By Abdul Wajid Khan ISLAMABAD: Oct. 26 (INP-WealthPk) The government is working on establishing a centre as a model for future cooperation between Pakistan and China in science and technology. The centre – named China-Pakistan Joint Research Centre on Earth Science (CPJRC) – is a part of the multibillion-dollar China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. A senior official in the Ministry of Science and Technology said the centre was a major initiative under the CPEC Joint Working Group on Science and Technology and will serve as a model for future cooperation in the domain of science and technology. “Pakistani and Chinese researchers will conduct research in climate change, natural disasters, sustainable development, ocean, geology and other related areas. To accomplish the centre’s goals, the Chinese Academy of Science (CAS) will provide stable research funding to the Chinese research team working in the centre every year besides supporting the Pakistani side in personnel training,” he added. According to official details, the total cost of the project is Rs6,811 million with FEC Rs4936 million for lab equipment in which the local component is Rs1,875 million for infrastructure development. The Economic Affairs Division (EAD) has already forwarded request to the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) for grant-in-aid for the centre. CIDCA will bear the cost to be incurred on research related equipment whereas the operational cost and endowment fund needs to be supported by CAS. Central Development Working Party (CDWP) will approve the project PC1 after ascertaining firm commitment from the Chinese side for availability of funds. Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar recently chaired a review meeting of Working Group on Science and Technology and directed the Ministry of Science and Technology and other relevant institutions that action plans for the projects be finalized within 30 days and submitted at the earliest. Four projects – including Establishment of China Pakistan Joint Research Centre (CPJRC) on Earth Sciences, Acquisition of Oceanographic Research Vessel, Establishment of the Institute of Smart Semiconductor and Establishment of Silicon Solar Cells; and PV Panel Fabrication Facility of 500 MW/annum were made part of CPEC during the recent 10th JCC meeting. CPJRC will be a multi-disciplinary centre and it will improve resilience to natural hazards and mitigate risks of disasters. “With the joint efforts of both countries, science and technology applications should be used to accelerate growth of the economy and solve the problems of the citizens. We need to go for a proper plan & strategy with a regular monitoring system so that Pakistan can obtain maximum benefit from the technology and expertise of the Chinese side”, Federal Minister for Science and Technology Shibli Faraz had said this during the 10th JCC meeting on CPEC. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between China and Pakistan for the Joint Working Group (JWG) on Science and Technology and Agriculture on March 17, 2020 and its first meeting was held on Nov 6, 2020. A Document of Understanding (DoU) between CAS and HEC for establishment of China-Pakistan Joint Research Centre on Earth Sciences was signed on Nov 3, 2018. Planning Commission of Pakistan cleared the concept of the project in Nov 19 whereas 15 acres of land required for the project have been acquired from the Quaid-e-Azam University.