Inculcating Character Education and Strengthening Social Skills in Pakistani Youth

A recent roundtable discussion at Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) in Islamabad contemplated an important issue: the need to focus on character development and social skills aligning with the global environments alongside academic success in Pakistan's universities. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar, Vice Chancellor of the National Skills University Islamabad, shared his experience of teaching worldwide, describing Pakistan's youth as some of the most talented he has encountered. However, he emphasized that this talent may be wasted without the right environment to support their growth. Moreover, Mukhtar highlighted the efforts of the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training to introduce character education and promote social skills at the school level, as well as train mothers on how to work jointly in the character-building of their loved ones. He believes there is a need for joint efforts from the family to the primary, middle, high, and university systems. Each must have defined KPI relevant to character education and, as such, work collaboratively towards a society enjoying ethics, respect, and honor for all.

The "Character Mastery: The Key to Achieving Sustainable Success" event was organized by the Association of Private Sector Universities Pakistan (APSUP) in collaboration with QAU. It brought together Vice Chancellors, Rectors, and leaders from 25 universities and organizations to discuss how character education can significantly shape a better future for students and for Pakistan as a whole.

Chaired by Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, Vice Chancellor of QAU, the discussion highlighted the need to build strong student values, honesty, professionalism, integrity, and tolerance. Speakers, including Dr. Sumaira Rehman, Rector of Superior University Lahore, emphasized that these values are crucial to success in academics and life.

The insights and recommendations from this critical discussion will be shared at the upcoming 5th Rectors Conference in the last week of November, where university leaders will further explore ways to integrate character education into their institutions.

The message from this event is clear: character education is not an extra or optional part of learning but an essential one. It is critical to helping students become well-rounded individuals who are not only skilled in their studies but also responsible, ethical citizens. Universities, as the cradle of knowledge, have a profound responsibility to teach not just facts and skills but also to nurture personal growth and moral leadership.

Pakistan faces many challenges today, and as Dr. Mukhtar pointed out, its youth have great potential to contribute to the nation's future. However, to do so, they need a supportive environment that encourages both academic achievement and character development.

As this conversation moves forward, universities nationwide must take action to prioritize character education. The upcoming Rectors Conference will be critical in determining whether Pakistan's academic institutions are ready to meet this challenge.

Pakistan's youth have the talent and the ambition to succeed. Now, they need a system that helps them become successful students and responsible and ethical leaders. It is time for educational leaders to take up this important task and ensure that character education is a core part of the university experience.