AIOU holds conference on education for improving socio-economic life of people

Islamabad

The second international conference on research and practices in education held here on Friday, seeking close collaboration between the academia and the Community for improving socio-economic life of the people.

‘Rethinking education for social change’ was the theme of the two- day conference which was participated by a large number of educationists and researchers from home and abroad. Keynote speakers who were attending the event were from USA, Canada, China, Indonesia and Honk Kong.

The inaugural session was addressed by the AIOU’s Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Shahid Siddiqui, Rector Virtual University Prof. Dr. Naveed A. Malik,, Dean University of Toronto Prof. Glen A. Jones and Dean Education AIOU Dr. Nasir Mahmood, who called for developing effective interaction between the Universities and the society in order to reform the society on positive line.    

The conference was aimed at initiating dialogue among the researchers and the stake-holders for reformation of the society, based on latest knowledge. It was part of the activities, being arranged by the AIOU on regular basis for creating and disseminating knowledge that benefits the society.

Dr. Shahid Siddiqui told the participants that nine research journals were published and fourteen national and international conferences were arranged by the University during the last two years to promote research culture in the country. Focus was laid on linking the research with the society, he added.

He was of the view that education is a political and social phenomenon that’s links with the power and that required influencing the peoples’ mind through discursive approach.

He pointed out the imperialist forces had been using education to capture the mind of the people. Educational institutions, he said play an important role in construction of realities and development of society-based on social justice and equality.

The Vice Chancellor called for revisiting the concept of education in order to make it useful for social reformation of the society. Education, he asserted should help resolve socio-economic problems of the people.  He hoped that the event will enable the participants to rethink about the educational impact for ensuring a positive change in the society.

Professor Glen A. Jones in his key-note address shared his ideas and experience in developing academia-Community relationship for achieving the ultimate goal of education. He said he was highly impressed by the AIOU for adopting an innovative approach towards the academic research, and linking the same with the welfare of the society. In this connection, he appreciated the Vice Chancellor for his vision and initiatives.

He also spoke in detail about the role of higher education in community’s upbringing.  Academia, he said should find out ways and means to engage the community in educational pursuits in healthy manner for a better future.

Rector Virtual University in his address supported the idea of promoting extensive interaction between the academia and the Community for development of a welfare society. Universities, he add should become a part of the community-development activities. He noted that both AIOU and the Virtual University have developed wider accesses with the people through distance learning system and they got better position to reform the society through education.   

Dr. Nasir Mahmood thanked the participants for their keen interest in achieving the objectives of the conference. During its working sessions, they will deliberate upon various aspects of community-university linkages and the educational practices.

The participants will present papers in form of presentations, round table discussions, and poster presentations. Senior lecturers AIOU Ms. Munazza Ambreen and Dr. Muhammad Tanveer Afzal also addressed the inaugural session, highlighting the objectives of the event.