Illiteracy, poverty can be defeated through education, says Dr Abdul Malik Baloch PHOTO: EXPRESS
They said that collaborative efforts by Pakistani universities and linkages with foreign universities in areas of social sciences could be helpful in addressing various socio-economic problems facing the country.
They were speaking at a reception organised by the Inter University Consortium for Promotion of Social Sciences Pakistan (IUCPSS) in honor of American Institute of Pakistan Studies (AIPS) President Dr Kamran Asdar Ali, and a visiting delegation from the University of Texas, Austin, said a press release issued here on Wednesday.
Intellectuals, diplomats, academicians, rectors and vice chandlers, representatives of various international and national universities and others attended the event.
Former Balochistan chief minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch said that illiteracy and poverty were two main challenges being faced by the people of Balochistan. He also called for sharing inter-provincial expertise and experiences in the higher education sector.
“The elimination of extremism and poverty is only possible when we equip our youngsters with education,” Dr Malik said. He appreciated the role of IUCPSS and its partner organisations for strengthening higher education in Balochistan and other remote parts of the country.
Dr Asdar Ali urged for promoting critical thinking in universities and highlighted the importance of social sciences in this regard. He assured that the AIPS will continue to work closely with Pakistani academia and the consortium in areas of faculty training and research.
IUCPSS Chairman and University of Haripur Vice-Chancellor Dr Nasser Ali Khan said that 2016 will be celebrated as the year of social sciences.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 14th, 2016.
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