The Inaugural Meeting of the D-8 Network of Pioneers for Research and Innovation (D-8 NPRI) was held on 21st December, 2020 and it was hosted by the COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The meeting was attended by the Rectors / Chancellors/Vice Chancellors and representatives of the D-8 NPRI Universities which are twenty-six top universities nominated by the Member States, Secretary-General and officials of the D-8 Secretariat, representatives of the D-8 affiliated institutions and partners of the D-8 Organization such as the D-8 Chamber of Commerce and Industry (D-8 CCI), D-8 Technology Transfer and Exchange Network (D-8 TTEN), D-8 International University, D-8 Health and Social Protection Program (D-8 HSP), the Islamic World Science Citation Center (ISC), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) and the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK).

The meeting commenced with the Election of COMSATS University as the Chairman of the D-8 NPRI to chair the network for a two-year term. In his welcome remarks, the Rector of COMSATS, Professor Muhammad Tabassum Afzal expressed the delight of COMSATS University to host this important meeting and collaborate with other universities and institutions of the D-8 Member States in order to facilitate research and innovation activities.

On his part, the D-8 Secretary-General Ambassador Dato’ Ku Jaafar Ku Shaari stated that D-8 will, through D-8 NPRI platform, expand the level of innovation in the D-8 Member States in order to bring about the economic growth which is essential for sustainable development of the D-8 Member States. He also stressed the crucial importance of collaboration between and among the D-8 Member States in activities of science, research and technology in order to build their own technologies for their survival, providing sustainable economic development and meaningful participation in Global Value Chains in the world with the necessity of capacity building in relevant areas.

Statements and presentations were also made by the Heads of D-8 NPRI Universities and representatives of the D-8 Affiliated Institutions and partners of the D-8 Organization. The Heads of the D-8 NPRI Universities and representatives of other institutions introduced their respective universities and institutions by providing information and statistics regarding their activities in research and innovation areas. Furthermore, the importance of collaboration between and among the D-8 NPRI Universities, the D-8 affiliated institutions and partners, in order to get highly effective outcomes from the Research and Development activities of the D-8 Member States was emphasized during the statements of the representatives of D-8 NPRI Universities and other institutions.

The meeting had fruitful deliberations on several issues such as formation of the D-8 Research and Development Council and the D-8 Universities Associations, cooperation for joint research and innovations, resource allocations by Member States for research and development activities, and research and innovation mechanisms and frameworks in the Member States.

The Islamabad Joint Declaration was also adopted by the meeting. In the declaration, the Heads of the D-8 NPRI Universities and research institutions agreed on the establishment of D-8 Research and Development Council in order to promote collaboration and joint ventures among the research institutions of the D-8 Member States and formation of the D-8 Universities Associations to enhance communication and coordination.

Furthermore, the meeting agreed on strengthening the linkages among universities, research institutions and industry-related organizations in order to develop collaborative research relationships and encourage dialogue and facilitate sharing of experiences among all affiliated bodies of the D-8 Organization including D-8 CCI, ISC, D-8 TTEN, D-8 NPRI, relevant institutions of Member States and global institutions such as IsDB as well as the private sector on promoting science and technology and innovation for sustainable industrialization.

The D-8 Network of Pioneers for Research and Innovation (D-8 NPRI) is an open concept that will help the D-8 Organization to expand the level of innovation in the D-8 Member States to enable the economic growth essential for sustainable development. The idea behind the establishment of the D-8 NPRI is to bring D-8 Member States researchers, government and semi-government research institutes, industrial research institutes and research in D-8 universities under one umbrella.

Statement of the D-8 Secretary-General