Athar Osama holds a PhD in Public Policy from Frederick S. Pardee - RAND Graduate School in Santa Monica California and works for an international technology and economic development consulting company. Prior to his present job, Athar worked for over six years at the RAND Corporation in Santa Monica, CA on issues related to Science and Technology and Innovation Policy, R&D and Innovation Measurement and Management, Regional Economic Development, Venture Capital and Information Technology in developing countries, and eCommerce Policy and Stategy etc. Athar has also worked as a consultant to the Government of Pakistan carrying out the first national software industry study in 2005. Athar has authored tens of op-ed pieces of Pakistani newspapers such as the Daily Dawn, The News International