The fifth meeting of the Project Management Committee (PMC) of the STEM Careers Project was held in the Lecture Hall (Mural Hall) of HEC, H-9 Campus, Islamabad , at 1000 hours on Friday, 5^th May 2006. The following members of PMC attended the meeting:

1. Dr. Abdullah Sadiq, Chair STEM Careers Project & Rector, GIK-I, Topi
2. Dr. Kausar Abdullah Malik, Member Food and Agriculture, Planning Commission
3. Prof. Riazuddin, Director General, National Centre for Physics, Islamabad
4. Dr. Tariq-ur-Rehman, Chairman, Pakistan Council of Science and Technology (PCST), Islamabad
5. Dr. Zabta Khan Shinwari, Vice Chancellor, Kohat University of Science & Technology (KUST), Kohat
6. Dr. Ms. STK Naeem, Consultant COMSTECH, Islamabad
7. Mr. Qaiser Naseem, Project Director STEM

•  Prof. Dr. S. Sohail H. Naqvi could not attend the meeting as he was called away by the Chairman HEC at the last moment. Prof. Dr. Iqbal Chaudhary could not attend as he was abroad. Dr. M. Aslam, Prof. Asghar Qadir, Prof. Dr. Parvez Hoodbhoy, Dr. Sarmad Abbasi did not attend the meeting because of other pressing official engagements.

Special Invitees - Coordinators of NSTC & NEC Home Institutions

Although not a member of PMC, the following also attended the meeting on the invitation of STEM Careers Project:

1. Prof. Barbu Berceanu as Representative of Prof. Dr. A. D. Raza Choudry, D.G. School of Mathematical Sciences (SMS), G.C.U, Lahore
2. Dr. Khalid M. Khan, Coordinator, NCTC, H.E.J Research Institute, Karachi
3. Dr. Sarwar Khan, Coordinator, NBTC, National Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Faisalabad
4. Dr. Naseem Irfan, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS)
5. Dr. Ibrahim Qazi, Coordinator, NPTC, GIK-I, Topi
6. Brig. Dr. Akhtar Nawaz Malik, Head of Department, Mechatronics, EME, NUST
7. Col. Dr. Javaid Iqbal, Coordinator, NERC, EME, NUST
8. Dr. Abid, Coordinator DBFC, GIK-I, Topi
9. Dr. Junaid Mughal, Assistant Professor, GIK-I, Topi
10. Professor Irgazieve Bahkhadir, GIK-I, Topi

Welcome, Introduction & Overview

After a brief welcome by Dr. Abdullah Sadiq, the participants introduced themselves one by one for mutual recognition. Dr. Abdullah Sadiq presented an overview of the various activities of STEM Careers Project with the help of STEM chart of its sub-projects (copy attached).

Following is a summary of the discussions held and key decisions taken: -

Agenda Item No. 1: Adoption of Minutes of the 4^th PMC Meeting

The minutes were adopted as circulated after clarification of observation of Dr. Tariq-ur-Rehman regarding Item 5 of Minutes : Receipt of more funds from HEC than the budgeted amount during the first year of the project .

Agenda Item No. 2: Implementation Report of Earlier Decisions of PMC

The Committee was briefed about the implementation of earlier decisions of PMC including adoption of new letterhead of STEM Project and certificates for NSTC-1 students, participation of Pakistani team & Observers in International Science Olympiads in 2004-2005, and Launching of 2^nd National Science Talent Contest (NSTC-2) with online registration as approved. Committee noted with satisfaction the progress made in this regard.

Agenda Item No. 3(a): Current Status of Second National Science Talent Contest (NSTC-2)

The Committee was updated about the current status of NSTC-2 and about plans to further groom the selected highly talented students in the final phase of training camps under NSTC-2 for participation in Pakistani teams to International Olympiads in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics scheduled in July 2006 to be hosted by Singapore , South Korea , Argentina and Slovenia respectively.

Agenda Item No. 3(b): Participation of Pakistani Teams in International Science Olympiads in July, 2006

Committee was informed about the Pakistani teams including names of their leaders and students prepared for participation in International Olympiads in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics in July 2006. The number of students in each Olympiad varies from 4 to 6. The committee noted with satisfaction that while Pakistani teams have participated in International Olympiads in Physics and Mathematics before as well, this year will be the first time that all four subjects (including Biology & Chemistry) will send their Teams to International Olympiads.

Agenda Item No. 3(c): Performance of Pakistani Teams in International Olympiads

The Committee members showed keen interest in the performance of Pakistani Teams in International Olympiads. For example, Dr. STK Naeem inquired about the performance of Pakistani Team in International Mathematics Olympiads (IMO) in 2005. Prof. Barbu Berceanu of SMS elaborated that the performance was average given that it was the first time that Pakistan participated in the IMO and that the level of problems given to students in the Olympiads was quite high i.e. at PhD level. The committee was also informed about the efforts of Dr. A.D. Raza Choudary for exemption from two year mandatory participation as observer for Pakistani team in IMO. Prof. Riazuddin was interested in the performance of Pakistani team in International Physics Olympiads (IPhO) in 2005. Dr. Abdullah Sadiq clarified that the performance of Pakistani team has not suffered due to change of venue of IPhO training camp i.e. from PIEAS to GIK-I as the key trainers were the same and all but the final Camp of last year were held at PIEAS/QAU.

To provide a level playing field to the Pakistani team, Dr. Khalid Khan proposed to allow BSc students less than 20 years of age in addition to the FSc/A level students to participate in the International Chemistry Olympiads (IChO) as per IChO rules.

The Committee also appreciated the efforts of other Coordinators for participating in Olympiads and to make sure that all four subjects will send their Teams to International Olympiads this year.

In response to a question raised by Dr. Zabta Kahn, the committee was also informed about the basis on which various prizes are awarded during the International Olympiads, where an effort is made that about 50% of the participating students get some recognition.

Agenda Item No. 3(d): Career Opportunities for the NSTC/ Olympiad Students

Given the high caliber of our students, it is critical that their careers are properly planned.

Agenda Item No. 3(e): Current Status of Third National Science Talent Contest (NSTC-3)

Committee was briefed about the launching of NSTC-3 in FY 2005-2006 through web, Schools and through Newspapers all over Pakistan . Committee expressed satisfaction over the result of Screening Test of NSTC-3 and that the congratulation letter was sent to all students who qualified the Screening test. Dr. Kausar Abdullah Malik emphasized the need to involve more students in NSTC from government and other schools where children from low income families get their education.

Agenda Item No. 3(f): Tentative Dates and Schedule of NSTC-3 Training Camps

Committee was informed that the Coordinators are working on the tentative dates of NSTC-3 Training Camps. The students will be informed through mail as well as through STEM website after its finalization from HI's of NSTC.

Agenda Item No. 3(g): Syllabus, Recommended Books, Supporting material for the Training Camps

The committee was briefed about the syllabus of the International Science Olympiads. This will provide guidance to the students who will participate in the Training Camps. It was proposed to draft syllabus for each training camp for facilitating the students as well as the organizers. Dr. S.T.K Naeem suggested adopting the curriculum developed by National Academy of Sciences, USA for promoting Science & Technology in Pakistan . Dr. Abdullah Sadiq mentioned that getting highly educated people on board in this voluntary endeavor is a major challenge. Dr. STK Naeem also offered to get us funding from USA in this regard.

Agenda Item No. 3(h): Role of Alumni in Various Activities of NSTC

The committee was apprised of and took keen interest in the important role NSTC alumni play in the various activities of NSTC as circulated.

Agenda Item No. 3(f): Science Teacher Forum (STF) Progress Report

The Committee was updated about the progress of Science Teachers Forum (STF). STF Chapters are working in Karachi , Lahore , Islamabad and Peshawar . The one in Peshawar is the most active among these, where a College Principals Forum was also formed, that has already held 9 meetings. The progress of STF chapters in other cities was found unsatisfactory primarily due to lack of motivation and funds for teacher's participation. Dr. Kausar Abdullah Malik emphasized that STF is an important component of STEM Careers Project and there is a need to strengthen it by allocating funds specifically for this purpose. The committee was informed that a new proposal will be developed specifically for STF. For the mean time, committee approved a reallocation of estimated 1.0 million rupees from STEM budget for STF related activities which was approved during a meeting of DDWP and is included in the financial review of Year 2003-04.

Agenda Item No. 4 : Suggested Amendments in STEM Careers Project PC-1

After deliberations, the Project Management Committee approved the following amendments in PC-1 of STEM Careers Project:

5.a) Increase in Amount Allocated for Training Camps:

Realizing the difficulty of organizing Training Camps with in an allocated budget of Rs.315,625/- per subject per year, the Committee:

I. Sanctioned the additional grant of Rs. 100,000/- given to each HI under NSTC-2 during FY 2005-2006. Further, SMS was allowed to use this additional grant for arranging visas of Pakistani team participating in 47 th IMO from Slovenian Embassy in Iran

II. Sanctioned the increase in amount to be given annually to each Home Institution from Rs. 315,625/- to Rs. 500,000/- for holding multiple training camps under NSTC-3 and onwards.

It was also suggested to provide some helping staff for HI's during Training Camps of NTSC's. Committee suggested HI's to engage existing staff or temporarily hire required staff. It was also suggested that HI's should send some estimates of expenditures for inclusion in next PC-1 for phase II.

5.b) Increase in Amount Allocated for Participation in International Olympiads head in lieu of voluntary contributions , DA & inflation:

The committee was informed that our PC-1 stipulates a budget of Rs. 625,000/- per team per year for participation in International Olympiads. This amount has proved to be insufficient in the past as it does not takes into account the registration fee, or rising oil prices coupled with high inflation that has resulted in higher then anticipated air fares, particularly for far flung areas like Mexico or Argentina thereby increasing the overall cost of participation in International Olympiads beyond the budgeted amount. Consequently:

I. The Committee sanctioned all the actual expenditures over and above the budgeted amount of Rs. 625,000/- per team incurred by teams in the past for participation in International Olympiads;

II. The Committee also sanctioned an increase in the amount allocated for Participation in International Olympiads from Rs. 625,000/- to an average of Rs. 1,000,000/- per team from this year and onwards

Further, it was proposed to add Islamic Olympiads in calendar of NSTC team. Dr. Abdullah Sadiq floated the idea of adding a Competition for Medical Students as well under the banner of NSTC. Committee also discussed Asian Olympiads and other Olympiads going on and about the lack of participation from Pakistan in these Olympiads due to funding problems and student's examination during Olympiads date. It was decided to explore these ideas for possible inclusion in the next phase of STEM Careers Project.

5.c) Additional Funds for National Engineering Competition and STF:

It was brought to the attention of PMC that the National Engineering Completion and STF were launched on a pilot scale by seed money of Rs.1 million only from the Contingency head of STEM Careers Project. Given that this amount has almost exhausted, the Committee approved the proposal of allocating another Rs. 1 million for NEC & STF related projects like National Engineering Robotic Competition ( NERC ) and Design Built and Fly Contest (DBFC) out of readjustment of other components for the remaining duration of STEM Project.

5.d) Sanctioning the honorarium given to resource persons in addition to faculty members

The Committee allowed STEM Project to compensate resource persons and reward others by paying them honorarium in accordance with HEC rules.  

In essence, the committee approved all the proposed amendments in STEM PC-1 emphasizing that overall cost of the project will not change as additional funds required for these changes should be met from adjustments/saving out of the other components .

Agenda Item No. 5: Certificate Distribution Ceremony for Students of NSTC-2 Selected for the International Science Olympiads

The committee had a lively debate about holding the Certificate Distribution Ceremony for students of NSTC-2 selected for International Science Olympiads. The venue for the proposed ceremony, tentative date of early August 2006, and the number of invitees (around 80) were the key issues. Committee showed deep interest in having the President of Pakistan / Prime minister as Chief Guest. However, rather then having a separate function exclusively for this purpose, the Committee adopted a policy decision to make efforts to add this ceremony with International Nathiagali Summer College held annually on a regular basis. The Committee requested Prof. Dr. Riazuddin, a PMC member who is also the Coordinator of International Nathiagali Summer College, to add NSTC certificate distribution ceremony in Inaugural Ceremony of Nathiagali Summer Camp. Committee also advised STEM Project to send a formal request to International Nathiagali Conference Organizing Committee in this regard on behalf of the PMC. All the members of PMC are requested to use their influence in this regard.

Agenda Item No. 6: New Proposals

Appreciating the achievements of STEM Careers Project, the committee approved the idea of developing a new PC-1 for Phase II of STEM Careers Project and asked STEM office to start working on development of said PC-1.

Agenda Item No. 7: Proposal for Presentations by the Resource Persons & NSTC Alumni for the NSTC-4

The committee endorsed the proposal for Presentations by the Resource Persons & NSTC Alumni for the NSTC-4.

Agenda Item No. 7(a): Launching of 4 th National Science Talent Contest (NSTC-4)

1. The Committee approved the Schedule of NSTC-4 as distributed.

2. The Committee rejected the proposed increase in minimum participation fee of NSTC from Rs.100/- to 500/- for S.SC/H.S.S.C students. In order to avoid paying bank fees of Rs. 125/- per bank draft, the committee recommended exploring other payment options like changing the mode of payment from bank draft to bank chalan form or other suitable mode of payment.

Agenda Item No. 8(a): National Engineering Robotics Competition (NERC)

The committee was briefed about NERC by Brig. Dr. Akhtar Nawaz, Head of Department Mechatronics, EME, NUST and Col. Dr. Javaid Iqbal, Coordinator NERC (NUST). The committee was pleased with the performance of NERC 2005 and 2006 and the way it has evolved from a humble beginning to a prominent national level engineering contest. Dr. Khan Khalid announced that H.E.J would like to contribute 2 prizes for NERC 2006 to NUST.

Agenda Item No. 8(b): Design Build and Fly Contest (DBFC)

The committee was briefed about DBFC by Dr. Junaid Mughal and Dr. M. Abid (Associate Prof - Faculty of Mechanical Engineering), GIK-I, Topi. The committee expressed satisfaction with the progress of DBFC that was held on April 28-29, 2006 at GIK-I in collaboration with STEM Careers Project under the banner of National Engineering Competition.

Agenda Item No. 10: Any other Item with Permission of Chair

1. In order to streamline the International Olympiad participation process, the committee asked the Coordinators of Home Institutions to request their respective International Olympiad Organizing Committees to send their Letter of Invitation to the Chairman, HEC with copy to Chair, STEM Careers Project and to the respective Coordinators at Home Institutions . This will help in smooth work flow while facilitating approval and visas.

2. The Committee was briefed about the difficulties faced by STEM and Coordinators of Home Institutions in terms of undue pressure from parents for selection of their children in the Pakistani teams to the International Olympiads. Committee was briefed that all the Coordinators of HI's are working on voluntarily basis and have no consideration except the criteria. In order to ensure that the decision is not challenged in any court of law, it was proposed to specifically mention in the NSTC advertisement that the selection process is final and cannot be challenged in any court of law.

3. It was also proposed that Chairman of Pakistan Science Foundation may be included as an ex-officio member of Project Management Committee of STEM Careers Project.

4. Committee emphasized that meeting of Project Management committee should be held regularly every year along with meeting of Coordinators of Home Institutions .

Concluding the meeting, Dr. Abdullah Sadiq thanked all participants for taking time out of their busy schedules and attending the 5 th meeting of PMC.