LAHORE: Punjab Higher Education Commission Chairman Prof Dr Nizamuddin says scientific research on social issues can help resolve social problems and prevent the incidence of child abuse.

He was addressing a meeting of departmental heads of Punjab University (PU) at Al Raazi Hall here on Monday.

The participants discussed the role of academia in creating awareness about child abuse.

PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zakria Zakir, deans of various faculties and heads of departments were present on the occasion.

He said they must do research on socio-cultural issues using scientific method in an objective way for better understanding of human rights.He said the concept of human rights had actually come from the speech of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) on the occasion of “Hujjatulwida”, and not from the West.

He said there was a need to understand family values and provide training to parents, teachers and students in order to cope with such incidents.

Dr Nizam said there was also a need to define extremism and “we must point out reasons behind it and PHEC would provide funding for such research projects.”

PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zakria Zakir said Kasur-like incidents were happening across the world and PU would conduct multi-disciplinary research on this issue “since it is a matter of our survival.”Later, various heads of departments presented their proposals to resolve such issues.

Published in Dawn, January 16th, 2018