The Department of Sociology at the University of Sindh organised a forum titled “Beyond the Social Lens Forum 2026”, which was jointly inaugurated by the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Fateh Muhammad Marri (T.I.), and Hyderabad Commissioner Fayaz Hussain Abbasi.

At the lawn of the university’s Faculty of Arts, students from various departments set up research project poster presentation corners focusing on education, health, poverty, unemployment, food, clean water and other social issues. Various social organisations also established stalls showcasing cultural items, handicrafts, books and other products. Rescue 1122 set up an awareness stall to educate visitors about emergency response and management.

The Vice Chancellor and the Commissioner jointly visited the project displays and stalls and received presentations from students and representatives of social organisations. The forum also provided students with opportunities to meet representatives of social and industrial organisations offering internships and employment, attend interviews and submit their CVs. Various discussion sessions were also held, during which prominent experts from different fields shared their views and answered participants’ questions.

The organising team, headed by Chairman of the Department of Sociology Dr. Ahmed Ali Brohi, comprised Dr. Ameer Ali Abro, Dr. Ghazala Panhwar, Dr. Niaz Ahmed Bhutto, Dr. Shabana Tunio, Dr. Aijaz Ahmed Wassan and Adeel Khan Brohi.

Addressing the forum, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Fateh Muhammad Marri said that such programmes enhanced students’ self-confidence and provided them with opportunities to showcase their abilities. He expressed great pleasure at seeing the research posters and projects prepared by students on important social issues, adding that research conducted by young people could help identify the causes of social problems, develop solutions and contribute to societal progress.

He said that social problems could be addressed by increasing educational awareness and expanding its reach, adding that university students could play an effective role in this regard. He emphasised that universities were responsible not only for awarding degrees but also for raising awareness among students and enabling them to contribute to society.

The Vice Chancellor congratulated the Chairman of the Department of Sociology and his team on organising a successful forum. He expressed hope that the event would enhance students’ knowledge and skills while strengthening coordination and cooperation among the university, social organisations and the industrial sector.

He said that representatives of various social organisations and industrial institutions had witnessed the capabilities and potential of University of Sindh students during the event. He urged these organisations to create as many opportunities as possible for students to demonstrate their abilities and enable the organisations to benefit from their potential.

Speaking on the occasion, Hyderabad Commissioner Fayaz Hussain Abbasi congratulated the Vice Chancellor and his team and praised the students’ abilities, describing their research projects as impressive. He said that the participation of social organisations and various institutions in the programme gave him hope that the forum would provide students with valuable career opportunities and support.

He added that the connections established between students and social organisations through the event would benefit students in their professional careers after completing their education.

A panel discussion was also held at Shaikh Ayaz Auditorium in the Faculty of Arts building. Prominent personalities associated with social organisations, institutions and the industrial sector, including Noor Muhammad Bajeer, Mansoor Ahmed, Dr. Sorath Mahar, Asif Ali, Abid Hussain Lashari, Dr. Imtiaz Ahmed Pirzado and Shakeel Munawar Abro, among others, shared their views.

The forum highlighted the importance of strengthening links between university research and society’s actual needs, utilising research findings in development projects, and promoting collaboration among educational institutions, industries and social organisations.

Participants agreed that a meeting would soon be arranged between the university administration, social organisations and industrial institutions to develop a strategy for strengthening coordination and cooperation, enabling University of Sindh students to benefit fully from these partnerships.