The Inter-University Consortium for the Promotion of Social Sciences (IUCPSS) is a platform, which was established in January 2012.
The purpose behind this forum was to create such an atmosphere wherein all universities of Pakistan could come closer while the standard of Social Sciences could be uplifted. In this regard, the IUCPSS has been working successfully. It has connected more than 50 universities in Pakistan. But, it is a fact that the promotion of social sciences is not possible until the government, specifically the education ministry and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) as well as universities’ administrations do not take any serious measures in this regard.
It is an alarming situation in Pakistan that the culture of critical thinking, which is one of the mandatory parts of the disciplines of social sciences, is not being encouraged in the country. It should be the prime duty of the concerned authorities to encourage healthy debate in the class. Students should be allowed to express their views freely. On the contrary, if any student raises any question, which does not suit the set norms of the state and our educational system, he/she is discouraged from asking such questions. A vivid example in this regard can be quoted about the syllabus of Pakistan Studies, which is a compulsory part of studies–from school-level to university.
Its syllabus is outdated and only focuses on the narrative set by the powerful authorities. Anyone who raises any concern on that syllabus is discouraged. Likewise, it’s also surprising that the history of political and nationalist dissent has always been hidden from students, all the way from schools to universities. Students are not told what had happened to the people of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh)? Why, despite being a vast majority, they seceded from the then minority wing of West Pakistan? What was written and expressed in Hamood Rahman Commission? Nothing about such bitter, historic truths, which challenges the set narrative about the creation of the country and so on, is a part of the syllabus. Like Pakistan Studies, the subject of History being taught in educational institutes is also not a real one. In this regard, Pakistan’s famous scholar K K Aziz’s book, titled, “The Murder of History,” is on the record.
The culture of critical thinking is not encouraged in the country
Although the IUCPSS has been doing positive work in terms of supporting and encouraging the disciplines of social sciences in Pakistani universities, I believe it should also think over the phenomenon of making necessary changes in the syllabus. It is, no doubt, very important to arrange the gatherings of vice-chancellors and faculty members of different universities to discuss issues related to social sciences. However, changing the syllabi of social sciences and creating an atmosphere of critical thinking are some major issues, which also need fair consideration.
I, being a PhD holder and the Scholarship Counselor of Quaid-i-Azam University Alumni Association, have been attending such gatherings of faculty members, IUCPSS staff and the universities’ administrations; always learning from these gatherings. Recently, an activity was arranged by the IUCPSS at GC University, Lahore, to generate the discourse of student engagement at university campuses. Unfortunately, due to some personal engagements, I could not be a part of that gathering. But, as I came to know, the vice-chancellors and faculty members from different universities of Punjab were present. This gathering was very important because such discourse must take place across Pakistan to address the issues and concerns of youth/students.
Initiating a dialogue on this discourse among the vice-chancellors and other universities’ stakeholders was a tremendous task, made possible by IUCPSS. It is very appreciable because student engagement through their elected bodies is most important for creating a healthy atmosphere on campuses. After all, students are key stakeholders in our higher education system, whose voice is, unfortunately, not being heard. In this regard, the IUCPSS has organised the International Student Convention, which is a laudable act.
I must acknowledge the services of IUCPSS, especially its coordinator, Muhammad Murtaza Noor, who is tirelessly working for the cause. I believe the importance of social sciences cannot be denied because it is a convenient way to give rise to political and social leaders in our country. So, the suppression of social sciences, specifically curbing critical thinking and hiding the actual history, will only lead to destruction and destabilisation. Therefore, now it is high time for the IUCPSS to move forward; to make more and more collaborations between universities; to engage all member universities of IUCPSS; to start a dialogue on the syllabi and related issues and to create genuine social scientists from our country.
The culture of critical thinking is not encouraged in the country