International moot concludes at FJWU

Rawalpindi: A three-day International Conference on ‘Gender, Social Sciences and Humanities: New Directions in Scholarship’, organised by Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, in collaboration with the University of Texas, Austin, USA, concluded here. The conference aimed at talking about ‘Gender Representation in Media, Language and Culture, Gender equity, Equality, Gender policies and politics locally and globally etc.’

In session 1 of the 2nd day of the conference Ms. Sarah Akhter Hashmi, Lecturer, and Ms. Shazia Hashmat, Incharge Department of Communication and Media Studies, FJWU, presented their papers on ‘Gender moulds and media.’ Second, 3rd and 4th sessions were conducted by Prof. Dr. Pauline, Minna J. Holopianen, Dr. Barbara Harlow, Dr. Robert Oppenheim, Associate Professor, and Director Center for East Asian Studies, Department of Asian Studies, Department of Anthropology, from UT Austin; Prof. Jason Laker of San Jose State University, Prof. Dr. Riffaq Haqque, Director Gender Studies Department of Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, and Lecturer Najam-us-Sahar from Department of Behavioural Sciences FJWU shared their views on online international learning, expanding the opportunities of women in academia, Islamic feminism, and gender policies & politics, respectively.

The 3rd and last day of the conference started with session 1 conducted by Dr. Kamran Ali Asdar, Associate Professor, Director, South Asia Institute, Department of Anthropology UT Austin. He talked about ‘Cultural Diversity & Vulnerabilities’. Second session was conducted by Prof. Dr. Saiqa Imtiaz Asif, Department of English, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan. She discussed about ‘Gender & Economics’. A question-answer session was also arranged after each session during the whole conference. University souvenirs were also presented to the participants.

The closing ceremony started with a welcome note by Prof. Dr. Samina Amin Qadir, Vice Chancellor Fatima Jinnah Women University. Senator Waseem Sajjad was the chief guest and Dr. Ghulam Raza Bhatti, Executive Director HEC, was the guest of honour of the ceremony. Prof. Dr. Samina Amin Qadir welcomed the honourable chief guest and the guest of honour. She also praises the efforts of all the participants and those who made this 3 day conference successful. While talking to the participants she said that FJWU has always opened its gates for connecting with international platforms. International conferences and panel discussion are always encouraged by the University.

Kamran Asdar Ali, Director, South Asia Studies, University of Texas, Austin, in his address said this conference is the culmination of three years partnership between FJWU and UT Austin, USA which will not end here. Every time we visit Pakistan we have experience amazing generosity and hospitality.

Dr. Bhatti congratulates FJWU for making efforts to cross the boards internationally in academic field. He appreciates FJWU to link with International universities in every field of Academia. He also said that HEC is now focused to promote the sciences on every ground and also working to provide more opportunities for scholarships for social sciences scholars.

Senator Waseem Sajjad in his address appreciates the efforts of FJWU to bring UT Austin in Pakistan for such an important issue. In his address he said that gender discrimination issue is now gaining attention worldwide. He thanked FJWU to put this topic in the spotlight through this conference.

A closing keynote was also presented by Professor Dr. Karin Wilkins Director, Centre for Middle Eastern Studies, Department of Radio, Television & Film Centre for Women & Gender Studies, University of Texas, Austin, on the topic of ‘Communication Gender in Global development’.