UNHCR to help Balochistan varsity set up refugees studies centre

QUETTA: The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) signed on Wednesday a partnership agreement with the Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences.

The collaboration is aimed at establishing a Centre for Refugees and Migration Studies (CRMS), besides providing training to refugee teachers and creating business studies opportunity for refugee students at the university.

On the occasion, a plaque marking the establishment of the Centre was jointly unveiled by UNHCR’s Country Representative Indrika Ratwatte, Chief Commissioner for Afghan Refugees Dr Imran Zeb and university Vice-Chancellor Ahmed Farooq Bazai.

Under the partnership agreement, the UNHCR will support the university in setting up a centre on its premises while the university would provide admissions to refugee students and training to refugee teachers.

Delivering the inaugural lecture titled ‘Management of Refugees and Migrants for Lasting Regional Peace’, UNHCR’s Country Representative Indrika Ratwatte praised the university’s commitment to providing opportunities for refugees.

Terming it an important step towards empowering youth, he said it was vital for achieving broader goals for peace and prosperity in the region.

Vice-Chancellor Ahmed Farooq Bazai (SI) stressed the need for quality education, research and academic exercises on socio-economic issues, including challenges relating to refugees and migrants.

The vice-chancellor assured that the university was fully prepared to support local and international community in their endeavours.

The Centre, once operational, will serve as a repository of information on issues relating to refugees and migration. Dissemination will be achieved through regular publication of research work and organising periodic events such as seminars and workshops on refugees and migrants.

It is expected that the collaboration between the UNHCR and the Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences would assist policy and decision-makers with concrete recommendations towards management of refugees and migrants in the region.

The UNHCR will also facilitate the university in its efforts to strengthen the Centre’s capacity by networking with other similar research centres and education institutions around the world.

Chief Commissioner for Afghan Refugees Dr Imran Zeb said: “Evrefugee deserves a bright and safe future, and providing such admirable opportunities will not only make refugee students and teachers productive in their homeland, but it will also be valuable for securing peace in the region.”

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The event was also attended by UNHCR’s Deputy Country Representative Johann Siffointe, head of UNHCR sub-office Quetta Dinesh Shrestha, Commissioner Afghan Refugees Quetta Brig (retd) Masood Ahmad, Afghan Consul General Wajeedullah Momand, university’s faculty members and students, representatives from UN agencies and members of the civil society.

Source: The Express Tribune