Tech savvy: Student magazine e-launched

G-B youth aim to remove the hurdles they are facing in pursuing education.

ISLAMABAD: In an indigenous effort to resolve the educational needs of Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), the youth-led Organization for Educational Centre (OEC) held an e-launching ceremony of their magazine Educure at Islamabad Hotel on Sunday.

A large number of students, politicians and educationists attended the event and appreciated OEC’s efforts in bringing positive changes to
the society.

“Our mission is to create a society that is scientifically innovative, socially and culturally integrated and economically prosperous,” said Jibran Hayat, a member of OEC.

He said that G-B is lagging behind in the field of education and “a lot needs to be done to bring it at par with other parts of the country”.

Educure will also be helpful in highlighting issues of the region. It will target the lack of awareness, financial constraints and other social issues prevalent in G-B like early marriages, “which are the hurdles in discouraging the youth in persuing education”, Hayat added.

Through this magazine, youth will be educated about career opportunities and study fields in national and international educational institutions, he said.

USAID-funded Mission of At-link’s Deputy Chief Ijala Hussian said that Educure can be an ideal instrument to provide timely information about career opportunities to the youth, who are in great need of such a service.

“Nobody can deny the importance of education in eradicating poverty, unemployment and violence,” he said, adding that the youth needs to take such initiatives by taking all concerned stakeholders on board.

He said that despite facing extremely harsh circumstances, G-B has upheld great aspect of ethnic and cultural pluralism, which need to be further strengthened. He urged the youth to play an effective role in bridging the gaps between cultural differences in the region and promoting education.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 7^th, 2011.