Zero-tolerance for drugs, harassment in varsities

LAHORE: The 2nd Vice Chancellors Civic Education Conference organised in collaboration with Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) and Centre for Peace and Secular Studies was held at a local hotel here Tuesday. Around 30 Vice Chancellors of different universities of Punjab participated in the conference.

PHEC Chairman Dr Shahid Munir presented the welcome speech and explained the aims and objectives of the conference. He said that he would recommend making the issuance of degrees for students’ subject to social field work.

In order to make universities peaceful, grouping on provincial, regional and communal basis will be discouraged while sports culture will be promoted in universities. Seminars will be organised on the topics of Constitution, law and human rights, he said and added interfaith dialogue will be encouraged.

Dr Shahid Munir said that zero-tolerance would be adopted regarding drugs and harassment. The VCs recommended establishing student societies in universities to encourage dialogue and debate on social, welfare and political issues among the youth.

Climate Journalism workshop

Forman Christian College University (FCCU) on Tuesday hosted the Climate Journalism Workshop 2024, aimed at empowering journalists with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively report climate change issues.

According to a press release, Dr Derk Baker, Associate Professor and Chairperson at the Department of Environmental Sciences, FCCU, explored how climate change narratives have evolved from global warming to the urgent reality of global boiling, with a specific focus on Pakistan.

Prof Elisabeth Eide, Co-chair of the Global Media Climate Network and Professor Emerita at Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway, discussed the significant role of journalism in shaping climate discourses.

Rafay Alam, an environmental lawyer, activist, and op-ed columnist on environmental issues, emphasised the crucial importance of climate justice in responsible reporting. Dr Syed Muhammad Saqib Saleem, Assistant Professor of Mass Communication at FCCU, delved into strategies for engaging audiences with climate change stories that are relevant to local contexts in Pakistan.