ISLAMABAD:29 March: The International Traveling Expo "It's all about Chemistry" opened here at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) on Wednesday.

Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) in collaboration with the Embassy of France in Islamabad and Scientific, Technical, Industrial and Cultural Centre (CCSTI), France has arranged the Expo, prepared by Centre Sciences-France, UNESCO and partners, for providing a first-hand picture of the role of Chemistry in our daily life to students and general public.

The Expo is aimed at increasing the interest of young people in chemistry and to generate enthusiasm among students for take chemistry as a subject of their studies. The expo started its journey in Pakistan from Karachi in January and after travelling through Tandojam, Khairpur, DG. Khan, Multan, Lahore, Mansehra, Peshawar and Swat has reached Islamabad from where it would travel to Sibbi and conclude in Quetta.

Chemistry is an exciting experimental science which makes us to understand our world and make our life easier. It is scientific study of matter, its properties and interactions with other matters and energy.

Study of Chemistry is critical in addressing challenges such as global climate change, in providing sustainable sources of clean water, food energy and in wellbeing of all people. The science of chemistry and its applications produce medicines, fuels, metals and virtually all other manufactured products.

PSF Chairman Prof. Dr. Manzoor H. Soomro inaugurated the 3-day Expo in Islamabad while French Attache for Cooperation Mr. Gilles Angles, AIOU Faculty of Sciences Dean Prof. Dr. Noshad A Khan and AIOU Chemistry Department's Chairperson Prof. Dr. Naghmana Rashid were also present on this occasion.

The displays of the expo include Black and White Chemistry, Molecules in Action, Nature Returns with a bang, Intelligent Textiles, Dress Intelligently, Dress Usefully, Materials that Heal Automatically, Oil-bases or Water-based paint, Pure air at home, What s Going on in my saucepan, Town Water or field Water, Experts against Fraud, When Art and Science Meet, Molecular Motors, Bio-fuels for Green Driving and Responsible Farming etc.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Dr. Manzoor H. Soomro highlighted the PSF programes and activities for promotion of science in the country for mental developmental of the nation and socio-economic development of the country. He said PSF s subsidiary organization Pakistan Museum of Natural History is playing an important role in imparting education on natural sciences through informal means.

Dr. Soomro said AIOU and PSF have common grounds as they both are reaching the masses at their doorsteps for achieving their objectives of education and promotion of science and technology to bring Pakistan at par with developed countries. (APP).