The National Centre
for Physics (NCP) represents the fulfillment of a dream of Prof.
Abdus Salam. When Prof. Abdus Salam helped launch the
International Nathiagali Summer College on Physics and
Contemporary Needs in Pakistan in 1976, he hoped that this
venture would eventually evolve into a Centre for Physics. Today
his vision has been realized.
Over the past few
years, we have done a great deal in this regard and, as a
result, have seen the continuing development of a respectable
science base in NCP. The successful development of science and
technology is about finding local talents, nurturing them and
developing them. It is also about attracting world-class
scientists and scholars to come to live and work at the National
Centre for Physics.
I am confident that
science, technology and innovation can play significant role in
helping us to move up the value chain and bring about economic
prosperity. While the Centre’s main objective is to undertake
research in emerging fields of Physics but we must also use
science and technology
Dr. Hamid
Saleem
for enhancing
our innovative capabilities. Therefore, we aim to strengthen the
competitiveness of our industry, and to create knowledge-based,
high value-added industries. Through the acquisition of
knowledge in science and technology, we will certainly also be
able to help individuals move up the chain.
NCP hosts
workshops, conferences and symposia on subjects related to
Physics and Mathematics. In addition, the Centre carries out
research in areas that are not covered by any institute of
Physics. One such area being pursued by the Centre involves a
number of activities in Experimental High-Energy Physics through
a co-operative agreement with CERN in Geneva, Switzerland.
Besides this, NCP has collaborations with several international
institutes and universities in the field of theoretical physics
including AS-ICTP, Trieste, Italy; Centre for Plasma
Astrophysics (CPA), K-Leuven University, Belgium; Tokyo
University, Tokyo, Japan; Ruhr University, Bochum (RUB), Germany
and many others. Several research papers are published in
reputed international journals each year from NCP through
national and international collaborations.
We have been
successful in such efforts and are determined to maintain this
momentum. New infrastructure to support innovation and
technology is progressing well. The promotion of research and
translating the findings into useful technologies is a
cornerstone of our program. Good technological developments are
only worthwhile if they are commercialized and applied to
industry.
I am quite
optimistic that we will be successful in overcoming the
challenges and difficulties that lie ahead to lay the
foundations for an even brighter future.
