Symposium on “Research and Development Funding Opportunities for Software Houses and other Stakeholders”

Karachi, March 30, 2009: National ICT R&D Fund organised a symposium on “Research & Development Funding Opportunities for Software Houses” at the Dilkusha Hall in Pearl Continental Hotel Karachi. The attendees included the top brass from some of the leading software houses in Karachi and also leading academicians from some of the top universities of Sindh.  The program started with recitation from the Holy Quran. Ms. Jehan Ara, President P@SHA began the proceedings with her welcome address to the attendees. She briefed the audience on the initiatives being taken by National ICT R&D Fund to encourage R&D within the domain of ICTs. She highlighted some of the achievements of the local software industry. She also commended some of the younger CEOs on the contribution they have made in developing and strengthening the ICT structure within Pakistan.

Dr. Qasim Sheikh, CEO, National ICT R&D Fund gave the key note address to the audience. In his address he referred to some of the achievement that National ICT R&D Fund has made in encouraging ICT centric R&D within Pakistan. He emphasized that the local software industry has to play a very important role in realising the vision behind the creation of the Fund. He categorised “innovation” as the driving engine for wealth generation, economic growth and value creation. Moreover he defined “innovation” as alleviating rate limiting factors from value chains. He also referred to various fields of ICTs where we can eliminate rate limiting factors. He emphasized that the software industry as well as learned academicians should come together and mark these rate limiting factors and initiate projects to provide solutions to the problems. He highlighted the role of National ICT R&D Fund as a key facilitator in providing the necessary funds to initiate these projects and also as a central body assisting the liaison between Industry and Academia. National ICT R&D Fund has to-date funded 28 ICT centric R&D proposals worth PKR 431 million.

Dr. Qasim Sheikh also discussed the various facets of proposal evaluation with the audience. He explained the weaknesses in the proposals that were being submitted. He emphasized the importance of the evaluation process and offered guidance in proposal writing and submission. Dr. Qasim also discussed the need for defining thematic initiatives for R&D in Pakistan. He sought input from the learned audience for defining some of the key thematic initiatives for R&D, which can be demarcated keeping in view the needs of the country.

The program concluded with a Q&A session. The audience responded with a lot queries regarding the funding opportunities that are available with the fund. Dr. Qasim responded to all queries that were raised. He endorsed the commitment of National ICT R&D Fund in facilitating concrete R&D proposals by providing funding opportunities.