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HEC continues to neglect social sciences
Karachi, Aug 30: Last week, The University of Karachi (KU) witnessed the demise of
its only Professor Emeritus, Dr Riazul Islam, a renowned historian known for his
scholarly endeavours. The University of Karachi, being the largest learning
centre of the city, lost a dedicated researcher. At present, KU is left with
only a few faculty members who have outstanding and well-accredited distinctions
in research and teaching.
For the development of a civilised and
educated society, input is required from the various fields related to
humanities and social sciences. However, the faculty of Arts in KU has been
virtually devoid of any serving professor and research associate of national
and/or international standing.
Although numerous universities have gone
through transformation in the eight-year-old, Musharraf-led regime, the desired
advancement in the fields of arts, humanities and social sciences have yet to
take place.
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) is the controlling
authority of public-sector universities and takes care of their funding. This
commission has been widely criticised for its policies that are tilted towards
the promotion of natural and physical sciences, among other fields of study. Its
approach towards social sciences is less than satisfactory. The virtual brain
drain in this regard is one consequence of the discriminatory and biased
policies of the HEC, for which its Chairman, Professor Dr Atta-ur-Rahman, often
comes under heavy criticism.
It is no wonder then that in this context
the UK-based newspaper, The Guardian, in its Internet edition of August 24
carried a special report substantiating the theory that the massacre of Indians
by their British occupiers during the 1857 War of Independence is similar to the
holocaust. The report quoted a Mumbai-based writer and historian's - Amaresh
Misra - arguments that ́there was an untold holocaust which caused the deaths of
almost 10 million people in the span of 10 years, beginning in 1857. Britain was
then the world's superpower but came perilously close to losing its most prized
possession; India."
It is interesting to note that a newspaper of the
very country, which is blamed for war crimes in the Indian subcontinent during
the 19th century, is launching an investigation and giving credence to this
theory. An academic research of this nature should have been launched by
Pakistani scholars. However, thanks to their standing with respect to research,
they aren't academically sound enough to undertake such pursuits. It is these
very scholars who are often found complaining about the lack of encouragement
and motivation for their work.
I remember Dr Islam's virtual cellar-like
research institute of history during my years at KU. It is hard to believe that
this research institute, judging by its condition, was the academic seat of the
late professor. Those who are associated with KU are well aware that unlike the
institute of history, some of the other research institutes of the university
are grand and well-equipped.
In a previous column, I also mentioned the
uninterrupted alternative power supply arrangements for the HEJ Institute in KU,
while the other faculties suffered a prolonged and massive power breakdown
during the rains. The News
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| Do you think more is needed from HEC?. Post your Comments/ Views. |
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| Education News | | Updated: 22 May, 2012 |
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