The Vice-Chancellor of Karachi University, Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi on Thursday said that like other developed countries we have to excel in the field of science and technology to achieve our developmental goals. He mentioned that we cannot ignore the fact that science and technology have played a very important role in changing today’s world. He was addressing after inaugurating the ‘Training Hall Kamyab Jawan Markaz’,–a part of the Prime Minister’s Kamyab Jawan National Youth Development Programme at the Karachi University Business Incubation Centre.

The KU VC Professor, Dr Khalid Iraqi observed that since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the activities of the world were reduced to almost zero and only modern technology provided much-needed support to connect the world. He said that during the recent lockdowns everyone has witnessed that technology was used as an effective tool in every aspect of life.

The Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization, KU, in collaboration with the Accountability Lab Pakistan also launched a project ‘Engaging Faculty Members on Prevention and Peacebuilding’ on this occasion.

The KU VC Professor, Dr Khalid Iraqi, while talking about the importance of peacebuilding mentioned that dialogue is essential to end conflicts. He believes that conflicts appear when there is no dialogue between two parties. He stressed that we should have the capacity to accept others points of view regardless of the fact that we agree with it or not.

“A strong culture of tolerance is necessary for the development of societies. When we talk about training the attitudes of students, no one can do it better than teachers.” He said that this project would surely help in improving the relationship between the faculty and the students.

Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor, Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology, Professor Dr Vali Uddin, said that he has been serving as a faculty member for the last 20 years and this was the first time he has seen such an initiative. “This is a topic that can play a key role in the training of faculty members.”

The Registrar, Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University, Lyari, Lieutenant Colonel (retd) Adnan Abid, highlighted important issues related to the restoration of peace and hope. Further noting that such initiatives would positively engage faculty members and students and would play a major role in providing better results.

Earlier, the Director KU ORIC Professor Dr Alia Rehman said that whatever training teachers would get through this project would definitely take the students in a positive direction.

The Chairperson, Department of Criminology, KU, Professor Dr Farah Iqbal, said that peace is possible only through the prevention of conflicts. There is a deep connection between these two things.

Article originally published in Academia Magazine

Tirelo Makwela