To mark World Anthropology Day, the Department of Anthropology at IUB organized an awareness seminar titled “Praxis: Application/s of Anthropology in the Present and Future” at the Faculty of Social Sciences Auditorium. The event aimed to explore the practical implications of anthropology in contemporary society and its potential for shaping the future.
Professor Dr. Shazia Anjum, Dean of the Faculty of Chemical & Biological Sciences and Directorate of Culture and Heritage, was the chief guest.
Dr. Farooq Ahmed, Chairman of the Department of Anthropology, initiated the discussion by providing insights into the historical evolution of anthropology, emphasizing its colonial and post-colonial perspectives. He highlighted the concept of praxis, as defined by Paulo Freire, and its significance in contemporary anthropological discourse. Dr. Ahmed underscored the importance of theoretically informed anthropological praxis in addressing systemic injustices and reshaping the discipline for the future.
Dr. Rafique Ul Islam shed light on the intersection of literature and anthropology, while Prof. Dr. Salman Bin Naeem shared personal experiences from his time in America, emphasizing the relevance of anthropology in understanding genealogy and medical anthropology. Prof. Dr. Musawer Bukhari stressed the interconnectedness of anthropology and political science, emphasizing the significance of ethnic, racial, and nationalist studies within both disciplines.
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Saleem emphasized the historical contributions of anthropological scholars to the political landscape of regions like the Middle East and South Asia. He highlighted the importance of qualitative research, originating from anthropology, in shaping future research endeavors. Dr. Aysha from the Social Work Department emphasized the pivotal role of anthropology in the broader social sciences landscape.
In her concluding remarks, Prof. Dr. Shazia Anjum emphasized the interdisciplinary nature of social sciences and their critical role in addressing contemporary societal challenges. She commended Dr. Farooq Ahmed for organizing the insightful event and stressed the need for increased collaboration between social and natural sciences for the betterment of humanity.
Distinguished speakers included Prof. Muhammad Saleem, Chairman of the Department of Psychology; Prof. Dr. Musawer Hussain Bukhari, Chairman of the Department of Political Science; Prof. Dr. Salman Bin Naeem from the Department of Information Management; Dr. Rafique ul Islam, Chairman of the Department of Iqbal Studies; Prof. Dr. Samar Fahd from the Department of Psychology; Salman from Sociology; Athar Lashri from the Seraike Language Department; and Sabtain Khan from Gender Studies.
The seminar concluded with Dr. Moazzam Durrani invited all guests and speakers to the stage for a token of appreciation and acknowledged their valuable contribution to the seminar.
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