, pamphlets and monographs. He had working relations with many national and international organisations such as WHO, UNICEF, UNO and Blood Banks of many countries.
He was Associate Prof in the Department of Pathology, Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre, since 2006. In addition, he was also Associate Prof of Pathology (Honorary) at Dow University of Health Science from 2008; Member, WHO Expert Advisory Panel on Blood Transfusion Medicine and Research Coordinator (2007–2009) at JPMC.
A senior microbiologist, in charge and head of the blood bank at the Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre, Dr Syed Abdul Mujeeb, died due to heart attack. He was 52. A number of doctors belonging to the JPMC and other healthcare facilities and educational institutions attended his funeral prayers.
He had received the President’s Pride of Performance Award for his outstanding services in medicine in 2008. He had written numerous research articles, awareness publications published in international and national scientific journals. To his admirers, friends and colleagues, Dr Mujeeb was a thorough professional, committed to the wellbeing of patients suffering from blood diseases.
An expert in infectious diseases, Dr Rafiq Khanani (Director of Dow Diagnostic Research and Reference Laboratories & President Infection Control Society of Pakistan) expressed sorrow over Dr Mujeeb’s death and said he would always be remembered for his research and services in the field of transfusion medicine. He always stressed the importance of safe blood and blood products and their transfusion. In June 2009, Dr Mujeeb had participated in the Global Consultation on 100 per cent Voluntary Non-remunerated Donation of Blood and Blood Components, organised by the World Health Organisation in Melbourne, Australia. In a presentation there, he had said that Pakistan with a population of 160 million had in general disorganised, fragmented and hospital-based blood transfusion services, with no national blood transfusion services and programme for voluntary blood donors. If two per cent eligible population donated blood twice a year, all current requirements of blood could be met in the country, he had said.

 Family background

Syed Abdul Mujeeb was the second in order amongst his four brothers and three sisters (Syed Abdul Haseeb, Syed Abdul Hafeez, Syed Abdul Muqeet, Syed Abdul Moiz, Qudsia Khatoon, Fakhra Munawar and Fouzia Masood). He was the worthy son of Professor Syed Muhammad Saleem and Asia Khatoon. Late Professor Syed Muhammad Saleem did MA (Arabic) and LLB in 1946 from Aligarh Muslim University. In the University, he was a prominent student of Professor Abdul Aziz Memon. This family before migration to Pakistan belonged to Tijara, Alwar before the partition of India.

Works

• He was working for the welfare of HIV positive people.^[3] He spoke many a times about the Human rights violations of PLWA/HIV by their family members.
• Organized, coordinated, and facilitated blood transfusion services in Abbottabad, Mansehra and Muzaffarabad following 2005 Kashmir earthquake, through the support of Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre, Ministry of Health, Government of Pakistan, National AIDS Control Program, Hussani Blood Bank, Hussani Foundation, and numerous philanthropists and blood transfusion organizations.
• Conducted, facilitated, and coordinated six days National Training Program on Training on Safe Blood Technique Workshops and Advocacy Seminars in the country in the year 2005, 2006 at Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Abbottabad, Quetta, Gilgit, Sukker, Larkana and Hyderabad (Partners: The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, WHO, National AIDS Control Program, Government of Pakistan, and Hussaini Blood Bank)

 Consultancies

• DFID, (UK). Pakistan Health Sector Reform, 2009
• WHO and UNAIDS. Geneva. Blood safety 2009
• WHO, Pakistan. Revision of National program on Hepatitis 2009
• WHO Geneva. Safe blood for safe motherhood 2008
• UNAIDS and Government of Pakistan. Editing and development of national guidelines for voluntary counseling and testing for HIV infection 2003-2004.
• UNAIDS and Government of Pakistan. HIV/AIDS in Pakistan –Situation and response analysis. 1999-2000
• UNICEF and Government of Sindh. Risk assessment of high risk behavior population (IV drug users, commercial sex workers, and transsexuals). 2001.
• UNICEF and Government of Sindh. Risk assessment of high risk behavior population (seafarers, frequent travelers, prisoners).2002
• Aga Khan University Hospital. CHS. Study designing on reproductive health 2001-2002.

Inspectional visits for GMP Compliance of Biological Products’ Manufacturer’s Plants

• Inspections of Cadila Healthcare Limited (Ahmedabad, India), Human Biological Institute (Ooty, India), and VINS bioproduct limited (Hyderabad, India) from 20–29 November 2006
• Inspections of Cipla (Goa, Kurkumbh^[4] and Mumbai, India) and Dabur Pharma limited (Baddi, India) from 20-29 September 2006.

 Selected bibliography

Many libraries are having his publications. Few of his books and reprints of research papers are also extant in the Library of Ibn Sina Academy of Medieval Medicine and Sciences, Aligarh, India.

 Books

• Blood Transfusion: A technical and clinical care, Blood Bank, JPMC: 2002.
• AIDS Pandemic in Pakistan (Urdu), Hamzad Publication, Karachi, Pakistan
• HIV/AIDS in Pakistan. Co-authored with Shah SA, Khanani R. and Baqui S., Sindh AIDS Control Program, Karachi, Pakistan.

 Pamphlets

• Common question asked about AIDS. Pakistan AIDS prevention society. Karachi. 1992
• AIDS ke daryaft ke kahani (Urdu). ( A tale of discovery of AIDS) Pakistan AIDS Prevention Society. Karachi. 1992
• AIDS sawal aor Jawab (Udru).(What is AIDS, questions and answers). Sindh AIDS control programme.Karachi, 1996
• Atya khoon (Urdu). (Donation of blood). Sindh AIDS control Programme. Karachi, 1996
• Alodah soyoon so buchaya (Urdu). (Avoid contaminated needles). Sindh AIDS control Programme. Karachi, 1996
• Bil akher AIDS sa bachoo kiyoon (Urdu).(Why to prevent HIV/AIDS in Pakistan). Sindh AIDS control programme. Karachi,1998
• Sozish-e-jigar.Hepatitis. (Hepatitis) Sindh AIDS control programme. Karachi, 1998
• Mahfooz tareen intiqual khoon (Urdu). (Autologus blood transfusion). Sindh AIDS Control Programme. Karachi, 1998
• Do not get depressed life with hepatitis B infection can be healthy and wonderful
• Do not get depressed life with hepatitis C infection can be healthy and wonderful

Research Papers

(Recitation Source: Scopus, Date: 27 May 2010)

• Mujeeb, S.A., Pearce, M.S. Temporal trends in hepatitis B and C infection in family blood donors from interior Sindh, Pakistan, Year 2008, BMC Infectious Diseases, vol. 8
• Qureshi, H., Arif, A., Ahmed, W., Alam, S.E., Mujeeb, S.A., Ul Haq, N., Hafiz, S. Role of interferon anti body in predicting the response to interferon therapy in HCV patients, 2007, Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, vol. 57 (12): 581
• Mujeeb, S.A., Jaffery, S.H. Emergency blood transfusion services after the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan, 2007 Emergency Medicine Journal, vol. 24 (1): 22
• Mujeeb, S.A., Nanan, D., Sabir, S., Altaf, A., Kadir, M. Hepatitis B and C infection in first-time blood donors in Karachi - A possible subgroup for sentinel surveillance, 2006, Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, vol. 12 (6): 735
• Zargar, S.A., Javid, G., Khan, B.A., Yattoo, G.N., Shah, A.H., Gulzar, G.M., Sodhi, J.S., Mujeeb, S.A., Khan, M.A., Shah, N.A., Shafi, H.M. Pantoprazole infusion as adjuvant therapy to endoscopic treatment in patients with peptic ulcer bleeding: Prospective randomized controlled trial, 2006, Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, vol. 21 (4): 716
• Mujeeb, S.A., Luby, S.P., Agboatwalla, M. Handwashing promotion and childhood diarrhea in Pakistan [3] (multiple letters), 2004, Journal of the American Medical Association, vol. 292 (14): 1682
• Shah, S.A., Altaf, A., Mujeeb, S.A., Memon, A. An outbreak of HIV infection among injection drug users in a small town in Pakistan: Potential for national implications [2], 2004, International Journal of STD and AIDS, vol. 15 (3): 209
• Fielder, J.F., Gribble, R.K., Mujeeb, S.A., Altaf, A., Reynolds, S.J., Quinn, T.C., Bollinger, R.C. The AIDS pandemic [3] (multiple letters), 2003, New England Journal of Medicine 349, vol. 8: 814
• Mujeeb, S.A., Altaf, A. The AIDS pandemic., 2003, The New England journal of medicine, vol. 349 (8): 814
• Mujeeb, S.A., Altaf, A. Let it be sexual: Health care transmission of AIDS in Africa was ignored [3], 2003, International Journal of STD and AIDS, vol. 14 (8): 572
• Shah, S.A., Mujeeb, S.A., Mirza, A., Nabi, K.G., Siddiqui, Q. Prevelance of pulmonary tuberculosis in Karachi juvenile jail, Pakistan, 2003, Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, vol. 9 (4): 667
• Mujeeb, S.A., Khan, A., Korejo, R. Hepatitis B serum markers among pregnant women in Sana'a, Yemen [5], 2003, Annals of Saudi Medicine, vol. 23 40241, recitation: 232
• Mujeeb, S.A., Adil, M.M., Altaf, A., Hutin, Y., Luby, S. Recycling of injection equipment in Pakistan, 2003, Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, vol. 24 (2): 145
• Mujeeb, S.A., Adil, M.M., Altaf, A., Shah, S.A., Luby, S. Infection control practices in clinical laboratories in Pakistan, 2003, Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, vol. 24 (2): 141
• Qureshi, H., Ahsan, T., Mujeeb, S.A., Jawad, F., Mehdi, I., Ahmed, W., Alam, S.E. Diabetes mellitus is equally frequent in chronic HCV and HBV infection., 2002, Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, vol. 52 (7): 280
• Altaf, A., Mujeeb, S.A. Unsafe disposal of medical waste: a threat to the community and environment., 2002, Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, vol. 52 (6): 232
• Ansari, N., Ahmed, A., Esmail, J., Mujeeb, S.A. HCV serotypes in Karachi: A liaquat national hospital experience, 2002, Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, vol. 52 (5): 219
• Mujeeb, S.A. HCV 3 in Pakistan: does it offer more hope for cure and control., 2002, Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, vol. 52 (5): 191
• Mujeeb, S.A., Luby, S., Khan, A.J., Altaf, A., Hutin, Y., Aslam, M. Regarding "seroprevalence of the antibody to hepatitis C in select groups in the Punjab Region of Pakistan" [2] (multiple letters), 2002, Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, vol. 35 (2): 201
• Mujeeb, S.A. An audit of blood crossmatch ordering practices at the Aga Khan University Hospital: first step towards a maximum surgical blood ordering schedule (MSBOS)., 2001, Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, vol. 51 (10): 379
• Luby, S.P., Niazt, Q., Siddiquit, S., Mujeeb, S.A., Fisher-Hoch, S. Patients' perceptions of blood transfusion risks in Karachi, Pakistan, 2001, International Journal of Infectious Diseases, vol. 5 (1): 24
• Mujeeb, S.A. Erratum: Geographical display of health information: Study of hepatitis C infection in Karachi, Pakistan' (Public Health (2000) vol. 114 (413-415), 2001, Public Health 115 1 82
• Mujeeb, S.A. Unsafe injections: a potential source of HCV spread in Pakistan., 2001, Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, vol. 51 (1): 1
• Mujeeb, S.A., Shahab, S., Hyder, A.A. Geographical display of health information: Study of hepatitis C infection in Karachi, Pakistan, 2000, Public Health 114, vol. 5: 413
• Qureshi, H., Shahid, A., Mujeeb, S.A. Exposer rate of hepatitis E (IgG) in a selected population of children and adults in Karachi, 2000, Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, vol. 50 (10): 352
• Luby, S., Khanani, R., Zia, M., Vellani, Z., Ali, M., Qureshi, A.H., Khan, A.J., Mujeeb, S.A., Shah, S.A., Fisher-Hoch, S. Evaluation of blood bank practices in Karachi, Pakistan, and the government's response, 2000, Health Policy and Planning 15, vol. 2 217
• Baqi, S., Shah, S.A., Baig, M.A., Mujeeb, S.A., Memon, A. Seroprevalence of HIV, HBV and syphilis and associated risk behaviours in male transvestites (Hijras) in Karaehi, Pakistan, 1999, International Journal of STD and AIDS 10, vol. 5 300
• Mujeeb, S.A., Hafiz, A. Low-cost screening of blood for HCV infection in the developing world., 1998, Vox sanguinis, vol. 74 (3): 210, recitation: 4
• Mujeeb, S.A., Khatri, Y., Khanani, R. Frequency of parenteral exposure and seroprevalence of HBV, HCV, and HIV among operation room personnel, 1998, Journal of Hospital Infection, vol. 38 (2): 133
• Mujeeb, S.A., Shiekh, M.A., Khanani, R., Jamal, Q. Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among β-thalassaemia major patients, 1997, Tropical Doctor, vol. 27 (2): 105
• Mujeeb, S.A., Jamal, Q., Khanani, R., Iqbal, N., Kaher, S. Prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen and HCV antibodies in hepatocellular carcinoma cases in Karachi, Pakistan, 1997, Tropical Doctor, vol. 27 (1): 45
• Mujeeb, S.A., Mehmood, K. Prevalence of HBV, HCV and HIV infections among family blood donors, 1996, Annals of Saudi Medicine, vol. 16 (6): 702
• Kazi, B.M., Toor, Z.I., Ali, S.M., Iqbal, J., Asif, A., Yousaf, Z., Haroona, Ahmed, I., Rashid, S.A., Shah, S.A., Mujeeb, S.A., Sumroo, M., Kazi, F.G., Sadiq, M., Haleem, M., Ahmed, N., Sheikh, N.S., Rashi, Z.I., Nathoneil, E., et, al. HIV seroprevalence surveys in Pakistan [6], 1996, AIDS, vol. 10 (8): 926
• Mujeeb, S.A., Shiekh, M.A. Prevalence of hepatitis B infection in beta thalassaemia major patients., 1996, JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, vol. 46 (4): 93
• Mujeeb, S.A., Kayani, N., Khurshid, M. HIV-I infection in a family blood donor., 1995, Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, vol. 45 (1): 26
• Mujeeb, S.A., Keher, S.I. Hepatitis B vaccination, 1995, Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, vol. 45 (7): 196
• Mujeeb, S.A., Shaikh, M.A., Kehar, S.I. Prevalence of HB infection in haemodialysis patients., 1994, Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, vol. 44 (9): 226
• Mujeeb, S.A., Hussain, W., Haq, A. Prevalence of hepatitis B infection in professional and family/voluntary blood donors., 1994, Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, vol. 44 (9): 226
• Thomas, A., Ganesan, A., Mujeeb, S.A. Solar irradiance monitor, 1993, Renewable Energy, vol. 3 40336 599
• Mujeeb, S.A., Hafeez, A. Prevalence and pattern of HIV infection in Karachi., 1993, Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, vol. 43 (1): 2
• Mujeeb, S.A. Blood transfusion—a potential source of HIV/AIDS spread., 1993, Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, vol. 43 (1): 1
• Mujeeb, S.A., Khanani, M.R., Khursheed, T., Siddiqui, A. Prevalence of HIV-infection among blood donors., 1991, Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, vol. 41 (10): 253
• Mujeeb, S.A., Siddiqui, S., Khursheed, T., Hashmi, M.R. Weakening of antigen D and development of anti-D in a patient with acute myeloid leukaemia., 1989, Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, vol. 39 (12): 324

 Achievements

In 1986, a small hospital based blood bank, relying entirely on commercial blood donors has grown into major hospital based blood bank in the country. The key of success lies in innovative approach of public and private sector partnership in blood banking sector.

• 1986. Establishment of first AIDS Screening Center in the Blood Bank in the Country of Pakistan.
• 1993. Regular screening of blood for hepatitis C infection, besides hepatitis B and HIV/AIDS
• 1994. Complete elimination of commercial blood donations from the services
• 1994. Preparation and supply of blood products
• 1997. Awarding membership in Sindh Blood Transfusion Authority by Provincial Assembly of Sindh in the safe blood transfusion act.
• 1998. Collaboration with National Reference Laboratory Australia for quality assurance program for HIV, HBV, and HCV testing.
• 2003. Screening of blood for Malaria and syphilis
• 2004. Complete renovation of Blood Bank Department.

Awards

• Pride of Performance, Presidential Civil Award, 14 August. 2007
• Performance Award, Voluntary Blood Donation, Sindh Blood Transfusion Authority, Government of Sindh, 2005
• Appreciation Award (AIDS), Mian Ahmed Soomro, Governor of Sindh, Pakistan
• Appreciation Award (Blood Transfusion), Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ibad, Governor of Sindh, Pakistan

• 

  Governor of Sindh honouring Dr. Syed Abdul Mujeeb

Pakistani Awards

Pakistani Achievement Awards 2010 Winners
Congratulations to all our Pakistani Achievement Awards 2010 winners – the 2010 event was our biggest ever! Take a look at the roll-call of winners below … Every one of them was chosen by YOU!

Star of Pakistan	Toaha Qureshi MBE, Salim Ahmed Zubairi, Dr Muhammad Ali Jawad, James Shera MBE, Mo Chaudry, PJ Mir and Irfan Qadir
Art, Culture & Fashion Award	Ferhat & Sultan Asi for ‘Imani’
Business of the Year Award	Apsley Tailors
Female Entrepreneur of the Year Award	Madiha Adil
Humanitarian Award	Zahida Abbas Noori, Khawar Mann & Sardar Hussain
Male Entrepreneur of the Year Award	Shahid Azeem from Arcom IT
Media Award	Aamir Ghauri
Professional Award	Brian Firth
Small Business Award	Malik Riaz
Sportsman Award	Zesh Rehman
Travel & Tourism Award	Sohail for ‘Travel Pak

On request of Harvard Medical School Special Vision of Excellence Award given to Quadir Iftikhar Khan.
Non Pakistani’s Award – Award for Empowering Pakistan given to Sophia Swire, Dr Abdul Rehman Tanko.

Pakistani woman police officer bags international award

UNPOL Officer Shahzadi Gulfam (left) with Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro (centre) and UN Police Adviser Ann-Marie Orler. - Photo courtesy of United Nations News Service

UNITED NATIONS: A Pakistani woman police officer, currently working for a UN peacekeeping operation, has received the 2011 International Female Police Peacekeeper Award in recognition of her outstanding performance.

Shahzadi Gulfam, a deputy superintendent of police, is the first Pakistani woman officer to receive the prestigious award. She is deployed with the United Nations Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) as the UN Police (UNPOL) team leader posted in the Timor-Leste National Police Vulnerable Persons Unit in Dili, the capital.

Ms Gulfam was selected for the award by the United Nations Police Division in the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions, Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the International Association of Women Police (IAWP) International Scholarship Committee.She joined the Punjab police in March 1985. During her career, she performed equally well at the national and international level, according to an UNPOL press release. She was the first Pakistani woman to be deployed with the UN Mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1997 and subsequently served in UN missions in Kosovo in 1999 and Timor-Leste in 2007.

“Shahzadi Gulfam has shown enthusiasm, diligence and zeal in her work with the Vulnerable Persons Unit in Dili,” UNMIT Police Commissioner Luis Carillho said. “Sadly in post-conflict Timor-Leste domestic violence is a common crime and victims often find it difficult to file complaints,” she said.



Young Pakistani receives 2nd International Diana Award

Amyen, aged 18, from Pakistan is the second person to receive the International Diana Award.

Aymen was presented with the Diana Champion Volunteer award for her work with Make a Wish Foundation in Pakistan.

Aymen helps fulfil the wishes of young people with terminal illnesses, such as riding a bike, meeting a cricketer etc.

On receiving the second International Diana Award, Aymen said: “It is an honour for me as a Pakistani to be recognised at an international level and be amongst some of the most dedicated young people who passionately work to make a difference in their community. Since receiving my Diana Award I have increased in confidence. I am looking forward to fulfilling more wishes and taking young patients abroad to meet their idols.”

The British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Francis Campbell presented the award to Aymen at an award ceremony in Karachi in the presence of dignitaries, board member and volunteers of Make-A-Wish Foundation Pakistan.

UN picks Pakistan as permanent member of UN scientific body

United Nation

United Nations: The UN General assembly has unanimously decided to appoint Pakistan as a permanent member of the UN Scientific Committee (UNSCEAR), a top international body dealing with nuclear radiation.

A press release of Pakistan Mission to the UN said the 193-member Assembly’s decision is an acknowledgement of Pakistan’s technological advancement in applications of the peaceful uses of nuclear radiations in the fields of health, agriculture, environment and research & development.

The UN Scientific Committee, which was established in 1955, consists of 27 Member States and is based in Vienna, Austria. Pakistan had been an observer of this committee since 2007.

The committee members are designated to provide scientists to serve as members of the committee which holds formal meetings annually and submits a report to the General Assembly, the body was established solely to “define precisely the present exposure of the population of the world to ionizing radiation.”

Pakistani wins world Technology Network Award at United Nations

Dr. Athar Usama

Islamabad: Science Policy scholar and practitioner and the founder of Muslim-Science.Com, Dr. Athar Osama won the 2011 World Technology Award for Science and Innovation Media and Journalism category , in a gala “black tie” ceremony at the United Nations.

The Awards were announced from the stage by James P. Clark, Founder and Chairman of the World Technology Network (“The WTN”) and Poppy Harlow, Anchor, CNNMoney.com. At the same time, Clark officially inducted those who were selected as Award finalists into the WTN membership as newly elected fellows.

Pakistani Dr. Osama joins the ranks of over 1000 fellows across 60 different countries that include individuals such as Tim Berners-Lee (inventor of the internet), Mark Zuckerberg (Founder of Facebook), Larry Page and Sergei Brin (Founders of Google), Vice President Al Gore, and Prime Minister Tony Blair.

World Technology Network is a curated community of some of the most creative and leading scholars and practitioners as well as corporates in various disciplines of science and technology and related fields (such as media, ethics, finance, and public policy) selected by their peers as doing some of the most innovative work of potential long-term impact in the world.

Founded in 2001, the World Technology Network has made annual awards in up to 20 different categories for individuals (and 10 corporate categories). Each year, WTN identifies – through an extensive vetting process nominees for WTN Awards and then selects 5 (or six) finalists who are then inducted as fellows of WTN.

The Winners in each category are announced in an Oscar-style gala event.

Dr. Athar Osama won his award for his ground breaking contributions to science and innovation policy in the Islamic World – in particular through a ingenuous and courageous use of new social media and  science journalism to create an awareness of and change mindsets about science and innovation policy in the Islamic World.

Islamabad: ‘Genius cyber kid’ attends NA session, lauded by MNAs

By Muhammad Anis
The National Assembly here on Tuesday hailed the worldwide achievements of the genius cyber kid, Babar Iqbal, in the field of computers, who was specially invited to a session of the Lower House of Parliament.

Sitting in the visitors’ gallery, the 12-year-old talented boy from Dera Ismail Khan was introduced to the MNAs by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Babar Awan, who in acknowledgement of the kid’s achievements, said that Bill Gates has offered this young Pakistani genius to become a member of the Microsoft Corporation.

Babar is referred to as the ‘genius cyber kid’ for setting four world records in the field of computer sciences. He became the youngest ‘Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)’ and the youngest ‘Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA)’ — both at the age of nine. He became the youngest ‘Certified Web Professional Associate (CIWA)’ at the age of 10. He became the youngest ‘Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)’ at the age of 12 in a Dubai competition, the participants of which were aged 20-35. By making this record, Babar surprised IT experts all over the world.

“The boy in this age has won laurels for the country and deserves appreciation and encouragement,” Dr. Babar Awan said. He added that young Babar did not attend any formal school for all his certifications and got education at home.

MNAs Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Prince Mohiyuddin, Khurshid Shah, Manzoor Wattoo, Dr Doniya Aziz and Sheikh Aftab said the achievements of Babar Iqbal were a matter of pride for the nation and his talent should not go waste. They urged the government to fully channelise Babar’s capabilities and potential by patronising him and announcing a regular scholarship for him in further studies.

Pakistan pushing ahead with advance nuclear technology

A new report claims that Pakistan is developing “more advanced nuclear technology”, while India has in recent days signalled the need for new tests – marking a growing arms race in the subcontinent.

Citing a study in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, The Telegraph said Pakistan is “pushing ahead” with a plutonium-based nuclear programme, superior to its previous reliance on uranium technology. Plutonium is easier to weaponise, as smaller quantities of the material are required. “Two new plutonium production reactors are under construction,” said the report.

The report concludes that Pakistan has an arsenal of 70 to 90 nuclear weapons, “and is busy enhancing its capabilities across the board” – representing “much quicker progress than expected”.

The report also said that a new nuclear-capable ballistic missile is being readied for deployment, and two nuclear-capable cruise missiles are under development.

“The types of facilities under construction suggest that Pakistan has decided to supplement and perhaps replace its heavy uranium-based weapons with smaller, lighter plutonium-based designs that could be delivered further by ballistic missiles than its current warheads and that could be used in cruise missiles,” said the study by scientists Robert Norris and Hans Kristensen.

Earlier this month, senior Indian scientist K Santanam revealed that the country’s 1998 test had not been as successful as previously claimed.

According to leading Pakistani physicist Pervez Hoodbhoy, the admission was not an act of coming clear, but an attempt by India’s nuclear establishment to press the case for new tests.

Rather than a minimal deterrence, “both countries are rushing to make as many (weapons) as they can”, said Professor Hoodbhoy.

India’s 1998 test was of a hydrogen bomb, which is many times more powerful than a weapon that Pakistan could produce with its technology.

First Pakistani professor hired by Harvard

BOSTON: Pakistani professor, Asim Khwaja, has become one of the first Pakistanis to achieve tenure at Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Tenure guarantees academic freedom as well as job security. Tenure is offered to the best and brightest of the professors who show the most promise in increasing the university’s reputation through their research, books and unique ideas. Tenure protects teachers and researchers when they dissent from prevailing opinion, openly disagree with authorities of any sort, or spend time on unfashionable topics. Khwaja’s areas of interest include economic development, education, political economy, and contract theory/mechanism design. His research combines extensive fieldwork, rigorous empirical analysis, and microeconomic theory to answer questions that are motivated by and engage with policy. It has been published in the leading economics journals, such as the American Economic Review, and the Quarterly Journal of Economics, and has received coverage in numerous media outlets such as the Economist, NY Times, Washington Post, BBC, and CNN. His recent work ranges from understanding market failures in emerging financial markets to examining the private education market in low-income countries. He was selected as a Carnegie Scholar in 2009, for his compelling ideas and commitment to enriching the quality of the public dialogue on Islam. Khwaja was cited for his research on how the pilgrimage to Mecca affects individual pilgrims’ economic, social, ethical, and cultural outlooks. “I hope that my research on the impact of the Haj pilgrimage on the pilgrim will inform the wider academic debate on the nature and interaction of religious and non-religious beliefs in Islam,” said Asim.

He received high school degree in Pakistan and then received his BS in economics and in mathematics with computer science from MIT and a PhD in economics from Harvard. Asim’s parents, Ijaz and Zahida Khwaja, were proud of their son. “What can we say? Today he is every Pakistani parent’s son,” said Dr Khwaja. Harvard’s tenure process is known to be very confidential and strict. Individuals do not apply for tenure but are recommended and then go through a series of vetting processes which include soliciting recommendation letters regarding the candidate from top faculty. The process culminates in a final ad hoc meeting where the president has veto power. Harvard’s tenure rates are fairly low, and, therefore, it is not common for an assistant professor to ever get tenure from Harvard. He started his academic career from Harvard and was an assistant professor before he got promoted as an associate professor and finally full professor. He also has offers of tenure from Dartmouth, Vanderbilt and Berkeley. When asked how he was feeling he responded, “I hope this will open more doors for future Pakistanis to pursue academia and reach our potential.”