Need to introduce multi-disciplinary courses in varsities: speakers

More than 200 students participated in the course

MULTAN: In a bid to address challenges, there is a need to introduce multi-disciplinary courses in universities to encourage critical thinking, dialogue and debate among students.

This was said by speakers at the concluding session of 32-lecture based course “Social and Religious Tolerance” which was held at Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture (MNSUA).The event was held in collaboration with Society for the Advancement of Education (SAHE).

The course design team and faculty shared their thoughts on the content and structure of the course entailing lectures by specialised faculty and organisation of Social Action Projects (SAPs).

In his concluding address, MNSUA Vice-Chancellor Asif Ali advocated the benefits for offering a course and in making students comprehend issues in a multi-disciplinary context, to provide space to initiate dialogue so that students could think critically and participate freely in the discourse.



He also highlighted the importance of promoting an enabling environment at university campuses to think independently and creatively for betterment of the society.

He said keeping in view various dimensions of the society students should study about role and contribution of various segments. He added, “The course is an important milestone for creating an alternate narrative.” He maintained, “The universities should strive to develop a culture that promotes dialogue, pluralism and mutual respect.”

SAHE executive director Abbas Rashid explained the objectives of the course, structure and implementation experience.

He said, “Pakistan is home to various dimensions of culture, languages, civilisations and we should celebrate this diversity.”

Meanwhile, more than 200 students took part in the course. The students also carried out a number of social action projects as a supplement to the course.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4^th, 2018.