News

Conclusion ceremony of the 1st Global Research Congress

The second and last day of the 1st SMIU Global Research Congress was full of activities. Besides technical sessions, panel discussions, concluding ceremony and then a music program held. The concluding ceremony was held on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at the Sir Shahnawaz Bhutto Auditorium. The ceremony was addressed by Vice Chancellor of SMIU Dr. Mujeeb Sahrai, Dr. Mehmet Emin Aydin, Senior Lecturer at the University of the West of England, UK, Dr. Mumtaz Ali Memon of NUST, Islamabad and Dr. Zahid Ali Channar, convener of the congress.  Presenting report of the congress Dr. Zahid Ali Channar said about 2000 research scholars participated in the congress. During the congress 70 sessions were held at the university and 10 sessions were held online.

Dr. Mujeeb Sahrai in his concluding speech said it was huge and marathon congress that attracted a large number of research scholars from Pakistan and other countries, who presented their latest research works on environment, climate change, artificial intelligence, education, business, media and social development. They all came up with the conclusion that without research work no country will progress. Dr. Sahrai congratulated the organisers of the congress specially SMIU’s faculty that done a marvelous work under the leadership of Mr. Asif Hussain Samo.
Dr. Mehmet Emin Aydin said it was amazing event that gathered old to young scholars from other countries and from Pakistan. He found it most disciplined and systemic. Also, papers presented in the congress and international conferences were of high quality.

Dr. Mumtaz Ali Memon also appreciated the congress, vice chancellor, hospitality and stressed upon to organised such research congresses to strengthen research in the country.
On this occasion awards were given to organisers of the congress.

Before the concluding ceremony a number of technical sessions as well panel discussions were held on various places of the university. Some of them are given below:

Online Panel Discussion on “Media as a Catalyst for Social Change and Sustainable Development”

A technical session was held on the theme of “Media as a Catalyst for Social Change and Sustainable Development,” which was attended virtually by scholars from all over the world including Pakistan and students at SMIU. It was jointly organised by the Department of Social and Development Studies and Media and Communication Studies. It was chaired by Prof Dr. Donna from Lisley University, Massachusetts, USA and co-chaired by Associate professor Dr Subhash Babu from SMIU. Scholars from Malaysia, Pakistan and Canada presented their research papers on different issues.
Prof Dr Derrick from Algoma University, Ontario, Canada was a keynote speaker. In this session Dr. Derrick has said that world is rapidly changing and media has a crucial role to play. He said, social media is changing people's belief and ideas but at the same time the main stream media is not focusing on indigenous people’s issues. In the last, Dr.   Donna concluded the session. She appreciated the   researchers who presented their papers. She said, in current world, overall the role of popular media is not good. She said unfortunately main stream media is becoming more commercial and not highlighting the real issues of humanity.

Panel discussions on “Reimagining our Futures Together: A New Social Contract for Sustainable Education”

The academicians and research scholars have said that new technologies have brought multiple challenges for teachers, students, policy makers and community as well. Thus, curriculum must be prepared according to the standards of the day and teachers should be updated about the changing occurring in science, education and social sectors. They said this during a panel discussion held on “Reimagining our Futures Together: A New Social Contract for Sustainable Education,” on the second and last day of the 1st SMIU Global Research Congress at SMIU.
 
Dr Shahida Sajjad, Vice Chancellor Metropolitan University Karachi said our curriculum should address issues emerging from technological development, students should understand social responsibility and evaluation process and quality of education should be improved. She said students should not be competitors to each other, but they must be cooperative. Her was of the view that we must respect diversity and the social justice must prevail.

Dr. Bushra Khurram, Assistant Professor of University of Karachi said vision, planning and care are necessary to face the challenges. She said students should be aware about things related to knowledge, attitude and conditions of the country.

Dr. Najamunisa of SZABIST, Karachi said we are facing climate change and economic crisis, but the sustainable education is all about promoting global citizenship and there is a global economy. Now learner has become global learner. Hence keeping these things in mind we should improve teaching mythology. She said the basic challenge is curriculum reforms and teaching community must change their mindset, as they still believe in outdated and old thoughts and practices.

Dr. Anjum Bano of Iqra University Karachi said teachers and students are not aware about sustainable goals of education, hence students, teachers and community must be introduced with them. Mr. Ajab Ali Lashari, lecturer of SMIU moderated the session,

Panel Discussion on Need of Policy Reforms to Promote Sustainable and Innovative Business Practices

Talking in a session of “Need of Policy Reforms to Promote Sustainable and Innovative Business Practices,” Mr. Ahmed Ali Siddiqui, Group Head of Compliance Meezan Bank said we must promote local industry and local manufacturing, without it, we couldn’t progress. He further said the business leaders are not adopting new technologies, hence most challenges are coming from them. He was of the view that whenever a ban or restrictions are imposed then our business community is changing their attitude and mode of working.
Dr. Shujaat Mubarak, Dean CBM, IOBM said in our country manufacturing is not promoted. This is why, there is no sustainable manufacturing in Pakistan. He feared that in coming few years our textile industry will pass through more difficult days and its major parts have been shifted to Bangladesh. He said we are importing used electronic material including computers from other countries and when these are become out of order after a little bit usage, then they are burst, that is producing diseases including cancer specially in Karachi city.
Mr. Sarfraz Ahmed Khan, a country head of a private food company said in the pandemic era, some food companies that were relying on other countries for their material lost their business completely and other companies, that were relying on their indigenous sources, grown. He said food sector in our country is growing but there is an issue of quality food. Therefore, food companies must provide quality food to their customers.
Dr. Jamshed Adil, Dean of SMIU said our businessmen are failed to adopt new technologies. Hence industry must accept challenges of the world. Mr. Naeem Ahmed Lecturer of SMIU was the moderator.

Panel Discussion on “Role of Human Rights in Social Inclusion and Women Empowerment”

   The panelists talking on human rights in a session held on “Role of Human Rights in Social Inclusion and Women Empowerment” said there are laws about child Labour, child marriages and women rights but these are not implemented. They said women should be considered as a human being, not only women and she must be treated like a woman. Also, trans genders should also be given equal rights. Mr. Ayub Khoso, Member Sindh Human Rights Commission, Mr. Iqbal Ahmed Detho, Human Rights Expert, Ms. Kami Sid, Transgender Rights Activist and Ms. Marvi Awan, Member Provincial Human Rights Vigilance Committee, Human Rights Department, Government of Sindh were among the panelists.