Faculty of Science and Technology Organized ICEHST-2024

The Faculty of Science and Technology organized the 2nd International Conference on Emerging Horizons in Science & Technology (ICEHST-2024) on November 21-22, 2024, at the University of Central Punjab (UCP) in Lahore. Around 400 participants attended, including 11 international speakers and 28 national experts, who came together to explore solutions for global challenges in science and technology.
The conference began with a formal opening ceremony, starting with the recitation of the Quran and Pakistan’s national anthem. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh, Convener of ICEHST-2024 and Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology at UCP, welcomed the attendees and stressed the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. Dr. Hammad Naveed, Pro-Rector of UCP, highlighted the conference’s role in advancing research and promoting global cooperation. Prof. Dr. Syed Habib Bokhari, Vice Chancellor of Kohsar University, spoke about the importance of interdisciplinary research in solving complex problems. Dr. Muhammad Naveed, the conference’s Focal Person, outlined the conference’s key themes: Biotechnology, Zoology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Food Sciences, and Mathematics/Physics. The ceremony concluded with mementoes being presented to guests and speakers, marking the start of two days of technical sessions and discussions.
The inaugural Plenary Session featured four distinguished speakers. Dr. Irshad Hussain from LUMS discussed the role of functional nanomaterials in renewable energy, healthcare, and environmental sciences, focusing on how their properties can be optimized for better performance. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh, Dean at UCP, spoke on the industrial applications of nanomaterials, exploring both their potential and the challenges of large-scale use. These talks added depth to the discussions on nanomaterials, sustainability, and biotechnology.
Day 1 included three technical sessions. Technical Session A, moderated by Dr. Tanzeela Riaz and Ms. Anum Tahir, focused on Biotechnology, Zoology, and Microbiology. With 12 expert speakers, it sparked engaging discussions. Technical Session B, held in Webinar Room C, covered Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Food Sciences. It featured two invited speakers and eight presentations, with about 70 participants. A competition for the best presentation among MS and PhD scholars was also held. Technical Session C, hosted in UCP’s conference room, focused on Mathematics and Physics. Moderated by Prof. Dr. Shahid Siddiqui, Dr. Madiha Khan, and Huda Rehman Mir, it featured 40 researchers, including international speaker Dr. Taj Munir from Jiangsu University, China.
The conference also hosted a poster competition, where students presented research on various scientific topics. A panel of judges, including Dr. Aatif Amin, Dr. Tanzeela Riaz, Dr. Ammara Hussain, and Dr. Pervez Anwar, evaluated the posters. This competition was a key part of the conference’s aim to promote innovation and knowledge-sharing. The competition was expertly coordinated by Dr. Salma Batool, the Team Lead of the Abstract and Poster Competition Committee.
On Day 2, Technical Session A continued discussions on Biotechnology, Zoology, and Microbiology, moderated by Ms. Anum Tahir and Dr. Atif Amin. The session featured insightful presentations and was chaired by Dr. Muhammad Sajjad and Prof. Dr. Imtiaz Rabbani. After a tea break, more discussions followed, and souvenirs were presented to participants. Technical Session B, moderated by Dr. Namrah Anwar, Dr. Kanza Awan, and Dr. Sumera Zaib, covered Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Food Sciences. It included five invited speakers and eight presentations, with around 60 participants. MS and PhD scholars competed for the Best Presentation award. Technical Session C on Mathematics and Physics, moderated by Prof. Dr. Karar Haider and others, brought together nearly 40 scholars for collaborative discussions and presentations.
The conference ended with a lively closing ceremony in the Main Auditorium, beginning with the recitation of the Quran and the National Anthem. A music session and video recap followed, celebrating the event’s highlights. Hosted by Ms. Anum Tahir, the ceremony featured speeches from Dr. Hammad Naveed, the Guest of Honor, and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Wajid, the Chief Guest, who both emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in scientific progress. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh, the Dean, expressed his gratitude to all involved. Awards were given for best poster and oral presentations, and the event concluded with a group photo, marking the success of ICEHST-2024.