On 28 November 2025, UNHCR organized a one-day capacity building session at the International Center for Refugee and Migration Studies (ICRMS), Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS) Quetta, focusing on International Refugee Protection. The session aimed to enhance students’ understanding of global refugee protection frameworks, key humanitarian principles, and the roles of international and national stakeholders in supporting refugee populations. The event began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, setting a respectful and reflective tone. Following this, Prof. Dr. Aurangzaib, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities (FSS&H), delivered the opening remarks, welcoming participants and emphasizing the importance of strengthening academic engagement on refugee issues, particularly in the unique context of Balochistan. He expressed sincere gratitude to UNHCR for organizing and facilitating the session and also thanked the students for their active participation, highlighting their enthusiasm and engagement as key to the success of the program.
Ms. Tahira Awan, Senior Protection Assistant at UNHCR, delivered an in-depth presentation on international refugee protection mechanisms, covering the core principles of refugee law, international legal instruments, UNHCR’s mandate and global operations, host state responsibilities, and the current refugee situation in Pakistan, with a focus on Balochistan. Her session provided students with a strong conceptual and legal understanding of refugee protection frameworks. Following this, Mr. Haider Zaman, Assistant Protection Officer at UNHCR, conducted an interactive and practical briefing on humanitarian response, discussing field-level protection challenges, case management processes, community engagement and outreach strategies, and coordination with government departments and partner organizations. He encouraged students to engage with ongoing humanitarian efforts and highlighted opportunities for youth participation in the humanitarian sector. The session also aimed to raise awareness about the challenges faced by refugees in Balochistan, enhance students’ ability to advocate for refugee rights, and contribute to the development of pro-refugee policies. Speakers emphasized Pakistan’s role as a signatory to international refugee conventions, the everyday challenges refugees face in accessing legal rights, housing, education, healthcare, and protection from forced return, as well as the critical role of UNHCR and lawyers in safeguarding and advocating for refugee rights.
Students from the Law and International Relations Department actively participated in the session, asking thoughtful questions related to protection mechanisms, refugee legal status, and available support systems. Their engagement fostered meaningful dialogue and significantly enhanced their awareness and understanding of refugee issues, allowing them to connect theoretical knowledge with practical humanitarian challenges. A total of 32 students attended the session, including 20 males and 12 females, reflecting a strong and diverse participation.
In his concluding remarks, Prof. Dr. Zahid Rouf, Director of ICRMS, appreciated the efforts of UNHCR and encouraged students to further expand their knowledge of humanitarian and refugee protection issues. He motivated participants to continue engaging with academic and humanitarian initiatives aimed at supporting vulnerable communities. At the end of the session, certificates were distributed to participants, recognizing their active involvement and interest. The one-day capacity building session proved to be a valuable learning opportunity for BUITEMS students, deepening their understanding of international refugee protection, strengthening collaboration between ICRMS, BUITEMS, and UNHCR, and highlighting the importance of informed youth participation in humanitarian initiatives. UNHCR also expressed appreciation to ICRMS, BUITEMS for hosting the session and reaffirmed its commitment to continued academic engagement and capacity-building activities.
Reported by Muhammad Asif
Reporting Associate
