The Corona Virus has made the entire international community halt their daily lives and routines. Pakistan has also been a victim of the virus as over 800 cases have already been reported. As a result of the coronavirus outbreak, The Higher Education Commission of Pakistan has recently finalized an agreement with the World Bank to launch the Rapid Response Research and Innovation Program for Corona virus.
The Rapid Response Research and Innovation Program aims to combat the exponentially increasing rate of COVID-19 situation in Pakistan. This agreement worked after the hard work and commitment of the HEC alongside their Research and Development Team who have worked throughout the previous to make this initiative and partnership happen. Out of the team that worked on this initiative, it included the leadership of Dr. Zulfiqar Bhutta, Maj Gen Aamir Ikram, Dr. Asad Hafeez, and Dr. Sarosh Lodhi.
The agreement included grants of US$ 100,000, US$ 50,000, and US$35,000 that will be used in work for Rapid Research, Technology Transfer, and Entrepreneurship. This grant will be under 3 different grant windows that will end quickly and priority will be given to the following subject areas:
- Infectious Diseases Surveillance Systems using AI & Big Data
- Analysis of success and weaknesses of alternative epidemic control measures
- Disease Epidemiological Modelling
- Immune Patterns of COVID-19
- Treatment Modalities and Strategies
- Information collection and dissemination on IT platforms
- Indigenous manufacturing of low-cost equipment or materials, e.g., diagnostic kits, intensive-care equipment (e.g., ventilators), or personal protective equipment
- Development of disinfectants, particularly using indigenous herbal or natural ingredients
If any individual is interested in this noble work in the hope of saving lives and work on this research, they can qualify for the grant and must need to apply before April 3, 2020 to get a quick response. They have also planned to have a conference call in a few days to brief academia and interested principal investigators to make sure candidates are well aware of the program.