Inter-University Consortium for promotion of social sciences, arts and humanities in order to strengthen capacities in these fields.

Inter-university consortium to be formed

Islamabad; Nov 04, 201

Five public sector universities have agreed to form the country’s first-ever Inter-University Consortium for promotion of social sciences, arts and humanities in order to strengthen capacities in these fields.

This was decided recently by vice chancellors of Quaid-i-Azam University, University of Gujrat, Islamia University (Bahawalpur), Institute of Management Sciences (Peshawar) and the Government College University (Faisalabad).

A formal ceremony to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in this respect will soon be held. The areas of cooperation under the consortium will include faculty development, exchange of adjunct faculty members, students and publications in addition to commencement of joint research projects in which each university will work in its respective geographical area. The consortium also seeks to promote joint linkages with other national and international organisations, joint seminars, conferences and workshops in addition to other programmes of mutual interest.

The vice chancellors hoped that the step would be greatly helpful in improving the state of social sciences in the country and bring social scientists of various areas closer to one another to undertake joint programmes aiming at socio-economic development of the country, effective university community linkages and promotion of the values of peace, tolerance and active citizenship. Murtaza Noor of the Higher Education Commission would act as focal person for facilitation in the whole process.