IRD Hosts National Workshop on Youth Capacity Building in Dialogue and Peacebuilding

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The Iqbal International Institute for Research & Dialogue (IRD), International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), convened a high-impact one-day national workshop titled “Youth Capacity Building on Dialogue and Peacebuilding” on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. The event served as a dynamic platform for intellectual discourse, bringing together esteemed scholars, legal luminaries, policy experts, and civil society representatives to equip youth with the tools necessary for fostering peace, tolerance, and constructive engagement in a pluralistic society.

The proceedings commenced with a welcome address by Mr. Nasir Farid, Additional Director, IRD, who reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to nurturing youth through academic and civic empowerment initiatives. He highlighted IRD’s sustained efforts to build bridges among diverse societal segments through dialogue and research-based engagement.

The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Muhammad Kashif Irshad, Additional Director General KP-CVE and Culture Specialist at the National Heritage and Culture Division. In his remarks, he underscored the critical role of youth as catalysts for peace, emphasizing their potential to promote social cohesion and cultural pluralism.

Justice Dr. Syed Muhammad Anwar, Honorable Aalim Judge of the Federal Shariat Court, offered an intellectually enriching discourse on cultivating mutual respect amid ideological and socio-political diversity, encouraging youth to become agents of harmony and ethical leadership.

An engaging session on sustainable development and inclusive communication was led by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Shakeel Ahmad, Chief Executive of the Global Strategic Institute for Sustainable Development. He elaborated on the intersection of effective dialogue and sustainable peace, stressing the importance of inter generational and cross-sector collaboration

Post-lunch, Barrister Zafarullah Khan, former Special Assistant to the Prime Minister and a distinguished author and legal expert, conducted a capacity-building session on conflict resolution and mediation techniques. His session provided participants with practical frameworks for navigating conflict and fostering reconciliation.

he concluding thematic presentation was delivered by Mr. Saith Usama Chitrali, Managing Director of SEERAHT International. He shared innovative strategies for mobilizing youth-led peace advocacy campaigns, encouraging proactive civic participation and grassroots dialogue initiatives.

Mohtamim Jamia Muhammadi Sharif, Sahabzada Qamar-ul-Haq, also graced the occasion and expressed his deep appreciation for the efforts of IRD in promoting interfaith harmony and youth engagement through dialogue. He commended the institute’s vision and the relevance of the workshop’s theme in the present socio-political climate. While addressing the participants, he extended his gratitude to them for their active involvement and encouraged them to carry forward the message of peace and mutual respect in their respective communities.

The workshop concluded with a certificate distribution ceremony, recognizing the enthusiastic participation of students and the invaluable contributions of the guest speakers. The event witnessed active engagement from a diverse cohort of university and Madrassa students, young professionals, and members of academia and civil society.

Participants expressed profound appreciation for IRD’s initiative, lauding the institute for providing a much-needed forum that encourages youth involvement in the national peacebuilding discourse through knowledge sharing and collaborative dialogue.

Research Methodology Workshop Concludes at IRD  

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A 10-day research methodology workshop, organized by the Iqbal International Institute for Research and Dialogue (IRD) in collaboration with the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Directorate of Graduate Studies (DGS), successfully concluded, equipping MS and PhD students with essential research skills.

Eighty scholars from various universities across Pakistan participated in the workshop, which covered topics such as SPSS and data analysis, research proposal writing, qualitative and quantitative research methods, research design, plagiarism prevention, and hypothesis formulation. Participants engaged in hands-on exercises, case studies, and interactive discussions, expressing satisfaction with the quality of instruction.

Renowned academics, including Prof. Dr. Amna Mahmood, Dr. Muhammad Babar, Dr. Rabia Ali, Dr. Qandil Abbas, Dr. Tauqir Hussain Sargana, Dr. Nazia Iqbal, Dr. Noreen Saher, and Dr. Kalimullah, led expert sessions and mentored students. Dr. Nazia Iqbal, on the final day, shared practical research insights to enhance participants’ methodologies.

The closing ceremony featured the Dean FSS, Dr. Manzoor Khan Afridi as the chief guest, who lauded the initiative and distributed certificates among participants. The workshop was widely appreciated for bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical research application.

2-day Training Workshop on “Madrassa: Personal and Institutional Development”

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.IRD-IIUI 2-day Training Workshop on “Madrassa: Personal and Institutional Development” concluded

The Iqbal International Institute for Research & Dialogue (IRD) successfully conclude the 2-day educational and pedagogical Workshop on “Madrassa: Personal and Institutional Development.” The closing ceremony was held today at Iqbal International Institute for Research and Dialogue (IRD). Mr. Nasir Farid, Additional Director-IRD apprised of the detail of the workshop. While addressing the participants in the closing ceremony Dr. Muhammad Akram, Director General, Shariah Academy, IIUI emphasized on inter-sect harmony and enhancing constructive role of religious institutions in the society. A group of 35 madrassa teachers of various sects hailed from twin cities were engaged for this workshop. The main objective was to enhance the constructive role of ulema in mainstream national life. The workshop aimed to provide the teachers with the modern knowledge, practical skills and new resources that they can use to provide the best education to their students based on Islamic principles. The workshop also aimed building leadership skills, developing respect for differences of opinion and sense of community among participants for the promotion of inter-sect harmony and enhancing constructive role of religious institutions in society.

On the first day of the workshop the resource person Mr. Sabookh Syed, Journalist/ Scholar, shed light on Intersect Harmony and Role of social media in Pakistan. Dr. Farid Barohi spoked to Madrassa Teachers to act as an Instructional Leader. After that a visit to “قومی رحمت اللعالمین و خاتم النبیین اتھارٹی” was also arranged where the Chairman Khurshid Ahmed Nadeem talked about the competencies required for an effective teacher. One the second day Dr. Ikramul Haq Yasin, Secretary, Council of Islamic Ideology stressed on role of Mosque, Mosque administration and Imam in promotion of social ethics. Dr. Muhammad Hussain, Scholar, talked about understanding diversity in thought and experience. In the closing ceremony certificate of participations were distributed among the participants

2-Day Workshop on “Quality First: Enhancing Online Teaching in Higher Education”

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A 2-Day Workshop on “Quality First: Enhancing Online Teaching in Higher Education” has been successfully inaugurated today. The Workshop has been organized by the Faculty of Education, IIU, in collaboration with Iqbal International Institute for Research & Dialogue (IRD) and the Directorate of Quality Assurance and Development (QAD), IIUI. The Workshop aims to strengthen the quality of online education across higher education institutions in Pakistan, focusing on best practices for course design, student engagement, and assessment in digital platforms. The workshop’s resource persons include experts from renowned institutions including Prof. Dr. Muhammad Idrees (Pakistan Institute of Education), Prof. Dr. Tamim Ahmed Khan (Bahria University), Dr. Azhar Mahmood (IIUI), Mr. Shahid Minhas (SDPI), Dr. Zarina Akhtar (IIUI), Dr. Rukhsana Durrani (Allama Iqbal Open University), Dr. Fatima Maqsood (IIUI), Dr. Mubeshera Tufail (AIOU) Dr. Munawwar Ahmed (Virtual University) and Dr. Fouzia Ajmal (IIUI). Participants from the universities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad are attending the event. The Workshop will continue till 19th September 2024.

4-Day Youth Empowerment Camp for Male University Students

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Empowering Young Male Leaders through Experiential Learning!

Fifty young male participants from all over the country was set to embark on a transformative journey designed to refine their personalities and enhance their leadership and team-building skills during the Youth Empowerment Camp for Girls, organized by the Iqbal International Institute for Research and Dialogue (International Islamic University Islamabad)!

This camp was more than just an adventure; it’s a comprehensive experiential learning experience! Featuring a series of exciting outdoor adventure activities expertly designed, the camp emphasized “learning by doing.” Participants were engaged in unique challenges that test their problem-solving abilities, resilience, teamwork, and leadership.

Guided by the innovative methods, participants faced obstacles that required collaborative effort and strategic thinking to overcome. Each activity is followed by insightful de-briefing sessions by the facilitators, where participants reflect on their experiences, identify their strengths and areas for improvement, and connect these lessons to real-life scenarios.

Through this dynamic and hands-on approach, the camp aimed to foster resilience, leadership skills, and team spirit among these young men, prepared them to become empowered leaders ready to make a difference in their communities. The blend of physical challenges and reflective learning ensured that each participant gains a deeper understanding of themselves and their potential.

4-Day Youth Empowerment Camp for Female University Students

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Empowering Young Female Leaders through Experiential Learning!

Fifty young female participants from all over the country was set to embark on a transformative journey designed to refine their personalities and enhance their leadership and team-building skills during the Youth Empowerment Camp for Girls, organized by the Iqbal International Institute for Research and Dialogue (International Islamic University Islamabad)!

This camp was more than just an adventure; it’s a comprehensive experiential learning experience! Featuring a series of exciting outdoor adventure activities expertly designed, the camp emphasized “learning by doing.” Participants were engaged in unique challenges that test their problem-solving abilities, resilience, teamwork, and leadership.

Guided by the innovative methods, participants faced obstacles that required collaborative effort and strategic thinking to overcome. Each activity is followed by insightful de-briefing sessions by the facilitators, where participants reflect on their experiences, identify their strengths and areas for improvement, and connect these lessons to real-life scenarios.

Through this dynamic and hands-on approach, the camp aimed to foster resilience, leadership skills, and team spirit among these young women, prepared them to become empowered leaders ready to make a difference in their communities. The blend of physical challenges and reflective learning ensured that each participant gains a deeper understanding of themselves and their potential.