ISLAMABAD: Educational institutions and intellectuals have an important role to play in building a counter-narrative against extremism and terrorism in the light of teachings of Islam, President Mamnoon Hussain said on Monday. He said this while chairing the 12th meeting of the Board of Trustees of International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI) at Faisal Mosque Campus in Islamabad. “The university is playing an important role in this regard. The university is imparting quality religious and contemporary education,” he said. The president underscored that no nation could progress in the world without excelling in the realm of education, particularly science and technology. He called for promoting culture of research in educational institutions for strengthening the innovative and intellectual capabilities of the students to enable them to win laurels for the country. The president stressed the need for coordination between IIUI and universities in Gulf countries and Central Asia. “This will be mutually beneficial for all. I would also like to see the campuses of IIUI in other Muslim countries,” he said. The president highlighted the significance of Board of Trustees in managing the affairs of the university and called for holding its meetings on a regular basis. The meeting also reviewed the implementation of decisions taken in the last meeting of Board of Trustees. The president hoped that the decisions taken in the 12th meeting of Board of Trustees would further complement the development of the university. Earlier, Prof Dr. Masoom Yasinzai, Rector IIUI, presented a report about the activities of the university. He also presented a 10-year strategic plan (2016-2025) of IIUI. He said that a centre for teaching Arabic language would also be inaugurated at the university. The president appreciated the interest shown by the members of the BOT in the affairs of the university and hoped that they would work with the same spirit in future also. He thanked the members, especially those who came to attend this meeting from abroad. Pro-Chancellor IIU Dr Sulaiman Ibn Abdullah Aba Al-Khail, President IIU Dr Ahmed Yousif Al Draiweesh, Rector IIU Dr Masoom Yasinzai, Federal Secretary Education Haseeb Athar, HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, former president Islamic Development Bank Dr Ahmed Muhammad Ali and National Commission for Human Development Chairperson Razina Alam attended the meeting.