Role of universities highlighted in promoting development

PESHAWAR: The Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University (SBBWU) Peshawar hosted an open house dialogue on the role of universities in promoting education under the patronage of think-tank, Forum for Inuit, Knowledge and Review (FIKR), a flagship project of Pakistan Development Foundation (PDF).

The event featured prominent speakers, including Member Shariah Appellate Bench Supreme Court of Pakistan, Dr Qibla Ayaz, Vice Chancellor SBBWU, Prof Dr Safia Ahmed, Chairman PDF, Muhammad Bilal Sethi, and Director Students Affairs SBBWU, Prof Dr Farhat Humayun, faculty and students of the varsity.

The dialogue highlighted the crucial role universities played in Pakistan’s development, despite facing limited resources. The discussion emphasised the need for universities to showcase their contributions and for faculty members to emerge as public scholars, undertaking productive research and engaging in public forums to promote their institutions.

The event aimed to provide a platform to students, faculty, and stakeholders to discuss the significance of universities in promoting education and development in Pakistan.The dialogue emphasised the overlooking of the role of Pakistani universities. Participants regretted that powerful circles and those at the helm of affairs claimed that universities were not playing any role. They said the Pakistani universities, despite their lack of resources, were serving the nation in an unparalleled way.

Dr Qibla said that if universities and faculty wanted to prove their worth and convince people about their role, they must emerge as public scholars. Faculty should increase the trend of productive research and gain public opinion through their expertise. When faculty have public opinion, they will be heard. They should participate in public forums and present the case for universities.

VC Safia Ahmed said that the lack of resources was a major problem for universities, but despite this, they were continuing to serve the people. She said that the most important people for a university were its students, faculty, and staff.

Chairman PDF, Muhammad Bilal Sethi said that universities and faculty have not been able to present their case with strength, which was why their services were not being acknowledged. The purpose of the think tank, FIKR, was to provide a platform to the people to highlight their services.