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Prof Atta Ur Rehman to Lead UN Committee for Science, Technology and Innovation

Dr Atta ur rehman
Dr. Atta ur Rehman, the famous Pakistani scientist and former HEC Chairman, has been appointed by the United Nations (UN) as Chairman of its committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI).

Prof. Atta ur Rehman – A Profile

Professor Atta specialises in organic chemistry and was a leading scientist in his time. He has also served as the Federal Minister for Science and Technology from 2000 to 2002. Dr Atta was the Minister for Education in 2002 and was later appointed as the Chairman of Higher Education Commission (HEC) during the same year. He served as the HEC Chairman for six years and is considered responsible for the growth of the higher education sector in Pakistan.
Dr Atta studied Chemistry at University of Karachi and got a PhD and ScD on organic chemistry from Cambridge University. He was honoured with four Pakistani civil awards; Nishan-e-Imtiaz (2002), Hilal-i-Imtiaz (1998), Sitara-i-Imtiaz (1993) and Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (1983). He won a UNESCO prize in 1999 and Austria Order of Merit in 2007. The former minister, has 900 publications on Organic Chemistry and holds 28 patents.

At the United Nations

Dr Atta chaired his first meeting of the UN Secretary General’s committee in Bangkok on Monday. The meeting was organised by the UN Economic Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP). The theme of the 72nd ESCAP session 2016 was “Harnessing Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development.”
The issues, challenges and opportunities for the STI sector in implementing Sustainable Development Growth were discussed in the meeting. The panel also advised ESCAP on the matter and how it can support regional STI cooperation and collaboration in the future.
Atta ur Rehman said that the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 2015, the most ambitious and detailed programme for the upcoming 15 years called Agenda 2030. The program will improve welfare of the people around the globe.
The UN Committee for the implementation of this agenda is co-chaired by Dr Atta and Tan Sri Zakri. Advisor for Science to the Malaysian Prime Minister, Abdul Hamid, Vice Chancellor Prof Muhammad Qaiser and Dr Iqbal, Director ICCBS from the University of Karachi congratulated Dr Atta ur Rehman on his achievement and said that it was an honour for the university and the whole country.
Image Credits: InterAcademyCouncil.net
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