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Projects

ON-GOING PROJECTS

Project title: CONSORTIUM of Scientific Journal Publishers of Pakistan PakCSJP .
Sponsoring Ministry: Ministry Of Science and Technology
Duration: 2 years
Project Budget: Rs. 57.00 M
ABOUT PASTIC Pakistan Scientific and Technological Information Centre (PASTIC) a functioning unit of Pakistan Science Foundation under umbrella of Ministry of Science & Technology is a national hub for collection and dissemination of S&T information to Scientists, Engineers, Technologists and industrialist across the country to cater to the vital information needs through its anticipatory and responsive information services for socioeconomic development of the country. PASTIC National Centre is located in Quaid-i-Azam University Campus Islamabad whereas its Sub-Centres are located in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Faisalabad and Muzaffarabad. PASTIC services include National Science Reference Library (NSRL), Abstracting and Indexing Service, Literature Search, Document Supply Service, Technology Information Service and Reprographic Service.
ABSTRACTING AND INDEXING SERVICEOF PASTIC: Abstracting and Indexing is a specialised process undertaken by information specialists to create summaries of documents and assign best representation words (keywords) to make it available for identification and quick search. PASTIC Abstracting and Indexing Service (AIS) was initiated in 1960 by bringing out secondary Journal entitled "Pakistan Science Abstracts" (PSA). Main objective of PASTIC AIS service is not only to keep record of the research publishedin local scientific journalsbut also assistscholarly community at their doorstep to uplift quality of research (improving accessibility, citation and reputation) by adopting modern ICT tools and techniques.
NEW CHALLENGES: Looking onto the dire need of the journal publishers as well as scientific community to have a single journal publishing (online) and accessing forum and to fill the research gap in line with the national needs, PASTIC has taken initiative to launch a National S&T journals’ publishers forum under consortium activity through implementation ofthe recently approved development project entitled“Development of National Digital Archive of Research published in Pakistani Journals”.Project is aimed to preserve and disseminate indigenous research published in S&T Journals through development of National Digital archive of research published at country level.
Project Objective:
  • Launching of National Consortium of S&T Journal Publishers of Pakistan
  • To extend free ICT infrastructure(Software/Hardware) to journal publishers’Community for journal hosting, maintenance and with complete technical assistance/backup services
  • Technical/Financial support for Scanning and Data Entry of Journals’ Data in consortium repository (full Text) [Last 20 Years]
  • Capacity building of journal publishers and scientific community on digital content development/Usage
  • Federated search of the digital repository through single online forum along with visualization model to review reports/trends
RATIONALE OF THE CONSORTIUM:
  • Sustainable digital repository of indigenous research published in Scientific journals of Pakistan
  • National Platformof Scientific Journal’s Publishers of Pakistan
  • National standard for journals repository (Digitization) 
  • Journal Management System (OJS) along with Cloud hosting services (free)
  • Journal data import and backup services (Free)
  • Financial assistance for digitization of journals’ former data (as per approved PC-1 policy)
  • Access to indigenous scholarly material through single online forum
  • Capacity building of journal Editors and publishers 
Project title: Modernization of PASTIC National Science Reference Library for effective resource sharing among S&T libraries in Pakistan .
Sponsoring Ministry: Ministry Of Science and Technology
Duration: 2 years
Project Budget: Rs. 57.59 M
Project Objective:

Development of Consortium of S&T/R&D Libraries of Pakistan to facilitate the scientific community by sharing of scientific information resources among S&T Libraries of Pakistan and capacity building (Training) of library professionals to cope with the modern challenges of digital era and s initial step towards development of knowledge-based economy.

 

Main Component:
  1. Sharing of Scientific Resources of Libraries of:
    1. Universities
    2. National Centers of Excellence
    3. Scientific Organizations
  1. Development of Tools
    1. Union Online Public Access Catalogue (Union OPAC) for Libraries holdings
    2. Digital Repository of Indigenous Literature
    3. Union List of International Scientific Research Databases subscribed by S&T and R&D Organizations of Pakistan

 

Benefits /Outcomes of the Project:
  • Easy Access to S & T and R&D Information
  • Centralized approach for Library Automation through Cloud Space
  • Scattered Indigenous S & T and R&D Data will be Centralized (Reports, Conference & Seminar Proceedings, Training Workshops and Talk Shows Videos)
  • Strengthening of Scientific Research Community through Consortium
  • Savings of costs.
  • Transform Typical Librarians into Innovative Library Leaders (Like USA Programme SILL)
  • Library Automation
  • Library Digitization
Project Outcome/impact:
  • Networking would encourage and promote co-operation and partnerships between the business women and
  • facilitate entrepreneurial activities among SAARC women
  • Enhance gender equality & employment opportunities for women.
  • Boost women social as well as economic status.
  • Improve trade/ exports opportunities in the region.
  • Encourage young women (starts ups) young women through sharing success stories of established business women.
  • Encouragement, support and guidance of startups through promotion of success stories leading business women.
  • Reduce poverty and hunger in the region

COMPLETED PROJECTS

Project title: Networking and Capacity Building of Women Entrepreneurs (SMEs) from SAARC Countries.
Sponsoring Organization: SAARC Development Fund Bhutan
Website: http://saarcweportal.com/
Collaborating Countries: Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Maldives and Sri Lanka.
Duration: 18 Months
Project Budget: The total approved budget for eight (08) SAARC Member States: 0.7600 Million US$ with Pakistan share of 0.2000 Million US$ (F/A-i) and each other of SAARC Member States share is 0.0800 Million US$
Project Objective:

Development of a Web Portal and networking of women SMEs in SAARC region to:

  • Promote-Women entrepreneurial networks for advancement of their businesses
  • Co-operation and partnerships for promotion of their products and services
  • Facilitate women entrepreneurial activities for betterment of their economies.

 

Project Activities:
  1. Development of SAARC Women SMEs Web Portal
    A web portal will be developed by PASTIC
  1. Development of database of more than 1600 SAARC Women SMEs (from all the 8 countries).
    The country collaborators from 8 countries will establish a project desk in their offices and collect business information of 200 women SMEs from
  1. ICT Capacity Building Workshop for 850 SAARC Women SMEs (two workshops in each country).
    Two Portal Awareness and Capacity Building Workshops will be organized in each SAARC member country. Each country collaborator is responsible to identify the workshops participants and logistic arrangements where as two resource persons for each workshops will be provided by PASTIC.

 

Project Output:
  • A SAARC Women Entrepreneurs Web Portal uploaded with:
  • Provide Businesses information women entrepreneurs through a database of more than 1850 from all the SAARC member states.
  • Networking SAARC Women Entrepreneurs.
  • Display of innovative technologies/products (food & beverages sector or packaging or etc sectors) to start new business.
  • A quarterly e News Bulletin to promote Women SMEs products, services as well as information on their business activities (seminars/exhibitions).
  • 850 skilled women to boost their businesses through use of e-business management (e-commerce & e-marketing) skills.
Project Outcome/impact:
  • Networking would encourage and promote co-operation and partnerships between the business women and
  • facilitate entrepreneurial activities among SAARC women
  • Enhance gender equality & employment opportunities for women.
  • Boost women social as well as economic status.
  • Improve trade/ exports opportunities in the region.
  • Encourage young women (starts ups) young women through sharing success stories of established business women.
  • Encouragement, support and guidance of startups through promotion of success stories leading business women.
  • Reduce poverty and hunger in the region
Strengthening and Enhancement of Reprographic services of PASTIC.
Sponsoring Ministry Ministry Of Science and Technology
Duration 1 Year
Cost(In million) 37.41
Main Objective
  • Enhancing the printing quality of PASTIC Press.
  • Strengthening the printing services.
  • Introduction of latest computer graphic software technology to ensure high speed and quality Reprographic services with timely execution and quality assurance.
  • Facilitating the printing work of publication, reports etc. of S&T and R&D organizations.
Main Components of the Programme
  • Acquisition of Machinery and Equipment
  • Acquisition of Air-conditioning system
  • Renovation of Reprographic Section
  • Operational Vehicle
  • Staff training
Science Awareness through TV Channels.
Sponsoring Ministry Ministry of Science & Technology, MoST
Duration 02-09-2004 to 30-12-2007
Cost(In million) 16.00
Main Objective Creation of awareness and interest in science and technology through multimedia, specially the TV leading to socio-economic development and better quality of life in Pakistan.
Main Components of the Programme
  • Acquisition, translation and dubbing of S&T films and documentaries on important aspects of science and technology.
  • Production of S&T films and documentaries on important S&T issues and their possible solutions for the economic development of the country.
  • Panel discussions on TV, involving scientists and eminent scholars, for clarification of scientific concepts and technological issues.
  • Training of scientists and media practitioners for popularization of science through mass media.
Out put/Achievements
  • Programme 1:Acquired, translated and dubbed: 62 documentaries
    Aired: 21 documentaries
  • Programme 2:Documentaries produced:9
    Aired:9
  • Programme 3:Recorded and aired Panel Discussions:10
  • Programme 4:Workshops organized:5


Establishment of National Science and Technology Database/Information Network at PASTIC.
Sponsoring Ministry Ministry Of Science and Technology
Duration 2001-2005
Cost(In million) 39.70
Main Objective To strengthen the S&T information service through resource sharing.
Main Components of the Programme
  • Establishment of National Science & Technology Database/ Information Network.
  • Screening of Major Libraries of Pakistan and Preparation of Union Catalogue on CD-ROM.
  • Training Programme for Library Automation.
Out put/Achievements
  • Networking was established with HEC PERN network and with network members.
  • CD-ROM Databases were acquired according to requirement of PASTIC and network members.
  • Services have been enhanced and time for service has been reduced from 4 weeks to a few hours
  • Computers servers, Client PC's, licensed software and telecommunication infrastructure have been implemented / installed.
  • Data of about 11626 Journals have been collected from 200 S & T Libraries.
  • Compiled and published Union Catalogue of 200 librarieswhich was also prepared on CD-ROM and uploaded with advance searching facility on PASTIC website (URL www.pastic.gov.pk)
  • Training lab was set up at PASTIC National Center and Sub-Center, Karachi
  • Automation of PASTIC Library was initiated and 11625 records were entered in the database.
  • Twenty one training courses/ workshops were organized on different topics, viz., Information handling for promotion of E-Business, use of Patent Information System, library automation, and knowledge management etc. in major cities of Pakistan. 1134 people from different libraries attended the courses.


Strengthening of PASTIC National Science Reference Library.
Sponsoring Ministry Ministry Of Science and Technology
Duration 1990-1991
Cost(In million) 4.00
Main Objective Purchase of primary and secondary journals, reference books etc.
Out put/Achievements PASTIC library acquire about 300 books and subscribed to 23 S&T Journals (128 issues) and following databases on CD-ROM.
  • Applied Science and Technology index.
  • Science Citation Index for 1993 only.
  • Poltox from 1996 to date.
  • MEDLINE from 1966 to 1933.
  • Life Science Collection.
  • PROQUEST.
  • SOCIOFILE.
  • Current Contents: Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences.


Current Content Service.
Sponsoring Ministry Ministry Of Science and Technology
Duration 1990-1991
Cost(In million) 0.2
Main Objective
  • To provide Current Awareness to scientists/researchers by sending them contents of S&T Journals.
  • To overcome the shortage of budget of procurement of important S&T journals.
Out put/Achievements
  • The current content service was provided each month to 461 individual scientists in the field of Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Computer Science, Biochemistry, Earth Science, Mathematiocs, Physics and Technology.
  • About 200 articles on an average were supplied per year. The project ended on 30-06-1991 but the service continued.


Setting up database facilities at PASTIC.
Sponsoring Ministry Ministry Of Science and Technology
Duration 1990-1991
Cost(In million) 2.09
Main Objective To strengthen activities of PASTIC
Out put/Achievements PASTIC acquire the following equipment under the project
  • IBM RISC/6000 Model320 mini Computer with AIX Operating System and COBOL Compiler.
  • IBM Laser printer Model 4019.
  • IBM Compatible 80486 Systems (Qty 2).
  • IBM Compatible 80386 Systems (Qty 9).
  • IBM Compatible 80286 Systems (Qty 2).
  • HP Scan IIC Scanner.
  • HP Paint Jet XL Printer.
  • 3KVA Stabilizer.
  • 1KVA stabilizer.
  • Novell Netware for 10 users.
  • Modems (Qty 4).
  • CD-ROM disk drivers (Qty 3).
  • 5.25" rewritable optical disk drive.
  • 130 MB Hard Disk (Qty 3).
  • PC Mouse (Qty 3).
  • 386DX-40 Mother Board.
  • Panasonic Dot Matrix Printer (Qty 3).
  • UPS with Battery.
Estiblishment of LAN at PASTIC