Scientists’ conference adopts recommendations for social reformation

Islamabad
At the two-day conference on ‘Social Sciences in 21st Century,’ social scientists from all over the country adopted a number of recommendations for social reformation of society through innovative and applied research.
At the concluding session held here on Thursday, the recommendations were formally adopted. The first-ever conference on social sciences was arranged by the Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) to strengthen the role of academia in solution of multiple socio-economic problems faced by the country.
AIOU Vice Chancellor Dr. Shahid Siddiqui, Quaid-i-Azam University Vice Chancellor Dr. Javed Ashraf, and Bhauddin Zakaria University, Multan, Vice Chancellor Dr. Amin Tahir besides consultant of HEC Dr. Mahmood-ul-Hassan Butt and Chairman of Council of Social Sciences Dr. Zarina Salamat addressed the concluding session.
The participants underlined the need of theoretical development in the field social sciences. They called for laying greater focus on reviewing theories. Interpretative methodologies should also be considered along with the statistical models. Social scientists need awareness of global trends. All disciplines in social sciences are equally important and should be recognised at par with other disciplines, they added.
Dr. Shahid Siddiqui in his concluding remarks called for linking the research with the humanity and the society as a whole. He also underlined the need of qualitative paradigm of research in development of social sciences. Socio-sector development is most important area for the overall progress of the society, which could be well achieved through freedom of expression, thoughts and choice, he added.
The AIOU, he said has the pride of working vigorously for qualitative improvement in term of skill, knowledge and behavior in its educational pursuits.
Dr. Shahid Siddiqui called for exploring new avenues and alternatives for addressing social problems through relevant research-based

activities. The research, he said should be indigenous and local in nature for development of healthy society at gross-root level. He also highlighted the initiatives taken by the AIOU during the last one year for promoting research-based study relevant to the society in academic programs.
The recommendations presented by the conference’s coordinator Dr. Amir Shah further said that the social sciences must focus on disseminating inter-regional, cultural, economic and social information for the learners to promote national integration.
Without understanding the human-mind, it is not possible to comprehend the present challenges. The beauty of social science development is that it turns human-beings into a community.
Dean of Department of Social Sciences Dr. Syed Abdul Siraj said more than 70 research papers were presented during the two-day deliberations of the conference. The participants deliberated upon emerging trends in social sciences and developing institutional capacity for promoting Social sciences.