PESHAWAR: Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University (SBBWU), Peshawar, hosted an open house dialogue on the role of universities in promoting education.

It was organised under the patronage of think tank -- Forum for Inuit, Knowledge and Review (FIKR) -- a flagship project of Pakistan Development Foundation (PDF).

The event featured prominent speakers, including Member Shariah Appellate Bench, Supreme Court of Pakistan, Justice Dr Qibla Ayaz, Vice-Chancellor SBBWU Prof Safia Ahmed, chairman PDF Mohammad Bilal Sethi, and director students’ affairs SBBWU Prof Farhat Humayun, faculty and students of the varsity, according to a statement issued here on Monday.

The dialogue highlighted the crucial role universities play in Pakistan’s development, despite limited resources.

The discussion emphasised the need for universities to showcase their contributions and for faculty members to emerge as public scholars, undertaking productive research and engaging in public forums to promote their institutions.

The event aimed at providing a platform for students, faculty and stakeholders to discuss the significance of universities in promoting education and development in Pakistan.

The participants regretted that powerful circles and those at the helm of affairs claimed that universities were not playing any role, but despite lack of resources, universities were serving the nation in an unparalleled way.

On the occasion, Dr Qibla Ayaz said if universities and faculty wanted to prove their worth and convince people about their role, they must emerge as public scholars.

“Faculty should increase the trend of productive research and gain public opinion through their expertise. When faculty have public opinion, they will be heard.

They should participate in public forums and present the case for universities,” he said.

Safia Ahmed said that the lack of resources was a major problem for universities, but despite this, they were continuing to serve the people. She said that the most important people for a university were its students, faculty, and staff.

PDF chairman Mohammad Bilal Sethi said that universities and faculty had not been able to present their case with strength, which was why their services were not being acknowledged.

“The purpose of the think tank, FIKR, is to provide a platform to the people to highlight their services and good.”

Published in Dawn, March 18th, 2025