The International Center for Refugee and Migration Studies (ICRMS) organized the 2024 Research Symposium of the Frontier Scholars Research Award (FSRA) and ICRMS-Led Research on November 12, 2024, at BUITEMS. This symposium convened scholars, researchers, and academic leaders to discuss impactful research studies focusing on refugee issues and host community challenges in Balochistan and beyond.
The symposium opened with a welcome note by the Director of ICRMS, who introduced the esteemed participants and highlighted the mission of the Frontier Scholars Research Award in fostering high-impact research addressing critical socio-political and humanitarian issues.
Mr. Kazim, from ICRMS, served as the event moderator, providing an insightful introduction to the Frontier Scholars Research Award and outlining the objectives and significance of the FSRA and ICRMS-led projects. He emphasized the program’s commitment to supporting rigorous, evidence-based research that can drive policy reforms and improve refugee protection and support systems in Pakistan.
FSRA research project topics for 2024 are:
1. Identity Crisis and Social Navigation in Host Community: An Exploratory Study of (Re)construction, (Re)negotiation and (Re)contestation of Identities of Second-Generation Afghan Refugees Living in Camps.
FSRA Researcher: Dr. Humera Manzoor, Assistant Professor, Institute of Business Studies at Kohat University of Science & Technology (KUST), Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
2. The Impact Of Fear Of Deportation Of Refugees On Their Stress, Anxiety, and Depression: Does Government, NGOs, and Public Support Matter?
FSRA Researcher: Dr. Abdul Samad Kakar, Assistant Professor, University of Loralai, Balochistan
3. Determinants of Malnourishment Among Afghan Refugee Children Residing in Quetta: An Analysis”
FSRA Researcher: Dr. Ayisha Khurshid, Assistant Professor, National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Quetta Campus, Balochistan
4. Evaluation at the Bottom: Exploring Afghan Refugee Teachers’ Perspectives About Training After and For Curriculum Change in Balochistan.”
FSRA Researcher: Prof. Dr. Liaqat Ali Channa, Professor, Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS), Quetta, Balochistan
5. Statecraft and Security Politics: A Study on Refugee Governance in Pakistan”
FSRA Researcher: Prof. Dr. Abdul Wadood, Professor and Dean Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSS&H), BUITEMS, Quetta, Balochistan.
6. The Paradox of Citizenship and its Detrimental Impact on Human Rights – A Case Study on Young Afghan Refugees’ Struggle to Be Recognized in Pakistan: A Call for Reform
ICRMS Led Researcher: Syed Muaz Shah
The presentations were evaluated by a distinguished panel, including:
- Dr. Khalid Hafeez – Vice-Chancellor, BUITEMS
- Junaid Khan – Senior Research Economist, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), Islamabad
- Dr. Nazeer Ahmad – Dean of Graduate Studies, BUITEMS
These respected evaluators offered invaluable insights and constructive feedback, encouraging the scholars to further refine their methodologies and address potential areas for improvement. The evaluators provided critical reviews and suggested revisions, advising researchers to enhance the rigor of their approaches and submit updated project drafts for further consideration.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Dr. Khalid Hafeez, Vice-Chancellor of BUITEMS, shared his perspectives on the ICRMS projects and the valuable role of the Frontier Scholars Research Award in advancing research on refugee issues in Pakistan. Dr. Hafeez highlighted the importance of academia and research in shaping informed policies and underscored ICRMS’s commitment to supporting research that addresses regional challenges.
The Research Symposium of the Frontier Scholars Research Award (FSRA) and ICRMS-Led Research offered an enriching platform for collaborative knowledge exchange, with awardees gaining valuable insights to enhance their studies. This symposium underscored the role of academic inquiry in influencing policy and creating sustainable solutions for refugees and host communities.
