By Asim Shahzad
LAHORE: In collaboration with Punjab Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Center for Peace and Secular Studies, Second Vice Chancellors Civic Education Conference was organised in a local hotel in which 30 Vice Chancellors of different universities of Punjab participated.
Chairman Dr. Shahid Munir presented the welcome speech and explained the aims and objectives of the conference.
He said that he would recommend making the issuance of degrees for male and female students subject to social field work.
In order to make universities peaceful, grouping on provincial, regional and communal basis will be discouraged.
Sports culture will be promoted in universities. Seminars will be organized on the topics of constitution, law and human rights.
Interfaith dialogue will be encouraged. Common values of religions will be promoted for mutual tolerance.
Minority students will be provided with a safe and peaceful environment. A zero-tolerance policy will be adopted regarding drugs and harassment.
It is also recommended to establish a large number of student societies in universities to encourage dialogue and debate on social, welfare and political issues among the youth.
He also recommended to create equal opportunities for education and employment by making the villages “counties”.
He also recommended that the government should give a map to do this. He said that civil sciences will be encouraged in the context of global citizenship.
An ideal environment will be created in the universities for the promotion of freedom of thought, equality and brotherhood.
It is also recommended to create a “civic education network” in collaboration with civil society organizations in the universities.
A strategy to develop a social system will be adopted.
Universities will conduct an awareness campaign among students to prevent the increase in pollution in the context of global warming and climate change.
Islamic teachings will be highlighted to ensure the protection of social ethics and human self-respect.
Those elements who undermine the sanctity and dignity of universities through false and baseless news will be discouraged.
It is also recommended to make the media bound by the journalistic code of conduct and strict disciplinary action against the violators.
The awareness of respect for the dear Islam, the state of Pakistan and its institutions will be raised.
Dr. Nizam was among the speakers on the first day of the conference.
Uddin, former chairman of PHEC, Dr. Rukhsana David, Dr. Rukhsana Zia, Yasir Pirzada, Dr. Yakub Bangash, Miss Bela Raza, Miss Saeeda Deep were included.