French Embassy, Quaid-i-Azam University, Alliance Française organising seminar on French contribution to Pakistan studies

Islamabad, January 28, 2014 (PPI-OT): The French Embassy in Pakistan, in partnership with the Quaid-i-Azam University and the Alliance Française of Karachi, is organizing an International Seminar on “French Contribution to Pakistan Studies”.

The French scientific community has been implementing research programs in Pakistan since the 1950s. These programs were initially focused on archaeology and rapidly expanded to other fields like palaeontology and social sciences. This led to the creation of the Centre for Social Sciences in Karachi (CSSK) in 2011, the body responsible for coordinating French scientific research projects in Pakistan.

This upcoming series of conferences in Islamabad and Karachi aims at presenting the main results achieved by French scholars in collaboration with their European and Pakistani colleagues. Research fields include palaeontology, archaeology (Indus civilisation, Islamic period), society and culture in the colonial and post-colonial era, and contemporary studies.

Over 15 French scholars are attending the seminar which is set to begin by a first session, held at the Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad on February 3. It will be followed by a two-day round of conferences and roundtables at the Alliance Française in Karachi on February 5 and 6. More than 25 Pakistani researchers from Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi are also participating to the seminar.

The aim of the seminar is to enhance scientific cooperation between the two countries and to encourage future joint research projects that will contribute to promote the rich and diverse heritage of Pakistan.

For more information, contact:
Aqeel Hussain SYED
French Embassy in Pakistan
French Embassy – Diplomatic Enclave G5 – GPO
Box 1068 Islamabad
Telephone: 00 92 51 201 14 14
Fax: 201 14 80 / 201 14 00
Website: www.ambafrance-pk.org