LAHORE: Participants in vice chancellors conference were of the view that civic education is the cornerstone of responsible citizenship and universities should play a pivotal role in shaping informed and engaged citizens.

The second vice chancellors conference on civic education aimed to elevate civic education and active citizenship within higher education institutions.

Dr Yaqub Bangish said universities should explicitly include civic education and active citizenship in their mission and purpose. Parents, alumni, and university stakeholders must engage in ongoing discussions about civic education. Universities should proactively address civic issues within their campuses. Civic engagement should be a graduation requirement. Students must actively participate in activities that foster civic responsibility.

Gradually, universities will revise their curricula to incorporate elements of civic education across disciplines. Universities will organize both credit and non-credit classes related to civic education to empower students to understand their roles as responsible citizens.

A dedicated hour each week will be allocated for speakers to address civic importance, and student societies will play a pivotal role in promoting civic engagement.

Speakers included Secretary Special Education Saima Saeed, Munza Hashmi, Peter Jacob, Dr Zafar Iqbal Qureshi, Prof Dr Shahryar Sadar, Suriya Anwar, Dr Taimur, and Dr Bangash. The event also saw active participation from Saeeda Deep, Dr Mansoor Baloch and Dr Asif Munir.

Earlier, PHEC Chairperson Prof Dr Shahid Munir and Sindh HEC Chairperson Dr Tariq Rafi signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) to work for the promotion of higher education and bilateral cooperation for good governance and management of institutions, increase the quality of institutions, and create linkages between institutions and industries.

Under the MoU, the provincial higher education commissions will support research and development in public and private higher education institutions of both provinces.

The commissions would ensure good governance and management of higher education institutions and maintain high standards, conduct training workshops for teachers in both provinces and would try to increase the quality of colleges and higher education institutions.

Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2024