NOTE FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
I am pleased to present Vol. 3(3) of the Newsletter of the Academy and hope that the readers would find its contents informative. Since the Newsletter of the Academy covers ongoing and planned activities of various scientific establishments on country wide basis, we keenly look forward to receiving inputs promptly and on regular basis. The Academy has established an electronic facility, newsletter@paspk.org, for rapid communication of news for inclusion in the Newsletter. In case the required information is sent by post, a soft copy (3.5 inch floppy, MS-Word) is necessary to facilitate editorial process. The readers are reminded that the schedule of publication of the Newsletter is January, April, July and October. We also look forward to receiving suggestions for improvement in the Newsletter.

PAKISTAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES NEWS Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman honoured Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, NI, HI, SI, TI, President Pakistan Academy of Sciences, was recently elected Fellow of the Royal Society (UK). Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman is Federal Minister, Chairman, Higher Education Commission, Coordinator General, COMSTECH and Director HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry, University of Karachi. He shares this honor with three other renowned Pakistani Scientists, namely, late Prof. Dr. Salimuzzaman Siddiqui, late Prof. Dr. Abdul Salaam (Nobel Laureate) and Prof. Dr. M. Akhtar, currently Director General, School of Biological Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore. Monthly Seminar Series of Local Chapters of PAS The following seminar was conducted by the Islamabad/Rawalpindi Chapter of PAS.   Prof. Dr. Asghar Qadir, S.I. Director, Centre for Advanced Mathematics and Physics, National University of Sciences and Technology, Rawalpindi, Pakistan April 2006 Mathematics--the Art of the Infinite

Where do Number Systems Come From?

Mathematics is often presented as if it exists independent of us. It doesn’t. It is free construction of the human mind created for some specific use. It may possess a structure beyond what was put in (like a picture or poem may have facets that the painter or poet never thought of) and one might study that structure for its own sake. Some parts of Mathematics are so simple that
no alternative can be imagined and they will, presumably, be developed by all intelligences. Among the fir parts of Mathematics to be developed were the number systems. The simplest system is the numbers used for counting. It appears that even animals have sense of counting number. Again, animals seem to have a sense of distance. From here we cannot conclude that Arithmetic and Geometry exist in themselves, independently of humans.

The further structure for the counting numbers is that they give the same result when added together in any order. This structure was not inserted for the purpose of counting but is a property that these numbers have. One can construct numbers systems, which are needed for some applications, that do not have this property. However, simple number systems like the counting numbers cannot have very much extra structure to them. More complicated number systems can and do.

There can be situations where simple counting does not serve. If a room uses ten tiles across the floor, counting is fine, But what if ten are not enough but eleven do not fil? One might find that twenty one would fit two rooms. We now have the fractional number ten and a half. These numbers did not exist before their need arose. When it arose, the counting numbers were extended to fit the more general need. For some purposes even these numbers may not be general enough. Think of two roads of a mile each at right angles to each other. The direct path across from the start of one road to the end of the other
is more than a mile and less than two. In fact, it is less than one and a half. It can be shown that there is no ratio of counting numbers that exactly gives the distance. To deal with the application to such general measuring problems one has to go beyond ratios and define new numbers. Though there seems very little difference between the two types to numbers, when one studies the structure of the systems they are different in some ways.

Numbers are used to deal with general arithmetical problems using symbols for given quantities and those that have to be determined. For the simplest problems, if the given numbers are counting numbers those to be determined may be ratios in general. However, if the given numbers are ratios so are those that are to be determined. This was not built into the number system of ratios but they happened to be usable more generally. For slightly more complicated problems, the quantities to be determined appear in the problem, multiplied by themselves, In this case the ratio numbers are not adequate to solve the problem, and we have to extend further.

To some extent the extended numbers that dealt with the right angled triangle may be adequate. However, more generally one needs a number such that when it is multiplied by itself the result is the negative of the number “one”. Since the product of positive numbers among themselves is positive and of negative numbers among themselves is also positive, the previously defined numbers do not contain such a number. Therefore one constructs a new number that serves the purpose. Such numbers will solve not only these problems but all algebraically formulated problems! If is this type of unexpected generality that leads to the (false) impression that the numbers exist in themselves. The fact remains that one had to go on constructing new systems when the previous ones proved inadequate even though the numbers were usable beyond the original purpose of their construction. Mathematicians construct other, still more complicated number systems, when this number system does not serve the purpose.

For completeness, I now give the technical names of the number systems. The counting numbers are called “natural”, presumably because they arise so naturally; the fractions or ratios are called “rational” for obvious reasons (though the name is misinterpreted to mean that these numbers are “sane” and others “insane”); the extension for more general measurements are called “real” in opposition to the further generalization to numbers that give negative numbers when multiplied by themselves; the latter numbers are called “imaginary”, a most unfortunate misnomer that leads to their being thought of as less real than the other number systems; and compositions of real and imaginary numbers are called “complex” numbers, another unfortunate choice of name that leads me to an anecdote. When a friend of mine and I were invited abroad to attend an advanced course on “Complex Analysts”, the Vice Chancellor of our University at the time refused us permission, saying “Pakistan does not need complex analysis, it needs simple analysis”. The name lends itself to this confusion, though it is actually supposed to refer to “a complex of real and imaginary numbers”. There is another twist to the story of number systems, when one tries to deal with them as they go endlessly on (to infinity as its called technically), but that is another story that I will reserve for another time.

The Paradoxes of Infinity

In Mathematics a statement is always right or wrong. Right? Wrong! In this lecture I will explain why I say this. In a previous discourse I Pointed out that numbers are free creations of the human mind. This becomes especially relevant when we try to carry the numbers endlessly on. So long as we simply leave it at that and do not look at the structure further there is still no problem. However, on account of the application of numbers we often need to look at the structures for endless collections of numbers.

A procedure was needed to define the comparison of unlimited collections. The one adopted was the natural extension of counting. To objects of a collection being counted, numbers are assigned sequentially. This procedure can be carried on endlessly. However, it leads to a strange conclusion. Think of the collection of even numbers (those that are divisible by 2,i.e.2,4,6,...). To each of these “objects” assign numbers sequentially, i.e. to 2 assign 1, to 4 assign 2 and so on. Then to every “object” there is a number and to every number there is an “object” . But that means there as many even numbers as there are numbers! This seems ridiculous as the even numbers are just a part of all the numbers. How can a part be equal to the whole? The answer is that the part is not equal to the whole. The only claim is that there are as many numbers in one collection as in the other. Since there are infinitely many numbers in both collections this is not all that strange. All we have found is that there is no difference between the number of “objects” and numbers when there are infinitely many. A stranger result is that if we use the collection of all ratios of numbers used for counting, and compare with the counting numbers themselves, the result is that there are as many in both collections. How can this be when there are infinitely many ratios between, say, 1 and 2? Again, it seems that there is no bigger or smaller number when dealing with
infinity.

It might be acceptable for us, if the infinite number systems we constructed cannot be compared meaningfully, leading only to the trivial statement that "infinity is infinity". However, once the number system has been defined for convenience in a particular application and the procedure for comparison used is that for counting, we are forced to admit the there must be infinite numbers larger than the infinity of counting numbers. To explain why I need to explain about the theory of collections of objects, which mathematicians call sets.

Think of a pair of objects. How many collections can I make from them? I could choose the original collection of both; I could choose either; I could choose neither: a total of 4 choices. Had there been 3 objects I could have chosen all; pairs in 3 ways; single objects in 3 ways; or none of them: a total of 8 subsets. It can be shown that there is no way of assigning an element of the set to each element of the subset. This will apply also to the endless set of numbers for counting.

The number of elements of a set is particularly important when dealing with the number of points in a line. Since the points have no length there must be infinitely many of them in a line segment. By the previous procedure of assigning elements of one collection to the other it is easy to see that a small line segment has as many points as a longer line segment. Just draw the shorter segment above the longer segment and parallel to it. Join the corresponding ends of both segments and extend the joining lines till they intersect. The result is a triangle with the two line segments opposite a vertex, Now if you select any point in the larger segment and connect it to the vertex  you get a line passing through the shorter segment. This provides a point in the shorter segment to each point in the longer segment. Correspondingly, connecting the vertex to a point selected in the shorter segment and extending to the longer segment gives a point of the longer segment to each point of the shorter segment. It can be shown that there are more points in any line segment than all the counting numbers.

So infinity is not simply infinity. There are some "bigger infinities" and some "smaller infinities". We saw two ways of getting "bigger infinities" than the infinity of counting numbers. We might now ask whether the two infinites are equally big or one of them is bigger than the other. The answer to this question is a surprise to all those who are not already familiar with the answer. It goes totally against the normal view of Mathematics. It had been assumed that the two infinites are equal. Till such time as it could be proved this assumption was called "the continuum hypothesis". Then, in the 1930's Kurt Godel proved a theorem that "given any arithmetical system with a finite set of assumptions, there will always exist statements that cannot be derived from the given assumptions". He applied this theorem to the question of the continuum hypothesis. It turns out that the continuum hypothesis is one of the non-derivable statements of Godel' s theorem. You can choose it to be true or false! The lack of definiteness comes from the fact that Mathematics is a free creation of the human mind. The structures for the number systems are often very constraining so we assume that they are totally constrained, but they are not!

GLOBAL CHANGE IMPACT STUDIES CENTRE (GCISC) NEWS

GCISC conducts IIASA-Pakistan Seminar in Islamabad

On the invitation of Dr. Ishfaq Abroad, Special Adviser to the Prime Minister, a 6 member delegation from the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), Austria, visited Pakistan during the last week of April 2006. The delegation comprised of the following persons:

Prof. Leen Hordijk, Director, IIASA
Mr. Adam Chambers, Specialist on Environmental Issues
Dr. Mahendra Shah, Specialist on Agricultural Systems
Dr. Gunnar Sjostedt, Specialist on International Negotiations
Dr. Reinhard Mechler, Specialist on Natural Disaster Risk Management
Prof. Wolfgang Lutz, Specialist on Population Dynamics

Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad and Prof. Leen Hordijk conducting seminar session
 

The purpose of this visit was to explore and identify possible areas of collaboration between Pakistan and IIASA and to meet with the Pakistani counterparts in this respect A 3-day event comprising 6 technical sessions was, therefore, arranged at the Pakistan Academy of Sciences by the Global Change Impact Studies Centre (GCISC) at the Pakistan Academy of Sciences. The inaugural session was graced by Ch. Nouraiz Shakoor Khan, Federal Minister for Science & Technology! Dr. Arshad M. Khan, Executive Director, GCISC, Islamabad, welcomed the delegates, participants and guests. Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad, special Advisor to the Prime Minister, presented the introductory remarks. Dr. M. Akram Sheikh, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, and Prof. Leen Hordijk, Director IISA, were the keynote speakers.

Left:    Dr. Arshad M. Khan welcoming the guests at the inaugural session
Right:    Mr. Shamsul Mulk (Ex-Chairman, WAPDA) and Prof. Leen Hordijk
conducting seminar session

There were 5 technical sessions held during the first two days: 1) Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gas Reduction, 2) Food, Agriculture and Climate Change, 3) Knowledge and Skills in International Negotiations, 4) Natural Disaster Risk Management and Planning for Extreme Events and 5) Population Projections, Education and Human Capital. The third day was reserved for a panel discussion on Indus Basin Development and Global Change. For each technical session, two panelists, one each from IIASA and Pakistan, made detailed presentations. This was followed by additional deliberations by 4-5 discussants, who provided their viewpoint on the topic under discussion. After these formal presentations, the audience was invited to participate in the discussion by making comments and raising questions. The discussions led to the identification of various potential collaborative projects such as: 1) Development of GAINS model for greenhouse gas emission control and regional air pollution modelling, 2) Food security and agricultural productivity in drought vulnerable areas, 3) Population dynamics, projection and reconstruction of human capital of Pakistan and 4) Development of a system of self assurance for natural disaster risk management.

The panel discussion on the final day brought out a host of issues involving agriculture, hydropower, human capital, poverty, and environmental degradation that are intimately linked and are key considerations for the development of the Indus Basin. A systems approach was considered to be the most appropriate for dealing with such a complex problem. At the same time, it was considered desirable to focus initially on a selected part of the Indus Basin rather than the whole basin that essentially encompasses more than 8035 of Pakistan's economy, population and resources. In relation to the issue of the availability and quality of Data, it was felt that considerable benefit could be obtained from the vast experience of IIASA in developing a multitude of data sets based on such techniques such as surveys, remote sensing and GIS, and using them to derive information relevant to scientific analysis and policy planning. There was very active participation throughout the meeting from the Pakistan side. A total of about 150 persons participated in the meeting and the attendance stayed at a level of above 40 persons during technical sessions on all the three days. Now that some areas of potential importance for collaboration work and the Pakistani counterparts have been identified, we are looking forward to start a meaningful linkage with IIASA by becoming formal member of IIASA National Members Organization (NMO).

HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION (HEC) NEWS

HEC plans to organize interactive thematic workshops

The Committee on Science and Technology (COMSTECH) in collaboration with HEC has initiated to develop thematic symposia and workshops in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. The project has a direct relevance to economic development in OIC member countries and in Pakistan. The proposal focuses on arranging specific thematic workshops on the pattern of symposia organized by Cold Spring Harbor Labs, New York, USA. (http://www.cshl.edu) & ICGEB http://www.icgeb.trieste.it. This strategy will guide a prescribed agenda of research for various university laboratories. The main thrust of the proposed programmes will be on emerging sciences and technologies under the broad umbrella of biotechnology, and the main outcome will be to develop collaborative research programmes geared to impact national economies in OIC member states. A total of 10 workshops will be organized to benefit 200 researches over a 2 year period. Eminent scientist of international repute (10 from Pakistan and 10 from OIC countries) will run these workshops.

HEC invites scientists to write monographs and textbooks

Realizing the dearth of locally produced reference reading material at the post-graduate level, the Higher Education Commission has embarked upon a project on "Monograph & Textbook Writing Scheme". The project is developed with a view to encouraging authorship amongst university professors and researchers. The project is open to eminent professors and researchers of public sector universities and research organizations of repute across the country. The project covers subjects in new emerging fields such as IT, Robotics, Biotechnology, Basic, Social, Management, and Behavioral Sciences; Arts & Humanities, Agriculture, Engineering and Health Sciences. Other new fields/topics/concepts are also welcomed. The format for book proposal submission and detailed guidelines form is available on the HEC website.

COMSTECH NEWS

Training Course on Technology Transfer Policy and Industry Level Perspectives

The Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Research Centre at COMSTECH, Islamabad, invites applications from suitable candidates from OIC member countries to the short course on "Technology Transfer Policy and Industry Level Perspectives". The course will be held at COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad from 12th - 19th July 2006. The Course will be mainly delivered by an expert from Policy Research in Engineering, Science and Technology (PREST) from Manchester Business School, the University of Manchester (UK). Some guest speakers from industry or Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) will be invited for the afternoon sessions.

PAKISTAN TELECOMMUNICATION AUTHORITY (PTA) NEWS

PTA Directs Mobile Operators to issue connections after proper documentation

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has directed all cellular mobile operators to maintain proper record of mobile phone users and follow all formal requirements while issuing new connections. PTA has issued this directive in the wake of some complaints on irregular issuance of cellular connections. PTA has also formulated a detailed procedure for issuance of new cell phone connections and already circulated to mobile phone operators for their strict compliance. The Authority has directed mobile operators to follow this procedure to avoid any complications and failure to comply with these instructions may lead to initiation of legal proceedings under the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-Organized) Act. The Authority has observed that while issuing new mobile connections proper verification and documentation of antecedents is not being done and operators have been asked to follow Authority's directions in this regard. PTA has also directed all operators to publish an advertisement in newspapers to get the issued connections regularized through ensuring correctness of antecedents of the subscribers. It has further directed to furnish a progress report by 15 June 2006. It may be added that PTA has taken this action on complaints of issuance of new connections on unverifiable or incomplete documents.


AGA KHAN UNIVERSITY (AKU) NEWS

Early Child Development Programmes--Enabling Evidence-based Practice and Policy

Aga Khan University (AKU) is a component of Aga Khan Development Network, which comprises of social, economic and cultural development agencies working internationally to improve living conditions and opportunities in the developing world. The University is committed to the development of human capacities through discovery and dissemination of knowledge, and application through service.

The Human Development Programme (HDP) is an initiative of AKU. It brings together multidisciplinary research and education to understand and influence biological and social determinants of human development in various stages of life, Early Child Development (ECD) in particular. The University anticipates that a policy and practice based on evidence will enable populations to achieve their potential for learning, health and well being. The purpose of this symposium is m create a forum for discussion to inform future practice and policy to support ECD, particularly in developing countries.

IQRA UNIVERSITY NEWS

South Asian Journal of Management and Sciences

The South Asian journal of Management and Sciences is anew refereed journal published by IQRA University Press, published bi annually. The journal recognizes the growing involvement of regional issues in management sciences within the larger context of globalization and international business arena. It therefore aims to provide an opportunity and a forum to communicate relevant and current issues in the area of business management and its allied sciences including emerging trends and their application to and implications for the global business community. The papers will be based on empirical research, conceptual frameworks, literature reviews and case studies. The papers and articles submitted will be reviewed by the Editorial Advisory Board and other peer reviewers as necessary.

COMSATS INSTITUTE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (CIIT) NEWS

Professional Project Management and PMP Certification

COMSATS Institute of Information Technology Islamabad (CIIT) offers a 5-day intensive training on Project Management (July 03-July 07, 2006). The participants would receive an in-depth training and they would be prepared for the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. The course contents include the following areas:
 

PMI is an internationally recognized project management professional body with a membership of 250,000. This course is drawn from A Manager's Guide to Project Management and PMP Exam Preparation. The instructor is a certified PMI trainer. The course participants would be issued certificates jointly issued by CIIT and PMI.

PAKISTAN FOUNDATION FIGHTING BLINDNESS (PFFB) NEWS

General Pervez Musharraf, President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, announces a grant of Rs. 5 Million for Enhancing Scientific Research on Retinitis Pigmentosa and Allied Retinal Dystrophies

The Pakistan Foundation Fighting Blindness (PFFB), in collaboration with National Commission on Biotechnology (NCB) organized the First International Seminar on Retinitis Pigmentosa and Allied Retinal Dystrophies on the 6th and 7th of June 2006 in Islamabad.

The Prime objective of this first ever seminar on this topic was to create awareness about the devastating group of eye disorders known as "Retinitis Pigmentosa" (RP) - "Andhrata", and Allied Retinal Dystrophies (A group of genetically transmitted hereditary eye diseases). Symptoms of Retinitis Pigmentosa usually appear in children, and gradually lead to loss of sight in adulthood.

This seminar made a valuable contribution to the worldwide educational effort by Retina International, the umbrella organization which is working for finding cures and treatments for "Incurable" eye disorders, commonly known as "Night Blindness". PFFB has the distinction of being the First Full Asian Member of the Retina International (R.1), which is dominated by Members from European countries and the United States of America (U.S.A).

General Pervez Musharraf, President of The Islamic Republic of Pakistan, inaugurated the First International Seminar on Retinitis Pigmentosa and Allied Retinal Dystrophies on the 6th of June 2006 at the Marriott Hotel, Islamabad. He was pleased to announce a grant of Rs. 5 Million to Pakistan Foundation Fighting Blindness for enhancing Scientific Research on Retinitis Pigmentosa and Allied Retinal Dystmhpies. The August gathering assembled for the inauguration was representative of a cross section of the society. Bioscientist from the OTAGO University, New Zealand, India, and a four Member delegation from the RP Centre, Iran, were the distinguished Guest Speakers from abroad.

Inaugural Cermony:
From L to R: Mrs. Saima Ammar, Mr. Ammar Masood, Dr. Mazhar Qayyum, Dr. Anwar Nasim, Honurable Gen. Pervez Musharaf, President f Pakistan, Dr. Saima Maqbool, Dr. Chhitra Kannabiran

The scientific sessions of the First International Seminar on Retinitis Pigmentosa and Allied Retinal Dystrophies were held at Pakistan Academy of Sciences' Auditorium), Islamabad. Bioscientists of National and International repute from the Quaid-e-Azam and Punjab University, Govt. College, Faisalabad and the OTAGO University New Zealand, L.V Prasad Eye Institute Hyderabad India, and Iran RP Centre, Tehran, contributed research papers on genetic aspects of Retinitis Pigmentosa and Allied Retinal Dystrophies. Renowned Ophthalmologists and Psychologists made presentations on the clinical and psychological characteristics of these genetically transmitted hereditary diseases.

The seminar was remarkably successful as it drew participation from doctors, affectees of Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), students of Bio-sciences, Medicine, Clinical Psychology, Mass communication, Behavioral Sciences, Special Education Centres, journalists, representatives of Non Governmental Organizations (NGO's) and Community Members. The scientific sessions were informative and educational and the participants interacted enthusiastically throughout the seminar.

Closing Ceremony:
From L to R: Mrs. Lubna Aftab, Dr. Mazhar Qayyum, Brig. (R) Sadiq Nawaz Khan Awan, Ch. Nouraiz Shakoor Khan, Federal Minister for S & T, Dr. Sedigheh Vasmazhi

The organizers of the Seminar hosted a sumptuous Dinner accompanied by instrumental music, which was very refreshing for the participants, who sat through the Scientific Sessions.

Ch. Nouraiz Shakoor Khan, Minister of Science and Technology chaired the Closing Ceremony of this unique seminar. He assured the Pakistan Foundation Fighting Blindness full cooperation and support from the Ministry of Science and Technology for the promotion of scientific research on this neglected area of genetic disorders.

THE PAKISTAN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS (PIP) NEWS

PIP and UET hold International Conference on Physics

The Pakistan Institute of Physics, Lahore, in collaboration with the Department of Physics, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, organized PIP International Conference on 13 March 2006 in the University campus. Over 250 Physicists and Engineers from Pakistan and other countries including China, Malaysia, Germany, Nepal, France and Russia participated in the conference. Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, FRS, NI, HI, SI, TI, Chairman, HEG, President of PAS (Federal Minister) inaugurated the conference on 13th March 2006. Lt Gen. Muhammad Akram Khan, Vice Chancellor, UET, Lahore, presented the welcome address. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zakria Butt TI, President PIP/Fellow PAS/Chairman, BISE, Lahore, delivered his keynote address, while Prof. Dr. M. Khaleeq-ur-Rahman Secretary PIP/Chairman UET, Physics Department, highlighted the aims and objectives of the conference. Over 100 papers were presented in the four-day conference dedicated to the advanced areas of Physics (including Lasers, Nano Science and Engineering, Fiber Optics, Materials Science, Atomic Physics, Nuclear and Particle Physics, Photovoltaic, Plasma Physics, Medical and Health Physics, Atmospheric Physics, Meteorology and Environment Physics).

While speaking on the occasion, Prof Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman appreciated the role of the Pakistan Institute of Physics for promoting Physics education and research in the country. He further said that it is the right time for scientists and engineers to realize the challenges of the present era, and to strengthen their endeavors for technological revolution; the only way that can turn the fate of the people of Pakistan as subjects of a prosperous nation. The concluding session of the conference held on 16 March was chaired by Dr. Sammar Mubarakmand, NI, HI, Chairman, National Engineering and Scientific Commission. Addressing the delegates, he acknowledged the fact that physicists can meet every sort of scientific and technological challenges of the present era. Without promoting basic sciences, no progress can be guaranteed, he added. He also emphasized the need for quality research, and urged the Pakistani scientists to strive for a progressive research environment In the end, Prof. Dr. M. Z. Butt extended compliments to all the delegates and sponsors of the conference, especially the Pakistan Academy of Sciences for providing a grant of one million rupees to organize this scientific activity.