IPS, UMT sign MoU to bolster joint research

A
memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Institute of Policy
Studies (IPS), Islamabad and University of Management & Technology (UMT), Lahore
on June 15, 2021 to foster joint efforts in the areas of research, dialogue and
publications on policy related affairs; especially IPS’ hallmark Understanding
Africa program. 

The
signing ceremony, which was held via video link, was attended by Ambassador (r)
Tajammul Altaf, senior IPS associate, Naufil Shahrukh, GM Operations, IPS, Dr
Mohammad Shoaib Pervaiz, HoD department of political science and IR, UMT
Lahore, Dr Abeeda Qureshi, assistant professor, department of political science
and IR, UMT Lahore, Shafaq Sarfraz, manager outreach IPS, and Kulsoom Belal,
research officer at IPS.

Speaking
on the occasion, Shahrukh said that having strong linkages with strategic
institutions and policy circles, IPS can serve as a conduit facilitating
researchers from UMT to carry out research in a bid to promote policy-oriented
research through Pakistani lens on topics which have meaningful contribution in
the policy arena.

Commenting
on the collaboration, Dr Pervaiz stated that joining hands to bolster genuine research
will be in the best interests of both institutions, as the activity will have
great value for six HEC recognized programs offered by the University in the
domains of political science, international relations, security and strategic
studies, and especially PhD IR program, which is not offered by any other
private sector university across the country.

Altaf
rued that Africa has remained in oblivion in the policy circles of Pakistan
despite the fact that the country enjoys substantial goodwill in the African
continent owing to its role in peacekeeping missions there and the diplomatic
support Pakistan provided to African countries to liberate them from colonial
shackles. He stressed on the importance of addressing this deficiency through
academic research by identifying new avenues to focus in bilateral relations
with each African country and suggesting new ways to capitalize on already
existing amity between the two regions in the process.