to initiate the dialogue to help create better communication at all levels.
Addressing the vice chancellors, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman HEC, related previous efforts of HEC regarding sensitising university leadership about the prevalent issue of violence, extremism and terrorism in institutions of higher education, wherein a broad spectrum of realities and hurdles were put forth, and the vice chancellors and rectors were encouraged to institute sustainable programmes and processes to address possible threats of radicalisation.
The Chairman HEC stressed that Pakistan’s armed forces are safeguarding our geographical borders but being educationists it is our foremost duty to secure the country’s ideological borders. He emphasised that our youth is being neglected at all levels ranging from their homes to educational institutions and it is the responsibility of teachers and parents to address their issues and challenges with utmost care and engage them in productive activities.
Talking to audience during the plenary session, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed quoted Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah: “Education is a matter of life and death for Pakistan” to stress the importance of education in the country. He congratulated organisers of the conference for gathering educational leaders on a topic of greater national interest. He assured that recommendations of the conference will be keenly deliberated and will help in future legislation.
The Senator appreciated efforts of the HEC and said that the access to education has qualitatively and quantitatively increased during the last few years. He also showed his support regarding amendment in legislation for empowering of vice chancellors in the universities. He also informed the audience that in 2005 he was among those parliamentarians who initiated celebrating the National Teachers Day to dignify educationists.
MNA Farhana Qamar, emphasised on industry-academia linkages. She underlined the need for improvement of education and health sectors and emphasized that unemployment is one of the major reasons of extremism.
Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam, another member of parliament, said that interfaith harmony can only be achieved through respect and tolerance. She said that for every problem, we blame the government instead of working at our own level to resolve the problem. She said that we need to develop a thorough strategy regarding narrative of counter terrorism. Dr. Masoom Yasinzai, Rector International Islamic University said that extremists have started targeting our youth and in some cases faculty and staff were also involved.
The rector informed the audience that over 1,500 Ulema have unanimously drafted a declaration called as “Paigham-e-Pakistan” which was also approved by President of Pakistan, Mr. Mamnoon Hussain and is under publication which would soon be disseminated as a policy document.
Dr. Ahmed Yousif A. Al-Draiweesh informed the audience that IIU is working with the government institutions to bring a unanimous declaration to be implemented in institutions after getting recommendations from the stakeholders.
During the conference, the vice chancellors and rectors were divided into four groups to deliberate on the ideological challenges to the Universities, security challenges to the universities, role of universities in national Integration, and ways and methods of mainstreaming university faculty,staff and students.
In conclusion, the vice chancellors and rectors unanimously declared that it is imperative to institute measures that engage youth and students in gainful academic and social activities and promote professionalism, higher moral and ethical conduct, tolerance and respect for diversity. Furthermore, the university heads resolved that Higher Education Institutions would be developed as communities of scholars who will inform, instruct and inspire community in the light of the National Action Plan. —