VCs to discuss ways to promote peace on campuses

LAHORE

A two-day conference of vice chancellors and directors’ student affairs on the topic of promotion of peace and tolerance at university campuses of Punjab is going to be held tomorrow in a local hotel. 

The purpose of this conference is to deliberate on the prevailing issues in the context of peace and harmony at university campuses as well as the greater role of university communities in promotion of peace and harmony in society at large and devising strategies for promotion of the subject cause through engagement of stakeholders concerned. 

According to a press release, on first day of the conference, there will be keynote speeches by the experts on the subject and consultative focus group discussions amongst the experts and the directors of student affairs to understand the peculiar issues and possible strategies to handle them. On the 2nd day of the conference, moderated panel discussions will be held amongst the vice chancellors of various universities to finalise the short-term and long-term strategies keeping in view the proceedings of the first day.

Prof Dr. Muhammad Nizamuddin, Chairperson Punjab Higher Education Commission Lahore, will inaugurate the conference while Syed Raza Ali Gillani, Punjab Minister for Higher Education Punjab, will be the chief guest during the concluding session.

The conference is being jointly organised by Punjab HEC Working Group on Promotion of Peace at University Campuses of the Punjab and Punjab Higher Education Commission. Punjab HEC has formed a seven-member working group on promoting peace, tolerance and diversity at the university campuses. The working group led by Prof Dr Rauf-i-Azam, vice chancellor University of Education Lahore has undertaken number of initiatives including organising seminars, training workshops in various part of the province. 

development: Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zaffar Mueen Nasir has said young students will play an important role in future and it is necessary to polish their hidden talent for the development of the country. 

According to a press release, the VC was addressing the launching ceremony of the first “The Educationist All Pakistan Co-Curricular Competitions 2017” jointly organised by Punjab University, Higher Education Commission of Pakistan and The Educationist at Institute of Education and Research (IER) on Monday.

Director IER Prof Dr Rifaqat Ali Akbar, Principal Punjab University College of Information Technology Prof Dr Syed Mansoor Sarwar, Editor The Educationist Shabbir Sarwar, faculty members and a large number competitors from Pakistan were present. The competitions of Qirat, Naat, debates, theater/drama, national songs, poetry and essay writing are being held in the championship. Over 500 participants from different schools, colleges and universities are participating in the event. Addressing the ceremony, Dr Zaffar Mueen Nasir said PU administration was extending full support for promotion of co-curricular activities and providing excellent opportunities to the students where they could express their abilities. He said the creative skills of students must be appreciated and encouraged because our youth was going to play important role for the development of the country. He appreciated Editor The Educationist Shabbir Sarwar on successfully organising the event at such a large scale.

On the first day, competitions of Qirat, Naat and debates were held in which 312 participants from different schools, colleges and universities participated. The competitions would continue till April 20 while prize distribution ceremony will be held on April 21. 

Book launched: Punjab University Centre for South Asian Studies (CSAS) organised a book launching ceremony of “Security Concerns in South Asia” by Director Prof Dr Umbreen Javaid in its auditorium here on Monday. 

Punjab University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Zafar Mueen Nasir, Prof Dr Umbreen Javaid, faculty members, students and MPhil/PhD scholars of Centre and Department of Political Science were present on the occasion.  In his address, Prof Dr Zafar Mueen Nasir appreciated the services of CSAS and said that in today’s world, security was the significant concept and we should know about our friends and foes in order to maintain our security. He said that more and more students should be urged to engross in creating new ideas and carrying out research. He appreciated the efforts involved in the book and the website of the Centre.

In her address, Dr Umbreen expressed her gratitude to the VC for gracing the occasion with his presence. She introduced the book ‘Security Concerns in South Asia’ and appreciated the contributions of the faculty members of centre that is just a milestone for the next compilations. Later, the website of Centre for South Asian Studies was launched in order to update the students with contemporary issues and news.

efforts: Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zaffar Mueen Nasir has said Pakistan was facing major challenges of terrorism, ignorance and poverty and we must make collective efforts to resolve these problems. He was addressing an inauguration ceremony of a two-day training workshop on NGO Management and Leadership organised by PU Department of Social Work, Punjab Social Welfare Department and Community World Service Asia on Monday.

Chairman Department of Social Work Dr Zahid Javed, Director General Punjab Social Welfare Department Waheed Akhter Ansari, Rector Superior University Prof Dr Syed Hasnaat Shamsi, former deputy auditor general of Pakistan Muhammad Azam Khan, Deputy Secretary Special Education Punjab Captain (r) Arshad Manzoor, Assistant Professor Sonia Omer, faculty members and a large number of students were present. 

According to a press release, addressing the ceremony, Dr Zaffar Mueen Nasir said universities must play their role for welfare of society and provide community service. He said since the students of social work had important responsibilities on their shoulders in terms of community development, they must work to serve the people and must make efforts to resolve social issues being faced by the society. He said: “We must return the tax-money of the poor nation in form of public service”. Addressing the ceremony, Dr Zahid Javed said: “We must serve the community without any prejudice”.