Collaborative Efforts for Strengthening Social Sciences in Pakistan Inter University Consortium & AIPS Agree To Sign MOU
Gujrat: The Inter University Consortium for Promotion of Social Sciences, Arts & Humanities Pakistan IUCPSS, Pakistan‘s first ever inter university alliance formed by 9 leading higher education institutions HEIs, and the American Institute of Pakistan Studies (AIPS) Islamabad agree to extend cooperation and undertake collaborative efforts for promotion of Social Sciences, Arts & Humanities and Business Education in Pakistan. In this regard, MOU will be singed tomorrow (Friday 24th August 2012) at University of Gujrat. The purpose of this cooperative agreement includes: promotion of cooperation between Pakistani universities and US academia, focus on improving the state of social sciences and humanities related disciplines in Pakistan by enhancing collaborative research and scholarship and sharing information and use of resources more efficiently and effectively in order to provide increased services to Pakistani universities and social science research community at US and Pakistani academic institutions.
According to the details, though this agreement, the AIPS in collaboration with HEC and IUCPSS will organize doctoral dissertation writing workshops in for Pakistani students. The AIPS will support and facilitate the mission of IUCPSS to form a National Social Science Research Council in Pakistan and will assist IUCPSS with the process and programming of it.
The AIPS will use its US institutional membership (consortium of 32 affiliated universities) to encourage and motivate junior and senior research scholars and faculty members to conduct academic research in affiliation with IUCPSS. The AIPS and IUCPSS also agree to co-organize series of academic talks and seminars at selected IUCPSS member campuses. The AIPS will encourage and facilitate academic partnerships between consortia-member universities of AIPS-US and IUCPSS—Pakistan including faculty exchange, student exchange, split degree and research, video conferencing and joint certificate/diploma programs. Both parties agree to appoint Mr. Murtaza Noor as IUCPSS focal person for facilitation and coordination among IUCPSS member institutions and AIPS.Under facilitation of HEC, IUCPSS has been formed by nine renowned and prestigious higher educational institutions of Pakistan including Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad. University of Gujrat, Government College University Faisalabad, Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur, University of Baluchistan Quetta, Institute of Management Sciences Peshawar, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur and COMSATS Institute of Information Technology Abbottabad.
One of main functions of the consortium includes establishing linkages with national and international organizations for improving social sciences, arts and humanities and research activities in Pakistan. The consortium is also working for preservation of local culture/history, social values, regional art and promotion of tourism.
