4th Social Sciences Conference Begins At HEC

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Oct, 2016 ) : The inauguration ceremony of a two-day 4th International Social Sciences Conference organized by Higher Education Commission (HEC) in collaboration with Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST), AJK was held at the Commission Secretariat here on Wednesday.

The theme of conference was "Regional and International Cooperation: Problems and Prospects 2016" and it was attended by vice chancellors, academicians, social scientists, scholars, students and delegates from all over Pakistan as well as Indian-Occupied Kashmir and Malaysia.

Executive Director, HEC, Dr Arshad Ali was chief guest at the opening ceremony, while Prof Dr Habib-ur-Rehman, Vice Chancellor, MUST, Dr Shahid Amjad Chaudhry, Rector, Lahore school of Economics, Lahore, Dr Nilofer Shaikh, Chairperson, HEC Committee for Social Science and Humanities, and Muhammad Raza Chohan, Director General, Academic Division, HEC were also present on the occasion.

In his address, Dr Arshad Ali reiterated HEC's commitment to promotion of Social Sciences in the country and assured full support to higher education institutions for this objective. "No society can make progress in a real sense unless Social Sciences knowledge was integrated in it," he emphasized.

He underlined that where science and technology play vital role in growth of a country's economy, the Social Sciences ensure integration of a society. Dr Arshad Ali said HEC paid special attention to promote Social Sciences and facilitate Social Scientists in providing viable solutions to prevailing problems and challenges.

He further highlighted that HEC was considerably increasing Thematic Research Grants meant for the purpose every year, he informed. Apart from its other initiatives, he said, HEC extends a large number of scholarships in Social Sciences under its Fulbright Scholarship Programme with the USAID, adding that a substantial number of scholarships were extended to Social Sciences students in 2015.

Stressing the need for impact-based research for resolution of the prevailing problems like terrorism, Dr Arshad Ali said that 27 segments have been pointed out during the process of finalizing the next Thematic Research Grant which encompass national, regional and international issues.

He maintained that it was necessary to actively engage Social Scientists with the society to get the required impact. Dr Shahid Amjad Chaudhry, who was keynote speaker of the session, highlighted the significance of conference and shed light on the prevailing situation of Pakistan.

He said the Constitution of Pakistan ensures protection of life and property of masses as well as human rights, provides a huge degree of autonomy to provinces, and stresses supremacy of law in the country.

He revealed the economic issues of the country and emphasized provision of fundamental right to education, employment and social security. Dr Nilofer hoped that the conference would play a key role in presenting possible solutions to national challenges.

She admired the role of HEC in promotion of Social Sciences and its support to universities. She also underscored the role of HEC Committee for Social Sciences and Humanities. Earlier, Muhammad Raza Chohan, in his welcome address thanked all the participants for attending the conference and requested them to come up with concrete proposals for development of Social Sciences in the country.

The conference comprise different sessions. The first session entitled "Education, Languages and Peace Prospects in Pakistan" was chaired by Dr Zahoor ul Hassan from LUMS while second session on "Social Values and Empowerment of Women in Pakistan" was chaired by Dr Ali Sajid from University of Lahore.

Sessions for second day include "business Challenges and International Relation", "Education Challenges and Economic Prosperity" and discussions on regional and international cooperation.