Chairman HEC Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar attended a Vice Chancellors’ Conference on preventing and countering violent extremism held in Lahore and organised by the Punjab Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism. Provincial Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique was the chief guest and vice chancellors from public and private universities across the province took part in discussions focused on the academic role in national security and social cohesion.
The gathering aimed to align university initiatives with the Revised National Action Plan and placed special emphasis on transforming higher education into a frontline defence against online radicalization and hate speech. Delegates explored creating dedicated research fellowships and programmes that study drivers of extremism while promoting socio-economic mainstreaming for vulnerable groups.
Chairman HEC stressed that universities must lead narrative building and strengthen social cohesion by equipping students and faculty with critical thinking skills. He highlighted the need for robust information networks and specialised training modules so that academic institutions can identify and counter the spread of extremist content and online radicalization at its roots.
The Punjab Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism and university leadership discussed concrete steps to support evidence-based research and collaborative outreach. Emphasis was placed on linking academic research with community engagement and policy makers to ensure that fellowships and training translate into practical measures that reduce alienation and radical influences among youth.
Speakers called for sustained collaboration across higher education, government and civil society to empower students and safeguard campuses as spaces of harmony and critical dialogue. The conference underlined the central role of universities in countering online radicalization while supporting inclusive socio-economic pathways for young people.
