Zubair Qureshi
In order to promote human rights education among university students, the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) has signed a number of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with a number of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
The recent MoUs were signed with ShifaTameer-e-Millat University Islamabad and the Fatima Jinnah Women’s University (FJWU) , Rawalpindi. The collaboration underscores the shared commitment of both entities to empower individuals, foster a culture of respect, equality, and justice amongst students, and prevent human rights violations through education.
This also highlights the crucial role of education and awareness in the protection and promotion of human rights. “By engaging with universities and educational institutes, the NCHR aims to create a lasting impact, fostering a society that values and upholds the principles of human rights. We look forward to creating a more just and inclusive society through widespread human rights literacy,” said Chairperson NCHR RabiyaJaveri Agha.
She said that the NCHR recognized the pivotal role of human rights institutions in contributing to the formulation and execution of human rights education programs. “In line with this objective, the Commission has been actively engaged in forging partnerships with esteemed universities and educational institutes across the country. This partnership, in accordance with its mandate under Section 9 (h) of its Act, is crucial to NCHR’s program on human rights education, building knowledge about human rights, changing attitudes and behaviors and promoting a culture of tolerance and peace.”
An NCHR team, led by Member Balochistan Prof. Farkhanda Aurangzeb, recently engaged in several meetings with key stakeholders in various universities. The team recently held two meetings at the Higher Education Commission (HEC) with Chairman Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad emphasized the renewal of anMoU to strengthen collaboration in the realm of human rights education.
Notably, fruitful discussions were held with Professor Dr. TahirKhalily, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities at ShifaTameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad and Vice Chancellor of Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi Dr. UzairaRafique. Similar collaborations are under discussion with Bahria University Islamabad, Rawalpindi Women University, QAU, COMSATS, and AllamaIqbal Open University.
The primary objectives of the MoUs with various universities include creating awareness and stimulating interest in the field of human rights among students, encouraging research, discussions, and activities related to fundamental human rights principles through the academic curriculum, fostering an understanding of international human rights laws, supporting initiatives aimed at empowering marginalized groups through knowledge dissemination on their rights, and encouraging the establishment of forums, discussions, and activities that contribute to enhancing a culture of human rights awareness.
Moreover, the agreements will facilitate the organization of seminars, talks, workshops, essay competitions, debates, and art competitions on human rights issues relevant to the academic curriculum. Educational materials and resources will be developed and distributed to enhance human rights literacy.
