The Lindau Alumni Association of Pakistan
Brief Report on the participation in the 57th meeting of Noble
Laureates in Physiology or Medicine with students and young
researchers, 1st-6th July, 2007, Lindau, Germany.
By: Dr. Junaid Ashraf
Background:
“This year for the 57th Meeting (Medicine/Physiology) 17 Noble Laureates met in
Lindau with over 500 of the world’s most talented student /young scientists of
tomorrow. The participants discussed current scientific issues during the course of
the lectures,panel discussions , seminar discussions and numerous personal
encounters.”
Following is a brief report about some of the important questions asked by Dr.N.M.
Butt pertaining to the meeting. This would be followed by a detailed report as well.
1. How good were you as compared to your fellow participants of
advanced countries?
Though I am filled with praise for my fellow student for the quality of work they are
doing but at the same time I am delighted and feel much pride to say that as a young
researcher I felt my self and my other team members to be equally good compared
to researchers from the developed world. We had the opportunity to share our
research ideas with other fellows at numerous occasions and we were quite
comfortable throughout our interactions. We discussed our research experiences with
other fellows at the same level and they were quite keen to know about our projects.
2. Was the public money worth spending for this participation?
I have always believed in saying
“An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest”.
I believe Meeting of Nobel Laureates and Students in Lindau will provide a solid
foundation for intellectual leadership in this emerging era for our upcoming
generation of young scientists, and this meeting will definitely provide an
unparalleled forum to further develop this foundation. Attending the Meeting of
Nobel Laureates is an extraordinary opportunity to learn about communication of
important scientific ideas; it is an invaluable immersion in cutting-edge
interdisciplinary work. The Meeting at Lindau will provide an incomparable stepping-
stone towards the rest of my career and of course for the future Pakistani young
researchers as well. These interactions has also motivated me to pursue goals beyond
personal achievement and work toward bringing science further into the
consciousness of society as a whole.
Pakistan is a developing country and use of public fund is undoubtedly an important
issue and one has to justify spending millions of rupees every year. Having seen for
myself how integral research is to every day life here in Europe, it's about time
Pakistan invested more heavily in its talented youth to be able to join the developed
world in this competitive era of research.
This program by all means is money well spent endeavor. The developed countries
have galloped ahead of us by no other means but focusing on their education and
doing research. Their annual budget contains a sizable amount for education and
research. So money spent on education is a time tested and proven way of developing
our country further and help transform our long awaited dream into reality of a
prosperous nation. I am sure this experience will go a long way to help form a
continuous bridge of knowledge, learning and expertise in various fields of medicine
and research between Pakistan and young researchers from all over the world.
3. What benefits you think the Pakistani students derive from such
participation and should this program be continued in future?
It seems highly unlikely that there is another conference or opportunity that can
match the Lindau meetings. Access to the Laureates is unreal; the quality of the
students as people and researchers is truly amazing, this multi-disciplinary meeting
has undoubtedly helped raise my awareness of other related fields and also to focus
my attention on some of the more challenging issues that research must deal with.
Professionally, I expect to gain significant insight into a variety of important topics:
the interdisciplinary aspects of modern research, the agendas and interests of a
number of government agencies, how one selects and conducts relevant research,
and some interesting new perspectives on my own work as well.
I have always been hungry for new knowledge, learning and ideas and I sometimes
even surprise my self at this hunger, which I had not realized was there and yet is
the driving force in my life. This experience is no doubt a big leap towards achieving
my both short and long career objectives and aspirations.
This experience has taught me and surely other students as well that with desire and
will power along with a never ending process of self study, education and training
makes you an effective leader in any field you put an effort.
This interaction with Nobel laureates and young researchers has undoubtedly
brought me a renewed passion and interest in the work that I do, as I see how it fits
in and relate to work done by others. It has been a great experience to gain
perspective about what drives others in their work keeping a close interest in
research as well. I am quite positive that this interaction with great minds will spark
in a new vigor and enthusiasm in young Pakistani students to continue career in
whatever field they chose but with strong emphasis on Research.
Besides, a training experience like this has taught me that students like us in my part
of the world that how developing countries can garner more research ideas, thoughts,
dreams and of course funds, by exploiting the areas where they have an advantage
like biodiversity. I have been able to discuss some of the challenges and frustrations
other researchers there face, because I realize that no matter where you are in the
world there are common factors that we all must learn how to deal with in order to
maintain a passion for the work that we devote ourselves to.
I believe this experience has provided a solid foundation for intellectual leadership in
this competitive era and this has definitely provided an unparalleled forum to
develop skills further. The experience has provided an incomparable stepping-stone
towards the rest of my career.
These interactions have motivated me to pursue goals beyond personal achievement
and work toward bringing science and surgery further into the consciousness of
society as a whole. Discussions with such high profile scientists in an amazingly
friendly environment helped me boast and uplift personal qualities like self-
confidence, self-awareness and personal integrity.
In addition, this interaction also provides a delightful cultural experience, as I
explored the German culture in the city of Lindau - from the people, language and
food -. It also helps form new and amazing friends from so many different nations
bringing so much rich culture, traditions, thoughts and ideas at one place. It has been
an exciting experience to learn and open my horizon beyond my own culture and my
own beliefs at home
There is absolutely no doubt what so ever in my mind that this program should be
continued in the future.
Acknowledgements:
I am so grateful to our Team Leader and Chairman Pakistan Science
Foundation (PSF) Prof. N.M. Butt as well as Mr. Waqar Butt,
Coordinator for our program for their unconditional and consistent
support, care and impeccable arrangements during this whole period.
They have been an inspiration beyond all doubts, certainly the best role
models to look up to. I also wish to thank all the other fellows and
especially my team members as well for their time and support during
this meeting.
I am highly indebted to the Pakistan Science Foundation PSF, Higher
Education Commission HEC, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission PAEC
as well as Lindau Council Germany for giving us this amazing and
invaluable opportunity. Though I am very excited to go back to my
family and friends back home but at the same time I am also a bit sad to
leave my new loving friends I formed from all over Pakistan and some
overseas young researchers as well I had started to love and enjoy.
Thank you so much.
Laureates in Physiology or Medicine with students and young
researchers, 1st-6th July, 2007, Lindau, Germany.
By: Dr. Junaid Ashraf
Background:
“This year for the 57th Meeting (Medicine/Physiology) 17 Noble Laureates met in
Lindau with over 500 of the world’s most talented student /young scientists of
tomorrow. The participants discussed current scientific issues during the course of
the lectures,panel discussions , seminar discussions and numerous personal
encounters.”
Following is a brief report about some of the important questions asked by Dr.N.M.
Butt pertaining to the meeting. This would be followed by a detailed report as well.
1. How good were you as compared to your fellow participants of
advanced countries?
Though I am filled with praise for my fellow student for the quality of work they are
doing but at the same time I am delighted and feel much pride to say that as a young
researcher I felt my self and my other team members to be equally good compared
to researchers from the developed world. We had the opportunity to share our
research ideas with other fellows at numerous occasions and we were quite
comfortable throughout our interactions. We discussed our research experiences with
other fellows at the same level and they were quite keen to know about our projects.
2. Was the public money worth spending for this participation?
I have always believed in saying
“An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest”.
I believe Meeting of Nobel Laureates and Students in Lindau will provide a solid
foundation for intellectual leadership in this emerging era for our upcoming
generation of young scientists, and this meeting will definitely provide an
unparalleled forum to further develop this foundation. Attending the Meeting of
Nobel Laureates is an extraordinary opportunity to learn about communication of
important scientific ideas; it is an invaluable immersion in cutting-edge
interdisciplinary work. The Meeting at Lindau will provide an incomparable stepping-
stone towards the rest of my career and of course for the future Pakistani young
researchers as well. These interactions has also motivated me to pursue goals beyond
personal achievement and work toward bringing science further into the
consciousness of society as a whole.
Pakistan is a developing country and use of public fund is undoubtedly an important
issue and one has to justify spending millions of rupees every year. Having seen for
myself how integral research is to every day life here in Europe, it's about time
Pakistan invested more heavily in its talented youth to be able to join the developed
world in this competitive era of research.
This program by all means is money well spent endeavor. The developed countries
have galloped ahead of us by no other means but focusing on their education and
doing research. Their annual budget contains a sizable amount for education and
research. So money spent on education is a time tested and proven way of developing
our country further and help transform our long awaited dream into reality of a
prosperous nation. I am sure this experience will go a long way to help form a
continuous bridge of knowledge, learning and expertise in various fields of medicine
and research between Pakistan and young researchers from all over the world.
3. What benefits you think the Pakistani students derive from such
participation and should this program be continued in future?
It seems highly unlikely that there is another conference or opportunity that can
match the Lindau meetings. Access to the Laureates is unreal; the quality of the
students as people and researchers is truly amazing, this multi-disciplinary meeting
has undoubtedly helped raise my awareness of other related fields and also to focus
my attention on some of the more challenging issues that research must deal with.
Professionally, I expect to gain significant insight into a variety of important topics:
the interdisciplinary aspects of modern research, the agendas and interests of a
number of government agencies, how one selects and conducts relevant research,
and some interesting new perspectives on my own work as well.
I have always been hungry for new knowledge, learning and ideas and I sometimes
even surprise my self at this hunger, which I had not realized was there and yet is
the driving force in my life. This experience is no doubt a big leap towards achieving
my both short and long career objectives and aspirations.
This experience has taught me and surely other students as well that with desire and
will power along with a never ending process of self study, education and training
makes you an effective leader in any field you put an effort.
This interaction with Nobel laureates and young researchers has undoubtedly
brought me a renewed passion and interest in the work that I do, as I see how it fits
in and relate to work done by others. It has been a great experience to gain
perspective about what drives others in their work keeping a close interest in
research as well. I am quite positive that this interaction with great minds will spark
in a new vigor and enthusiasm in young Pakistani students to continue career in
whatever field they chose but with strong emphasis on Research.
Besides, a training experience like this has taught me that students like us in my part
of the world that how developing countries can garner more research ideas, thoughts,
dreams and of course funds, by exploiting the areas where they have an advantage
like biodiversity. I have been able to discuss some of the challenges and frustrations
other researchers there face, because I realize that no matter where you are in the
world there are common factors that we all must learn how to deal with in order to
maintain a passion for the work that we devote ourselves to.
I believe this experience has provided a solid foundation for intellectual leadership in
this competitive era and this has definitely provided an unparalleled forum to
develop skills further. The experience has provided an incomparable stepping-stone
towards the rest of my career.
These interactions have motivated me to pursue goals beyond personal achievement
and work toward bringing science and surgery further into the consciousness of
society as a whole. Discussions with such high profile scientists in an amazingly
friendly environment helped me boast and uplift personal qualities like self-
confidence, self-awareness and personal integrity.
In addition, this interaction also provides a delightful cultural experience, as I
explored the German culture in the city of Lindau - from the people, language and
food -. It also helps form new and amazing friends from so many different nations
bringing so much rich culture, traditions, thoughts and ideas at one place. It has been
an exciting experience to learn and open my horizon beyond my own culture and my
own beliefs at home
There is absolutely no doubt what so ever in my mind that this program should be
continued in the future.
Acknowledgements:
I am so grateful to our Team Leader and Chairman Pakistan Science
Foundation (PSF) Prof. N.M. Butt as well as Mr. Waqar Butt,
Coordinator for our program for their unconditional and consistent
support, care and impeccable arrangements during this whole period.
They have been an inspiration beyond all doubts, certainly the best role
models to look up to. I also wish to thank all the other fellows and
especially my team members as well for their time and support during
this meeting.
I am highly indebted to the Pakistan Science Foundation PSF, Higher
Education Commission HEC, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission PAEC
as well as Lindau Council Germany for giving us this amazing and
invaluable opportunity. Though I am very excited to go back to my
family and friends back home but at the same time I am also a bit sad to
leave my new loving friends I formed from all over Pakistan and some
overseas young researchers as well I had started to love and enjoy.
Thank you so much.
If you have any comments or queries,
please feel free to contact us:
editor@promotingresearch.com
please feel free to contact us:
editor@promotingresearch.com
To continue that positive and useful interaction and
exchange of ideas, a forum has also been made. Hopefully it
would be a platform for generating good discussions and
staying in touch with fellow students/scientists from around
the world. International Participants are also invited to
become members and share their experiences and ideas and
participate actively in the discussions.
Meetings of Young Scientists with Nobel Laureates
http://lindaualumni.blogspot.com/
exchange of ideas, a forum has also been made. Hopefully it
would be a platform for generating good discussions and
staying in touch with fellow students/scientists from around
the world. International Participants are also invited to
become members and share their experiences and ideas and
participate actively in the discussions.
Meetings of Young Scientists with Nobel Laureates
http://lindaualumni.blogspot.com/
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