Urdu Science Board
Pakistani academic and literary institution
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Urdu Science Board (abbreviated as USB) is an academic and literary institution in Pakistan that operates under the National Heritage and Culture Division, Government of Pakistan. It aims to promote scientific and technical knowledge in Urdu language through the publication of books and journals.[1]
| اردو سائنس بورڈ | |
| |
| Abbreviation | USB |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1962 May 24 |
| Founder | Government of Pakistan |
| Type | Government institution |
| Purpose | Publication of scientific and technical literature in Urdu |
| Headquarters | Lahore, Pakistan |
Official language | Urdu |
Director | Ziaullah Khan Toru |
Parent organization | National Heritage and Culture Division |
History
The Urdu Science Board was initially established as the Central Urdu Board on 24 May 1962, based on the recommendations of the Sharif Commission (1959). The institution was renamed Urdu Science Board in 1982 to reflect its focus on publishing science and social sciences content in Urdu.[2][3]
Its former director generals include Ashfaq Ahmed,[4][5] Amjad Islam Amjad,[6][7] Khalid Iqbal Yasir,[8] and Nasir Abbas Nayyar.[2][9]
Former directors include Ikram Chughtai[10] and Abdul Ghafur Rashid,[11] while the current director is Ziaullah Khan Toru.[12][13][14]
Objectives
The key objectives of the Urdu Science Board include:
Publications
The board has published over 700 books on various topics, including science, social sciences, history, children’s literature, and technical education. Notable publications include:
- Urdu Science Encyclopedia[17][12]
- Dictionaries and glossaries for scientific and technical terms.[18]
The board has been regularly publishing a quarterly magazine titled Urdu Science Magazine since 2002.[19]
Initiatives
The board has undertaken several initiatives:
Challenges
The board has faced financial constraints, resulting in some books being out of print. Despite these challenges, it remains committed to promoting scientific knowledge in Urdu.[15]
Significance
The Urdu Science Board has played a vital role in making science accessible to the general public and promoting the Urdu language in academia and technical fields.[14]