By Hifsa Raja ISLAMABAD, May 30 (INP-WealthPK): Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) in collaboration with the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) has launched a Joint Scientific Exchange Program (JSEP) and invited joint proposals from HEC-chartered universities, public sector, research centres, and institutes. Director of International Linkages Pakistan Science Foundation from the Ministry of Science and Technology Dr. Ahsan Feroze told WealthPK that PSF and NSFC have jointly launched the JSEP with the aim of supporting joint scientific exchange/mobility in the areas of science and technology. Thus, this call mainly focuses on emerging areas of technologies. ‘’Our current project is connected to academia, but it is not a research and development project only. In fact, it is an exchange programme. We have signed a memorandum of understanding with China and issued calls. Research and development proposals are submitted and funding is provided for the chosen projects.’’ He added, ‘’Mechanical design and manufacturing (including robotics, 3D printing, and drones), macro governance and policy, climate change and mitigation, water, food and ecosystem security are the priority areas for proposals.’’ He said for proposal screening, PSF screens all submitted proposals for the Pakistan-based team. NSFC will evaluate all submitted proposals for the Chinese team in accordance with their national regulations. Talking about the proposal evaluation, Dr. Ahsan Feroze said each partner organisation reviews submitted proposals in accordance with its internal policies and procedures. Only proposals that are eligible for both NSFC and PSF will be evaluated. The NSFC and PSF will evaluate the proposed projects based on their respective scientific evaluation criteria. Both organisations will share the results of their scientific evaluations, and only those overlapping projects deemed acceptable by both parties will be supported. The Pakistani team complies with the government's Research Ethics and Regulatory Requirements. There is a policy on intellectual property that is created as a result of this collaboration because researchers are submitting their intellectual work. The intellectual property of the selected projects goes in the ownership of the collaborating partners. Intellectual Property management is expected to be outlined in an Intellectual Property Management Agreement. It is the responsibility of collaborating partners to establish such an agreement and deliver it to the funding agencies upon request. The terms of the partnership shall not contradict the terms and conditions of the financing agency or national legislation. Research institutes and universities play a significant role in generating new information and innovating research, as they are the primary source of human capital with the essential skill set for R&D. For the purpose of achieving scientific excellence, research institutions focus on the leading edge of science and technology. To achieve excellence in research through the Competitive Research Programme, Pakistan Science Foundation intends to provide up to PKR20.00 million to researchers, engineers, technologists, innovators, and industrialists (public/private sector). Research that is solving some practical problem is far more beneficial than theoretical research. Providing funds for problem-solving research not only helps promote research but also helps solve major issues of people.