ISLAMABAD:
Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) on Tuesday launched its School of Politics and International Relations (SPIR) at the university campus.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, QAU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr Masoom Yasinzai said that the significance of occasion extends beyond the establishment of the new school. “Its aspirations lies in the expansion plan of our faculty of Social Sciences,” he said. He also praised the contribution and assistance of the Strategic Plans Division (SPD) in building and equipping the new campus of SPIR.
Established in 1973, the reputable Department of International Relations QAU has finally branched out into discipline of Politics and International Relations. The new building of SPIR was formerly inaugurated by SPD Director General Lt. General (Retd) Khalid Ahmed Kidwai.
Dr Yasinzai said the introduction of Masters and PhD programmes in the parent discipline of Political Science is yet another milestone, adding that it will attract more students into the parent discipline and sub-fields like International Relations, Peace and Conflict Studies, Media, Public Policy and Governance. This new expansion will facilitate sophisticated and advanced research in national and international politics, he added.
Dr Yasinzai said that QAU has also established the prestigious Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Chair at SPIR. The chair is created with the objective to promote research in democracy, human rights, fundamental freedom, interfaith harmony, economic and political stability, peace and prosperity.
He added that the school will promote scientific research for the resolution of crucial issues facing Pakistan like those involved in composite dialogue between India and Pakistan, peace in the neighbouring Afghanistan and energy cooperation in the region.
“I have the vision that this school will serve as a hub point for Quaid-i-Azam University future endeavours to promote the development of education and research, in addition to playing an active role in building the society and providing unique opportunities to its various segments,” he added
Published in The Express Tribune, October 26th, 2011.
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