Youth and students are on the one hand torchbearers of a nation's traditions and values but at the same time they herald the changes and adjustments shaping the future of a nation. The vitality of the youth of the nation is a source of strength for its leadership and institutions.

The present Government is therefore emphasizing the need for consensus through dialogue among youth on critical issues of national importance as well as to create a sense of participation among the students in formulation of national policies. It was in this context that HEC organized the first National Students' Convention in May, 2004.

Students' Convention, now an annual activity, is one of the initiatives taken by the Government to engage the students in constructive dialogue on critical issues, inculcate tolerance and moderation and develop leadership qualities in them.

Further Information

• Students Convention 2007
• Students Convention 2006
• Students Convention 2005
• Students Convention 2004

Conventions articulate the urge of humanity to envisage and discuss important issues and future concerns. They work to highlight national potential and for training of the future leadership to pursue and expound what consciousness inculcates in their minds.

Conventions and such platforms encourage an approach that builds national character, integrity and pride. The youth can come forward with the sense of responsibility and participation to analyze the issues faced by the country and thus provide a solution for them. It is important that they are made to think through their vision, ardour and patriotism for Pakistan keeping national interest supreme.

The Government emphasizes the need for consensus through dialogue among youth on critical issues of national importance as well as to create a sense of participation among the students in formulation of national policies. It is in this context that the Higher Education Commission organized the first National Students' Convention in May 2004. Its success has made it into an annual event as it now plays a constructive role in national dialogue and intellectual interaction.

Today, learning and education has diffused its meaning into the well groomed personality of the youth who act as a representative of the whole nation and culture. The vitality of the youth of a nation is a source of strength for its leadership and institutions. This Convention will be a platform for students to acquire self esteem and express their ideas with confidence.

Conventions articulate the urge of humanity to envisage and discuss important issues and future concerns. They work to highlight national potential and for training of the future leadership to pursue and expound what consciousness inculcates in their minds.

Conventions and such platforms encourage an approach that builds national character, integrity and pride. The youth can come forward with the sense of responsibility and participation to analyze the issues faced by the country and thus provide a solution for them. It is important that they are made to think through their vision, ardour and patriotism for Pakistan keeping national interest supreme.

The Government emphasizes the need for consensus through dialogue among youth on critical issues of national importance as well as to create a sense of participation among the students in formulation of national policies. It is in this context that the Higher Education Commission organized the first National Students' Convention in May 2004. Its success has made it into an annual event as it now plays a constructive role in national dialogue and intellectual interaction.

Today, learning and education has diffused its meaning into the well groomed personality of the youth who act as a representative of the whole nation and culture. The vitality of the youth of a nation is a source of strength for its leadership and institutions. This Convention will be a platform for students to acquire self esteem and express their ideas with confidence.

The objectives of the Convention are to promote cultural integration among students, provide students a forum to share and exchange their views, create harmony in society by bringing students of diverse background to one platform, inculcate a spirit of moderation and enlightenment and promote peace, tolerance and understanding in society.

Students' Convention 2005 was the second in the series of annually held students' conventions. Ninety five students participated in the Convention selected from all over the country on the basis of their talent and their ability to express themselves through public speaking.

They participated in a constructive and self motivated dialogue which gave an insight into their vision of a moderate and enlightened Pakistan.

Student Convention was held from 22-06-2004 to 24-06-2004. The President of Pakistan General Pervaiz Mussharaf was the chief guest of its closing ceremony.

The President who took the central forum amidst the august gathering of Vice-Chancellors, Governors of the Provinces, Bureaucratic elite of the Federal territory and students of the higher education sector who were at attendance and in majority at the Convention Centre, spoke passionately for an un-interrupted period of an hour and a half. His concern was directed to the younger generation of whom he said lay the future of Pakistan. The President made clear that it was at his calling that the Students Convention took place at Islamabad. He said that the speeches he had heard by the students were beyond his expectation with regard to the command over language as well as mature thinking. Lauding the discipline demonstrated by the youth, he said that the members of the National Assembly should take a lesson from it. The Convention, he claimed was full of brilliant ideas and enthusiasm which shows that the country has a bright future. President Pervez Musharraf who was for five hours with the students at the Jinnah Convention Centre spoke mainly on educational matters. However he did lightly touch upon some political issues like population explosion, entering of Pakistan into the Common Wealth fold with conditionality, the government economic policies, terrorism... etc. which impacted on the minds of the upcoming young generation. He then went head long into issues critical to the educational sector. Gen. Musharraf conceded that the education quality was poor in the country. He praised steps taken by the Minister in-charge of Science and Technology, Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, for improvement in education quality. He praised the Model University Ordinance and criticized those who had been protesting over it for the past several months. He said English should be taught at Madressahs. Gen. Musharraf said he had even spoke at the UN that the Madressahs were largest NGOs and these were rendering huge national service. However, a large number of these religious seminaries were not awarding any degree to the students and some of these were even preaching sectarianism, he added. President General Pervez Musharraf pointed out that he was great supporter of Deeni Madaris that are providing free boarding and lodging to about one million poor students. "The students of Madaris should also get modern, scientific and professional education to become professionals in diverse fields," he said. The President said corruption and nepotism were the source of all ills in the society and urged to purge the society of these evils. He emphasized the need to promote the culture of merit in all fields of life saying that corruption and nepotism lead to ills in the society. Referring to the importance of education in the development of society, Pervez Musharraf reconfirmed his commitment for the development of education at all levels. Reaffirming his commitment for the promotion of education, he said improvement of higher education is key to human development and the government is providing maximum resources for it. "Despite financial constraints, the government is committed to increase higher education enrolment from current 2.6 to 5 percent of the country's population in a period of three years," he said. He said that Rs 9.6 billion would be allocated for higher education sector in the next budget. General Pervez Musharraf said the government is concentrating on higher education but rapid growth of population is neutralizing the country's resources and there is dire need to control population growth. He said special attention is being paid to the Improvement of quality education and teaching standards. The salaries of teachers must be enhanced substantially but at the same time the teachers should also improve their teaching standard, which would certainly help ensure their respect in the society. The president said two TV channels dedicated to education have been launched and two more would be added soon. In response to problems mentioned by a student from FATA, Gen. Musharraf said the government was pumping billions of rupees into the tribal areas for their development. Roads are being constructed, dispensaries being set up and even educational institutions are being opened in the area, he added. He said the army had also been involved in the development activities in FATA and the corps commander was directly monitoring the projects. The president said the government had sanctioned setting up of 10 degree colleges in FATA. Earlier, the students highlighted their problems and gave proposals to improve education system while speaking on three different themes-investment in education, extremism main hurdle in development, and enlightened moderation key to globalization. Zainab Zohra, a student from Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA), called for improving the status of the teachers in the society. She was of the view that teaching had become a last option for the people while selecting their careers. She also stressed the need for bringing positive changes in the syllabi. She regretted that there was lack of schools and colleges in South Waziristan. The people, she said, were eager to be educated and they wanted development in their area. "The whole world should know that we are not extremists. We are moderate, tolerant and enlightened." Zunaira Mir of Nishtar Medical College, Multan, called for allocation of more funds for education sector. “In order to face challenges of the 21st century, we will have to make investment in education sector," she added. Ghulam Nabi of the AJK University said education should be knowledge based, instead of job-oriented. He said the country needed a new education system according to its own requirements. He regretted that the teachers were not given due status in the country and there was a need to improve their economic conditions. Saeed-ur-Rahman, who studies at the Jamia-ul-Uloom ul Islamia, Karachi, made a well-researched and different presentation. Despite being a 'Madrisa' student, he confidently voiced his independent point of view fluently and in good English. Saeed, who did not agree with post-9/11 approach adopted by some of the Muslim leaders said that development, be it economic, social, cultural, scientific, technological, political or religious on a global level, is inevitable. It can be promoted by a moderate approach, as extreme policies do not click. All the nations have to adopt ‘give-and-take’ approach to accommodate and pursue moderate policies like those propounded in Islam. The religious seminary student observed that ignorance breeds extremism as in this case no other point of view except of one's own is acceptable, thus knowledge is blocked from benefiting human intellect. He believed that powerful nations like US and Europe of today tend to promote ignorance and allow it to flourish in the rest of the world. He also observed that extremism defies consultation, dialogue and therefore understanding and mutual cooperation. So it retards development and leads to civil commotion, eventually creating insecurity and disturbing law and order and blocking investment and retarding economic activities, Saeed explained. He questioned that why it is so that a nun can be covered from head to toe and she is respected for devoting herself to God but when a Muslim does so she is labeled as oppressed. Tariq Ranjha of the Punjab University said class-based education system should be eliminated. He also asked the government to take steps to rid university campuses of political elements. He also said there should be one medium of education in the country. Mohammad Gohar Iqbal of the Punjab University said the HEC was giving importance to science subjects but it had ignored the social science subjects. Abidullah Marwat of the Peshawar University said co-education system should not be abolished. Maira Javed of the Institute of Business Management called for making policies to have equal distribution of wealth in the country. Ijaz Ahmed of the Punjab University stressed the need for taking effective steps to curb extremism. He said even cricket teams were not ready to visit Pakistan due to extremism what to talk about investors. He said how the country could develop when provinces were fighting each other on water and wheat issues. Qasim Tariq of the National University of Science and Technology said bureaucrats and politicians should shun the 'Sifarish' culture to promote merit-based system. He also stressed the need for taking action against those officials of education ministry involved in corruption. Earlier, at the commencement of the concluding session, and in her address of welcome, Education Minister Zobaida Jalal proposed to launch Young Ambassadors Forum comprising youth from different walks of life to represent Pakistan at home and abroad and promote provincial harmony and regional and global peace. She also proposed formation of National Youth Development Corps to involve youth in poverty alleviation. Minister In-charge for Science and Technology and Chairman of the Higher Education Commission, Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman highlighted aims and objectives of the convention. At the conclusion of the Presidential Address, all the 8 selected speakers for the last session were awarded Certificate of Distinction in recognition of valuable contributions to the Convention along with badges and cash award of Rs.25,000/-. The remaining participants of the Students Convention were later also given badges, certificates of distinction and cash award of Rs.5,000/- each. The chief coordinator of the Students Convention Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman presented a shield to the President of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf.