| HEDP holds its Third Steering Committee Meeting | HEDP holds its Third Steering Committee Meeting | <p style="text-align:justify;"><img src="/english/news/news/PublishingImages/Press-Release-Pictures/Picture.jpg" alt="" style="margin:5px;" /><br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Islamabad- May 1, 2021: The Higher Education Development in Pakistan (HEDP) project held its third Steering Committee (SC) meeting at HEC office Islamabad. Presided by the Executive Director HEC, Dr. Shaista Sohail, the meeting was attended by key SC members from all provinces. The committee consists of senior officials from key federal ministries and provincial departments of higher education, Vice Chancellors of universities from across Pakistan, and industrial representative. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">HEDP is a five-year project (2019/20 – 2023/24) being implemented by HEC to expand upon its key higher education priorities. It aims to support research excellence in strategic sectors of the economy, improve teaching and learning, and strengthen governance in higher education. The project comprises of five key components which include improving and expanding research grants, roll out of the new undergraduate education policy, extending Pakistan Education & Research Network (PERN) to universities and affiliated colleges, Higher Education Management Information Systems and Data Repository, and establishment/strengthening of National Academy of Higher Education – NAHE.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Project Coordinator, Ms. Maryam Riaz gave an overview of the project, its restructuring and future plans. The restructuring focuses on the changes necessary due to the circumstances higher education faces due to COVID. Extensive use of latest technology in higher education is a key element of restructuring. The new technology initiatives include state of the art Learning Management System to help improve the quality of online learning and make it accessible even in the remote areas of Pakistan. Blockchain technology will be implemented to ease the process of degree verification and attention thus saving the students money and time it takes to get degrees attested. It will help address and eradicate the issue of fake degrees. Latest Enterprise Resource Planning system including Robotic Process Automation and Artificial Intelligence will be deployed at HEC to improve the efficiencies of the organization. A central data warehouse linked to a powerful Business Intelligence platform will provide reports and insights to senior decision makers in higher education thus supporting evidence based policy and planning. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">The research grants offered under the HEDP project during year 2020 covered sectors where there is a dire need of research to find practical solutions to issues Pakistan faces. For example, a grant award under Grand Challenge fund was awarded to a research proposal in Food Security sector, and will focus on making vaccines for animals to save their lives from ticks. Another grant focuses on finding solution to locust issue and to save crops from locust attack. Rapid Research Grants covered issues related to COVID. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Participants also discussed the new undergraduate education policy which has been rolled out nation-wide. Dr. Syed Zulfiqar Gilani informed the SC of the new distance and online learning policy and distance/online quality assurance framework. HEC has implemented its own MOOCS (Massive Open Online Courses) which will be soon opened to faculty members across Pakistan and they will be able to use it for developing their own courses. Rector NAHE, Dr. Shaheen Sardar briefed the members on the faculty and HEC employees' trainings conducted over last six months. NAHE also focused on training teachers on how to deliver courses online and use online learning management systems. NAHE is moving towards self-reliance and has generated significant funds through conducting some specialized trainings. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">HEC provides internet and WIFI services to faculty and staff. This network has further expanded to remote universities and affiliated colleges. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Committee members were informed that despite the hurdles faced due to COVID the project is still on track and a successful World Bank mission has recently concluded.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">SC appreciated the efforts of HEDP team and offered their support and cooperation to resolve any challenges faced by project team. The committee members expressed their interest to be more involved with the project and have frequent meetings. The meeting ended with a vote of thanks from the Executive Director (HEC).</p><p style="text-align:justify;">===============</p> | 01-05-2021 19:47:20 | <img alt="" src="/english/PublishingImages/ThematicImages/HEC%20ICON-15.png" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/news/news/Pages/HEDP-SC-Meeting.aspx |
| HEC, University Heads Agree on Providing Provisional Admission to A2 Students | HEC, University Heads Agree on Providing Provisional Admission to A2 Students |
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;">Islamabad, April 30, 2021: The Higher Education Commission
(HEC), Pakistan after consultations with the Covid-19 Oversight Committee
representing Vice Chancellor from each province and region, and heads of a few
private sector universities have agreed to provide provisional admission to A2
students, whose exams have been postponed to October 2021, in the Fall 2021
semester so that they would not waste a session. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;">On the direction of the Federal Minister for Education Mr.
Shafqat Mehmood to ensure that the students of A2, whose Cambridge exams were
being postponed due to Covid do not lose a session, a virtual consultative
meeting was held on Friday to address the reservations expressed by students
and parents in wake of the Government’s decision to put off examinations till
June 15 due to surge in the third wave of COVID-19 in the country. In this
backdrop, HEC and universities have decided to provide provisional admissions
to A2 students in the fall Semester 2021 as and when it begins in order to
avoid wastage of their time. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;">Addressing the meeting, Executive Director HEC Dr. Shaista
Sohail said, “we want to assure the parents and students that HEC, and the universities
are committed to ensure student-centric approach without compromising the
interest of universities and teaching and learning quality”. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;">It is worth mentioning here that the Government, after a
special meeting of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) over the
prevailing COVID-19 situation, decided that no examination would take place in
the country until June 15 amid a surge in coronavirus cases and casualties.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="color:#1f497d;">===============</span></p> | 30-04-2021 11:41:08 | <img alt="" src="/english/PublishingImages/ThematicImages/HEC%20ICON-15.png" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/news/news/Pages/Provisional-Admissions.aspx |
| Senior Women in Higher Education Come Together for a Virtual Workshop | Senior Women in Higher Education Come Together for a Virtual Workshop | <div style="text-align:justify;">
</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Islamabad, April 7, 2021: As
many as 22 women Vice Chancellors, Provosts, Executive Directors and Deans from
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across Pakistan logged in to participate
in a workshop entitled “Collaboration for Excellence – Women Leadership in the
Higher Education Sector” organized by the National Academy of Higher Education
(NAHE). </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">All participants had one goal
in mind – to work together and find a way to enable women in leadership roles
in universities as well as those on the cusp of leadership positions.
Participants from all four provinces and Islamabad were part of this
groundbreaking conversation chaired by Dr. Shaheen Sardar Ali, Rector NAHE. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Reflecting on personal and
professional experiences, women at the forefront of higher education in
Pakistan talked through challenges confronted in their professional life, how
they overcame them and opportunities that helped them. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Dr. Rukhsana Kausar, Vice
Chancellor, Government College Women University (GCWU) Sialkot touched upon the
unique challenges of women working without support structures and financial
cushions in place. Dr. Farhat Haq, Provost, Lahore University of Management
Sciences (LUMS) spoke about the edge that Pakistani women hold in the shape of
strength and resilience.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Dr. Saima Hamid, Vice
Chancellor, Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) reiterated how women leaders
in higher education have had to fight to be heard and to have their
contributions seen. Dr. Parveen Munshi, Vice Chancellor, University of Sufism
and Modern Sciences spoke of the administrative and financial competencies that
need to be learned on the job, because most institutions lack preparatory
capacity building opportunities. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Dr Tashmin Khamis, Vice
Provost, Aga Khan University (AKU) touched a chord with all participants when
she spoke of the further justifications women have to give when making changes
or suggestions and the constant ‘guilt’ trip women employees find themselves
taking. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Themes that became clear
through the course of the discussion and which will form part of the ‘Women
leadership Program’, included women’s perception of self, social structures
that may work for or against women, the need for networking and reiterating
ideas, and the crucial role of good mentorship. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Becoming part of the ‘power
circle’ or ‘decision-makers circle’ within universities can be challenging for
women; information sharing, and decision making can happen in social settings
which may not be accessible to women. In the time ahead, participants hoped to
collaborate and work together to address these challenges, create
opportunities, and provide women at the cusp of leadership with the resources
they need. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Going forward, NAHE intends
to draw upon the ideas generated by this incredible group of women leaders to
design and implement excellence and leadership courses across Pakistan, both
centrally and through regional hubs of learning. This virtual engagement is one
of several and on-going workshops NAHE intends to hold with women working in
HEIs to support and widen the pool of women in leadership positions. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">NAHE is established as a
stand-alone, autonomous institution operating under the auspices of HEC to
improve the quality of teaching, research, and governance in Higher Education
Institutions (HEIs) across Pakistan. It is envisioned as the premier
institution for quality research and teaching related to all aspects of higher
education in Pakistan. This series of trainings is one of multiple ongoing NAHE
endeavors at HEC. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span style="color:#1f497d;">===============</span></p> | 08-04-2021 07:05:30 | <img alt="" src="/english/PublishingImages/ThematicImages/HEC%20ICON-15.png" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/news/news/Pages/Virtual-Workshop.aspx |
| HEC clarifies misconceptions circulating in social media around HEDP | HEC clarifies misconceptions circulating in social media around HEDP |
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span>March 31, 2021-Islamabad – “<em>The audit reports are part of regular
oversight and tend to improve processes. All the concerns of audit about the
Higher Education Development in Pakistan (HEDP) Project have been replied to.
HEDP/HEC is well equipped to take up project challenges and the team is committed
to make this project a success, despite all odds</em>,” said HEC spokesperson,
in a statement issued here on Tuesday. <span> </span>HEDP
is assisting HEC in its various key higher education initiatives. It is a<em> five-year</em>
project (2019/20 – 2023/24) being implemented by HEC with support from the
World Bank. It aims to support research excellence in strategic sectors of the
economy, improve teaching and learning, and strengthen governance in higher
education. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span>During the last FY 19-20 audit, a few observations were raised. HEC
has successfully replied to all observations. In foreign funded projects, donor
rules apply and HEDP project is running successfully complying with the World
Bank procedures. All consultants of HEDP were hired in compliance with the applicable
regulations. <span style="background:yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span>HEDP comprises of some key initiatives to uplift the higher education
in Pakistan. The research component includes variety of research grants to
promote high quality research in public/private sector universities and affiliated
colleges across the country. So far, three major grants have been launched with
10 Rapid Research Grants related to COVID-19 already awarded. Evaluation of
proposals for three more grants – Grand Challenge Fund (GCF), Technology Transfer
Support Fund (TTSF) and Local Challenge Fund (LCF) is already under way. The
project also aims to uplift the Offices of Research, Innovation &
Commercialization (ORIC) and Business Incubation Centers (BIC) to bridge gap
between academia and industry and generate/encourage significant economic activity.
These grants will help contribute towards knowledge economy of the nation and
uplift the research eco-system. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span>In addition, the project has contributed significantly towards
building excellence in teaching and learning through enhancement of quality
assurance cells and revamping of undergraduate curriculum. <span> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span>To ensure the efficiency and transparency in the public sector
universities and affiliated colleges, a major component of project focuses on
the use of Information Technology (IT governance) in higher education sector. HEDP
will implement new QA policy to monitor online education and provide latest
Learning Management solution to all participating institutions to facilitate
distance learning. Verification of degrees and other credentials is a worldwide
issue. HEDP is deploying latest Blockchain technology to address the challenges
of fake degrees and to smoothen the process of degree attestation /verification.
HEDP is deploying scalable world-class ERP, Student Lifecycle Solutions and expanding
the online research network. Interestingly, most of these initiatives have
already been kicked off and in the process of roll out. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;"><span>********************************</span></p> | 31-03-2021 08:21:31 | <img alt="" src="/english/PublishingImages/ThematicImages/HEC%20ICON-15.png" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/news/news/Pages/HEDP-PR.aspx |
| Universities in Cities with High Positivity Rate of Covid-19 Shall Remain Online until April 11, 2021 | Universities in Cities with High Positivity Rate of Covid-19 Shall Remain Online until April 11, 2021 | <p style="text-align:justify;">Islamabad, March 24, 2021: Following announcement by the Government for extension in closure of academic institutions in the selected cities due to recent upsurge in Covid-19 cases, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has clarified that all universities shall continue to operate as per guidelines issued earlier except for the educational institutions, which were earlier closed due to the high positivity rate. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">All such universities and higher education institutions shall remain closed for physical attendance until April 11, 2021. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">However, academic activities will continue online during this period. Moreover, on-going and pre-scheduled exams can be conducted as planned with complete observance of Covid-19 health and safety protocols. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Universities are advised to ensure strict observance of the Covid-19 minimum health and safety protocols i.e., thermal scanning, wearing facemasks, social distancing, availability and regular use of sanitizers and disinfection of buildings. In addition, Universities are advised to seek further guidance, if required from the Chair or the provincial/regional members of the Covid-19 Oversight Committee or email at <a href="mailto:mgbhatti@hec.gov.pk">mgbhatti@hec.gov.pk</a>.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">===============</p><p style="text-align:justify;"> </p> | 24-03-2021 20:19:14 | <img alt="" src="/english/PublishingImages/ThematicImages/HEC%20ICON-15.png" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/news/news/Pages/Universities-Remain-Online.aspx |
| Education Key to Promote Inclusivity in Multi-faith Societies: Executive Director HEC | Education Key to Promote Inclusivity in Multi-faith Societies: Executive Director HEC | <p style="text-align:justify;">Islamabad, March 20, 2021: Education is the key to ensure inclusivity, social cohesion, and peaceful coexistence in a multicultural society. This was stated by Executive Director Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan, Dr. Shaista Sohail while addressing the closing ceremony of a three-day series of webinars entitled, "Nurturing Peaceful, Respectful and Inclusive Societies in Pakistan: Seerat counters hate speech through decisive action," jointly organised by HEC and the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Twenty four speakers from three continents, i.e., Asia, America, and Europe, including representatives of minorities and youth, expressed their views in six different sessions on Seerat and Global Peace; Perspectives of Diverse Religious Communities of Pakistan; Global and Local Perspectives; Youth, and Concluding Recommendations for Manual. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">The webinars aimed at encouraging peaceful, inclusive, and empathetic communities in Pakistan through tools like active and continuous intersectional participations, dialogue, and collaboration. These events also aimed to contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG16 on building peaceful, inclusive and just societies. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Dr. Shaista Sohail underlined that the Seerat of the last Prophet, peace be upon him (PBUH), provides a clear precedent of peaceful coexistence among people from different religions, and cultures, ethnicities. She stressed that Islam encouraged the believers to be kind, considerate and empathetic across the board and regardless of people's creeds, beliefs, colour and identity. She said that Pakistan was continuously moving towards the goal of attaining a society based on the pattern set by the last Prophet (PBUH). </p><p style="text-align:justify;">She hoped that the webinars would prove to be a stepping stone towards achieving the goal of giving an end to hate speech, violence, persecution, marginalizedation, and stigmatisation of specific groups. The manual of the webinars, being prepared on the basis of the thoughts shared by speakers, will be a rich contribution to inspiring the youth to move towards a more tolerant society. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">She expressed a confidence that the future would witness the gaps and deficiencies in the way of mutual cohesion shrinking. "We have to ensure our children are encouraged to mix up with minorities, empathize with them like the last Prophet (PBUH) did, and be honest and truthful in their affairs."</p><p style="text-align:justify;">She assured the UN officials of HEC's full support in carrying out webinars and workshops on efforts to combat hate speech in the future. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">In her closing remarks, United Nations Special Adviser Dr. Alice Wairimu Nderitu emphasised building resilience against hate, online and offline, while upholding the role of youth in this regard. There is a need for promoting, among people, the skills of mediation and negotiation in case of differences and conflicts, she underlined. She hoped that the webinar discussions would contribute to achieving the SDGs. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">She said that the message of President Arif Alvi, who addressed the webinars opening ceremony on March 17, to opt for forgiveness in case of any confrontation was universally applicable and beneficial. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Secretary General of Religions for Peace Prof. Azza Karam acknowledged the role of religious institutions, including non-government organisations, and religious leaders in serving communities around the world. She informed the audience that Al-Azhar University and various other universities of the Islamic world were also collaborating with the Religions for Peace in promoting religious harmony. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">She urged the religious institutions and leaders, from across the world, to join hands for the cause of global religious harmony. She observed that the impact of work done by religious institutions and leaders was limited, yet the significance of role needed by multicultural religious entities could not be underestimated. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">She noted that Pakistan was a home to different major religions of the world, including Sikhism, Buddhism, and Hinduism. Pakistan has a very important and strategic role, given the value and role of religious identities, in promoting interfaith harmony not only for the Muslims but also for the non-Muslims. She stated that instability in Pakistan meant instability across the region. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Prof. Karam highlighted the role of Pakistani youth in the Arms Down! Campaign for Shared Security, the drive to engage religious leaders and believers around the world to unleash the power of multi-religious cooperation through shared action. She stressed the need for continuity in the efforts for the common purpose of disarmament, especially mobilisation for nuclear disarmament. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief Dr. Shaheed said that Islam protected and preached respect for human rights. He emphasised engagement of people with multicultural identities to dispel wrong impressions about Islam in terms of human rights. He also underlined the initiatives happening globally for prevention of incitement and violence, including the Rabat Plan of Action. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">He also appreciated the role of Pakistan in addressing hate speech and contributing to the development of the UN human rights framework. He added that Pakistan made people free about their religions and promoted respect for diversity and pluralism. He said the Prophet of Islam provided a formula of mutual understanding and respect by involving non-Muslims in placement of the Blackstone in Kaaba. He also expressed concerns over the growing Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Dr. Edward Kessler, founder of Woolf Institute, Cambridge, UK, presented recommendations and successful examples of peace building tools. He shared with the audience how the Woolf Institute taught the Pedagogy of Dialogue. He said that the institute advised the students to begin with common ground, explore perception, engage in dialogue, and respect differences. "Living with diversity requires tolerance," he emphasised. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">He underlined that education was very important tool to live peacefully in diversity, as education transmitted and received values. He observed that arguments and conflicts were the result of distance, while education dealt with issues of belief, identity, values and practices. "We can converse and dialogue to bridge differences between two perspectives." He believed that armies defended a country and education defended civilizations. He said that the question was not to accommodate different beliefs, but it was to accommodate the potentially conflicting beliefs. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Political Affairs Officer at Office on Genocide Prevention Dr. Simona Cruciani said that embracing differences was much better than embracing violence and conflicts. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Former Project Director Seerat Chairs HEC Dr. Amineh Hoti said that Islam was a strong advocate of education for all, men and women. She emphasised the role of youth, education, and media in line with the philosophy of the last Prophet (PBUH) in promoting a peaceful multi-faith society. She said that the nations were judged by the way they treated their minorities, women, and youth. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">A session of the webinar assembled Pakistani youth from various backgrounds, including Rohananiyyih Nabilzadeh, Nadine Murtaza, Anjum Malik and Maliha Javed Khan. The young speakers shed light on different aspects of life amidst multiculturalism. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Nabilzadeh said that youth had a great potential and talent that needed to be channelised. She said that the youth must aspire for spiritual and intellectual growth. "Service to humanity is the service to God." She emphasised practical measures for attaining peace. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Nadine Murtaza dilated on her initiative of 'Schooling Pakistan' that was aimed at educating people by inculcating the importance of extensive study instead of sticking to textbooks. She said that children must be equipped with the right tools to address the challenges they might face. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Ms. Anjum Malik underscored the significance of countering hate speech through digital means. She said that hate speech affected every member of society at different levels and ways. She stressed formulation of an intersectional strategy to involve in interfaith dialogue for harmony. Youth must be made stakeholders for peace, she concluded.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Maliha Khan highlighted the role of technology in reaching out to wide audience to educate them. She appreciated the HEC's efforts, and the initiatives of various other entities to keep the continuity of learning intact in the COVID pandemic. She thought that the content taught at schools, colleges and universities played as a key message to advocate inclusivity. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">===============</p> | 24-03-2021 20:11:00 | <img alt="" src="/english/PublishingImages/ThematicImages/HEC%20ICON-15.png" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/news/news/Pages/HEC-UN-Webinars.aspx |
| President Says Expressions of Extremists Can’t be Used to Define any Nation | President Says Expressions of Extremists Can’t be Used to Define any Nation | <p style="text-align:justify;"><img src="/english/news/news/PublishingImages/Press-Release-Pictures/EEN.jpg" alt="" style="margin:5px;" /></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Islamabad, March 18, 2021: The expressions of extremists anywhere in the world must not be taken as a specimen or impression to define or understand a particular nation. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">This was stated by President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi while addressing the opening ceremony of a series of webinars entitled, "Nurturing Peaceful, Respectful and Inclusive Societies in Pakistan: <em>Seerat</em> counters hate speech through decisive action", being jointly organised by the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect (OSAPG) and the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">The introductory webinars will continue for three days to cover six sessions on topics like Seerat of the last Prophet Hadhrat Muhammad, peace be upon him (PBUH), minorities, and the role of youth in combating hate speech.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">The series of webinars aim at encouraging peaceful, inclusive, and empathetic communities in Pakistan through tools like active and continuous intersectional participations, dialogue, and collaboration. It is linked to the implementation of the Plan of Action for religious leaders and actors to prevent incitement to violence that could lead to atrocity crimes and the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech. It also aims to contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG16 on building peaceful, inclusive and just societies. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Dr. Alvi said it is incumbent on all of us to present the true principles of Islam that counter all kinds of religious, ethnic and gender hatred, marginalisation, discrimination, and inequality. He underlined that Islam establishes the fact that all the human beings are equal, and there is no point of discrimination among them except piety. He said that Arabs had a patriarchal society wherein slavery was common, yet the Last Prophet Hadhrat Muhammad (PBUH) encouraged people to break the chains of slavery. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">He maintained that the Last Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) taught and emphasised on forgiveness, putting compensation a secondary and vengeance a last resort in case of any confrontation. He said that the Last Prophet Hadhrat Muhammad (PBUH) laid emphasis on adopting a just approach in financial affairs to set up an economically just society. He mentioned that the father of the Pakistani nation, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, was also a staunch advocate of unity and peaceful coexistence. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">The President said that making Pakistan a model of the State of Madinah is the final goal, as envisioned by the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan. He underlined that lack of communication generates phobias among individuals, states, and nations, yet cooperative and peaceful discussions, as enshrined in the UN Charter, are the key to address these phobias. He stated that hate speech should have no standing in Pakistan. "We need to make sure that the laws isolating communities must be condemned." Highlighting the role of media, he stressed the need for judiciously handling the 'weapons of misinformation' and communicating to the world that Pakistan is a peaceful country, and the Muslims around the world are peaceful.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">In his remarks, Chairman HEC Tariq Banuri stressed the need for promoting education to give an end to hate speech, intolerance, and bigotry rising around the world. He said that the waves of extremism can be addressed by adopting the true teachings of the Holy Prophet. Mentioning the Prime Minister's vision about making Pakistan the State of Madinah, he quoted him as saying that: "If people know the true history of Islam, they would not only recognise it, but will also embrace it." </p><p style="text-align:justify;">The Chairman underlined that the teachings of Holy Prophet brought about a massive transformation in the society that led to subsequent measures like establishment of Baitul Hikmah, also known as the Grand Library of Baghdad. He shared with the participants that HEC introduced new programmes in the undergraduate education policy to bring together the true history and civilization of the Islamic society. The new policy is inclined towards promoting greater interaction and engagement between a teacher and a student on the pattern of Sufi episteme. He explained that this concept was based on the practice of the past, when students from all over the world would flock to the learned people, like Sufis.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Executive Director HEC Dr. Shaista Sohail highlighted the significance of the webinars on the teachings in the Seerat of the Last Prophet (PBUH) regarding hate speech, unsophisticated behaviors, words and gestures, and inconsiderate, selfish and unkind attitudes. She said that Islam gives due respect to the life and property of every human being, men and women alike, and it preached that the conflicts can be addressed by forging forgiveness and forbearance. The Victory of Makkah was a perfect precedent of forgiveness and tolerance, she affirmed. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">The Executive Director said that the Seerat disapproved of the behaviors inciting people to hatred for others. There is a strong need for adopting the manners and etiquettes, taught by the Last Prophet (PBUH), nationally and globally to ensure peace and interfaith harmony. She also mentioned different remarkable developments from the life of the Last Prophet (PBUH), like the Hilful Fudul (the Alliance of Excellence), the Mawakhat-e-Madinah (the brotherhood among the Muslims of Madinah), and the Treaty of Hudaybiyya as an example of the steps taken for peaceful coexistence. She said that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah also had the vision to promote peaceful coexistence and communal harmony, assuring the minorities of their rights. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">On this occasion, Ms. Alice Wairimu Nderitu, UN Special Adviser, UN, emphasised that the United Nations was committed to using education as a tool to counter hate speech. "Education highlights difference between good and bad, right and wrong, and true and false." She said that promotion of quality education and establishment of peace, justice and strong institutions were among the UNDP's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). None of the SDGs to establish inclusive and resilient societies by 2030 can be achieved without promotion of education, she affirmed. She also acknowledged the world's accumulative response to COVID-19. She said that the past decade witnessed an increase in access to education, however there was still a lot to be done in this direction. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">She appreciated the Government of Pakistan for its commitment to achieve the goal of ensuring free and compulsory education for all, as per the Constitution of Pakistan. She observed that the governments around the world had a strong role in combating the increased exclusion and stigmatisation of communities and groups, especially on the social media platforms. She emphasised that the majority and the minority need to join hands to wipe out hate speech and fulfil the responsibility to protect the marginalised segments of societies. She also highlighted the role of Pakistani youth in elimination of discrimination by capitalising education. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Dr. Asad Zaman, former Vice Chancellor Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Dr. Ayesha Rafique, faculty member of Fatima Jinnah Women University, and Dr. Aayesha Leghari, author of <em>Creativity</em>, also spoke on the occasion, while Dr. Amineh Hoti, former Project Director for Seerat Chairs, HEC, and Dr. Simona Cruciani, Political Affairs Officer at the UN Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect moderated the first day webinars. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">The UN and the HEC aim to follow these webinars in a few months with another set of sessions giving more time to speakers in order to allow supportive in-depth impact.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">===============</p> | 18-03-2021 18:02:40 | <img alt="" src="/english/PublishingImages/ThematicImages/HEC%20ICON-15.png" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/news/news/Pages/EEN.aspx |