The Inter Islamic Network on Information Technology in collaboration with COMSATS University Islamabad conducted a Webinar on “Technological Innovation Driven Sustainable Economic Development” on January 11, 2022 at 1900 hrs. The keynote speaker of the Webinar was Prof. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, the former Director, APCTT-UNESCAP and Emeritus Professor & Vice President, Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand.
The Webinar began with a brief introduction of the Webinar by Dr. Tahir Naeem, Executive Director, Inter Islamic Network on Information Technology/ Director, Directorate of P&D and HRD, Comsats University Islamabad who was also the moderator of the event. In his opening remarks, he said that technological innovation is now the most important driver of success for nations as it determines economic growth, increased well-being, educational accessibility and environmental sustainability. He also underlined myriad ways in which technological innovation enhances the quality of life e.g. through new health care systems and control of disease, better transportation and communication systems, improving work environments and so on.
After the opening remarks, Prof. Dr. Muhammad T. Afzal, President, Inter Islamic Network on Information Technology/ Rector, COMSATS University Islamabad addressed the audience. In his speech he said that the technology development does not vest exclusively in research and development rather in the interactive and reflexive relationship among market, governmental policy and national institutions. He also congratulated the organizers of the Webinar and said that in the midst of contemporary debates on creating ‘knowledge-based economy’, there would not have been a better time to convene this Webinar.
The next address to the audience was made by Dr. S.M. Junaid Zaidi (H.I., S.I.), Former Executive Director, COMSATS, Former pro Chancellor & Founding Rector, COMSATS University Islamabad. He said that with the widening gap between the haves and have-nots, the crucial role of technology has also come to the forefront; and it is universally considered as the only hope for bridging the prosperity gap. He further said that technology per se may be developed for war, prestige, market competition, and social welfare. But "technology for development" is simply the application of technology for socioeconomic progress. Hence, application of technology for development is of paramount importance for all the countries of the world. Lastly, he congratulated and appreciated the organizers for their great effort in organizing the Webinar.
Making the keynote speech, Prof. Nawaz Sharif shared his thoughts and experiences related to national technological innovation capacity related governance for fostering sustainable economic growth. Prof. Nawaz Sharif’s speech was composed of two Plenary Sessions and one Question and Answer Session. The Plenary Sessions was comprised of detailed six-part presentation on the subject matter. The first part of his presentation focused on “Technology Innovation Led New World Order” in which he described in detail as how the industrial technology innovations are shaping the new world order. The second part of his presentation focused on “Industries Globalization for Wealth Creation” where he reasoned about how technology innovation centric national industries can reduce prosperity gap. The third part of his presentation focused on “Elements of Technological Innovation System” where he talked about constituents of the four-pillar framework for managing industrial technology innovation. The fourth part of his presentation focused on “National Technology Innovation Capacities Development” where he talked in detail about galvanizing technology innovation systems through incubators and startup ventures. The fifth part of his presentation focused on “Strengthening National Technology Innovation Policies” in which he highlighted the importance of mobilizing technology innovation policies to promote national industrial globalization. The sixth and last part of his presentation focused on “Leadership Challenges” in which he discoursed about reiterating concepts and reinforcing commitment for industries globalization. After the Plenary Sessions, participants gave their rich feedback and asked questions which Prof. Nawaz Sharif answered very patiently and eloquently.
The Webinar was a huge success as it was enthusiastically participated by people from various countries i.e. Turkey, Jordan, Malaysia, Egypt, Brunei Darussalam, United States of America and Pakistan representing all walks of life including academia, research, commerce and industry, information technology, entrepreneurship, environmental sciences, communication, government ministries and so on.