Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Masoom Yasinzai inaugurated an international conference on the
emerging issues of social sciences in Pakistan at the Earth Sciences Auditorium of the campus.
In his welcome address, the VC thanked Higher education Commission Chairman Dr Javaid Laghari, National University of Science and Technology Dean Dr Ashfaq H Khan, National Committee for Social Sciences Chairman Dr Nizam-ud-Din and other distinguished scholars. The VC welcomed the participants for the upcoming sessions of the conference.
The VC said that the university was promoting the faculty of social sciences to produce new knowledge through high quality research relevant to the national needs. He told the audience the university currently held 75 percent Phd faculty and hoped the number would rise to 90 percent very soon. He also highlighted that the university had opened four-year BS programme for economics, political science and management sciences, culture and law. The VC said that the university was playing its role of transforming the country into a knowledge-based economy by providing solutions through research.
He reiterated that the conference was a testimony to the social sciences faculty’s endeavours to show case research and expertise not only of their own but to provide opportunity to scholars from across the country and abroad to discuss multiple issues of national importance and come forth with solutions and suggestions for quarters concerned.
Speaking on the thematic areas of the conference, the VC said, the conference underscores significant issues such as cultural and religious diversity, human rights, education, population and sustainable development, gender issues, socio-psychological determinants of health, ethno national issues, internal challenges and national integration, history and politics.
Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr Javaid Laghari said the HEC was establishing universities in far-flung areas. He said the budget allocation to the commission was very low, i.e. 13 percent of the total education budget. Comparing this figure with the other countries, he said among 132 countries, Pakistan stands at 125th for budget allocation.
Dr Ashfaq suggested to the Higher Education Commission that instead of opening universities in the far flung areas, the commission should consolidate the institutions so that students from across the country can come for quality education. Stressing the need for quality work, Dr Ashfaq said that scholars should not compromise on the quality for the sake of number game. He lamented that the social sciences were not producing scholars like Dr Aitzaz and Dr Aliya.
Dr Nizam-ud-Din underlined the importance of social sciences for the development of the country. He said such conferences were very important as they provided an opportunity to the scholars to share their knowledge with the public.
Conference Secretary Dr Razia Sultana said that this conference was different as it meant to bridge the gap between the scholars and the policymakers. She thanked all the participants and guests.
Chemicals affect thyroid levels in body: Chemicals called phthalates and biphenyl-A (BPA), found in solvents, plastics and numerous household products, may alter levels of thyroid hormones in the body.
Researchers from University of New York, USA, used data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to compare thyroid levels and traces of phthalates and BPA in urine samples of 1,346 adults and 329 teenagers, BBC reported. Their findings confirmed previous research linking BPA – used in certain plastic water bottles and the linings of canned foods with disruptions in thyroid hormone levels.
It was found that overall, higher concentrations of the chemicals had an inverse impact on thyroid levels. The greater the exposure to phthalates and BPA, the lower the thyroid hormone levels. The strongest link occurred with exposure to DEHP, a phthalate commonly used as a plasticizer, which people come into contact with through diet. In the cases of DEHP ingestion, urine samples showed that the greatest exposure was associated with as much as a 10 percent drop in thyroid hormones. Developing fetuses and children may be particularly vulnerable to disruptions in thyroid hormone levels associated with exposure to these and other environmental chemicals.
