OKARA: In recognition of German artist and academician Prof Dr Senta Siller’s services for women empowerment, gender mainstreaming and female entrepreneurship, a seminar was organised by the Directorate of External Linkages and Directorate of Public Relations at the University of Okara on Saturday.

Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Sajjad Mubin and some members of Okara’s civil society paid tribute in recognition of Dr Siller services who is currently visiting Pakistan along with her spouse Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch.

A large number of faculty members and students from the weekend programme participated in the event.

Speaking at the eve, the VC praised Siller’s lifelong services for teaching entrepreneurship skills to the Pakistani women, especially in a small village called Thatta Ghulamka Diroka, situated 30km away from the main city. He said education was the best investment for social and economic development of the society.

Prof Mubin announced to name the under-construction girls hostel at the campus after Dr Siller.

Amjad Ali, a correspondent of German broadcasting service and an academician, briefed about the project “Thatta Kedona”, initiated by Dr Siller in 1990s. He told how the project had empowered thousands of village women and changed the socio-economic dynamics of the village and its peripherals.

Dr Siller, in her keynote address, explained factors that led to her motivation of investing her energies for the project and her husband Dr Pintsch narrated her journey.

Senior citizen and intellectual Aslam Tahirul Qadri and Chaudhry Maqsood Ahmed Jutt also addressed the event moderated by the UO Press, Media & Publications deputy director Sharjeel Ahmed.

Published in Dawn, April 5th, 2026