Taking the first step: A platform to bring students and organisation heads together

The event provided students the opportunity to display their research.

ISLAMABAD:

Things seemed to be in full swing for the networking and research collaboration event that was held at the Faculty of Contemporary Studies (FCS),National Defense University (NDU) on Thursday.

The event aimed to provide a platform for students and organisation heads to interact, define their fields and promote the research work done at the university. It was organised by the students of Government and Public Policy (GPP), Peace and Conflict Studies, Strategic Nuclear Studies, Leadership and Management Sciences and the International Relation Department.

The event began with recitation from the Quran. The acting Dean of FCS, Dr Syed Bashir Hussain gave the welcome address. The chief guest, President NDU, also spoke briefly on the occasion appraising the efforts of both the students and teachers for the initiative. The first half of the event concluded with a short skit “Some call it an interview” presented by students, which was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience.

Senior officials of various renowned organisations showed up at the event including dignitaries from SDPI, Economic Reforms Units, Planning Commission, GINI, Turkish embassy, Strategic Planning, Department for International Development and the Capital Development Authority amongst many others. A student of GPP said, “The event is first of its kind and is a great way of showing our research and meeting prospective employers.”

The  guests were then ushered to different departments where students had set up stalls displaying their research work. The officials met with students and discussed their future plans, views on the socio-economic conditions of Pakistan as well as employment opportunities.

One of the officials asked the students if they were optimistic about Pakistan’s future. After receiving an overwhelmingly positive response he said, “That is great as if you guys, being the future, are not [optimistic] then there is no hope.”

Majority of the research briefs were picked by organisation heads. Some members also asked to meet students for research papers on mercenary armies, street children entrepreneurship, foreign aid, drug abuse in Pakistan, among several others. Some officials expressed their desire to re-visit the university on similar events.  Many of them were even surprised to know about civilians studying at NDU. The event was well-received and has set a good precedent for similar affairs in the future. Refreshments were served in the end.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 21^st, 2011.