NUPSA was originally formed by Pakistani students in the United Kingdom to promote interaction between students of both countries. It is now being launched in Pakistan to provide students with a platform to showcase and develop their talents. The Pakistan chapter of Pehchaan has 20 students from various local institutes and seven people studying in UK based universities.
Mohammad Ammar, vice president of NUPSA and student of Imperial College London told the Express Tribune that Pehchaan Pakistan will provide a platform for students abroad to interact with local students through various means like interactive sessions, conferences and workshops.
He said, “Students in Pakistan are very talented but due to lack of exposure and opportunities they fall behind other international students.”
“This initiative hopes to bridge the gap between national and international university students,” he added.
“In the first phase (starting Saturday) the Pehchaan team will tour university campuses in Punjab and Khyber Pukhtunkhwa,” he added.
He said that 12 universities were already on board with the Pehchaan team and expected more to join with time.
He said the team would explore hidden talent in the youth, provide them with opportunities, discuss their problems, share innovative ideas and tell them about international universities. He predicted discussions on current and persisting issues.
Seminars, workshops, conferences, career counselling sessions and stage performances are some of the things the team will be conducting.
Renowned journalists are also expected to be taken on board. He said students could also become members of the Pehchaan team and join the cause.
Ammar said before planning this campaign the Pehchaan team conducted a survey in various universities of Pakistan and learnt that the majority students had made their own groups and societies based on caste, creed , ethnic and political background.
“Pehchaan Pakistan aims to eliminate all such thinking and bring students under one school of thought which is ‘We all are Pakistani and we have to play an important role in its development and progress’,” he said.
Abeer Fatima, public relation officer NUPSA and student of University of London said the campaign would continue for more than three years.
She said that before this NUSPA had arranged the Young Leaders Conference in 2010 in Pakistan, to develop and strengthened leadership qualities among the youth of Pakistan.
“Pakistan is flooded with talent; all that is lacking is a platform to develop it,” she said.
Fatima said that interactive sessions will help broaden the vision of Pakistan’s students from all back grounds and motivate them to think about their country in unity.
She said that members would get a chance to study abroad for free. She added that during this campaign funds for the flood victims would also be collected.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 18th, 2010.
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