COMSATS: Harnessing Emerging Technologies for Sustainable Development of the Global South

2026-03-22 - 20:41

Science, technology and innovation act as the prime mover of the economic growth, social transformation, and global competitiveness. While countries in the Global North continue to lead in technological innovation, many nations in the Global South face persistent challenges in accessing advanced knowledge, research infrastructure, and modern technological tools. This limits the ability of developing countries to respond effectively to challenges such as climate change, food security, public health, and sustainable production and consumption. Prof. Abdus Salam’s initiative of Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) in 1994, was aimed at bridging the technology and knowledge gap to attain sustainable socio-economic development through promotion of science, technology & Innovation and sharing of indigenous capacities. COMSATS has evolved into a dynamic intergovernmental organization, comprising 27 Member States from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, with its 25 International S&T Centres of Excellence serving as fountainhead of knowledge, expertise and scientific activities. COMSATS Member States’ strengths are manifested in its combined GDP of over US$ 23 trillion, territory of over 25 million km2, 3 billion and youth dominated population of around 830 million. Pakistan stands out with about 64 percent of youth population, reflecting significant demographic potential. Statutory Bodies of COMSATS are: General Meeting: comprises Heads of State/Government of the Member Countries. Current Chairman of the Commission is the President of Republic of Ghana. Consultative Committee: consists of Ministers/ Ministerial representatives of the relevant focal ministries/ government departments of the Member States. COMSATS Network: serves as technical resource base for the organization’s S&T programs and innovations. It consists of: – Coordinating Council: Heads of Centres of Excellence. – Technical Advisory Committee: comprising Scientists/Technology Experts support the organization with their valuable advice. Secretariat: Hosted in Islamabad by the Government of Pakistan. It is Headed by the Executive Director. The Programmes and IPO/CCCS Directorates undertake necessary coordination and execute technical activities. COMSATS’ activities include capacity building, trainings, skills development, facilitating R&D, creating employability, and providing tech-based solutions, independently or in collaboration with the international partner organizations and Member States’ national organizations. The organization has placed strong emphasis on harnessing emerging and transformative technologies, including AI, Data Analytics, Precision Agriculture, Genomic Sequencing, Precision Medicine, Renewable Energy, Biotechnology, Nanotechnology and Electric Vehicles. International Partnerships play a vital role in amplifying the impact of COMSATS’ initiatives. The organization maintains close collaborative arrangements with a range of intergovernmental and international organizations, including The Commonwealth, UNESCO, UNOSSC, UNESCAP, UNIDO, ANSO, TWAS, ICGEB, The South Centre, ICESCO, IOFS and SESRIC. Through these partnerships, COMSATS is able to mobilize financial and technical resources to co-organize training programs and support collaborative R&D. COMSATS has recently secured funding from ANSO for two high-level activities, i.e. Conference on ‘AI Enabled Solutions for Sustainable Water Governance, Security and Safety’ and Workshop on ‘A Sustainable Future for All Living Species’. COMSATS’ ongoing activities and achievements include: Capacity Building: COMSATS has been facilitating knowledge-exchange through capacity building activities in various fields of science and technology. About 400 inperson and over 120 online capacity-building events brought together experts, researchers, scientists, professionals, and students from the Member States and Centers of Excellence. TeleHealth Clinics: In line with COMSATS’ approach of promoting technology-based solutions to address challenges faced by its Member States, COMSATS has developed its own TeleHealth Ecosystem. A dedicated software interface has been developed to enable live audio and video connections between patients and doctors. Electric Vehicles: Development of indigenous technology by its partner AGECO to convert the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles to Electric Vehicles (EVs) through retrofitting is a groundbreaking achievement. It is multi-dimensional initiative with economic, social, health and environmental aspects at its centre. Recently, EV converted rickshaws were delivered to M/S Imperial Engineering Company, marking the first commercial deployment of the technology. Nano Tech Lab: COMSATS has established an ISO Certified Nanotechnology Lab, which aims to provide comprehensive research facilities for PhD students, deliver specialized training courses, and offer material testing services. COMSATS Nano Tech Lab has recently offered a Short Course on Failure Analysis of Engineering Materials & Structures for the benefit of Member States. COMSATS Joint Centre for Industrial Biotechnology (CCIB): CCIB, established in April 2021 at the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology (TIB), China, promotes cooperation in industrial biotechnology. CCIB has initiated five high-level joint R&D projects; supported young visiting scholars; cultivated postgraduates and PhD students; published over 25 SCI papers; applied six patents; and organized workshops & training courses. COMSATS Centre for Climate & Sustainability (CCCS): CCCS, established in 2018, aims to address the common challenges of climate change and environmental protection. CCCS collaborates with international organisations, and institutions, focusing on the nexus of agriculture, food, energy, water, biodiversity, climate-resilient infrastructure, and disaster risk reduction. CCCS promotes capacity-building; R&D; exchange of tech knowledge, expertise, good practices and resources among member states. Data Centre (ISO 27001 and 9001 Certified) & Cloud Computing Services: COMSATS is a pioneer in Internet services in Pakistan. Established Cloud Computing, Proxmox Virtual Environment (PVE) at Data Centre, with robust security features. IT & AI Trainings and Skills Development: COMSATS pursues digital transformation, runs skill development programs in Web Design and Development, Graphics Design, Mobile App Development, Business Intelligence, and e-Commerce, equipping young people with the tools to thrive in the digital economy. COMSATS also conducted bootcamps/courses in Artificial Intelligence, Software Quality Assurance and Cyber Security. Scholarships: COMSATS offers MS and PhD Scholarships at the COMSATS University, Pakistan, which is one of the Centres of Excellence. The Member States also benefit from scholarships offered by COMSATS’ international partners organizations, through recommendation of COMSATS Secretariat. COMSATS is thankful to its Host Country, Pakistan, other Member States, Network members and partner organizations for their unwavering support in its noble pursuits.