Forman’s ongoing partnership with Oslo Metropolitan University in Norway focused on “Peace Journalism” continues to grow from strength to strength. In November, that partnership included a two-day conference to which journalists and journalism professors from each of Pakistan’s four provinces were invited. As Dr. Altaf Ullah Khan who plays a key role in this initiative in coordination with Forman’s Department of Mass Communication commented afterward, the event served as “a testament to the power of collaborative learning and the shared commitment of promoting peace through journalism.”
A special word of appreciation to Assistant Professor of Management Maryyam Khan for bringing Shark Tank Pakistan to Forman, providing an opportunity for serious discussions on entrepreneurship, financing, and other key business topics while also further strengthening ties to Pakistan’s business community. A number of other leading universities competed with Forman to conduct this event, making me especially proud that Forman was given the opportunity to host it.
Forman’s Management School organized a workshop on Systematic Literature Review for Management and Social Sciences. Designed to strengthen the research capacity of our faculty, the event provided hands-on experience in systematic literature review techniques and featured Dr. Waris Ali, who has written more than thirty research papers and has advanced degrees from Middlesex University (UK) and the University of Waterloo (Canada).
A special note of appreciation to Syed Jaffer Gardezi in Forman’s Education Department for his role in launching impactful community service projects for our Education students. This initiative involves underserved communities and focuses on health, hygiene, and environmental conservation while also emphasizing the importance of education. Activities include interactive workshops, providing a dynamic learning environment aimed at fostering both curiosity and engagement among children.
In addition, Forman’s Education Department partnered with Beaconhouse to form an Evaluation Committee for fifth and sixth-grade STEAM projects. Led by Forman’s Ammar Husnain Khan, our Education Department enlisted four senior students with STEM expertise to work with younger students to address global issues, with a particular emphasis on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
While many previously scheduled campus activities were impacted by the toxic smog hanging over Lahore in November, several programs successfully transitioned to an online format. Among these was the seminar on Sustainable Fashion and Resource Efficiency in the Textile Sector hosted by Forman’s Environmental Sciences Department. This event featured speakers Saqib Shahzad (Head of Sustainability at Sapphire-Diamond Fabrics) and Ms. Iqra Inam (Head of Sustainability at Sapphire Textile Mills, Ltd.), who discussed aligning their organizations with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They also highlighted the evolving role of Pakistan’s textile industry in advancing environmental sustainability and achieving net-zero emissions.
Similarly, the seminar on Safeguarding the Future: Advances in Infection Control and Disease Prevention, organized by the Kauser Abdulla Malik School of Life Sciences, the Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC), and the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD)/Pakistan Chapter, with support from UNESCO, also shifted online. This ensured the event’s substance proceeded as planned, providing participants with valuable insights into innovations in infectious disease prevention and control.
Looking ahead, I am delighted that Forman will host the first day of the much-anticipated three-day conference on Christianity and Christians in Pakistan: History, Identity, and Social Role, starting on December 10. The subsequent two days will be held at Information Technology University (ITU). Dr. Yaqoob Bangash, a former Forman faculty member now teaching at ITU, has been instrumental in organizing this event in collaboration with Forman’s Department of Religious Studies.
Additionally, I am pleased to announce that Forman will host the Fourth International Conference on Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences in late January 2025. Abstracts and poster presentations are invited on various topics, including Nanomaterials, Polymer Chemistry, Pharmaceuticals, Food Chemistry, “Green” Chemistry, and Natural Products. Those interested in participating can contact kashifmasih@fccollege.edu.pk for further details.
This is from the monthly Rector’s Update.
