Social scientists pledge to evolve alternate solution of contemporary problems

Islamabad
Social scientists and senior academicians at a national conference held here on Wednesday pledged to work out a viable alternate solutions of the contemporary indigenous social issues through research-based innovations.
The two-day conference, organised by Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) was inaugurated by Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, who assured his support in undertaking research-based study which helps to have a better life, particularly for those who live in less-developed regions and are deprived of basic necessities.
The first-ever conference on social sciences is an attempt on the part the university to provide an opportunity to researchers and social scientists to come up with viable alternate solution to the present-day social problems. The scientists through their practical recommendations could help the government and the policy-makers to improve the living-conditions of the people, said AIOU Vice-Chancellor Dr. Shahid Siddiqui in his address of welcome.
He underlined the need for adopting holistic approach in thrashing out social problems and coming up with their proper solution through their relevant research findings. “We need to work hard to serve the society through academic work and research-based activities,” he asserted.
Bahuddin Zakriya University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Tahir Amin in his keynote address analysed various factors and lacunas which hindered development of social sciences. He hoped the academia will meet the present-day challenges through applied and meaningful research. He appreciated the AIOU for holding the event in a befitting manner.
Dr. Shahid Siddiqui further said that AIOU has adopted an aggressive approach in promoting innovative ideas particularly in the field of social sciences. In the recent year, they focused a lot on research by undertaking various academic activities and offering a package of incentives to their academicians.
The number of

research journals produced by the university will be eight by the end of this year, besides holding international conferences on various topics to construct and create new knowledge, relevant to the society. “We are encouraging our students to develop mini-projects for addressing the multi-dimensional problems, while developing linkages between researchers and the industries in order to transfer their benefit to the society, he added.
The HEC chairman appreciated the efforts on the part of AIOU promoting innovative and research-based study in socio-economic sector. The HEC, he added, has doubled its budget for the research work. The social scientists were being provided scholarships and research grants to fulfil their national duties in academic pursuits.
He asserted that the research-findings must come up with real alternate solution of the problems like water-shortage. “Let work together for finding real happiness and progress by exploring new avenues of social development through academic programmes, he added.
The inaugural session was also addressed by the Dean Social Sciences Dr. Syed Abdul Siraj and Dr. Amir Shah who highlighted the objectives of the conference. In all there will be 16 working sessions during the conference in which social scientists from various part of the country will present research papers on new dimensions, challenges and perspectives of the social sciences in 21st century.