Annual Report 2010 - Comsats

COMSATS’ Thematic Research Groups are clusters of scientific institutions aiming at
collaborative research in a particular field of science and technology to address specific
developmental issues of the Member States. The designated ‘Lead Centres’ of these groups are
Centres of Excellence of COMSATS selected due to their expertise in the respective fields. The
member institutions of a group are expected to complement each other’s scientific capacities for
a coherent R&D activity, under the guidance of the designated Lead Centre.
ACTIVITIES OF COMSATS’ THEMATIC RESEARCH
GROUPS
2010
Annual Report
The idea of the establishment of the Thematic
Research Groups of COMSATS was first
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discussed and agreed in its 10 meeting of
Coordinating Council, held in Cairo, Egypt
(2007). Thereafter, eight Thematic Research
Groups were created with the objective to
achieve South-South cooperation in different
fields of science and technology by
undertaking well-defined joint research
projects with the participation of research
scientists belonging to various institutions
from COMSATS’ member countries. The
membership of these Thematic Research
Groups is open to all the willing relevant
institutions of the developing countries.
The members of these Groups are expected to cooperate for:
Joint research projects;
Expert-exchange;
Short-term trainings;
Sharing of facilities/lab resources.
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As mandated by the Coordinating Council in its 13 meeting, the Lead Centres of the
Thematic Research Groups on ‘Climate Change and Environmental Protection’ and
‘Natural Products Sciences’ held their respective Groups’ foundation meetings during
the later part of 2010. During these meetings, the groups deliberated on: the title and
broad outlines of the joint research projects; distribution of the assignments among
the Groups’ members for project formulation and execution; follow-up meetings of
researchers; and requirements of trainings, etc. A preparatory meeting of the Group
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