LAHORE: Participants in a seminar on strengthening student societies in universities said the basic aim of establishing societies on campuses was to promote cultural, religious and ethnic harmony.

The seminar was held at the University of Education’s Bank Road Campus on Tuesday.

University of Education Vice Chancellor Dr Rauf-i-Azam said student societies could promote cultural, religious and ethnic harmony. He said extracurricular activities should be encouraged in the educational institutions for promoting peaceful coexistence.

He said they should provide opportunities to the students that they could demonstrate their innovations.

Dr Rauf lamented extremism and intolerance in society and said they could curb the menace of extremism by promoting literature, music, arts and games in the educational institutions.

He appreciated the efforts of Students Affairs Director Dr Umer Saleem in establishing and strengthening the societies at various universities in Punjab.

Punjab Higher Education Commission chairperson Dr Nizamuddin said the recently established student societies in universities of the province were playing a vital role in promotion of peace and harmony in society.

The organisers also distributed music instruments among the students of universities including the University of Education, the Punjab University, the BZU, the Islamia University Bahawalpur, and Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University.

Published in Dawn, April 25th, 2018