February 13, 2011

RSG-Pakistan for Developing Bioinformatics in country


International Society for Computational Biology
BIOINFORMATICS IS the discipline in which Biology and information technology are merged together for solving the problems of molecular biology. Bioinformatics was introduced in Pakistan in 2003, with commencement of undergraduate degree in Bioinformatics in COMSATS Institute of Information and Technology and Muhammad Ali Jinnah University. These two institutes are considered to be pioneers of bioinformatics in Pakistan. Now-a-days approximately 12 institutes working in this field, all these institutes are making their best effort in promoting bioinformatics in Pakistan.

Regional Students Group (RSG-Pakistan):

Scientists and researchers are familiar with the fact that a local society can provide a very useful platform for a productive professional interaction, that’s why young Bioinformaticians of Pakistan established a Regional Students Group (RSG-Pakistan) in January 2010, which is a volunteer service initiated by students for the benefit of students. In line with the parent international body (ISCB). The mission of RSG-Pakistan is to develop the next generation of pioneers in the field of computational biology in Pakistan. The aim is to provide an accessible platform for educational and career networking in this field and to act the springboard for entrepreneurial endeavors in the country. This group is already helping the students in their projects. Some virtual conferences and collaborative projects with national and international institutes are also going to be start soon.

Benefits and Services:

· Training opportunities, workshops, university projects and internships for bioinformaticians-in-training.

· Professional networking opportunities to connect with experts in computational biology in academia and in the industry to reap educational and career benefits.

· Forum to network with fellow students in Pakistan for collaboration in research and careers.

· Centralized database of computational biology experts and professionals in Pakistan.

· Free subscription to ISCB’s newsletter.

Leadership:
The committee for structuring the RSG-Pakistan has been formed with Muhammad Ilyas (Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, Lahore, Pakistan) as the President, Dr. Muhammed Murtaza (Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK) as the Secretary and Dr. Shahid Nadeem Chohan (COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan) as faculty advisor. Those are assisted by a group of core members selected from different universities of Pakistan. Selection of the new leadership is on the basis of election.

Future Plans:

· Organizing virtual conferences/ workshops about different fields of bioinformatics.

· Bioinformatics Distance learning Courses.

· Bioinformatics Trainings.

· Virtual Bioinformatics Internships.

· Collaboration with other RSGs.

· Pakistan Bioinformatics Portal.

Membership:
Students can join the group by logging on the website www.iscbsc.org/rsg/rsg-pakistan



http://www.technologytimes.pk/mag/2011/feb11/issue02/rsg_pakistan_for_developing_bioinformatices.php

1 comment:

  1. Excellent effort....keep it up......for the better future of BioInfiormatics.......

    ReplyDelete