Universities creating awareness among masses about coronavirus

Islamabad:Universities across the country were making all out efforts in creating awareness among the masses about pandemic coronavirus.

Inter-Universities Consortium for Promotion of Social Sciences (IUCPSS) a largest network of Pakistani universities, along with its member & partner universities and organisations had launched countrywide awareness campaign on coronavirus, said National Coordinator of the Consortium, Murtaza Noor on Monday.

Talking to APP, he said that in this regard, special public service messages and programs were being aired on channels, social media pages and various campus radios for the larger benefit of the students and general community across the country.

He said, this campaign was being run with the assistance of universities and social media volunteers. Moreover, technical assistance was being provided to the universities for the engagement of the students through online modes. Various online capacity building sessions had been organised.

A special helpline, he said, had also been established for the technical assistance of member and partner universities. In addition, Murtaza said, daily updates, the government instructions and best international practices had been adopted by the universities across the globe.

Such practices were also shared with the universities on regular basis. The consortium in collaboration with the universities has also decided to introduce two weeks short online certificate course on Public Health and Civic Education especially for the university students who are off from the campuses till 31st May, 2020 due to pandemic, he added.

Quaid-e-Azam University Alumni Association in collaboration with Safar-e-Meharbani and Quaidian Sindh Forum had also extended its drive to more than 20 cities to aware and help the needy people in wake of COVID-19. In view of current circumstances, QAU Alumni after consultation with other senior members, had requested all the Quaidians to participate in the awareness drive and charity work in order to extend it to the other cities as well, he said.