Quetta: First international social sciences conference held in Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University (SBKWU) concluded on Wednesday.
International Social Sciences Conference was held under the theme “Bridging the Blur in social sciences: Approaching the changing world of academic exploration,” and comprised of different events on two days.
On first day of the conference more than 150 research papers were presented by scholars from across the country and few from out of Pakistan.
Plenary sessions on second day were chaired by Provincial Minister for Health Rehmat Baloch and Provincial Minister for Education Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal. Provincial Minister for S&GAD Nawab Muhammad Khan Shahwani co-chaired the second session.
Those who spoke in the plenary sessions included Dr. Nasir Mehmood from AIOU, Dr. Sadia Zulfiqar, Dr. Farrukh from LUMS, Dr. Saleha Naghmi Habibullah from Kinnaird College, Dr. Cara Cilani from University of North Carolina, Rasool Bux Tareen from SBKWU and famous anchorperson Hamid Mir.
Hamid Mir praised the resolve and courage of students of SBKWU in aftermath of deadly blast which resulted in death of over a dozen students in 2013.
“There were 1,500 students in SBKWU at the time of blast and now the strength is more than 5,000 which is amazing,” said Mr. Mir.
Highlighting the discrepancies in development in Higher Education sector, Mr. Mir revealed that there are 21 universities in Islamabad, a city of 2 million people and just 7 universities in entire Balochistan which has a population of 10 million.
There are 21 universities in Islamabad, a city of 2 million people and just 7 universities in entire Balochistan which has a population of 10 million – Hamid Mir
Reading his paper titled “Impact of CPEC on Balochistan,” Mr. Mir said that “It’s necessary to protect the interests of local people of Balochistan while developing CEPC.
“Demography of Gwadar in general and Balochistan in particular should not be changed as a consequence of CPEC,” Continued lead anchorperson of GEO News.
Addressing the plenary session Dr. Farrukh said that “Pakistan needs more writers and thinkers as compared to Doctors, engineers and computer scientists,” said during his presentation.
He also said that HEC should have sent its representatives in the conference to listen to the academic problems of the students.
He suggested that Non-local settlers should not be allowed to vote in next 2 to 3 elections.
Dr. Ahlam Tariq, faculty member in Fatima Jinnah Women’s University told Balochistan Voices that attending the conference was a unique and welcoming experience for her. “I was engaged in positive interaction with community of researchers during this conference which was very productive”
Siraj Bashir Rind, a PhD scholar hailing from Kech district, told Balochistan Voices that International conference was an appreciable step to promote research culture in Balochistan but in this academic conference intellectual or research diversity was completely ignored and VIP culture was promoted.
In this academic conference intellectual or research diversity was completely ignored and VIP culture was promoted – Siraj Bashir Rind
Vice Chancellor (VC) of SBKWU delivered the Note of Thanks and appreciated all the participants and speakers for their contributions in the seminar.
At the end of the session certificates and awards were distributed by chief guests among presenters, speakers and organizers.
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