KHAIRPUR – The Vice Chancellors’ Forum on “Best Practices for Effective Engagement of Students at
University Campuses” was held at Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur jointly organized by
the Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur and Inter-University Consortium for the Promotion of
Social Sciences (IUCPSS), Islamabad, Prof. Dr. Khalil Ahmed Ibupoto, Vice Chancellor Shah
Abdul Latif University, Khairpur presided over the forum.
Prof. Dr. Ataullah Shah, Vice Chancellor Karakorum International University, Gilgit, Prof. Dr.
Zahid Hussain Khand, Vice Chancellor Aror University of Art, Architecture, Design and
Heritage, Sukkur, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Imtiaz Aqdas, Vice Chancellor Al-Khair University,
Gujrat, Prof. Dr. Mir Muhammad Shah, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Sukkur IBA University, Prof. Dr.
Maqsood Shah, Pro-Vice Chancellor Ghotki Campus of SALU, Prof. Dr. Ishtiaque Ali , Director
Academics, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Dr. Riaz Hussain Hamdani, Director Arts
Council, Multan, Mr. Mian Muhammad Sajid, Director Barani Institute, Sahiwal, Prof. Dr.
Minhoon Khan Laghari, Registrar, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur, Dr. Jameela,
Representative of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University, Peshawar, Dr. Muhammad Sadiq,
Representative of University of Baluchistan, Quetta, Dr. Mirza Abdul Qayoom, Director
Students Affairs, Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Agriculture University, Multan, Dr. Anees-ur-
Rehman, Director Students Affairs, Bahauddin Zakriya University, Multan, Prof. Dr. Syed Ali
Raza Shah, Principal, Khairpur Agriculture Engineering College, Prof. Dr. Taj Muhammad
Lashari, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences, Mr. Muhammad Murtaza Noor, National Coordinator
IUCPSS, Islamabad, Dr. Ali Raza Lashari, Incharge Students Societies Centre, Mr. Irfan Ali,
Program Coordinator, IUCPSS, Islamabad attended the forum.
After detailed deliberations on the above theme, the Khairpur Declaration was signed. In order to
encourage the participation of students in co-curricular activities, the Roll of Honors should be
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awarded to the best performers in co- curricular activities on semester/annual basis particularly
during the convocations. There must be a process defined to build departmental harmony inside
the campuses by establishing linkage of students’ societies where they can sit to brainstorm on
the inter and multidisciplinary approaches to work for productive results. It was recommended
that keeping the evolution of globe and recent trends in mind, we need to update our curriculum
according to the needs and requirements of job market and industry. This cannot be achieved
without sitting with industrial experts, taking their recommendations and incorporating them
while updating. The curriculum is the only way to increase the employability ratio of graduates.
The engagement of universities with community and industry must be on frequent basis to have
an idea about the supply and chain. There must be platform either in form of an Alumni Relation
Society or department that should work on the alumni impact and connect the alumni with the
current students for motivation and exposure of the industry. Guest lectures are also proposed in
this regard where alumni should be invited on campus to interact with students and faculty. The
concept of 1-student, 1-mentor can be implemented in this regard by taking an alumnus as a
mentor. Teacher’s training must be conducted on the principles of latest teaching pedagogies and
strategies to practice and promote the 21st century skills inside the classroom. We should not
rely on the traditional teaching practices where the teachers speak and the students listen without
holding or promoting a two-way discussion to inculcate leadership and communication skills.
There must be some national and international exposure programs where students and faculty
should be given with the chance to visit other universities be it a public or private university to
observe and learn from the best practices being implemented there to replicate them back at their
campuses. Exposure visits of students’ societies are also recommended in this regard. A support
study system is recommended for the newly enrolled students for their higher education
readiness to cover the learning gaps, this may be achieved by offering them some mandatory
online courses. A vibrant activation of Directorate of Students Affairs and Business Incubation
Centers is dire need of the time. Students Startups and Business Centers should be established
where the business ideas can be placed and pitched to promote the entrepreneurships skills in
students to make them future entrepreneurs. The idea of 1-student, 1-business would be effective
in this regard. Students’ centric policies must be adapted where they can raise their voices and
reassured that they are being heard and are a part of decision- making process. The establishment
of students’ councils is proposed in this regard that must be formed by an electoral process and
they must be given their representation as a stakeholder. A specific budget must be allocated for
the students’ societies to empower them in fulfilling their aspirations and achieving their vision
and mission. Engaging students in learning additional language program is highly recommended
to make them unique candidate in the global market.
Transparency must be assured at each sector of the universities, data related to the hiring or
selection boards must be public and available on the university websites. There must be inclusion
of co-curricular activities in the semester calendar, the concept of semester calendar should be
both at the intra and inter- university level. There must be a mechanism framed for monitoring
and evaluation of affiliated and associate colleges. These colleges’ students must be given with
the chance to visit their respective universities and can participate in their co-curricular activities.
Community centers should be established at campuses and students must be encouraged to work
on the societal or community issues in their final year projects. The values of civics must be
promoted, students’ societies should be asked and trained to presented the societal issues in their
work, dramatic society may be asked to showcase the current community issues in their plays
and on the same patterns the other societies can work in their respective capacities. The values of
national integration must also be inculcated among students by engaging them in various events
based on the topics like social, religious, peace, harmony, co-existence and tolerance.
Earlier, a Dinner was hosted in the honor of Vice Chancellors and Guests. The Deputy
Commissioner Khairpur Syed Ahmed Fawad Shah was the chief guest. A Sufi Music Concert
was also held.
Meanwhile, the guests visited the SALU F.M Radio Station, Command & Control System
Room, Date Palm Research Institute (DPRI). The cake cutting ceremony on the completion of
one year of Students Societies Centre was also held. The progress report of Students Societies
Centre was also presented. The Vice Chancellors, Pro-Vice Chancellors, Directors and
Representatives of the Universities also shared their views. They commended the work done by
the Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur for the capacity building of the students and
community engagement. They also appreciated the initiative of the Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr.
Khalil Ahmed Ibupoto for the development of University. The guests visited the Kot Diji Fort,
Shrine of Hazrat Sachal Sarmast and the historical Faiz Palace of Khairpur Mirs.
