LAHORE: The Virtual University (VU) of Pakistan organised an international conference on Social Sciences and Humanities with the theme ‘Social Sciences and Humanities in the New Millennium: Challenges and Prospects’ at Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) on Thursday. VU Rector Dr Naveed A Malik and Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed inaugurated the conference. The inaugural ceremony was attended by Dr Ishtiaq Ahmad, the University of Sargodha vice chancellor, educationists, a large number of dignitaries and scholars of various academic institutions. A large number of national educationists and delegates from USA, Canada and UK participated in the event. This three-day conference is being organised by the VU of Pakistan in collaboration with LCWU. A total of 220 research papers are being presented by 50 various institutions of the country. The organisers said that the conference would provide a platform for deliberations and discussions with a focus on to ponder upon policy level possible changes to be implemented in the academia in particular and the society in general. It will also furnish a foundation for a useful forum for the participants to share their experiences and get hold of opportunities leading to extended collaboration in the field of Social Sciences and Humanities among individuals and institutions. Dr Naveed said that the Virtual University of Pakistan was honoured with the presence of renowned social scientists from the world. He further said that purpose of the conference was to explore new horizons for Social Sciences and Humanities, understanding their unique perspectives and draw attention to the possible challenges of the new millennium for Pakistan. HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar praised the performance of Dr Naveed A Malik. He also praised VU students, who recently qualified for 2nd ICT Skills Competition. Talking about social sciences in Pakistan, he said that from past four years HEC had doubled the research grant for social sciences. He further urged research scholars to send good research proposals to HEC. He said Pakistan was the best research region of world. He asked researchers to get empirical data and come up with the solutions of social issues. He also asked them to help the society with applied research to know the logical reasons behind social behavior issues. “HEC has increased the budget for social science sector. Pakistan is facing terrorism, extremism and other complicated social problems. To settle these issues social scientist can play their vital role,” he added. The LCWU vice chancellor said that the conference would provide an opportunity to renew contacts and discuss problems of mutual interest with delegates from different parts of country and abroad. Dr Anjum Zia, the focal person for conference said: “The agenda of the international conference on ‘Social Sciences and Humanities in the New Millennium: Challenges and Prospects’ covers a wide range of very interesting items; like complex human behavior patterns in contemporary Pakistani society, suggesting policy level changes for improving living conditions of Pakistani people and especially those directly related to effects of globalization on political, economic and social fronts in Pakistani society.” Published in Daily Times, December 15th 2017.