The University of Sargodha (UoS) has marked a significant milestone in the academic world with the inauguration of the inaugural “Research Arena 2024”. The event promises a week-long extravaganza of intellectual exchange, innovation, and academic brilliance.

The opening ceremony was graced by esteemed dignitaries including Prof. Dr. Zia Ul Qayyum, Executive Director of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Islamabad; Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali Shah, Vice Chancellor BZU Multan; Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ramzan, Vice Chancellor Emerson University Multan; Prof. Dr. Sajid Qamar, Rector COMSATS University Islamabad; Base Commander Sargodha, Hassan Faisal Sultan; and Prof. Dr. Qaisar Abbas, Vice Chancellor of the University of Sargodha.

The Research Arena 2024 aims to cultivate a culture of research excellence and scholarly engagement through a diverse range of activities, including international and national conferences, seminars, panel discussions, workshops, exhibitions, forums, and colloquiums.

Addressing the audience at the opening ceremony, Prof. Dr. Qaisar Abbas highlighted the University’s commitment to providing a premier research platform and expressed pride in its role as a pioneer in collaborative research efforts.

Prof. Dr. Zia Ul Qayyum lauded the University of Sargodha for its innovative initiative, emphasizing the potential of such endeavors to redefine the role of educational institutions in society. He stressed the importance of leveraging technological advancements in education to meet the challenges of the digital era.

Both Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali Shah and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ramzan emphasized the critical role of educational institutions in shaping future leaders and driving socioeconomic development. They advocated for a holistic approach to education that combines academic excellence with practical skills.

The Research Arena 2024 kicked off with various key activities on its first day, including the 4th International Conference on Educational Sciences and Research, Research Expo-2024, International Art Expo, CEO Forum, and civic engagement activities.

Prof. Dr. Riffat Nissa, Director of the Institute of Education, extended a warm welcome to international and national participants of the International Education Conference 2024, underscoring the significance of the event in advancing academic discourse.

Expressing gratitude towards the guests, Prof. Dr. Mian Ghulam Yasin, Pro. Vice Chancellor UoS, highlighted the importance of their presence in making the Research Arena 2024 a resounding success.

Earlier, Prof. Dr. Ahmed Raza Bilal, Director of ORIC UoS, outlined the objectives of the week-long research arena, setting the stage for what promises to be a groundbreaking event in the academic calendar.

The Research Arena 2024 is poised to set new standards in academic excellence and collaborative research, reaffirming the University of Sargodha’s position as a leading institution in Pakistan’s educational landscape.

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The University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (UAJK) witnessed an inspiring address by its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Kaleem Abbasi, who underscored the indispensable role of information technology in shaping the future. Emphasizing the necessity of keeping abreast of evolving technological skills for future success, Prof. Dr. Abbasi spoke passionately at the Certificate Distribution Ceremony held at the Jehlum Valley campus of UAJK.

Encouraging students to immerse themselves in the technological revolution, he stressed the importance of adapting to the changing landscape of the IT industry. Prof. Dr. Abbasi, drawing from his own experiences, debunked the myth that success is reserved for students hailing from metropolitan cities or prestigious institutions. He highlighted the potential for achievement among individuals in underprivileged and remote areas, provided they exhibit unwavering commitment and consistency.

Recognizing the pivotal role of faculty members as nation-builders, the Vice-Chancellor urged them to contribute towards nurturing high-quality human resources for the nation’s progress and development. He reassured the management, faculty, and staff of the Jehlum Valley campus of UAJK of resource allocation to address institutional challenges, including enhancing the campus library, equipping labs with modern educational tools, improving transportation, and initiating various developmental projects.

The ceremony was adorned with presentations by talented students, featuring speeches, cultural performances, poetry recitations, and more, adding a dynamic flair to the event. As a token of gratitude, souvenirs were presented to key figures including the Registrar, Controller Examination, and Deans of various faculties by the Director of Jehlum Valley campus, Dr. Faisal Butt.

Director JVC, Dr. Faisal Butt, took the opportunity to showcase the remarkable progress and recent achievements of the campus, expressing heartfelt gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor and other dignitaries for gracing the occasion with their presence.

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The Punjab University (PU) Office of Research Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) concluded its two-day 9th ‘Invention to Innovation Summit’ with a grand closing ceremony held at Al Raazi Hall. The event witnessed the esteemed presence of PU VC Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood, Rector University of Lahore (UoL) Prof Dr Muhammad Ashraf, Director ORIC Prof Dr Shakil Ahmed, alongside researchers, industry experts, faculty members, and a vibrant gathering of students.

Dr Khalid Mahmood, in his address, emphasized the paramount importance of initiatives like the Summit within the university domain, underlining their potential to benefit students, researchers, and industrialists alike. He stressed the necessity of ensuring that all stakeholders reap the rewards of the knowledge and outcomes generated from such platforms, lauding the Director ORIC and his team for their dedication and successful execution of the Summit.

Dr Muhammad Ashraf commended the inauguration of the 2024 Summit and stressed the vital role of nurturing robust academia-industry linkages for fostering innovation and growth. Dr Shakil Ahmed extended his gratitude to the participants and acknowledged the unwavering support of his team. Highlighting the Summit’s achievements, he revealed that it showcased 56 selected ideas through stalls, with a significant 40 percent representation from industry. Additionally, the event featured 40 oral presentations, 79 poster presentations, and 4 interactive sessions, effectively bridging the gap between academia and industry.

The Summit, Dr Ahmed noted, played a pivotal role in advancing research to meet the nation’s current requirements and demands. It provided a valuable platform for the dissemination of innovative ideas, knowledge, experiences, and achievements, aligning with the university’s vision of embracing indigenous solutions to address financial and technical challenges.

In recognition of outstanding contributions, shields and certificates were awarded to the winners and runners-up of the best ideas for poster and oral presentations, as well as stalls in the exhibition. Further accolades were bestowed upon the Summit organizers, while certificates were distributed to participants of the oral and poster presentations, encapsulating the spirit of innovation and collaboration that defined the event.

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The School of Economics and Social Sciences (SESS) at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi recently hosted a dynamic one-day workshop, facilitated by the esteemed Social Inequality Lab. The event provided a vibrant platform for distinguished speakers and participants to delve into thought-provoking discussions surrounding the pervasive issue of social inequality in today’s interconnected world.

Dr. Aisha Ghaus Pasha, Former Federal Minister, graced the occasion with her presence, joined by Dr. S Akbar Zaidi, Executive Director of IBA, and Dr. Asma Hyder, Dean of SESS, who warmly welcomed the attendees and provided an insightful introduction to the mission of the Social Inequality Lab.

In an era where social inequality continues to pose significant challenges across economic, political, and cultural landscapes, there is an increasing need for nuanced understanding and proactive measures to address its multifaceted dimensions. With this imperative in mind, the workshop aimed to explore contemporary perspectives and innovative approaches towards mitigating social inequality.

Distinguished speakers, including renowned academics and economists from institutions such as IBA and Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), contributed diverse viewpoints to the discourse. Topics covered during the workshop ranged from spatial inequality and socially desirable fiscal policy reform to the significance of inclusive growth, wealth and wage disparities, regional variances in maternal malnutrition, and inequalities in access to opportunities.

Central to the discussions was the acknowledgment of the pivotal role of economic growth in reducing inequality. By fostering real income growth, enhancing access to essential resources, and creating avenues for socio-economic progression, economic development emerges as a crucial mechanism for lifting individuals out of poverty and broadening their horizons.

Moreover, participants had the opportunity to explore the initiatives and research endeavors of the Social Inequality Lab during a visit to its office. This engagement sparked fruitful discussions on potential avenues for future research and collaborative endeavors aimed at addressing social inequality comprehensively.

Overall, the workshop served as a catalyst for critical dialogue, explored emerging research paradigms, facilitated interdisciplinary exchanges on various facets of inequality, and inspired actionable initiatives towards fostering a more just and equitable society.

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