Social scientists urged to identifymajor challenges and find out their workable solutions

Islamabad
The third International Social Sciences Conference titled ‘State and Society of Pakistan: Challenges and Opportunities’ organised by the Higher Education Commission in collaboration with University of Peshawar began at the HEC Secretariat on Wednesday.
The objectives of the conference were to involve social scientists from within and outside the country that are developing and promoting a multi-disciplinary approach to study the society in Pakistan, forge a common research agenda to meet contemporary social, economic, political, cultural and environmental challenges and identify solutions, examine latest methodological tools, conceptual paradigms and techniques to address the challenging research issues facing Pakistan.
University of Peshawar Vice Chancellor Dr. Rasul Jan was the chief guest in the opening ceremony. HEC Executive Director Dr. Mansoor Akbar Kundi, Chairperson, HEC’s Committee on Social Sciences and Humanities Dr. Nilofer Shaikh, Member (HRD) HEC Dr. Ghulam Raza Bhatti, Dean, Social Sciences, University of Peshawar Dr Adnan Sarwar, and Director General HEC Fida Hussain were also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Rasul Jan hoped that the experts participating in the conference will provide a way forward for development of Social Sciences education and research for our universities. “We need to reassess our priorities in these areas and devise a new yardstick,” he said adding that it is prime responsibility of our social scientists to identify major challenges to our society in a focused manner and provide workable solutions.
Dr. Mansoor Akbar Kundi said that this is perfect platform for our social scientists to deliberate on the causes of under development of social sciences research in our higher learning institutions. He stressed the importance of quality research adding that a major change in the mindset of our faculty members and researchers is required.
Dr. Kundi said there are a number of social issues that need to be well researched so as to provide possible solutions to the policy makers. He appreciated the organizers for providing the academics and researchers of Social Sciences an opportunity to discuss lack of relevant research in different fields of Social Sciences and look for the way forward.
In her welcome address, Dr. Nilofer Shaikh thanked the participants from across the country and abroad for making it convenient to attend the conference. She emphasized the role of social sciences in nation building and how historically social scientists have played significant role in shaping different societies of the world. She underlined the need for reorganizing and restructuring the Social Sciences education and research in the Pakistani universities, particularly developing inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary research which she said was almost non-existent.
Dr. Shaikh informed the audience how HEC’s Committee on Social Sciences and Humanities has been playing an instrumental role in urging the social scientists to focus on research relevant to socio- economic needs of the country. She said that the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council will be established soon to further this cause.
Dr. Raza Bhatti said that the conference will focus on building capacity of young faculty members and PhD/MPhil scholars to conduct qualitative and quantitative social science research, providing an opportunity for academicians and professionals from different field of the social sciences to come together and generate an academic discourse, facilitate networking among scholars working in various institutions of Pakistan and suggest policy measures to the government for a sound research based policy foundation.
Dr. Adnan Sarwar said that within the broader theme, a set of sub-themes have been identified that are representative of diverse and wider scope of the Social Sciences. They also demonstrate the need to see various social problems through inter-disciplinary approaches. These include Theories and Methods: Emerging Trends in Social Science; Arts, Humanities and Sciences: Blurring Boundaries; Developing Institutional Capacity: Young Social Sciences Faculty; Socio-economic Development and Education in Pakistan; Social Transformation and Conflict in the Region; Civil Society and Neo-liberal State; National Integration and Ethno-linguistic Contestations; Democratic Governance and Development; and Security Paradoxes, Regional and Global Power Politics.
Fida Hussain thanked all the guests for participating in the conference, which he said is expected to provide a dynamic environment of exchanging views and networking. He said that the conference provide an insight into the challenges and opportunities facing state and society of Pakistan.
It is pertinent to mention here that keeping in view the importance of Social Sciences in today’s global economy, the Higher Education Commission has dedicated a significant portion of resources to this faculty of knowledge. Besides other disciplines, Social Sciences is amongst the top priorities of HEC. In this connection, numerous steps have been taken. Some of these steps include establishment of Social Science Section (SSS), Thematic Research Grant Programme (TRGP) for Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, establishment of Committee for Development of Social Sciences and Humanities in Pakistan (CDSSHP), establishment of Social Sciences Research Council (SSRC), recognition and funding of social sciences research journals. Besides, Pakistan has also gained membership in the Asian Social Sciences Association (ASSA). Pakistan will be hosting the Association’s first meeting in October this year.