The Inter University Consortium for Promotion of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities (IUCPSS) , an alliance of 30 leading universities of Pakistan and the National Book Foundation (NBF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote a book reading culture, and social sciences in the higher education sector.
The MOU was signed by IUCPSS Chairman & Vice Chancellor University of Hairpur Dr. Nasser Ali Khan and NBF Secretary Mr. Aftab Ahmed Soomro at Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan. The event was attended by more than 30 vice chancellors, academicians and representatives of civil society.
According to the MOU, both the organisation agreed to extend cooperation with one another to undertake collaborative efforts through organising joint programs and activities. It was also agreed that NBF in partnership with member universities would establish “NBF University book shops” where special discounts (50% on NBF publications, 15% on textbooks and 10% to 33% on general books) would be offered to the students.
In addition, under the “Readers Club Scheme” a special quota of members would be allocated to each of the universities. NBF would avail the existing facilities of printing at the university campuses and would facilitate the publication of research and curriculum work undertaken by faculties at the universities who are a part of the initiative. It was also decided that NBF Book Ambassador Muhammad Murtaza Noor would act as facilitator between NBF and IUCPSS member universities.
Terming the MOU milestone, NBF Managing Director Prof. Dr. Inam ul Haq Javed said that under the NBF slogan of delivering “Books at your doorstep,” the NBF would continue to facilitate university students and faculties. Through this MOU, the students would not only be able to get discounted books in their own universities but their reading habits would also get better. He appreciated the efforts of the Inter University Consortium for the revival of social sciences, arts and humanities in Pakistan and assured his cooperation in this regard.
IUCPSS Chairperson Dr. Nasser Ali Khan said that the singed MOU would be greatly beneficial to member institutions and both the national organisations would undertake special programs.
The MOU was signed by many universities, including: Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad, Federal Urdu University Karachi, University of Peshawar, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology Islamabad, Institute of Management Sciences Peshawar, University of Swat, University of Malakand, University of Hairpur, University of Turbat, Baluchistan, BZU Multan and others.