Delegation of students from Jamiatu Al Kauthar visit IPS

To cultivate critical thinking and encourage students to become proactive, responsible contributors to society, it is important to expose them to diverse perspectives, real-world challenges, and hands-on experiences that connect their academic learning to societal needs. This approach prepares students to address complex issues and make meaningful impacts in their communities.

This was highlighted during a session held with a delegation of the students of Al Kauthar Islamic University, an Islamic institute providing a mixture of religious and contemporary education, led by Dr Muntazir Mehdi, head of the Department of English, IPS on October 31, 2024.

The session, designed to provide an enriching exposure opportunity for young scholars to engage with experts in policy research and development, was addressed by Khalid Rahman, chairman, IPS, and Tauqeer Hussain, senior research officer, IPS.

The students were engaged in an interactive session with Khalid Rahman. He warmly welcomed the students and shared his perspectives on IPS’s work, encouraging them to explore areas of mutual interest between the academic community and policy institutes. When students expressed a keen interest in contributing to IPS’s initiatives, he outlined various potential avenues for collaboration, inspiring them to consider ways in which they could apply their academic learning in meaningful, real-world contexts.

Earlier, the young scholars were given a detailed presentation covering IPS’ background, mandate, and major research areas. The session highlighted IPS’ impactful role in policy research, with a focus on the institute’s collaborative efforts with educational institutions and its support for scholars in policy-oriented research. Special emphasis was placed on the Institute’s ‘Brainstorming Research Ideas’ program, which offers a unique platform and mentorship to help scholars develop and refine their research concepts. This comprehensive overview fostered a deeper appreciation among the students for IPS’s contributions to both national and international policy discourse.

Dr Muntazir Mehdi expressed his gratitude to IPS for its gracious hospitality. For further strengthening the ties, he put forward future interactions and institutional partnerships on interfaith dialogue and harmony and anticipated a long-standing partnership with IPS, providing valuable learning experiences for students and promoting a shared vision for knowledge and dialogue.