SURABAYA: International cooperation in science and technology took center stage as the 26th meeting of the Coordinating Council of the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) commenced in Surabaya, Indonesia, hosted by the COMSATS Centre of Excellence, the Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS). The meeting, involving participants from COMSATS Centres of Excellence across various countries, also marked a leadership transition with the election of Prof. Dr. Jibin Sun of China as the new Chair.

According to the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in The South, the council meeting saw representatives from BCSIR-Bangladesh, TIB and ICCES-China, NRC-Egypt, CSIR-Ghana, ITS-Indonesia, ICENS-Jamaica, RSS-Jordan, KazNU-Kazakhstan, NMC-Nigeria, ICCBS and CUI-Pakistan, AQU-Palestine, ITI-Sri Lanka, IRCC-Sudan, HIAST-Syria, TIRDO-Tanzania, and TUBITAK-Turkiye. Additionally, international partner organizations such as ANSO, ICESCO, SESRIC, IOFS, and others actively participated.

The outgoing Chairperson, Prof. Dr. Ashraf Shaalan of Egypt, highlighted the significant progress achieved by COMSATS, particularly under the leadership of Executive Director, Ambassador Dr. M. Nafees Zakaria. This includes expanded scientific cooperation, stronger international engagement, and the revival of the COMSATS Internet Services. Prof. Shaalan urged for continued support from Member States to achieve COMSATS’ mission.

Prof. Dr. Jibin Sun, the newly elected Chairperson, emphasized the importance of COMSATS as a platform for delivering tangible benefits of science and technology to its Member States. Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Nafees Zakaria acknowledged the contributions of the outgoing Chairperson and welcomed Prof. Sun, highlighting the critical role of science and technology in addressing development challenges.

The Consul General of China reaffirmed China’s commitment to sharing technological expertise with developing countries under the framework of South-South cooperation. ITS Rector, Prof. Dr. Bambang Pramujati, expressed readiness to engage in collaborative research and capacity-building initiatives, anticipating productive exchanges that would lay the groundwork for future partnerships.