LAHORE: Speakers at a seminar on ‘Liberal Arts Education: Grooming the Youth’ have called for promotion of liberal arts to develop capabilities of graduating students. The conference was organised by the Forman Christian College – a chartered university – in collaboration with the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) at the former’s campus on Wednesday. PHEC Chairperson Prof Dr Nizamuddin, renowned national and international speakers including, FC College Rector Dr James Tebbe, GCU Vice Chancellor Dr Hassan Amir Shah and addressed the conference. Dr Richard Detweiler, president of the Great Lakes Colleges Association US, was the keynote speaker. A large number of students, faculty members, civil society members and senior officers from the PHEC also participated in the seminar. Prof Dr Nizamuddin said it was high time to promote liberal arts education in Pakistan. He said that liberal arts should be promoted across Pakistan, as it would better help students become well-rounded individuals. “All of our focus has been on rote learning of concepts at our colleges and universities. We need to include other subjects, which trigger thought process and develop critical capacities among students. The entire education system needs an overhauling. There is a need to establish a reform commission to fix the quality issues,” said the chairperson. He proposed to hold a national level conference for promotion of liberal arts in Pakistan. In his address, Dr Detweiler emphasised the need of the liberal arts education at universities and colleges and discussed at length about the prospects of liberal arts. He gave a chronological development of liberal arts in western and Islamic world and termed the Islamic era from 750AD-1150AD golden age for liberal arts. He said that there were 238 liberal arts colleges in US, and added that dedicated universities of liberal arts should be established in Pakistan. “Liberal arts education not only addresses the content but context as well to accumulate full spectrum of human knowledge and to address issues important to humanity” he concluded. Government College University VC Dr Hassan Amir Shah gave the historical development of liberal arts education in the sub-continent. He deliberated upon the impediments to the promotion of liberal arts education in Pakistan. FCU Rector Dr Tebbe said that there was a dire need to focus on liberal arts education to broaden the career, leadership, and job prospects for students. He thanked the Punjab Higher Education Commission for funding the event. Published in Daily Times, August 17th 2017.