AWKUM Hosted a Workshop on "Theory and Research in Social Sciences" organized by the UA&CDC

 

Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan hosted a Seminar on Theory and Research in Social Sciences at the university's main campus. Dr. Farhat Taj, Associate Professor at the University of Tromsø UiT, the Arctic University of Norway, was the guest speaker. Faculty members, MPhil and PhD students from the departments of Sociology, Political Science, International Relations, and Psychology at AWKUM, and a student from the Department of Development Studies at Comsat University, Abbottabad campus, participated in the workshop. The program began with a recitation from the Holy Quran by Mr. Shah Saud, a PhD student in the Department of Sociology.

After the formal opening by Dr. Muhammad Bilal, Director-UA&CDC, Dr. Farhat Taj delivered a comprehensive talk on how knowledge is constructed through theory, focusing on empiricism, rationalism, and falsifiability. She also explained how the expansion of knowledge challenges the existing theories. Dr. Farhat Taj further explained the function of theory in research.

After her lecture, Dr. Farhat Taj posed the research question, “Is durable peace possible between Pakistan and Afghanistan?” and divided the participants into groups to address this question and write their arguments using relevant theories. After completing their tasks in almost 1.5 hours, the participants’ groups were instructed to share their written arguments/analysis for review. Dr. Farhat Taj advised reviewing each other's work while focusing on the relevant theory discussed in addressing the question. Is the theory language used or not? And check the strengths and weaknesses of the analysis. The faculty and students, in mixed groups, thoroughly reviewed each other's work and discussed/argued one-on-one. It was a unique learning experience for the participants on how to address a research question through different theories. At the end, Dr. Farhat Taj stressed the need to use more relevant theories to conduct a robust analysis of any phenomenon.

Dr. Syed Rashid Ali, Associate Professor from the department of Sociology, concluded the workshop by remarking that such practical learning is mandatory for both students and faculty. He also added that students need to be equipped with theoretical lenses to analyze better the tasks they undertake. Dr. Rashid Ali thanked the University Advancement & Career Development Center of AWKUM for organizing such a fruitful workshop.

University Advancement & Career Development Center (UA&CDC) Organized A Seminar

 

A one-day seminar on “Unlock Global Research Opportunities and Make Your Career with HEC's IRSIP (International Research Support Initiative Program) Fellowship was organized for the PhD Students of the faculty of Social Sciences at the video conference room of the Main Campus of Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan. 

In the opening remarks, Dr. Syed Rashid Ali, Associate Professor of Sociology, highlighted the importance of such seminars, which equip PhD and even MPhil students with the skills needed to secure these scholarships. He stressed the need to conduct the IRSIP seminar regularly.

First, Dr. Muhammad Zahid (Chief Proctor AWKUM), an IRSIP fellow at the University of Bath, UK, thoroughly discussed the eligibility criteria of the IRSIP fellowship. During the discussion of the basic criteria for IRSIP, required documents, and the application procedure, Dr. Zahid explained each step in detail. He also described his own experience as an IRSIP fellow of HEC.

As a second speaker, Dr. Muhammad Bilal (Director, University Advancement & Career Development Center, AWKUM), an IRSIP fellow at the University of Toronto, Canada, spoke about how to obtain an IRSIP acceptance letter and about future career opportunities with the IRSIP fellowship. Dr. Bilal discussed how to write a well-structured email to a foreign professor and the possible responses from that professor. He also explained possible opportunities related to IRSIP, such as postdoctoral positions, jobs, and research projects.

Dr. Sanaullah, an Assistant Professor of Sociology, delivered closing remarks and praised the speakers' efforts and UA&CDC. Dr. Sanaullah also indicated that other scholarships should be brought up for discussion in future seminars. He further added that the students' interest in availing such opportunities is mandatory.