Pakistani Universities Come Closer On Achieving SDGs
Sumaira FH Published July 10, 2018 | 04:30 PM
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Jul, 2018 ) :Highlighting the 2030 UN agenda with its universal dimensions pertaining to economy, society and environment as well as global cooperation efforts in this regards, speakers at a seminar of Comsats focused on the vibrant role of universities in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) especially through producing good human resource.
The one-day seminar titled 'Sustainable Development Goals: The Role of Universities', held here Tuesday, was the first of its kind event of the Comsats' alignment of its strategies towards SDGs in its Member States said a press release issued here.
For Pakistan, Comsats (Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South) partnered with the Higher education Commission of Pakistan.
Vice Chancellors and other senior officials from around a 100 universities from across the country gathered at the event. The purpose of the seminar was to raise awareness in the academia and research organizations on the promotion, advocacy and implementation of SDGs.
Speaking at the inaugural session, Comsats Executive Director, Dr. S. M. Junaid Zaidi, highlighted the importance of UN 2030 agenda for sustainable development across the globe. He explained that more than 80 per cent world population lives in developing countries, where challenges particularly food insecurity, epidemics, inequality and climate change are prevalent posing a serious threat to the sustainable development. "One of the main reasons of these challenges is the shortage of good human resource and top-class academic and research institutions in the South," he explained terming universities as an important platform for cultivating practices for innovation and the implementation on SDGs.
Dr. Zaidi considered Comsats University and other Centres of Excellence spreading in three continents important tools for Comsats' relevant efforts. He said that as the torch bearer of South-South and Triangular Cooperation in science and technology, the Comsats has been working for sustainable development in the South even before the SDGs were adopted. "We are facilitating the strengthening of linkages among the developing countries for the exchange of resources, technology, and knowledge," the Comsats Executive Director asserted.
In his address, Chairperson HEC Dr. Tariq Banuri endorsed the existence of challenges as bottlenecks towards achieving sustainable development in Pakistan. He stressed the need for evaluating the kind of knowledge our universities are giving to students in addition to providing an encouraging environment for the promotion of innovations. He acknowledged that Pakistan is facing problems in achieving the sustainable development. However, he called for joint and concerted efforts on the part of universities could help a lot in achieving these goals.
UN Resident Coordinator, Neil Buhne, also spoke on the occasion.
Prominent Names from Pakistan and abroad delivered key note addresses on the occasion included Prof. Dr. John Thwaites, Chair of Climate Works Australia; Dr Max Paoli, Programme Coordinator, TWAS, Italy; and Dr. Adil Najam, Dean, Frederick S. Pardee school of Global Studies, USA.
Dr. John Thwaites highlighted the usefulness of UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) in fostering university linkages within the framework of North-South cooperation.
Dr. Max Paoli emphasized the need for awareness, knowledge and understanding of sustainability and to develop a more responsible attitude towards the planet through knowledge.
Total three technical sessions were also arranged in the later part of the event.
The panel comprised renowned experts from Pakistan; Dr. Sania Nishtar, Heartfile, Pakistan; Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui, Ministry of Planning Development and Reforms, Pakistan; Prof. Abdul Aziz Irfan Mufti, UET Peshawer, Shaoib Sultan, Chairperson Rural Support Programmes Network; Dr. Abid Suleri, SDPI; Ali Tauqeer Shiekh, LEAD, Pakistan; Dr. Khalid Riaz, COMSATS University; Dr. Asma Hyder, Member Planning Commission; Dr. Umer Saif, UNESCO Chair for ICTD; Dr. Orkun HASEKOLU, Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (T�BTAK); and Prof. Masoom Yasin Zai from International Islamic University.
The panelists spoke on various aspects of promotion and advocacy of SDGs, SDGs Implementation.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Punjab CM inaugurates Pakistan’s first Virtual Women Police Station
Dutch model Donny Roelvink embraces Islam
Experts raise concerns over introduction of 10-stick packs
Iranian president arrives in Karachi
Law Minister expresses Govt's resolve to address issue of missing persons
Rizwan’s batting order may be changed: Sources
Nawaz Sharif to visit Guangzhou exhibition in China
FM Dar not traveling to China: Foreign Office
PM takes notice of deliberate delay in tax cases
Iranian President visits Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum
Iranian President arrives in Lahore today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 23 April 2024
More Stories From Pakistan
-
President Raisi pays respects at Quaid's mausoleum
4 minutes ago -
FM Dar speaks to overseas Pakistanis via Zoom
4 minutes ago -
Govt to form parliamentary committee to end violence in Balochistan: CM Bugti
14 minutes ago -
LESCO collects over Rs 4.48m from 104 defaulters in 24 hours
24 minutes ago -
Dr. Jamileh calls for role of Muslim women for promotion of Islamic culture
24 minutes ago -
LESCO detects 73,722 power pilferers in 217 days
44 minutes ago
-
Farmers express concerns on low wheat price in market
44 minutes ago -
CEO SEPCO for taking action against those involve in over billing & power theft
54 minutes ago -
Iranian Envoy calls on Sindh Governor
1 hour ago -
PPP's leaders meet CM Balochistan
1 hour ago -
25 Clay Oven sealed over price violation
1 hour ago -
Police arrest 3 drug peddlers, recover liquor, mainpuri
1 hour ago