Inter University Consortium and CCEP Sign MOU

Collaborative Efforts for Promoting Citizenship Education in Pakistan

The Inter University Consortium for Promotion of Social Sciences, Arts & Humanities Pakistan IUCPSS, Pakistan‘s first ever inter university alliance formed by 9 leading higher education institutions HEIs and Centre for Civic Education Pakistan, an independent educational institution  singed memorandum of understanding MOU  to  undertake collaborative efforts  for promotion of civic  education in Pakistan.  In this regard, MOU singing ceremony held at the local hotel of Islamabad. Renowned human rights activists, I.A Rehman, Ms Tahira Abdullah, Dr. Nasser Ali Khan Member HEC, Dr. Riaz Hussain Qureshi Advisor HEC, Mr Wilson Lee Senior Program officer National Endowment for Democracy were also present on the occasion. The main avenues of mutual cooperation in  the signed MOU include: inviting  faculty and research scholars in training/perspective sharing workshop, collaborating  in research, seminars/conferences and other joint activities, working together for  introducing diploma/Certificate courses on civic/human rights education and sharing one another ‘s  facilities/expertise. Both parties agreed to appoint Mr. Murtaza Noor as IUCPSS focal person for facilitation and coordination among IUCPSS member institutions and CCEP.

 Addressing on the occasion, guest of honour the ceremony, Executive Director HEC Prof. Dr. Sohail H. Naqvi said that HEC is committed to promote social sciences in Pakistan and special programs have been initiated in this connection during last ten years since inception of HEC. The outcome of these initiatives is visible. He also lauded the joint efforts of IUCPSS and CCEP for improving the state of social sciences and civic education in Pakistan and assured cooperation of HEC in this regard. He also underlined close relationship between universities and civil society organizations to address the various social problems being confronted by the people of Pakistan. “Universities should produce such graduates who may also be a good citizen through upholding the values of tolerance, peace and respect for rights of other citizens.  Therefore, I strongly recommend that civic education may be introduced at all level of education”, he added.

 Prof. Dr Muhammad Mukhtar Chairperson IUCPSS & Vice Chancellor the Islamia University Bahawalpur termed the agreement milestone in improve the state of civic education in Pakistan. He also assured utmost cooperation in achieving the objectives of the MOU. He announced that both the organizations would jointly work for introducing certificate and diploma courses on civic/human rights education.

Mr. Zafarullah Khan Executive Director Centre for Civic Education Pakistan hoped that the joint efforts by both the organizations would be greatly helpful in encouraging critical and creative ways of thinking and stimulating civic activism to promote pluralism, rule of law and good governance at the leading Pakistani universities.

Prof. Dr. Mohammad Nizamuddin Chairperson National Committee on Development of Social Sciences HEC & Vice Chancellor University of Gujrat termed the promotion of social sciences vital for the socio-economic development of the country.  He was also  of the view that Inter University and inter organization collaborations can be greatly helpful in this regard.

Under facilitation of HEC, IUCPSS has been formed by nine renowned and prestigious higher educational institutions of Pakistan including Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad,

University of Gujrat, Government College University Faisalabad, Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur, University of Baluchistan Quetta, Institute of Management Sciences Peshawar, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, the Islamia University of Bahawalpur and COMSATS Institute of Information Technology Abbottabad

One of main functions of the consortium includes establishing linkages with national and international organizations for improving social sciences, arts and humanities and research activities in Pakistan.