Maritime Study Forum (MSF) – a network of institutional and individual policy researchers and practitioners from across Pakistan – a five-day summer school for young scholars interested in maritime research began in Islamabad today.
In his welcome address in the opening ceremony of the event, Dr Syed Mohammad Anwer, president, Maritime Study Forum (MSF) said, the idea behind holding such an activity was to encourage emerging scholars to carry out meaningful, policy-oriented research pertaining to the maritime domain of Pakistan. The much needed attention in academic research and policy discourses can broaden the prospects of maritime affairs in the country, creating much needed awareness over the issue, and help eliminate ‘National Sea Blindness’.
Naufil Shahrukh, GM Operations, Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) and general secretary of MSF, stated in his remarks that the unique and first of its kind academic event in the federal capital seeks to capacitate emerging MPhil and PhD scholars in various areas of maritime affairs, including but not limited to its elementary understanding, its policy design and analytics, economy and industry, security and diplomacy, biodiversity and environment, law and the socio-economic factors of the coastal community.
Featuring interactive lectures, simulation exercises and visits to relevant notable institutions, the week-long workshop will provide emerging scholars an opportunity to learn directly from prominent policy practitioners, corporate professionals, academics and renowned experts. The speakers and panelists of the summer school include Captain (r) Jamil Ahmed Khan, parliamentary secretary, Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Vice-Admiral (r) Khawar Ali Shah, director general, National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA),Usma Jadoon, member of national assembly, Wajiha Akram member of national assembly, Ambassador Fauzia Nasreen, Pakistan’s former ambassador to Poland, Vice Admiral (r) Rao Iftikhar, member, Board of Advisors (BOA), MSF, MSF, Khalid Rahman, executive president, Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad, Dr Nuzhat Khan, director general, National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Khurram Mirza, executive director, Special Projects and Planning, PNSC, Brig (r) Dr Tahir ul Mulk Kahloon, National Defence University (NDU), Islamabad, Dr Azhar Ahmed, head of department, Humanities & Social Sciences, Bahria University, (BU), Islamabad and member, Board of Directors (BOD), Dr Tughral Yamin, associate dean, Department of Peace and Conflict Studies.—PR
