Jamshoro: Shaheed Allah Buksh Soomro (SABS) University of Art Design and Heritages Jamshoro proudly hosted its 1st International Symposium titled “Eco Art: Green Latif – Nature and Culture”. The event was a collaborative effort with the Center for Knowledge Development (CKD) Pvt. Ltd. and served as a significant platform for discourse on the intersection of art, design, nature, and sustainability.
The symposium was inaugurated with a notable ceremony attended by prominent figures from various fields. Minister for Universities and Boards Sindh, Muhammad Ali Malkani, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, underscoring the importance of integrating environmental consciousness into artistic expression in Shah Latif’s poetry.
The two-day event featured a diverse array of activities, including the inauguration of a new research center dedicated to eco art named Poetry, Art, Mathematics (PAM) Research Center, an eco art transformation exhibition, an MoU signing ceremony between SABS University and CKD, and the unveiling of the Eco Art Latif Garden. These components highlighted the symposium’s commitment to fostering innovation and dialogue in the realm of environmentally conscious art relative to the poetry of Shah Latif.
A significant segment of the symposium was the presentation of 15 research papers by scholars and artists from Italy, Australia, India, and Pakistan. The discussions provided valuable insights into the global perspectives on eco art and its role in bridging cultural and environmental gaps.
The symposium also included engaging panel discussions and workshops, offering participants the opportunity to delve deeper into the themes of the event. Notable speakers included Vice-Chancellor of SABS University, Prof. Dr. Arabella Bhutto; CEO of CKD, Prem Mathrani; Italian researcher Colleen Corradi Brannigan, Chief Organizer, Fazal Ellahi Khan and assistant professor Shazia Abro.
Addressing the ceremony Minister for Universities and Boards Muhammad Ali Malkani said that Shah Abdul Latif is a universal poet who gave the message of humanity and love for the motherland. He said that SABS University Jamshoro has taken a great initiative to bring Sufism, art, science, and technology on a single platform that will attract the younger generation on a broader level. Muhammad Ali Malkani said that Sindh has always given the message of love and peace and this type of symposium will reflect the positive image of our province and country around the globe. Minister of U & B further said that it’s a moment of pride that our young generation has taken a keen interest in exploring Latif’s poetry in an artistic style based on modern technology and in a unique way. Our society faces different challenges like negativity, terrorism, extremism, and impatience but Latif’s poetry reflects the message of harmony, patience, love, and brotherhood, he added.
“We are honored to have hosted this landmark event, which we believe will contribute significantly to the discourse on eco art and the message of Shah Latif to promote Peace, Prosperity and Positivity” said Prof. Dr. Arabella Bhutto. “The symposium has been a testament to the collaborative spirit of our institution and our partners, and we look forward to continued efforts in this important field.” Dr. Arabella Bhutto said that promoting science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics is our mission and we consider each field bleak without support or collaboration of other field.
Addressing the ceremony CEO of CKD Prem Mathrani said that western world has different concepts regarding knowledge development but when we peep in our history we find ourselves more developed, advanced, peaceful than others in the history. He said that there is huge scope of public private partnership to explore the knowledge and we found a partner in form of SABS University Jamshoro to promote the deep message in Shah Latif’s poetry through art and design. Prem Mathrani said that Bhittai is art and art is Bhittai and keeping in view this idea we explored the depth in poetry of Shah Latif which is not found in Shakespeare’s poetry or any other poet of the world.
Syndicate member of SABS University Prof. Dr. Nilofer Shaikh, Vice-Chancellor Mehran University of Engineering and Technology Jamshoro Prof. Dr. Tauha Hussain Ali,Vice-Chancellor Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam Prof. Dr. Fateh Muhammad Mari, Vice-Chancellor Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University Nawabshah Prof. Dr. Amant Ali Jalbani, Vice-Chancellor Liaquat Medical University Jamshoro Prof. Dr. Ikram-ud-Din Ujjan and other attended the event.
University of Sufism and Modern Sciences Bhitshah, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro also collaborated for the symposium.
