The International Center for Refugee and Migration Studies (ICRMS) organized the Research Proposal Defense for the Frontier Scholars Research Awards (FSRA) of 2024 on April 24th, 2024, at Training Hall, SS Block, BUITEMS, Quetta. A total of 9 applicants from Balochistan, 7 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 1 from Punjab, 5 from Islamabad, and 1 international applicant submitted proposals under diverse themes including Healthcare, Livelihood and Market Inclusivity, Education, Climate Change, Social Welfare, WASH, and Protection.
The event commenced with the recitation of holy verses from the Quran, followed by opening remarks from Dr. Rahila Umer, Director of ICRMS. Dr. Rahila briefly informed the researchers about FSRA and the three-tier evaluation of the research proposals. Esteemed evaluators, Dr. Noor, Director Finance-BUITEMS, Dr. Nazeer Ahmed, Professor Faculty of Life Sciences and Informatics (FLSI), and Dean Graduate Studies were present to assess the proposals. Representatives from various organizations such as WESS, Taraqee Foundation, Tameer-e-Khalq Foundation (TKF), and Innovative Development Organization (IDO) attended the event alongside the shortlisted presenters of the research proposals. Additionally, Ms. Sajida Mehdi, CBP Associate UNHCR, and Mr. Jalal Ahmed, Assistant Program Officer from UNHCR, also joined the evaluation of the research proposals and occasion. The event served as a platform for scholars and organizations to collaborate and discuss innovative research ideas aimed at addressing pressing issues in refugee and migration studies.
The following are the titles of the presentations and names of the researchers;
- 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.
    Researcher: Dr. Humaira Manzoor, Kohat University of Science and Technology KUST
- Behavioural Spillover Towards Workplace Inclusivity: A Case of Afghan Refugees in Pakistan.
    Researcher: Dr Muhammad Haroon Rasheed, University of Sargodah
- Waste Management and Empowerment of Refugee Communities.
    Researcher: Dr. Usman, Xian International Studies University, China
- Evaluation at bottom: Exploring Afghan refugee teachers’ perspectives about trainings after and for curriculum change in Balochistan.
    Researcher: Prof. Dr. Liaqat Ali Channa, Professor English Departments, Associate Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities FSS&H, BUITEMS
- Empowering Educators: Navigating Challenges and Prospects In Capacity Building For Afghan Refugee Schoolteachers In Peshawar.
    Researcher: Dr. Imran A. Sajid, University of Peshawar
- Statecraft And Security Politics in Pakistan: Refugees in Pakistan’s Security and Domestic Calculus
    Researcher: Prof. Dr. Abdul Wadood, Professor IR Department and DEAN Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities FSS&H.
- Determinants of malnourishment among Afghan refugee children: A case study of Quetta region
    Researcher: Dr. Ayesha Khurshid, NUST, Quetta
- The Impact of Fear of Repatriation of Refugees on Their Stress, Anxiety, And Depression: Does, Government, NGOs, and Public Support Matter.
    Researcher: Dr. Abdul Samad, University of Loralai
- The Paradox of Citizenship and its Detrimental Impact on Human Rights: A Case Study on Young Afghan Refugees Struggle to Be Recognized in Pakistan.
    Researcher: Mr. Syed Muaz Shah
The event concluded with remarks from Professor Dr. Nazeer Ahmed, who extended his support and appreciation to ICRMS for this important initiative and receiving research proposals from international applicants. He thanked UNHCR and stressed the importance of research-led policy suggestions and solutions for the forced displacement and refugee protection challenges in this region.
