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About ICCBS
A generous donation was offered to the University for the Institute by the leading philanthropist/industrialist Mr. Latif Ebrahim Jamal H.I. on behalf of the Husein Ebrahim Jamal Foundation in 1976, the largest donation at that time in the history of the country. The Institute was accordingly named as "Husein Ebrahim Jamal Research Institute of Chemistry", in the memory of late Mr. Husein Ebrahim Jamal a leading industrialist and philanthropist... Read More..
Our Glorious History
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A nucleus of the Postgraduate Institute of Chemistry was established in the Department of Chemistry, University of Karachi in 1967 and Prof. Salimuzzaman Siddiqui appointed as Director. Prof. Viqaruddin Ahmed. Prof. Zafar H. Zaidi and other staff was also assigned by PCSIR to Karachi University to work at the Postgraduate Institute of Chemistry. Prior to that in 1964, Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman had already joined the department of Chemistry as Lecturer after obtaining first class first in M.Sc. exams and left for Cambridge University in 1965 for PhD in Organic Chemistry on a Commonwealth Scholarship.
Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman returned from Cambridge University in 1968 and joined the Postgraduate Institute of Chemistry. He was then offered Fellowship by Kings College University of Cambridge and worked in Cambridge University during 1969-1973. During this period he disproved the earlier work of the Nobel Laureate Sir Robert Robinson (Atta-ur-Rahman, J.Chem.Soc.Perkin 1, 736 (1972), thereby gaining international fame early in his life. During 1970/71 he was sent by University of Cambridge to Karachi University to help set up the Chemistry Institute and he brought with him C, H, N and O analysers, Mettler microanalytical balances, gas chromatographs and other related equipment that helped to set up the institute. Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman permanently returned to Pakistan in September 1973 and joined the institute as its Co Director. He then succeeded in winning grants for the purchase of Pakistan’s first NMR and mass spectrometers which were installed in the Postgraduate Institute of Chemistry in 1974. This attracted Prof. Wolfgang Voelter to select the Postgraduate Institute of Chemistry as a collaborating institution in Pakistan, resulting two German grants from GTZ totalling an amount of 4.8 million DM were received. The Latif Ebrahim Jamal Foundation then provided a grant of Rs.50 million, of which Rs.25 million was used to construct its new buildings and the remaining Rs. 25 million were provided in the form of shares of Husein Industries for a regular source of income. Subsequently Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman succeeded in winning grants of 2.3 billion Japanese yen (about $23 million) from Japan, about $ 8 million from Office of Naval Research in a joint project with the Institute of Marine Biology, and a sum of 1 million pounds from ODA (UK) for a joint programme with the School of Molecular Sciences University of Sussex. These and other grants helped to transform the institution to a world class Center of Excellence. Prof. Salimuzzaman Siddiqui served as Director from 1967 to 1990, Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman served as Co-Director from 1977 to 1990, and later as Director from 1990 to 2000 and Prof. Iqbal Choudhary served as Director from 2008-2023. In 2005 Ms. Nadira Panjwani came forward with a magnificent grant of Rs. 222.8 million with which the Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research was constructed. The H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry then became an integral part of a larger International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences with its two main wings, the H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry and the Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug research. During 2000–2002 Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman was appointed Federal Minister of Science and Technology and then during 2002-2008 he became the Founding Chairman (status Federal Minister) of the Higher Education Commission. During this period the development grant of the Ministry of Science and Technology was increased by 6000% and that of higher education by 3500%. This provided liberal funding to the science, technology and higher education sectors changing the entire landscape of higher education in Pakistan. The world’s leading science journal Nature in its article published on 22nd September 2010 called Atta-ur-Rahman “a force of nature”. (https://www.nature.com/articles/467378a) . As a result of these investments many Centers of Excellence emerged in Pakistan including in National University of Science & Technology (NUST), COMSATS, UET (Lahore), BUITMS (Quetta) and the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS). Within ICCBS, the L.E.J. National Science Information Center, and the L.E.J. Nanotechnology Research Center were established with additional generous donations from Mr. Aziz Jamal through the Latif Ebrahim Jamal Foundation while the Jamil-ur-Rahman Center for Genomics Research was set up be a donation from Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman in his father’s name. Subsequently a number of other institutions have also been established from grants of the Federal and Sindh governments that include the Forensic Science Laboratories, the National Center for Virology, etc. Prof. Iqbal Choudhary was the Acting Director of ICCBS during 2001-2008, and the Director from 2008-2023, and he played a valuable role in the development of ICCBS, Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman served as Patron-in-Chief of ICCBS. As a result of the eminent and dedicated leadership, an excellent faculty and technical staff, the institute evolved to great heights, being recognised as the WHO Center of Excellence for Pesticide Analysis, The World Academy of Science (TWAS) Center of Excellence, the OIC Center of Excellence, the UNESCO (Category 2) Center of Excellence and the COMSATS Center of Excellence. The faculty of the institute has won 32 Civil awards including one Nishan-i-Imtiaz, four Hilal-i-Imtiaz, 13 Sitara-i-Imtiaz and 13 Tamgha-i-Imtiaz / Pride of Performance. It also has the distinction of having two Fellows of Royal Society (London) heading it (Salimuzzaman Siddiqui and Atta-ur-Rahman). The Austrian Government honoured Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman its high Civil Award (“Grosse Goldene Ehrenzeischen am Bande") (2007). Prof. Rahman won the prestigious UNESCO Science Prize (1999). The Chinese government conferred its highest national award on Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman (International Science & Technology Collaboration Award) (2019). Prof. Rahman had the distinction of being appointed Honorary Life Fellow of Kings College, University of Cambridge in 2007. Prof. Rahman also received a number of honorary doctorate degrees including those from Cambridge University (UK), Coventry University (UK), Bradford University (UK), and Asian Institute of Technology (Thailand). The Mustufa (PBUH) Prize was won by Prof. Iqbal Choudhary while the L’Oréal-UNESCO Award was won by Prof. Farzana Shaheen. |
Our Vision and Mission
| Our Vision: |
| Our Mission: |
We are the institution of higher learning which imparts highest quality research training to its students in frontier fields of science and technology. We strive to contribute in fulfilling the need of quality manpower in science and technology. We expect our graduates will serve the nation and humanity at large.
Remarks of Nobel Laureates and Eminent Scientists about Role of Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman,FRS in the Establishment of ICCBS
COMMENTS ABOUT PROF. ATTA-UR-RAHMAN, FRS BY NOBEL LAUREATES and Eminent Scientists

(Nobel Laureate)
Purdue University, U.S.A.
Atta-ur-Rahman's accomplishments speak volume of his contributions, capabilities and versatile personality. It is impossible to record them all in a-short letter like this. But let me try.
He is, without doubt, the Ambassador of Pakistan to the chemists of the world. As of today he has more than 576 publications including 51 books that he has authored or edited. His original research published regularly in reputed international journals in the area of natural product chemistry, especially in the structural studies, are well recognized and deserve special comments. He maintains a research group that can compete, in quality, with any other leading groups in the world and has added excellent contributions to the chemical literature. Some of his recent contributions include: The CD in Situ Complexation Method as a Tool for the determination of Absolute Configurations of Cottonogenic Derivatives (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1993; 115, 12533); New Withanolides from Withania Species (J. Nat. Prod. 1993, 56, 1000), and Two New Non-nitrogenous Triterpenoids from Roots of Buxus papillosa (Phytochemistry, 1994, 35, 993).
He is a leader in modern two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy and is the first one in the world to-publish a textbook to have a detailed discussion on 2-D NMR spectroscopy, the success of which led to its Japanese translation by Professors H. Hiorta and Motoo Tori. He has published another book on One and Two Dimensional NMR Spectroscopy". He is the editor of a prestigious series of books being published by Elsevier Science Publishers entitled "Studies in Natural Products Chemistry". All of his books are well read and used copiously by chemists both in the academia and industry. I must comment on his capabilities as editor, seeing to it that the books are published in time by doing an excellent job of editing removing the husk from the corn of today's flood of literature. This led to his appointment as one of the two Editors-in-Chief Chief of "Natural Product Letters". He is also the founding Editor-in-Chief of "Current Medicinal Chemistry.
It is amazing that he is able to do all these while taking care of one of the prestigious institutes in the country, the H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, as its Director. Under his able guidance, this Institute has become one of the finest in the world, in terms of the facilities, the quality of work and the scientists that it produces,

Prof. Dr. Ryoji Noyori
(Nobel Laureate)
Nagoya University, Japan
I have followed Prof. Rahman’s activity over two decades with immense respect. Professor Atta-ur-Rahman has long been involved in organic chemistry of broad area, but perhaps the most creditable are his accomplishments on natural products chemistry. In particular, he made a brilliant contribution to the area of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Professor Atta-ur-Rahman is obviously among the most productive-chemists in Pakistan. His accomplishment is not limited to his own original scientific work. He has made tremendous effort in editing monographs making this significant field highly visible. Furthermore, Professor Atta-ur-Rahman acts as an outstanding organizer who established the center of excellence, the H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, University of Karachi. He now serves as the Federal- Minister for the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of Pakistan.
Professor Atta-ur-Rahman is known as a highly influential figure as both scientist and administrator in the international chemical community, particularly in the Islamic academy. His contribution has been recognized by many national and international awards, which include the UNESCO Science Prize in 1999.

Prof. Dr. R. R. Ernst
(Nobel Laureate)
Zurich University, Switzerland
Professor Atta-Ur-Rahman is one of the worldwide leading scientists in natural product chemistry and in the important field of nuclear magnetic resonance. He is at the same time one of the very best scientists that Pakistan has ever produced.
Professor Atta-Ur-Rahman has made a large number of significant contributions to the structure elucidation of natural products. This is a field of science of obvious importance to an agriculturally oriented country, such as Pakistan. In this sense he has supported national economy. In this respect also his educational activities are of greatest importance for Pakistan and serve as an example for other countries of the region.
The number as well as the quality of his research publications and in particular of his books is highly astonishing. He is one of the most productive authors of books in science. That he remains to be at the same time a very creative and active scientist is indeed quite unusual. I have my highest respect for his enormously successful activities.

Prof. Sir. Derek H. Richard Barton
(Nobel Laureate)
Texas A & M University, U.S.A

Prof. Dr. Jean-Marie Lehn
(Nobel Laureate)
Universitie Louis Pasteur
Strasbourg, France
Professor Rahman is a very active scientist who has produced research work of very high caliber and is internationally recognized in his field of activity. He is the author of close to 500 Publications and has published 63 books!
By establishing an Institute of high standard, he has contributed most importantly to the development of chemical research in his country and his region of the world.
Finally, by his enthusiasm, dynamism and dedication he has a very strong impact on training, stimulating and inspiring young scientists as well as on -promoting international relations.
The merits of Professor Atta-ur-Rahman have been recognized in particular by the UNESCO Science Prize in 1999.

Prof. Dr. Burton Richter
(Nobel Laureate)
Stanford University California, U.S.A.
Prof. Atta-ur-Raman’s work is an example to developing countries on how to boost science training and activities in developing, thereby developing and retaining young scientists.
VIEWS OF EMINENT SCIENTISTS OF WORLD
University of Illinois,
Chicago, U.S.A.
“What I found at the H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry was a world class facility, a group of enthusiastic and talented scientists, and an incredible director, Professor Atta-ur-Rahman”.

Prof. Dr. A. I. Scott
Texas A & M University,.
College Station, TX 77842, U.S.A.
“Those of us who have been privileged to visit the H.E.J Research institute in Karachi realize the Professor Atta-ur-Rahman have created the jewel in the crown of chemistry in the Third World. I was particularly impressed not only by quality of the research but also the fine spectroscopic equipment, which never fail due to the installation of electrical generators”.
Prof. Dr. Jon C. Clardy
Department of Biological Chemistry
and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard
Medical School Boston, U.S.A.
“The H.E.J. is a world class institution that is recognized by organic chemists around the world. The instruments are first-class, and the breadth of the research is growing into strategic areas. Most importantly, a group of eager and talented researchers has been assembled to train new students and carry out research. Frankly, I', in awe of what he's accomplished, and I join his friend from around the world in acknowledging what he's done”.
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Voelter
Tubingen University, Germany
“Without the organizational talent and tremendous efforts of Professor Atta-ur-Rahman, the H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry in Karachi would never attained the high level of scientific stature as judged from Nobel Laureates and top scientists of the West. Due to its staff and most up-to-date sophisticated equipment it is claimed to be best research organization within the vast land area of the Mediterranean to Japan. Several high field NMR spectrophotometers, and high resolution mass spectrophotometers, and amino acid sequencer, a X-ray crystallography, a circular dichorism instruments, and international computer network link etc., are producing daily reults performed by competent staff under guidance of Professor Atta-ur-Rahman”.
Prof. Dr. Ernst Wenkert
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, California, U.S.A.
“As a Westerner it is truly amazing to me what high level of scientific standard the chemistry institute in Karachi has attained. Having been at some of the earlier symposia, it has been possible for me to watch the progress of the institute over the years only to be astounded at the accelerating changes and the seriousness with which scientific endeavor is taken at this institution. In my opinion it has become one of the three best research organization within the of the Mediterranean to Japan. In view of the ease with which progress can slip, if institution are not nurtured. It is of the most importance to continue to support the H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry in the future to permit it to maintain its present position of science in the Afro-Asian world”.
International Linkages
Institutional linkages
SEE WHO WE ARE PARTNERED WITH
FLIP BOOK OF ICCBS INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS
ICCBS-CHINA COOPERATIONS
Contact Information
International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences
Members of the Executive Board
Vice-Chancellor,
University of Karachi.
Ph. Off: 99261336 / 99261337.
Fax: Fax: 9261340.
Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, FRS,NI, HI, SI, TI,
Patron-in-Chief, ICCBS
I.C.C.B.S., University of Karachi
Ph: 021-99261744- cell: 0300-8543084
Fax: 021-99261713
HEC Representative
Islamabad
Chairman
Pakistan Science Foundation,
1-Constitution Avenue, G-5/2,
Islamabad.
Ph. Off: 051-9204522; 9215067-68.
chairman@psf.gov.pk;
Prof. Dr. Masarrat Jahan Yousuf
Dean, Faculty of Science,
University of Karachi
Ph..Off: 99261077, 99243131 Ext.2255;
Prof. Dr. Fareeda Islam
Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Karachi
Karachi Medical and Dental College
Karachi. Off: 99260300-0301
Cell: 0300-2123257
Mr. Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui
Federal Secretary, Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat
House No. 122 A, Street 37
F-10/1
Islamabad
Cell No. +92000 824 8861
(Nominee of the Syndicate/Selection Board-Academics/ Executive Board
Prof. Dr. Masoom Yasinzai, S.I., A.F. (In place of Prof. Dr. G. A. Miana, S.I.)
Rector IIUI 01-01-2022-31-12-2024
International Islamic University,
Islamabad
Mr. Aziz Latif Jamal, S.I.
Chairman, Husein Ebrahim Jamal Foundation
A-1-34, Faran Housing Society,
Off Hyder Ali Road,
Karachi.
Ph.Off: 5018536-8.
Res: 4934150 ; Cell : 0300-8223996.
Ms. Nadira Panjwani, H.I., S.I.
Chairperson
Dr. Panjwani Memorial Trust,
SADAF-23/II, 26th Street,
Defence Phase-V,
Karachi.
Cell: 0303-2122344; 0333-2138361
Res: 5842771.
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Raza Shah
Director
International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences,
University of Karachi,
Karachi-75270.
Ph. Off: 021-34824924/4824925/9926717. Cell: 03008961511
UAN: 111-222-292.
Fax: 92-21-34819018./99261713
Prof. Dr. Abdul Waheed
Registrar
University of Karachi
Karachi
Ph. Off. 021 99261344
Cell No. 0331 0219831
Members of the Selection Board (Academics)
Prof. Dr. Khalid Mehmood Iraqi
Chairman, Selection Board (Academic)
Vice-Chancellor,
University of Karachi.
Ph. Off: 9261336-7; Fax: 9261340.
Dean, Faculty of Medicine
Mr. Aziz Latif Jamal, S.I.Chairman,
(Chairman, Husein Ebrahim Foundation)
Husein Ebrahim Foundation,
A-1-34, Faran Housing Society,
Hyder Ali Road, Karachi.
Ph.Off: 5018536-8, 5018540,43.
Res: 4934150. Mobile: 0300-8223996.
Prof. Dr. Musarrat Jahan Yousuf
Dean, Faculty of Science,
(Dean, Faculty of Science)
University of Karachi.
Ph. 9243206 and 9243131 Ext.2255
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Raza Shah
Director
International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences,
University of Karachi,
Karachi-75270.
Ph. Off: 021-34824924/4824925/9926717. Cell: 03008961511
UAN: 111-222-292.
Fax: 92-21-34819018./99261713
Prof. Dr. Shahid Pervez
Professor, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical College, n
The Aga Khan University
Stadium Road, P.O. Box 3500, Karachi 74800
Email: shahidpervez@aku.edu
T. +92 21 3486 1554
M. +92 300 236 3786
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ashraf H.I., S.I., P.P.
Rector
The University of Lahore
1-Km Defence Road،, near Bhuptian Chowk،, Lahore,
Punjab
Email: ashrafbot@yahoo.com
Cell no. 0300 6232 222
Ms. Nadira Panjwani, H.I., S.I.
Chairperson
Dr. Panjwani Memorial Trust,
SADAF-23/II, 26th Street,
Defence Phase-V,
Karachi.
Cell: 0303-2122344; 0333-2138361
Res: 5842771.
Mr. Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui 2022 (for two years (extendable))
Federal Secretary, Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat
Member, Syndicate, University of Karachi
House No. 70, street 1,
F-6/3, Islamabad
Cell No. +92300 824 8861 (Nominee of the Syndicate/Selection Board-Academics/ Executive Board
Members of the Selection Board (Non-Academics)
Chairman, Selection Board
University of Karachi.
Ph. 9243206 and 9243131 Ext.2255
Dean, Faculty of Medicine
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Raza Shah
Director
International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences,
University of Karachi,
Karachi-75270.
Ph. Off: 021-34824924/4824925/9926717. Cell: 03008961511
UAN: 111-222-292.
Fax: 92-21-34819018./99261713
Mr. Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui 2022 (for three years (extendable))
Federal Secretary, Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat
Member, Syndicate, University of Karachi
House No. 70, Street 1,
F-6/3, Islamabad
Cell No. +92300 824 8861 (Nominee of the Syndicate/Selection Board-Academics/ Executive Board
Careers
INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI, KARACHI 75270
(H.E.J. RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF CHEMISTRY, THIRD WORLD CENTER FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY,
AND DR. PANJWANI CENTER FOR MOLECULAR MEDICINE AND DRUG RESEARCH)
UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI-75270
Research Fellowship
INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI, KARACHI 75270
Internship Program for Youth- 2025
Dated: 07th October 2025
PABIC-ICCBS WINTER Internship Program for Youth- 2025
INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI, KARACHI 75270
Dated: 03rd August 2025
- Senior Technical Expert (01)
Summer Internship Program
(H.E.J. RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF CHEMISTRY AND
DR. PANJWANI CENTER FOR MOLECULAR MEDICINE AND DRUG RESEARCH)
H.E.J. Research Institute during the last four decades has achieved a number of milestones and remains at the pinnacle of excellence. Emphasis has been given on raising the standards of training of scholars in economically relevant fields of chemical and biochemical sciences, and resources mobilization for the future growth in new disciplines of relevant sciences.
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