IIUI mission is to transform the society by promoting education, training, research, technology, and collaboration for reconstruction of human thought in all its forms on the foundations of Islam.
International Islamic University Islamabad
Female Campus Email: [email protected] : Critical Thinking Forum
INTRODUCTION
In 2010 Dr. Munazza Yaqoob, Chairperson, Department of English, Female Campus proposed to organize monthly interdisciplinary study circles of researchers of all faculties in the women campus to discuss and debate over topics of mutual interest. The topics for discussion suggested by the MS / PhD researchers from different departments included history, interaction between culture and religion, the nature of ethics, social sciences and critical social sciences, interfaith and intercultural dialogue, issues of the contemporary postmodern world and education in the 21st century etc. The aim of such meetings was to encourage critical thought, inter faculty interaction and develop culture of research in the university. In 2012 the study circle was upgraded into a discussion and research forum. This forum was named as Critical Thinking Forum (CTF) and it was approved by the Executive Director, Iqbal International Institute for Research and Dialogue (IRD) as a unit of IRD.
Critical Thinking Forum (CTF) of Iqbal International Institute for Research and Dialogue (IRD), International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) provides a platform for research and critical debates on multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary topics to emerging researchers and intellectuals. The objectives of the Forum are:
Development of pedagogical strategies for nurturing critical thinking
Fostering critical reflection on local and global cultural and socio-political issues and values
Initiation of interdisciplinary research projects
Organization of seminars, conferences, roundtables and lectures on the above issues
The Forum is chaired by Dr. Munazza Yaqoob (Chairperson Department of English, Female Campus). Members of organizing committee include Dr. Shahid Siddiqui (Vice Chanceollor, AIOU), Ms. Farhat Meher (IIUI), Ms. Sofia Hussain (IIUI), Mr. Junaid Ahmad (LUMS), Ms. Soumia Aziz (IIUI), Ms. Sonia Irum (IIUI), and Ms. Farhana Shamim (IIUI).
Since its inception the forum has been regularly conducting fortnightly reading and discussion sessions on key theorists and intellectuals who have contributed to the development of criticality. The Forum has also brought together research scholars from a variety of disciplines including Literary Studies, Politics and IR, Islamic Studies, History and Education.