Professor Ameer Azam comments on Science and Technology Exchange Program (STEP)

 

 

 

question 1: in December, the Mustafa Prize will hold the Nano-science and nanotechnology development forum at the Malaysian University of UPM, under the science and Technology Exchange program among Muslim countries or what we simply refer to as STEP. In your opinion what is the importance of this forum?

 

 

The Science and Technology Exchange Program (STEP) initiated by Mustafa Prize Secretariat is a welcome initiative. It will bring elite Muslim scientists and researchers at one platform for exchange of ideas, networking and cooperation. It will prove to be an important event as it gives an opportunity to interact and exchange ideas, technology among the participants. As we know that in today’s world, Science and Technology is the leading and influential field which contributes maximum to the betterment of the humanity, so organizing such kind of Forums will definitely help to develop the Muslims countries to stride side by side with the rest of the world and also contribute maximum to the humanity.

 

 

question 2 - We know that the other international prizes , such as the Nobel Prize, organize events similar to the STEP forum held by the Mustafa Prize. Do you think the STEP forum can help the Mustafa Prize to achieve a reputation on par with other well known prizes?

 

 

First of all, it is very necessary to popularize Mustafa prize. The more we popularize it, the more worth it will have. Although we cannot compare Mustafa prize with Noble prize right now but if we work consistently for its popularization then a day will come when Mustafa Prize will become an adored prize. One important thing is that there should be strict, impartial, transparent criteria for the award of the Mustafa Prize.

 

 

question 3- Do you think that the STEP forum will help find new scientists who have the potential to contribute to the promotion of science and also nominate for the Mustafa Prize?

 

 

Yes, organizing such kind of Forum will definitely offer an opportunity to everyone to share their ideas and from those very ideas; the great minds will come out who really can contribute to the promotion of science. There should be an attempt to organize STEP program in different parts of the world. That will make it known to the scientists and researchers worldwide.

 

 

question 4 - The Mustafa Prize was launched at a time when the contributions of Muslim scientists to science and technology are not appreciated. Do you think that Mustafa Prize can compensate for the lack of appreciation?

 

 

Launching of Mustafa Prize is definitely a welcome step in the direction of popularization of Science and Technology among Muslim Scientists. This Prize will definitely compensate the lack of appreciation among Muslim Scientists and their work will be suitably recognized and rewarded.

 

 

question 5 - How can Mustafa prize help advance science and technology in Muslim world?

 

 

Mustafa Prize can help in advancing Science and Technology in Muslim World in the following ways:

i) Identify some labs in the Muslim World where physical infrastructure (equipment etc) are available.

ii) Identify some young researchers (at least 25) in the Muslim World and they should be sponsored to take advanced training in some identified highly sophisticated labs. in the West. After training they should be encouraged to work in the already identified labs in the Muslim world.

iii) Organizing such kinds of forum and events time and again under the Mustafa Prize to discuss and share the latest and new ideas arising from the great minds and implement those in the Muslim countries.

 

 

Guest: Professor Ameer Azam

Chairperson

Department Applied Physics

Aligarh Muslim University

Aligarh (India)

 

Done