NEWSLETTER
PASTIC
Volume 8, Issue 8
August 2025
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Five Days Summer Research Week on Data
Analysis and AI Tools
The Pakistan Scientific and Technological Information
Centre (PASTIC) successfully hosted the 2025 Sum-
mer Research Week from August 18 to 22 at its
National Centre in Islamabad. The five-days intensive
training workshop focused on research design, aca-
demic writing, data analysis, and modern AI tools,
drawing participation from over 25 researchers, faculty
members, and postgraduate students from leading
institutions including QAU, NUST, COMSATS, IIU,
Bahria University, and Karachi University.
The workshop was designed to equip researchers from
diverse academic backgrounds with essential skills in
both qualitative and quantitative research methods,
using industry-standard tools such as SPSS, NVivo,
Mendeley, WEKA, and LaTeX.
Dr. Muhammad Usman conducted sessions on
research overview, quantitative data analysis, AI
fundamentals and academic writing with hands-on
exercises in SPSS, WEKA and LaTeX tools He was
facilitated by Ms. Rabia Zafar, a PASTIC alumn. Dr.
Maryum Ibrar led a session on research ethics, plagia-
rism, and citation management using Mendeley, while
Dr. Irfanullah Arfeen (QASM, QAU) delivered
training on qualitative analysis using Nvivo.
Principal System Analyst, Mr. Saifullah Azim distributing
training certificates amongst the participants.
Dr. M. Usman conducting a technical session of the five days
summer research week on data analysis and AI tools.
The event concluded with a formal closing ceremony
and certificate distribution. Speaking at the closing
session, participants expressed high appreciation for
the initiative and urged for its continuation in the
future. They praised PASTIC's efforts in fostering a
scientific and research-oriented culture across
academic institutions in Pakistan.
The workshop was part of PASTIC's ongoing mission
to enhance national research capacity and promote the
adoption of modern data science and AI tools across all
disciplines.
Webinar on “AI & Data Science for all Sciences”
A significant webinar on “AI & Data Science for All
Sciences” was held on August 26, 2025 at the Video
Conference Room, Govt College Women University
Faisalabad. The event was organized by the PASTIC, the
Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF), and The Learning
Resource Centre, Government College Women University
Faisalabad (GCWUF). Fifty participants participated from
University and surroundings organizations.
The session was chaired by Prof. Dr. Saima Akram,
Convener of the Library Committee, GCWUF, At the
beginning of the session, Mr. Saifullah Azim, Principal
System Analyst, PASTIC, presented a brief introduction of
PASTIC services, highlighting the role of the organization
NEWSLETTER
PASTIC
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Two-Days Introductory Training Workshop on
“Basic Research Data Analysis Using R & Stata”
PASTIC Regional Office Peshawar, in collaboration with
the Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization
(ORIC) and Sarhad University of Science and Information
Technology (SUIT), organized a two-day hands-on training
workshop on “Basic Research Data Analysis Using R &
Stata” on August 26–27, 2025 at Sarhad University of
Science and Information Technology (SUIT).A total of 32
participants, including 16 faculty members and students
from SUIT as well as researchers from other Higher
Education Institutions across KP, benefited from the
training. The workshop enhanced participants'
research capacity through practical exposure
to statistical computing, data management,
Volume 8, Issue 8
August 2025
in promoting scientific knowledge dissemination, research
support facilities, and access to digital resources for the
academic and research community across Pakistan.
The keynote was delivered by Dr. Muhammad Usman,
Database Administrator, PASTIC National Center,
Islamabad. He provided valuable insights into the integra-
tion of AI and Data Science across sciences, discussing
practical applications, data-driven research approaches,
and future opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.
In her concluding note, Prof. Dr. Saima Akram appreciated
the collaboration of PASTIC Faisalabad and the efforts of
the Learning Resource Centre, GCWUF, for arranging this
timely session.
A significant webinar on “AI & Data Science for All
Sciences” was held on August 26, 2025
coding fundamentals, and the application of statistical
models using R software.
Dr. Zahid Rauf (Director, Forest Products Research
Division, Pakistan Forest Institute) served as the resource
person, while Dr. Ghazala Ali Khan Additional Director,
PSF–PASTIC highlighted PASTIC-PSF facilitation and
services for researchers nationwide.
The opening and closing sessions were graced by Prof. Dr.
Zafar Iqbal (Dean, Health Sciences, SUIT) and Prof. Dr.
Saleem ur Rehman (Vice Chancellor, SUIT), respectively.
Group photo from the two-day workshop on "Basic Research
Data Analysis Using R and Stata" at SUIT.
PASTIC and CLE-KICS UET Lahore convened
Strategic Online Meeting
An online meeting was convened on August 13, 2025,
between officials from PASTIC and the Center for
Language Engineering (CLE), Al-Khawarizmi Institute of
Computer Science (KICS), UET Lahore. The meeting was
approved by the Director General, PASTIC, and aimed to
explore synergies between PASTIC, Islamabad and CLE,
KICS-UET Lahore on August 13, 2025 collaborative
pathways for strengthening journal indexing activities at
the national level.
The session began with a warm welcome by Mr. Saifullah
Azim, Principal System Analyst, PASTIC, followed by
participant introductions. Dr. Maryum Ibrar, Additional
Director (STI), presented PASTIC's mandate and services
through a live demo, while Dr. Sana Shams, Principal
Manager Research at CLE, showcased the Tehqeeqat
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PASTIC
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Volume 8, Issue 8
August 2025
Online Zoom meeting between PASTIC and UET Lahore to
explore synergies with CLE, KICS-UET.
Event/ Webinar /Meeting Attended
a. Prof. Dr. Mohammad Akmal, Chairman of the Pakistan
Science Foundation, paid an official visit to PASTIC
National Centre , Islamabad on August 28 2025.
During the visit, the Chairman reviewed the major sections
of the organization, where he was briefed on their functions
and ongoing initiatives. In a subsequent meeting, the
Director General of PASTIC presented a detailed overview
of the PASTIC services for the research community and
introduced the officers heading the key sections.
The Chairman highlighted the significance of
leveraging Artificial Intelligence to further
platform and highlighted CLE's research achievements.
Discussions centered on the integration and enhancement
of journal indexing platforms including PSA, NDA, and
Tehqeeqat, with shared concerns regarding sustainability
and data continuity post-project completion.
Key outcomes included agreements to jointly pursue
initiatives in natural language processing (NLP), metadata
enrichment, and multilingual indexing. Action items were
defined, including data sharing, scheduling of a follow-up
meeting in September 2025, and drafting a Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) to formalize future collaboration.
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks, reaffirming
both institutions' commitment to advancing Pakistan's
research infrastructure through strategic partnerships.
enhance digital resources and ensure their efficient
dissemination. He also emphasized the vital role of digital
and social media in disseminating scientific information,
particularly in local languages, to maximize outreach and
impact. On this occasion, the Director General presented
two recently published books by PASTIC to the Chairman.
Dr. Muhammad Akmal, PSF Chairman, led a meeting on
PASTIC National Centre activities in Islamabad.
b. Ms. Rida Noor, Section Officer (Coordination), and Ms.
Huma Naimat, Section Officer (F&A), Ministry of Science
and Technology (MoST), Islamabad, visited the Pakistan
Scientific and Technological Information Center
(PASTIC), Islamabad on August 20, 2025.
MoST delegation, including Ms. Rida Noor and Ms. Huma
Naimat, visited PASTIC National Centre, Islamabad.
During the visit, the MoST team was given a tour of various
sections at PASTIC, where officers briefed them on the
Center's key initiatives and services for the scientific
community of Pakistan. The briefing highlighted PASTIC's
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PASTIC
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Volume 8, Issue 8
August 2025
PSCK Officers monitoring the IJSO 2025 test
Muzaffarabad Sub-Center
AJK University, New Campus, Challabandi, Muzaffarabad
pastic.2011@gmail.com
Tel: 05822 960414
Quetta Sub-Center
Art Campus, University of Balochistan, Quetta.
pastic.qta@gmail.com
Tel: 03337823390
Peshawar Sub-Center
Pakistan Forest Institute,University Campus, Peshawar
pasticpsh@yahoo.com
Tel: 091-9216880
Lahore Sub-Center
PCSIR Lab. Complex, Ferozepur Road, Lahore
pasticlhr@gmail.com
Tel: 042-99230732
Faisalabad Sub-Center
Faisalabad Science Centre, Jail Road
pasticf@yahoo.com
Tel: 041-9200608-9
Karachi Sub-Center
A-43, block No. 3, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi
karachipastic@gmail.com
Tel: 021-99334174/021-34994173
Pakistan Scientif ic & Technological
Information Centre
PASTIC National Centre, Quaid-i-Azam University Campus, Islamabad,
Tel: 051-9248103, 051-9248109, Fax: 9248113
dg@pastic.gov, director@pastic.gov.pk
URL:
Email:
wide range of informational and library resources, printing
and publication facilities, as well as its capacity-building
programs designed to support and empower researchers
across the country.
c. Dr. Maryum Ibrar, Additional Director (STI), attended an
online training session on “From Research to Publication:
An overview on IEEE Publication Process” organized by
IEEE on August 7, 2025.
d. Dr. Maryum Ibrar, Additional Director (STI), attended an
online training session on “Navigate the World of Research:
Mastering Web of Science Core Collection for High-Impact
Discoveries” on August 26, 2025.
e. Ms. Afsheen Tariq, Assistant Director (STI), and Mr.
Kashif Farooqui, Data Control Assistant (DCA), PASTIC
Sub-Centre Karachi (PSCK), attended a seminar on
“Recent Earthquake Events in Karachi: Causes, Impacts,
and Mitigations” held on August 6, 2025. The event was
jointly organized by the Department of Geology, University
of Karachi, and SIGMITE, Karachi.
f. Pakistan Science Foundation, with the assistance of
PASTIC Sub-Centre Karachi (PSCK), conducted the
written test of students for the “International Junior Science
Olympiad (IJSO) 2025” for the Karachi region on August
22, 2025 at PASTIC Sub-Centre Karachi.
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