Academic Collaboration in Social Sciences Employing Technology With State of the Art Skills

The Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University (SBBU), Shaheed Benazirabad, Sindh Pakistan, formalized a new collaboration with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). This initiative, led by Engineer Professor Dr. Madad Ali Shah, Vice Chancellor of SBBU, and Professor Dr. Rosemini Omar, Dean of Management Sciences at UTM, reflects the vital role of international cooperation in driving innovation and academic excellence between two institutions.

At the core of this agreement is a pledge to promote student and faculty exchanges between the two universities. This partnership will establish an 'ACT Lab' at SBBU, a unique initiative mirroring the successful Malaysian model. The ACT lab is the first satellite Social Science lab in collaboration with HSE Saint Petersburg University. This satellite lab, the mirror lab, connects AHIBS's ACT Lab and HSE's REPLab, marking UTM's first venture in Social Science. This move will integrate the university into a global network of behavioral science laboratories, a consortium that already includes institutions from Malaysia, Russia, Iraq, and Cambodia. This development will transform SBBU into a vibrant hub for research, knowledge sharing, and scientific collaboration.

Establishing the Act Lab at SBBU is a significant step towards integrating Pakistani academic institutions into the global discourse, particularly in the field of behavioral sciences. As the world faces increasingly complex challenges, from mental health to social dynamics, behavioral science research holds the potential to provide crucial insights and solutions. With this collaboration, SBBU positions itself as a key player in generating this knowledge, thereby contributing to the global academic community.

Professor Dr. Madad Ali Shah's vision for the university is deeply rooted in the belief that international collaborations are crucial for enhancing academic standards and research potential. 'This initiative will significantly elevate the academic standing of SBBU and provide Pakistani students and faculty with unprecedented opportunities to engage with leading researchers globally,' Dr. Shah emphasized. His focus on internationalization underscores the growing understanding that academic institutions must actively engage with global peers to stay competitive and relevant. This collaboration is poised to revolutionize the educational landscape of SBBU.

Professor Dr. Rosemini Omar is equally enthusiastic about the project. She stressed that behavioral science research is about understanding human behavior and addressing global challenges through innovative approaches. "This collaboration opens up new frontiers for both institutions, offering a platform for groundbreaking research that will benefit both our local communities and the global academic community," she remarked.

According to Prof. Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar, Vice Chancellor of the National Skills University Islamabad, SBBU's partnership with UTM is a timely reminder that academia thrives on collaboration. As this relationship flourishes, it will undoubtedly pave the way for future initiatives, placing SBBU  on the global academic map while contributing valuable research to the field of behavioral sciences.