After the success of its First International Research Conference, SZABIST organized its 2nd International Research Conference (SIRC) on Management, Computing, and Social Sciences & Economics on 14th and 15th December, 2012 at SZABIST, Karachi. More than 110 research papers were presented by scholars both from Pakistan and abroad.
Dr. Mustaghis -Ur-Rahman, the Conference Chair, in his welcome address said that the importance of research in a society can be gauged by the fact that no region has achieved technological advancements and socio-economic development without the proliferation of research and innovations. He added that “there is a need to multiply the resources devoted towards research by having a stronger network of the institutions of higher learning all across the region and beyond. By joining lots of dots, a silver line can be drawn which will lead to a new dawn for growth and prosperity”.
Dr Amanat Ali Jalbani, Vice President Academics in his speech said that SZABIST despite being a relatively young educational institution had accorded significant contribution to research in addition to academic excellence. He added that “we encourage analytical minds in our university, who may ask question and then try to find out solutions for problems as well. This is the actual task of institutions of higher learning. We would continue with this task in future as well, considering it as our national cause and responsibility”.
Chief Guest at the inaugural ceremony of the conference, Dr. Khalida Ghous, Managing Director of Social Policy and Development Center, appreciated the efforts of SZABIST in organizing the international conference. She said that “the importance of research in Pakistan is not understood properly hence, we are lagging behind to identifying solutions to our socio-economic problems”. She emphasized that the reason d’être for conducting the research, in civilized societies was to the policy making process. She said that “it is very important that good quality research output should add value to the policy making process”. She told the faculty, students and professionals that the ultimate purpose of their research should be to bring a positive socio-economic change in the society.
Dr. Saqib Rizavi, President, SZABIST thanked all the scholars and delegates for being part of the conference. He emphasized that primary aim of the researchers should be to ensure relevance of their work to the socio-economic development of the country. He stated that collaboration in research among institutions would lead to a reduced cost and a higher impact of the research outputs. In his concluding remarks during the closing ceremony of the conference on day-two, Dr. Rizavi appreciated the organizers of the conference for making this event successful. He highlighted the future agenda for research at SZABIST underscoring the need for greater emphasis on high quality empirical research in social sciences.
He presented shields, as a token of appreciation, to session chairs and co-chairs.
