Karachi University to hold international conference

Experts will discuss issues faced by megacities, recommend policy changes to govt

KARACHI: Foreign experts from South America to Asia are gathering at the University of Karachi (KU) for a three-day international moot, 'Managing Megacities', to discuss and recommend policy changes to the government regarding modern-day challenges of the megacities of the world, particularly Karachi.

The International Conference on Managing Megacities, 2016, organised by KU's department of public administration and George Mason University's (GMU) Schar School of Public Policy and Government, will be held from September 20 to September 22 at KU's HEJ auditorium. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah will chair the concluding session of the conference, according to a press statement issued on Monday.

Foreign and national experts will give their valuable insights and policy recommendations in the conference which will be forwarded to the government and policymakers, said KU faculty of management and administrative sciences dean Prof Dr Khalid Iraqi.

"Political commitment and administrative ability of the government is vital for dealing with all the issues faced by Karachi," he said, adding that the collaboration between KU and GMU will prove to be a great learning experience for students.

"It is a proud moment for KU to organise an international conference in order to recommend policies to cope with the modern-day challenges faced by the megacities of the world, especially Karachi," said Iraqi.

Foreign experts from Turkey, USA and Brazil will look for solutions rather than debating about the problems only, he said, adding that the problems can't be solved overnight and need positive efforts and political will.

The speakers at the conference will include KU vice-chancellor Dr Muhammad Qaiser, Iraqi, who will serve as co-chair, GMU centre for social science research director Dr James Witte, Dr Abuzar Wajidi, Dr Shabibul Hasan, renowned architect and urban planner Arif Hassan, Dr Rashmi Sadana from GMU, Dr Tuzin Baycan from Istanbul Technical University and others.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 20^th, 2016.