in collaboration with SPIE, Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF), University of North Carolina Charlotte, Centre for Solid State Physics, University of the Punjab (CSSP-PU) and Comsats University on April 16th –18th, 2024.
The primary goal of the conference's organization is to unite experimentalists, theorists, mathematicians, and information scientists on one stage to stimulate and exchange cutting-edge research and development. Prof Dr Shagufta Naz Vice Chancellor LCWU was Patron in chief, Prof. Dr. Zohra Nazir Kayani chaired the international conference, while Prof. Dr. Saira Riaz (Director, CSSP, PU, Lahore) was co-organiser. Dr. M. Yasin Akhtar Raja from the University of North Carolina Charlotte served as the conference's general chair and Prof Dr Saleem Farooq Shaukat Director of Comsats Vehari Campus acted as conference Co-Chair.
Speakers from USA, UK, Germany, Romania, China, Malaysia, Canada, Saudi Arabia and different national universities such as PU, Comsats Lahore Campus, Comsats Vehari Campus, Comsats Islamabad Campus ITU, GIKI, FCCU, QAU Islamabad, UET Lahore, UET Taxila, NCP Islamabad, UVAS, GCU Lahore, Rawalpindi Women University Rawalpindi, UCP, participated in the conference.
The conference features distinguished speakers and attendees from esteemed institutions worldwide, including Prof. Dr. Maria C. Donoso from Florida International University, Dr. Ian Ferguson from Kennesaw State University, Dr. Shagufta Y. Raja from UNC Charlotte, Ms. Sina Mehboodi from Technical University of Munich, Dr. Shahid Bashir from University Malaya, Dr. M. Shahbaz Anwar from University of Cambridge, John E. McGrady from University of Oxford, Mr. Arslan Asim from Dalhousie University, Prof. Dr. M Yasin Akhter Raja from UNC Charlotte, Prof. Dr. M. Ashraf Gondal from King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dr. Abasifreke Ebong from University of North Carolina, Charlotte, Dr. Hind Althib from Imam Abdul Rahman Bin Faisal University, Mr. Md. Sohaib Hossain Sohag from University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Prof. Dr. Mihaela Albu from National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, Dr. Mujeeb U. Chaudhry from Durham University, and Dr. Megan L Johnson from The State University of New York, Fredonia. This diverse representation underscores the international scope and significance of the conference.
The Inaugural Day of the 4th iiScience 2024 Conference at Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) saw a lineup of esteemed keynote speakers and invited talks, covering a diverse array of topics in physics, nanotechnology, and environmental sciences.
Prof Dr Nizamuddin Ex Chairman PHEC was the Chief guest of the opening ceremony and Mrs Rafiqa Farooq was the guest of honour.
Special Invited Session: The session commenced with a recitation from the Holy Qur'an by Dr. Talat Zeeshan, followed by a rendition of Naat-e-Rasool e Maqbool. Prof. Dr. Saira Riaz, Director CSSP, Punjab University, Lahore, and Dr. Shahid Atiq, Associate Professor at CSSP, Punjab University, Lahore, presided over the session, with Dr. Talat Zeeshan as the convener. Prof. Dr. Maria C. Donoso (Florida International University, USA), Prof. Dr. M. Zafar Iqbal (Quaid-i-Azam University, Pakistan), Dr. Ian Ferguson (Kennesaw State University, USA), Prof. Dr. Shazia Bashir (Government College University, Pakistan) discussed and emphasized the role of physics research in water security, women scientist in physics and their contribution, recent advances in LED and LASER technologies. Prof. Dr. Aslam Baig (SESAME Project, Jordan) delivered insights on atomic and molecular physics.
Poster Session: The Iqra Auditorium's lobby transformed into a hub of intellectual exchange from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm PST, for poster session. The event provided a platform for displaying groundbreaking research conducted within LCWU's scientific community to showcase the university's diverse research endeavors. Prof. Dr. Shagufta Naz, Vice Chancellor (LCWU) graced the event as chief guest, underscoring the university's commitment to fostering academic excellence and innovation. Prof. Dr. M. Hassan Sayyad (Former Prof. GIKI), Prof. Dr. M. Asghar Hashmi (National Skills University, Islamabad), Prof. Dr. Saira Riaz (CSSP, PU), Dr. Muhammad Arshad (National Centre of Physics), Prof. Dr. Rehana Sharif (UET), Dr. Shagufta Y. Raja (Former Director STEM Program, UNC Charlotte, USA) served as a panel of esteemed judges to evaluate the presentations. Eminent judges evaluated the displays, setting the stage for further discussions and collaborations.
The day continued with parallel sessions focusing on Drug Designing and Disease Diagnosis, Emerging Technologies in Environmental Sciences, and Fuel Cell Technology, featuring talks by experts from various academic institutions.
The Symposium on Photonic Materials, Devices, and Emerging Photonics’ Applications rounded off the day with discussions on cutting-edge research and advancements in photonics, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of the conference.
Stay tuned for more updates as the conference unfolds, promising further exploration of groundbreaking research and collaboration in the fields of science and technology.
The second day of the 4th iiScience International Conference at Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) featured a series of sessions covering various topics in physics, nanotechnology, and environmental sciences. In the session on "Light and Renewable Energy," chaired by Prof. Dr. M. Yasin Akhter Raja from UNC Charlotte, keynotes and invited talks highlighted advancements in sustainable energy materials and technologies. Prof. Dr. M. Ashraf Gondal from King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals discussed advanced materials for sustainable energy applications, while Dr. Abasifreke Ebong from UNC Charlotte explored the reliability of photovoltaic metallization technologies. Other speakers addressed topics such as energy storage materials, lead-free perovskites for photovoltaic applications, and electrolytes for dye-sensitized solar cells.
Meanwhile, in the session on "Smart and Sustainable Development in Materials Manufacturing," chaired by Prof. Dr. Rehana Sharif from UET Lahore, experts discussed the utilization of various techniques for enhancing electrode performance in hybrid devices and the optimization of multifunctional metallic oxide coatings. The talks also covered topics like the structural and optical properties of thin films and the development of high-power cavity bandpass filters. These discussions underscored the importance of innovative approaches in materials manufacturing for achieving sustainability and efficiency in various applications. In the session on "Energy Storage Applications," chaired by Prof. Dr. M. Ashraf Gondal, researchers presented their findings on the electrical and dielectric properties of heterojunctions, nanocomposites for energy storage, and the synthesis of spinel manganese chromium oxide nano-powders. Additionally, talks focused on the optical modulation of threshold voltage in organic field-effect transistors and the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles for biomedical applications. These presentations highlighted the significance of energy storage materials in addressing the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions. Other sessions throughout the day delved into topics such as nanoscience, chemical processing, experimental physics, and computational perspectives. Each session featured keynote speakers and invited talks discussing recent research trends, technological innovations, and practical applications in their respective fields. The poster session, continuing from the previous day, provided a platform for researchers from CASP, Punjab University, ITU and COMSAT university, Lahore to showcase their work and engage in discussions with attendees and judges. Overall, the day's discussions emphasized interdisciplinary collaboration and the pursuit of scientific excellence to address global challenges in energy, materials, and technology.
On the second day of the 4th iiScience International Conference at Lahore College for Women University (LCWU), a thought-provoking symposium and an insightful panel discussion captivated attendees, offering multifaceted perspectives on emerging technologies and challenges in higher education. The symposium, titled "Emerging Technologies and Challenges for Effective Teaching and Learning - Skills & Themes in Higher Education," served as a platform for academia-industry collaboration. Eminent speakers from various domains converged to explore innovative teaching methodologies and discuss the evolving landscape of higher education. Dr. Mohsin Nazir, Associate Professor and Chairperson of the Software Engineering Department at LCWU, initiated the dialogue with his keynote address on computational perspectives in expanding horizons, bridging photonics and digital sciences. Following Dr. Nazir's address, Dr. M. Khizar Bhutta, a senior engineering manager at Whirlpool Corporation, took the stage to delve into the concept of fostering innovation in education. His talk, titled "What If We All Could be Innovative?" underscored the importance of nurturing creativity and critical thinking skills among students to address contemporary challenges. The symposium culminated with a keynote address by Prof. Dr. M. Asghar Hashmi, Controller Exams at the National Skills University, Islamabad. Dr. Hashmi shared insights into the phase control growth of InAs nanowires using bi-surfactants, highlighting the intersection of academic research and practical applications. Subsequently, the conference transitioned into a lively panel discussion, featuring distinguished guests and academic leaders. Prof. Dr. Shagufta Naz, the Vice-Chancellor of LCWU, presided over the session, joined by esteemed panelists including Prof. Dr. Faleeha Zahra Kazmi, Vice-Chancellor of Home Economics College University, and Prof. Dr. Adnan Noor, Vice-Chancellor of Information Technology University (ITU), among others. The panel discussion explored various facets of higher education, ranging from curriculum development to industry-academia collaboration. Participants exchanged ideas on fostering innovation, enhancing student engagement, and preparing graduates for the challenges of the future workforce. The session concluded with a renewed commitment to advancing educational excellence and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration in higher education institutions across the region.
The symposium further explored the synergy between medicine, engineering, and industry for enhancing the healthcare system, with Prof. Dr. M. Aslam providing valuable perspectives gleaned from his extensive experience in academia and healthcare leadership. Engr. Shaftab Ahmed, a former Associate Professor and Department Chair of Electrical & Computer Engineering at Bahria University, Islamabad, and Visiting Faculty at UNC Charlotte, USA, shared insights on the convergence of wireless sensor and data science technologies for smart e-Health care, underscoring the transformative potential of IoT.
Prof. Dr. Syed Atif Raza, Principal, Punjab University College of Pharmacy, University of The Punjab, Lahore highlighted Electro-spinning: an Emerging Technology to Construct Polymer-based Nanofibers for Drug Delivery, Lastly, Prof. Dr. Humaira Majeed Khan, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical & Allied Health Sciences at LCWU, provided an illuminating keynote on the e-Healthcare system in Pakistan, offering a local perspective on the challenges and opportunities in leveraging technology for healthcare delivery. The symposium concluded with the closing ceremony, featuring summary remarks and a closing report by the conference chairs and executive team. The recognition and distribution of shields and certificates, as well as the announcement of poster competition winners, marked the culmination of the successful conference.
Prof. Dr. Zohra Nazir Kayani, the Conference Chair, extended heartfelt thanks to all participants, while Prof. Dr. M. Yasin Akhtar Raja, the General Chair, expressed gratitude for the fruitful collaboration and shared insights gained throughout the conference. Patron-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Shagufta Naz, and other distinguished guests offered closing remarks, culminating in a group photo to commemorate the event before adjourning for the year. In a notable address during the closing ceremony, Prof. Dr. Shahid Munir, Chairman of the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC), who graced the event as the esteemed chief guest on the third day, lauded the organizers Physics faculty, LCWU and participants for their contributions to advancing knowledge and fostering collaboration in the field of science and technology. He praised Prof Dr Zohra Nazir Kayani for conducting 7th three days international events (Conference/webinar) as conference chair. He emphasized the importance of such conferences in promoting research excellence and innovation, reaffirming PHEC's commitment to supporting academic initiatives that drive societal progress and development. As attendees gathered for lunch, the echoes of innovation and collaboration lingered, paving the way for future advancements in science and technology for the betterment of society.