The development of scientific institutions is not possible without the political will of the states

Professor Mohammad Iqbal Chaudri (born 1, Karachi) was a well -known and selected chemist in Islamic countries, one of the most prolific chemistry scientists, one of the most prolific chemistry scientists. It's organic. Professor Chaudri was not only a prolific scientist but also a successful executive director in Pakistan and on the international scene in the institutionalization and management of scientific institutions; The management of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) in Karachi, Pakistan (1 to 2) and coordinator of the permanent committee of Science and Technology Cooperation (Compassion) is a part of these efforts.

In an interview with the Mustafa Science and Technology Foundation, he explained the reason for his interest in chemistry: People are usually interested in topics that are important in their lives. I was lucky and met a professor who was a good chemist and had decided to teach at school instead of college. He related various phenomena of chemistry to real life and was the primary reason for this interest. We also had a high quality chemistry lab that spent a lot of time in the lab. I realized that chemistry is everywhere and I finally chose organic chemistry as my future profession.

Chudri, who has been involved in the composition and manufacture of medicinal herbs and has been able to extract various herbal remedies from herbs to treat diseases such as Alzheimer's, leishmaniasis, etc., said criticism and claims about traditional medicine: First, we should know that there is no medical system or a single drug that can cure all the diseases. Consider biopractors that we call alopati or Western medicine. In this type of treatment, the person will refer to the doctor and prescribe medication to control his or her illness. If a person has diabetes or hypertension or dementia, his or her illness is only controlled; Not treatment.

He added: “The ancient human knowledge and experiences called the traditional medicine system, the supplementary medicine system or the alternative medicine system provides good and useful treatment.” This system must be approved by scientific standards of efficiency and safety. The difference between traditional medicine and modern medicine is that it must be scientifically tested, safe and effective and enter the country's health system when it is safe and effective. There must be a integrated treatment system.

Diseases of the tropical regions under the magnifying glass

The professor of organic chemistry explained about the most important research projects of his group: We are researching the neglected diseases (tropical regions). Many diseases are common in poor regions of the world. Malaria was one of them that is now common. But many diseases such as cochlear fever, leprosy, leishmaniasis and many other diseases; There is such as Shagas parasitic disease or other parasitic disease called sleep disease, etc., which is less medically considered and known as the poor. The pharmaceutical industry also hardly invests these drugs; Because it is not satisfying in terms of therapeutic and return on profit. We are now studying tropical diseases, choosing a disease called leishmania or leishmaniasis, and we have achieved many interesting results in this regard.

“We are currently researching this issue and on the diseases of the nervous system,” he said. Alzheimer's disease is a common disease and with the age of the global population, the prevalence has increased, or Parkinson's disease has no definitive cure. Therefore, in the past few years, our focus has been on identifying those plant products or natural compounds that can prevent or reduce or improve their symptoms. The formulation we are testing a clinical test for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, or the treatment of leishmaniasis, which is still used, is part of our research team's achievements.

Chaudri also said about the importance of institutionalization for knowledge development in countries:

The presence of strong institutions is important for the development of science. You may have privileged scientists in the country, but if these scientists do not have the opportunity to work in good institutions, their ability and capacity will remain unused. One of the experiences in this field is the establishment of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences in Karachi, Pakistan, consisting of 5 different centers in the field of chemistry and biology that researchers can work together. Because today's science is an interdisciplinary. The center also to create research centers in many other countries; Including Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Nigeria and other countries.

The political will; The most important obstacle to the development of scientific institutions

The Compassic Coordinator said about the most important problem for the establishment of similar institutions in other countries: The most important issue is political will. The leadership and sovereignty of countries must accompany these plans. Political leadership must be convinced that science and technology is the driving force of development, and without the science and technology and its application, no nation can be developed.

He also stated that the political will of the sovereignty must also be accompanied by fixed financing and thus reflected the association of the institution with scientists. The third most important factor is manpower and capacity building, as we invited young scientists to the center of Karachi in the International Chemical and Biology Center and recruited them as a faculty member or researcher; Because the capacity of scientists is strengthened by a research center. The research center is not just a building or machine, but the brain (scientists) and in general human resources. It is the fourth problem of international communication. The progress of science in isolation is not achieved, we must work and cooperate with the rest of the world's scientific community, learn and teach them and have become part of a great scientific community whose goal is to solve the continuous problems of humanity.

Announcement of 6,000 scholarships for Palestinian students

Chaudri also explained about Comstitc activities: Compassic is one of the top institutions affiliated with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, a large organization consisting of four countries on four continents, from South America to Africa, Europe and Asia. The Comistec is also responsible for working in science, technology, higher education, health and weather, and in these two areas we work with the four ministers and technology of the Islamic world, and Iran is one of its founders with other countries. The main responsibility for the Complete Summit Resolutions, the Council of Foreign Affairs and the Summit of Science and Technology Summit are also the development of cooperation between Islamic countries to work on problems of one billion and 5 million Muslims and about a quarter of the total population of the world in nine countries.

A former director of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Center at Karachi University of Pakistan continued: There are many chronic and long -standing challenges other than poverty in these countries. Food insecurity, energy crisis, water insecurity, climate change, many diseases and numerous health challenges have affected people's lives. We have to work together to solve these problems. Of course, many countries in the Muslim world have a good place in science and technology. They have created good institutions and want to help others. Compassion is involved here, connecting these institutions and working with the capacity to empower youth. Their capacity by granting opportunities to move in different countries, granting scholarships and scholarships, providing practical and theoretical training, opportunities for working on human health research projects in Africa, or research projects in agriculture and health sector, increased He gives. We also have a lot of top scientists who are members of the prominent scholarly scholars; The group travels throughout the Muslim world and, while holding courses and workshops, help improve school and universities curriculum, improve organizational capacity and create institutions.

One of the examples we have done recently is the announcement of the recruitment of a scholarship or a Fellowship for Palestinian students for 5 years. The Compassion and its partner, called the Consortium of the Compassic Excellence, and many private sector institutions in Pakistan and other countries are working to meet Palestinian educational needs. What passed in Palestine for more than a year and two months was not only a genocide but an educational genocide. All infrastructure and educational institutions have been destroyed. It is a duty to provide them with good quality education, which is somehow reconstruct Palestine.

The importance of promoting science for three reasons

Chaodri also said about the importance of promoting science and communication: The subject of science communication is very important for three reasons. First, for historical reasons, the language of developed science in a way that is no longer understandable to ordinary people. Therefore, scientists should be able to raise the issue of their activities and research with ordinary people. Because science affects all people's lives, and we must be able to tell them this is a matter of science or achievement. But why is it important? Because the research budget comes from ordinary people and their tax money. If we can show them, science helps improve their quality of life, we will have a potential fan and customer and we will have public support. The third reason is that scientists and society must have a relationship. Scientists need to work on issues that are important to society.

He said: Compassion has organized regular capacity events for media outlets and scientists. Scientists need to be able to express scientific issues in a simple language, and media people must first understand scientific topics and share and share it effectively, powerful and correct. We also have the Science Communication Prize. But more important, in the last six months a magazine called Journal of Communication and Diplomacy We founded. This magazine is an internationally magazine that has a print version and provides a good basis for explaining science to ordinary people in folk language and the opportunity to communicate between scientists with the general public.

Mohammad Iqbal Chaudri is a well -known figure in Biological Organic Chemistry who won the Mustafa Award for “discovering attractive molecules with therapeutic applications”.