Tuesday, 24 February 2026 — The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Secretariat hosted Prof. Seyed Komail Tayebi, President of the ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF), as a guest speaker at the concluding ceremony of its Internship Program at the FTO Secretariat. Mr. Almas Ali Jovindah (Advisor Legal) warmly welcomed Prof. Tayebi and introduced ECOSF’s regional mandate in promoting science, technology and innovation (STI). The ceremony was attended primarily by undergraduate law students from leading universities across Pakistan, reflecting the Secretariat’s expanding youth engagement and capacity-building framework.

In his keynote presentation titled “STEM Education as a Catalyst for Achieving the SDGs through 21st Century Skills,” Prof. Tayebi highlighted the critical role of STEM education and STI ecosystems in driving sustainable development—particularly for developing economies in the ECO region. He discussed global challenges such as population growth, resource pressures, and environmental degradation, and emphasized that achieving improved welfare requires strong political commitment, investment in quality education, robust STI infrastructure, and readiness for emerging technologies. He also showcased ECOSF’s initiatives as a regional catalyst for cooperation in STI, concluding with actionable recommendations focused on strengthening STEM and future skills, building innovation ecosystems, fostering regional collaboration, and leveraging digital technologies for inclusive growth.

Prof. Tayebi added STEM education directly correlates with job creation in various fields such as healthcare, information technology, and engineering. Additionally, STEM education creates indirect job opportunities by fostering entrepreneurship and innovation through activities such as startups and R&D.

The event concluded with a Certificate Distribution Ceremony, graced by the Hon’ble Federal Tax Ombudsman of Pakistan, Mr. Zafar Hijazi, who distributed certificates to graduating interns and commended their professionalism and active participation. In his remarks, Mr. Hijazi underscored the importance of youth engagement, institutional learning, and the role of young professionals in strengthening governance and accountability in Pakistan.