Zaheer Science Foundation
Workshop on
“Familiarization with Quantum Science and Technology”
under the auspices
UNESCO – International Day of Light 2025 (IDL2025)
Organized by
Zaheer Science Foundation, (ZSF), New Delhi
In collaboration with
India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi
26th June, 2025 6:00-8:00 pm (IST)
Venue: Conference Room No-1,
(above the Library)
India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi
Background Note
The UN's proclamation of 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) recognizes quantum physics' pivotal role in modern innovation. This celebration marks 100 years of groundbreaking discoveries with transformative potential across multiple sectors. Quantum advancements are driving progress in secure communications, medical diagnostics, and materials engineering while supporting the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.
India has strategically elevated Quantum Technology to a National Mission status, aligning with global initiatives to leverage these innovations responsibly. The focus remains on inclusive development and equitable access to emerging technologies.
This workshop will introduce quantum principles to non-specialists, covering both theoretical foundations and real-world implementations across computing, energy, and manufacturing sectors. Discussions will address ethical implications and workforce training requirements in this fast-evolving field.
This initiative seeks to cultivate public awareness and inspire future researchers to guide quantum technology's ethical deployment for maximum societal benefit. By bridging knowledge gaps, we aim to prepare stakeholders for the quantum revolution while ensuring its benefits reach all communities.
Minutes of the Meeting of the Extra-ordinary General Meeting held on Saturday, 28th January 2023 at 11: 30 AM (Hybrid Mode) for conducting Zaheer Science Foundation Elections
The following members were physically present in the meeting in the Office of Zaheer Science Foundation (ZSF), New Delhi-110001:
Dr. Harsh K. Gupta, Chairman
Dr. Zahid H. Khan, Vice Chairman
Dr. Tabassum Jamal, Secretary
Dr. Seema Wahab, Joint Secretary
Prof. Ramesh Chandra, Member
Dr. Mohd. Rais, Member
Dr. Subhan Khan, Member
Mrs. Shabnam Khan, Member
The following members attended the meeting online:
Dr. Ashok Jain
Mr. MAU Khan
Dr. D. Shailaja
Prof. Dr. Badrul Islam Kairanvi
Dr. S. D. Garg
Prof. E. Hasnain
Shri Vinod A. Iyengar
Special Invitees:
- Prof. A. S. Kohli, Election Officer, attended the meeting in person for conducting the ZSF Elections.
- Mrs. Manju Bagai, Legal adviser, ZSF attended the meeting in person.
Item No. 1. Welcome by Dr. Harsh K. Gupta, Chairman ZSF
Dr. Harsh Gupta welcomed all the members and gave a brief account of work done so far by ZSF since he took over as Interim Chairman. He talked about various improvements made in face-lifting of the ZSF office and, in particular, making the office digitally functional for hybrid meetings. He applauded the efforts made by Dr. Zahid H. Khan, Dr. Tabassum Jamal and Mohd Asad U. Khan during the last one year in bringing ZSF functional as well as on the right track.
Item No. 2. Progress of the Work done during the period of Interim Governing Council
Dr. Tabassum Jamal, Secretary, ZSF presented the overall progress of work done to revamp research activities at ZSF over the last one year. She presented the details of two workshops organized by ZSF in this period and the wide publicity of these events in social media. She highlighted salient points raised during the online workshop which was organized by ZSF on“Disruption of Education during the COVID-19 Pandemic” on 30th August 2022, under the UNESCO-IDL Platform Event Calendar 2022. The workshop mainly focused on the role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in mitigating the sudden crisis in the education sector during Covid-19 and the policy-related aspects. The workshop was a great success with a large number of participants mostly from India and also from Iran and UAE, who attended the workshop online.The media partner for this event was Virtual Studio Private Ltd., Greater Noida, New Delhi. The workshop got a wide coverage in the UNESCO-IDL Newsletter published in November 2022.
Item No. 3. Conducting Elections of Chairman of ZSF and Four Members of its Governing Council
Dr. Zahid H. Khan, Vice Chairman, ZSF, presented a detailed outline of the whole election process which was adopted to elect the Chairman of ZSF and five member of its Governing Council.For nomination of Chairman ZSF and Five Members of its Governing Council, only two nominations were received, out of which only one nomination for Member of the Governing Council of ZSF was found valid, and that there was no withdrawal.
Considering the extra-ordinary circumstances and exigencies of work, it was decided in the governing council meeting held on 10th January 2023, to hold an Extra-ordinary General Meeting on 28th January 2023 at 11:30 AM (Hybrid Mode) to further follow up the process of electing the Chairman of ZSF and remaining four members of the Governing Council. Prof A.S. Kohli conducted the elections very professionally and smoothly. As a result, the members of Zaheer Science Foundation elected the Chairman of ZSF and Five Members (including one member who got elected directly in the initial phase itself as there was no other nomination). The Election Officer declared the Result of the Elections, which is as Follows:
Chairperson of ZSF
Dr. Tabassum Jamal got elected for the position of Chairperson of ZSF.
Members of the Governing Council of ZSF
The following members got elected as Members of the Governing Council of ZSF:
1. Dr. Mohd. Rais former Chief Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR, Delhi
2. Dr. D. Shailaja, Chief Scientist & Chair, BDRM, CSIR-IICT, Hyderabad
3. Dr. Seema Wahab, Former Sr. Advisor, DBT, New Delhi
4. Dr. Irfan Qureshi Associate Professor, JMI University, Delhi
5. Prof. Pramesh N. Kapoor, Delhi University, Delhi
Soon after the meeting, the above-mentioned result of the elections was placedon ZSF website on 28th January 2023, with the signature of Prof A.S. Kohli, Election Officer.
The members thanked the Election Officer for conducting the ZSF Elections very smoothly.
The meeting concluded with thanks to the Chair.
Dear Members,
Greetings from Zaheer Science Foundation (ZSF)
This is to invite you for the Annual General Meeting of ZSF scheduled on Saturday, 29th June, 2024, 11:00 AM at 4, Udyan Marg, New Delhi-110001
You are requested to kindly note the date and time for the meeting and make it convenient to attend.
Please find herewith enclosed a copy of proposed agenda of the meeting along with zoom-link.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86535273318?pwd=dwYTzYqdd9YmdyG61IIqaIIfjd15My.1
Meeting ID: 865 3527 3318
Passcode: 4Vrf5B
With warm regards,
Dr. Tabassum Jamal
Chairperson
Zaheer Science Foundation
4, Udyan Marg
New Delhi 110001
Download : Agenda items for discussion at the Annual General Meeting