The country’s youth has the potential to bring about a revolution, said Higher Education Commission Executive Director Dr Sohail Naqvi. He was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the first two-day ‘International Conference on Mental Health’ at the International Islamic University, on Thursday. Dr Naqvi said the IIUI pioneered the launch of the BS programme in psychology, setting a benchmark for the other institutions.
He stated that students should highlight social problems to eliminate the false sense of security. He added that very little data is available about most issues and that people reframe scientific solutions to suit themselves. Talking about social behaviour, he said the masses love to discuss drug addiction, but no one comes forward to solve the problem.
He said women have a positive part to play in the resolution of social problems.
Dr Naqvi said: “We should come out of auditoriums go to the people of this country to understand what they are going through.” He stated that people are investing a lot in educating their children and deserved quality education.
IIUI President Prof Dr Mumtaz Ahmad said the university was the first to establish a psychological training clinic for students, teachers and employees. He said the clinic helps traumatised students recover. Dr Mumtaz acknowledged the efforts of Dr Naqvi and his cooperation with various universities for academic and training projects. IIUI Faculty of Social Sciences Dean Dr Nabi Baksh Jumani, who has authored or co-authored over seventy research papers so far, said there is need to identify important areas of research relating to psychosocial problems.
Principle organiser of the conference, Dr M Tahir Khalily said there is an alarming increase in the number of social illnesses due to depression. Dr Khalily stated that the academic and intellectual prospects needed to be explored to understand mental health issues.
Co-principal organiser of the conference, Dr Seema Gul said there is a growing need to identify important areas of research relating to the psychosocial problems based on scientific investigation.
Various national and international scholars presented their papers at the conference which will continue till tomorrow.
