April 21 and 22, 2016
The University of Karachi hosted the fourth meeting of the Universities for Water Network (UWN) on the 21st and 22nd of April 2016. The fourth meeting was held with the objective of furthering the UWN research agenda and ensuring the fulfillment of the collective responsibility of the UWN member universities. A consultative session was organized on the first day of the meeting to deliberate mechanisms for increased collaboration amongst member universities. Deliberations and engaging discussions were held on the water economy of Pakistan, Pakistan’s national water policy, leveraging of Pakistan’s water and land resources for the economic prosperity and development of Pakistan and Balochistan groundwater management crisis. Discussions focused around a solutions-oriented approach to the abovementioned issues. The second day of the UWN meeting consisted of a seminar to celebrate the “Earth Day” and “World Water Day”. The seminar commemorated the themes of Earth Day and World Water Day and most of the presentations of the students and teachers also revolved around these themes. A poster competition was also held amongst students of KU to observe World Water Day and the best posters were given awards.
Prof. Dr. Jamil Kazmi, Chairman Department of Geography commenced the proceedings and said a few words about the Universities for Water Network and World Water Day and Earth Day. Ms. Simi Kamal, Founder Hisaar Foundation and Co-Chair UWN gave an interactive presentation on “Earth for Life” which was well received by the students and audience. Her passionate and inspirational talk led to the KU students signing the pledge to support “Pakistan for Life,” an initiative for the purpose of welfare and water security which aimed at green governance, green legislation, green business, planting indigenous trees, water conservation, environmentally friendly architecture, and Pakistan Funds for “Pakistan for Life.”
Vice Chancellor, University of Karachi, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Qaiser also addressed the participants of the seminar and spoke about the importance of water security. Mr. Zohair Ashir, Chairman Hisaar Foundation and Dr. Pervaiz Amir, Council Member Hisaar Foundation were also present at the seminar and distributed certificates to the presenters.
The seminar was followed by a Tree Plantation Activity at the department of Geography led by veteran horticulturalist and Hisaar Foundation Governor, Mr. Tofiq Pasha Mooraj. The current Chairperson, Mr. Zohair Ashir and Founder Chairperson Ms. Simi Kamal along with the staff of Hisaar Foundation planted trees outside the department of Geography at the University of Karachi.
The Tree Plantation Activity was followed by the inauguration of the Dr. Iqtidar H.Zaidi Digital Image Processing Lab in the Department of Geography by the Vice-Chancellor, University of Karachi.
