A group of 26 students from the departments of Defense and Strategic Studies and International Relations in Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU), Islamabad visited the Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) on October 21, 2008. They were briefed about the PIPS research initiatives in conflict and peace areas, PIPS Database, PIPS Archives and PIPS team. Ms Shabana Fayaz, Assistant Professor at the QAU, had arranged and led the delegation of students.
Ms Shabana Fayaz narrated the purpose of students’ visit as to engage them in different office and field activities so that they learn the fundamentals of research. Mr Muhammad Amir Rana, Director Research at PIPS, categorized the students into three groups. The first group was put together with PIPS Database team to prepare profiles of militant organizations as a part of office research.
The second group was associated with PIPS field research team to conduct interviews with scholars, social scientists and academicians as a part of primary data collection for a study on “Radicalization in Pakistan”, currently being conducted by the PIPS. The third group was assigned the task to arrange a workshop in the Quaid-e-Azam University on the issue of radicalization, in collaboration with the PIPS. The students showed their keen interest in becoming part of all these activities.