SWAT: Speakers at a seminar here on Saturday encouraged the girls enrolled in BS programmes to conduct scientific research for biodiversity conservation.
The first Women’s Research Seminar, 2026, organised by the Sheen Alpine Association at the Post Graduate Girls Degree College, Saidu Sharif, brought together many female students from various departments of the college.
The speakers included Namra Ahmad, a master’s researcher at Central South University, Changsha, China, and PhD student at Hefei University of Science and Technology, China, and Maria, chairperson of the Sheen Alpine Association.
The seminar focused on “Scientific Research for Sustainable Mountain Development & Biodiversity Conservation”, with discussions covering research and scientific thinking, research methodology, sustainable mountain development, alpine biodiversity conservation, medicinal plant research, environmental challenges, scientific solutions, research careers for young women and national and international research opportunities.
Addressing the gathering, Rehana Irfan, principal of the Post Graduate Girls Degree College Saidu Sharif, appreciated the initiative and said that choosing mountaineering, climate-change studies, rock climbing and glacier climbing as areas of interest was a unique and admirable step for the young women of Swat.
She said the present era was driven by data, knowledge, artificial intelligence and computing, and urged students to acquire meaningful, practical and applicable knowledge. She encouraged them to think beyond conventional academic fields and work on innovative ideas that could contribute to society and their professional careers.
Namra Ahmad, a trainer from SAS talked about the importance of scientific research and encouraged the students to develop research-oriented thinking and methodological skills. She highlighted the need for young women to participate in scientific and environmental research, particularly in mountain regions facing growing ecological challenges.
Maria, chairperson of the Sheen Alpine Association, introduced the organisation and explained its aims and objectives. She said SAS was the first women’s association of its kind in Swat, working to encourage women’s participation in mountaineering and related environmental and scientific activities.
She also highlighted the association’s links with the international mountaineering and environmental movement Mountain Wilderness International, and referred to veteran mountaineer Carlo Alberto Pinelli, a recipient of Pakistan’s Sitara-i-Imtiaz award, who founded a mountaineering movement that has made environmental protection a central mission.
The speakers stressed that mountain regions such as Swat offered enormous opportunities for research in climate change, glaciers, biodiversity, medicinal plants and sustainable development, and called upon young women to take advantage of national and international opportunities in these fields.
They called for empowerment of young women through research, scientific education, environmental awareness and professional opportunities and encouraged them to play a greater role in the sustainable development and conservation of the region’s fragile mountain ecosystem.
Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2026