SESRIC participated in the Inaugural Event for the Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) Initiative, which was held on 14-15 December 2010 at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Alexandria, Egypt.

The event was attended by stakeholders and leaders from across the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia Regions. They deliberated on a set of common issues to Science and Technology and dwelt upon a consultative process with a view to designing and implementing multinational methodologies to support technology innovation development. Representatives of related governments, non-profit organisations and institutions, academies, and industry-related sectors raised issues in which they urged to develop concrete strategies and unified approaches to advance technology commercialisation in key areas such as agriculture, health, information technology and energy.

The SESRIC representative Mr. Mehmet F. Serenli, Director of Training and Technical Cooperation, made a presentation during the event where he provided an overview of current trends and developments in the OIC Member Countries in the fields of education, scientific research, and science & technology.

The GIST Initiative aims at building peace and prosperity through scientific collaboration, fostering of invention, innovation, entrepreneurship, and the commercialisation of technology in the Middle East, North Africa and Asia Regions.