A Newsletter of the Institute of Social Work, Sociology and Gender Studies (ISSG), University of Peshawar
Patron : Prof. Dr. Johar Ali
Chief Editor : Prof. Dr. Niaz Muhammad
ISSUE 1
2012
Contents Inauguration of the State of the Art Computer Lab at ISSG Ilm-Possible Walk by ISSG students Mehfil-e-Meelad and Na'at Competition Consultative Meeting on Field Work Workshop on Drug Demand Reduction Welcome/Farewell Parties at ISSG And much more
State of the Art Computer Lab Established at ISSG -Institute News
A state of the art computer lab with twenty nine systems was established for the M.Phil and Ph.D research scholars at the I n s t i t u t e o f S o c i a l Wo r k , Sociology and Gender Studies, University of Peshawar. The lab, established at an estimated cost of 2.2 million rupees , would benefit more than one hundred M. Phil and Ph.D research scholars of the institute. The Computer lab was formally inaugurated by the Acting Vice Chancellor of University of Peshawar, Prof. Dr. Qibla Ayaz. The Director ISSG, Prof. Dr. Johar Ali, while briefing to the chief guest, said that internet facility with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was made available in the computer lab, which enabled the students to get access to any book for their study Institute of Social Work, Sociology and Gender Studies, University of Peshawar
Ilm-Possible Walk -By Amir Alam
A walk was arranged by the Institute of Social Work, Sociology and Gender Studies, highlighting the importance of education. It was termed as Ilm-Possible Walk meaning Knowledge is Possible. This walk was funded by the British Council and supervised by Dr. Basharat Hussain, Assistant Professor of ISSG. The walk started from the Teachers Community C e n t e r ( P U TA H a l l ) . T h e participants of the walk were carrying play cards and banners chanted with slogans in support of education. Dr. Anwar Alam, Dr. Basharat Hussain and others highlighted the importance of education and stressed upon the participants to move ahead for making education popular in the country. The participants walked around various roads of the university and ended at the community center. At the end, Dr. Basharat Hussain paid a vote of thanks to all the participants of the walk.
or research article from different sources alongwith downloading option. To go with this, a computer lab has already been made functional for the visually impaired students of the University at the institute, which would get five additional computers very soon , he added. The Chief Guest, Prof. Dr. Qibla Ayaz, stressed upon the teachers to train and direct the students for maximum use of computers in order to cultivate knowledge in them.
Computer Lab for Visually Impaired Persons -Institute Report
The University of Peshawar has established a computer lab for the visually impaired persons at the Institute of Social Work, Sociology and Gender Studies. The laboratory is fully equipped with the latest devices to meet the needs of the visually impaired students studying at various departments of the University of Peshawar. The Laboratory was inaugurated by ex-Vice Chancellor of University of Peshawar, Prof. Dr. Azmat Hayat Khan. Director, ISSG, Prof. Dr. Johar Ali and President PUTA Jamil Ahmed, were amongst others present on the occasion. Addressing the students, the Vice Chancellor urged that people with physical challenges should not be called as disabled. In fact, they are bestowed with the additional abilities that normal individuals don't possess. We are trying to convert their weakness into strength so that they could see what others cannot, and this computer laboratory is one of the steps towards achieving the objective, he added. The chief guest said that the University is planning to make this computer lab into a research centre for the visually impaired students. Besides, the University is on its way to increase their quota in admissions; and seriously thinking to solve their maximum problems. The Vice Chancellor announced provision of four additional computers for the lab as well. The Director ISSG, Prof. Dr. Johar Ali, added that the number of visually impaired persons in Pakistan is around 4.5 million and it is our responsibility to address their problems in order to ensure making them normal citizens. He added that visually impaired persons could contribute a lot to the society if got opportunities and necessary facilities.
Consultative Meeting -Institute Report Field work is an essential part of the master programmes of Social Work and sociology. Through field work, students are familiarized with practical knowledge. The disciplines of Sociology and Social Work have the potency to provide the public & private sector organizations with trained manpower to serve the society. To ensure concerted efforts with the collaboration of civil society, the Institute arranged a Consultative meeting in the premise of the ISSG. Representatives from the esteemed Public and Private organizations participated in the meeting. Numerous problems were identified in the meeting and workable solutions were also discussed. The meeting concluded that there should be an orientation workshop for the newly-introduced social services providing organizations to make their performance efficient ; consultative meeting needs to be held regularly on quarterly basis; and the Institute and civil society organizations should promote the passion of joint activity to redress the social problems/issues.
Mehfil-e-Meelad -ISSG News A grand function of Mehfil-e-Meelad and Naat Competition was arranged in the Institute of Social Work, Sociology, and Gender Studies, University of Peshawar. The honourable Vice Chancellor, University of Peshawar, Prof. Dr. Qibla Ayaz and Member Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ms. Meher Bano, were the Chief guests. The programme organizers included Mr. Waqar Khattak, Mr. Hasham Khattak, Mr. Abdul Qahhar, Mr. Sanaullah, Ms. Irum
Farid, Ms. Sidra Inayat, Ms. Faryal Durrani, Ms. Hina Nosh, and Mr. Naeem Shinwari. The programme started with recitation from the Holy Qur'an. The honourable Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Qibla Ayaz, addressed the gathering and applauded the organizers for holding such a programme in the honour of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). He said that the emergence of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the greatest blessing upon human beings. The Director ISSG, Prof. Dr. Johar Ali, also addressed on the occasion. He lauded the students for organizing such a spiritual
programme. More than 20 competitors took part in the Naat Competition. The Naat recitors were from different departments of the University of Peshawar, including Social Work, Sociology, Gender Studies, Arabic, History, Philosophy, Islamiat, Law, and others. The first prize of the competition was bagged by Ms. Zobia of the Department of History.
Institute of Social Work, Sociology and Gender Studies, University of Peshawar
Workshop Drug Demand Reduction: -Institute Report A One Day Workshop was arranged at the Institute of Social Work, Sociology and Gender Studies, University of Peshawar, with the help of Flash NGO and Anti Narcotic Force. Dr. Anwar Alam was the person in-charge of the session. The Director ISSG, Prof. Dr. Johar Ali, addressed the session and enlightened the students on the importance of academic contribution in combating the menace of drug a b u s e i n t h e c o u n t r y. H e acknowledged the role of collaboration of Academia & Civil Society in this regard. A veteran professor of Chemistry Department, Prof. Dr. Nasir, delivered an introductory lecture on drugs and related concepts which inspired the participants. He pin pointed the negative bearings of drugs and emphasized on the participants to inculcate awareness among the masses about the adverse effects of drugs. Beside other things, the most interesting and amazing thing was a skit presented by the Social Work Students. The actors of the skit included Mr. Waqar Khan, Mr. Sanaullah, Ms. Sidra Anayat, Mr. Riaz Afridi, Ms. Irum Farid, Mr. Izhar Amin, Mr. Hisham Khattak, Mr. Khuddam Afridi and others
Seminars Child Protection, Child Labour, Juvenile Justice: -By Fakhr-e-Alam Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC), Peshawar, conducted a series of six seminars on the child related issues at the Institute of Social Work, Sociology and Gender Studies. The topics of seminars included child protection, child labour, child abuse, juvenile justice and street children. The key speakers of the seminars slashed at the miserable situation of the children in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. They apprised the students and other participants of vulnerability of children. The speakers also explained various initiatives taken by SPARC for protecting the rights of the child. Mr. Jahanzeb highlighted the structure of SPARC in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and added that SPARC has established Drop-in-Centers (DICs) in different cities of Pakistan. The cases of children are initially reported to DICs and then referred to the regional offices of SPARC for further action. The speakers also shared some case studies in terms of methodologies and strategies conducted by SPARC. Some critical questions were raised by the students regarding the performance of NGOs on child issues. One participant raised the question that despite of hectic efforts by SPARC, Child Protection Commission of Khyber Pakhtunkwha and other bodies related to the child protection, the children are still begging, picking food from garbage, working in fruit markets and grocery markets, and even in hotels and restaurants. The speaker answered effectively by saying that every organization is working to its level best, but none of the issues can be eliminated from roots immediately. In response to another query, the speaker pointed at the distinctive approach of SPARC, regarding its follow-up mechanism on every issue.
Appointments/Responsibilities -Institute Report
Prof. Dr. Niaz Muhammad was assigned extra responsibilities as Convener of Research Committee and Students Affairs Committee of ISSG. Mr. Faiq Sajjad and Ms. Sumera Farid of Social Work, and Ms. Ayesha Khurshid of Gender Studies were appointed as permanent lecturers in ISSG. Ms. Ayesha Khurshid of Gender Studies was given an additional task of Attendance Coordinator. Mr. Muhammad Ibrar and Mr. Abdul Hameed were appointed as Coordinators of BS for Social Work and Sociology respectively. Prof. Dr. Rashid Khan and Dr. Anwar Alam of Sociology were made the Controller of Examinations and the Chief Proctor of Peshawar University respectively. Mr. Shakeel Ahmad, Assistant Professor of Social Work, was assigned the responsibility as Coordinator of Social Work. Institute of Social Work, Sociology and Gender Studies, University of Peshawar
-Institute Report and Social Work. They moved to the libraries and seminar rooms of the departments they visited. Students showed their great interest in books and also exchanged information regarding the academia of both universities, with professors and students. Giving post-tour impression, a student commented that it was a nice experience for students as they gained a lot from the study tour.
Welcome / Farewell Party
-By Imran Ahmad Sajid A grand Welcome/Farewell Party of students of Social Work and Sociology was held in the honour of new and outgoing students at Aga Khan Auditorium, University of Peshawar. Students from M.A. Previous, Final, and Super Final year participated in it. The funny modeling was one of the most amazing scenes of this party. The models included an old man, a fat man with Michael Jacksons cap, a groom with Punjabi Dhoti (a piece of cloth to cover the body), a baby with feeder and balloon, and a crippled man.
The ISSG is determined to facilitate students in curricular as well as extra curricular activities. Many excursion trips and study tours were arranged for the students of three disciplines to Islamabad and Lahore. They were accompanied by the senior faculty member of the Institute. They visited entertainment places and historical monuments like Shahi Qilla, Badshahi Masjid, Minar-e-Pakistan, Shalimar Bagh, Wahga Border and Lahore Museum. In Lahore, the students visited various academic departments of the Punjab University, including Gender Studies, Center of Social and Cultural Studies,
Looking for Tomorrow
The discipline of Criminology is planned to be started shortly under the umbrella of ISSG. The Academic Council of Peshawar University in its meeting held on 5th June, 2012 has accorded its approval for the same. It may be recalled that Criminology was a high demand of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in view of the escalating tension in the region. Work on the scheme of study in M.A Criminology is in progress. Diploma and Certificate p r o g r ammes in P o p u latio n Studies, Community Development and other market-oriented disciplines are also under consideration. The institute intends to initiate an international caliber research journal titled, Society and Development, in near future. It will be a quality journal and utmost efforts will be made to bring it to the mainstream of HEC approved journals in a short span of time. The ISSG has started work on publishing a students' magazine on annual basis under the name of Social World. It will be in three languages: English, Urdu and Pashto. The first issue will be published very soon.
Institute of Social Work, Sociology and Gender Studies, University of Peshawar
