Habib University’s educational model is founded on ensuring students’ success and enabling them to overcome widespread political, economic, and sociocultural challenges through programs that meet global criteria. The Graduate School Curation Program is a framework for conducting undergraduate research in Pakistan in line with the University’s mission to champion student success while fostering creative thinkers and leaders who positively impact society. Through a 2.5-year undergraduate research and learning journey, the Graduate School Curation Program prepares exceptional students to pursue big ideas and become leaders in their fields of scholarship and discovery.
Dr. Aamir Hasan, Vice President Academic Affairs at Habib University explaining the 2.5-year journey of the Graduate School Curation Program to students
“The Graduate School Curation program supports intellectual curiosity, wide-ranging inquiry and engagement with the community,” says Anum Asi, Director Graduate School Curation Program and Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication and Design. “And it does so while fostering equity—most undergraduate research opportunities are ad hoc, landed by chance or through prior relationships. Many students who go on to graduate study or scholarships have family members who have done the same before. This program aims to streamline the process and thereby open the world of engaging scholarship to many more students who will go on to become leaders in their fields.”
Anum Asi sharing how GSCP Scholars are students with the initiative, drive, and curiosity to successfully embark on a path of discovery, pursuing questions of import to themselves and the wider community.
“The Graduate School Curation Program supports intellectual curiosity, wide-ranging inquiry and engagement with the community.”
SHAPING STUDENTS INTO INNOVATIVE COLLABORATORS
Students accepted into the GSCP pursue their intellectual interests in and beyond their primary major. They are enrolled in specialized seminars through which they learn how to develop, execute, and present their own research and improve their writing skills. They receive funding to pursue questions and topics that they are excited by, benefitting from close engagement with Habib University’s world-class faculty and with a diverse cohort of academically exceptional and motivated peers who become life-long collaborators.
Mohammad Moeini-Feizabadi, Director Academic, Graduate School Curation Program and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Social Development and Policy shared, “The Graduate School Curation Program is the first structured and curated undergraduate research program in Pakistan where students are engaged in research which is locally contextualized. Through research and publications, they can smoothly transition to the top global institutions for postgraduate studies.” He further emphasized, “The common myth is that research should be conducted at the graduate level, but we reached the conclusion that our students have the capacity to conduct research as undergraduates.”
Mohammad Moeini-Feizabadi, Director Academic, Graduate School Curation Program sharing how GSCP students are trained and mentored via research seminars and a project proposal workshop.
“The Graduate School Curation Program has equipped me with 21st century research and analytical skills.”
THE REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF GSCP SCHOLARS
Research Scholars enjoying a community-building field trip
“The Graduate School Curation Program has equipped me with 21st century research and analytical skills,” said Samana Butul, a student of BA in Humanities, Class of 2024. Samana worked with Muzammil Patel, Dean’s Fellow and Lecturer in the Comparative Humanities Department at Habib University, on a project investigating Sufi reformation in North-western British India during the late 19th century. She highlighted, “I can now navigate critically through literature review and identify authentic sources. And my communication skills have improved because of the interactive sessions that we have during this transformative journey of 2.5 years.”
Bisma Barkat Ali, a Social Development and Policy student, 2024, said, “The GSCP gives you a very clear idea of the skills and resources you need for higher education. Besides gaining research experience, you also gain a firm grasp about how to plan your graduate school journey which can otherwise be a very confusing maze for students.” Bisma shared that the GSCP enabled her to conduct exciting research in Comparative Humanities with a professor she may not have been able to work with otherwise as a Social Development and Policy major. She is now planning to pursue further education in Heritage Studies.
“The program cultivates and develops conscious, global citizens through courses, service, potential research abroad opportunities and interdisciplinary engagement with their GSCP cohort.”
SUMMER TEHQIQ RESEARCH PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
The Summer Tehqiq Research Program (STRP) is a key component of the Graduate School Curation Program journey. Co-run with the Office of Research at Habib University, the STRP is a 10-week initiative during which students enrolled in the Graduate School Curation Program become Mohaqiqs (research scholars), working on both faculty-led and independent research projects. Some students with excellent research skills or profiles who are not a part of the GSCP can also apply to become a part of the faculty-led Summer Tehqiq projects. During Summer 2022, students worked with faculty mentors on wide-ranging projects that included topics such as women’s inclusion in the financial sector, gender-sensitive messaging in curricular materials and cost and energy-efficient water-metering infrastructure.
Students at a weekly catch-up session during Summer Tehqiq Research Program 2022
Students shared their research with each other throughout the summer, benefitting from the diverse perspectives of their peers from all 6 undergraduate programs at Habib University. At the end of the summer, students presented their work to the Habib University community at large during a Research Showcase where they answered questions and received feedback about their projects.
Catch glimpses of students displaying their research work under Summer Tehqiq Research Program
“Habib University continues to be an institution of first choice for students and this is possible because of innovation and sustainability in Habib University’s educational model which prioritizes student-centricity.”
Catch glimpses of the GSCP Open House
Habib University continues to be an institution of first choice for students and this is possible because of innovation and sustainability in Habib University’s educational model which prioritizes student-centricity. The Graduate School Curation Program cultivates and develops conscious, global citizens through courses, service, potential research abroad opportunities, and interdisciplinary engagement with their GSCP cohort.
The next round of applications for the GSCP Class of 2025 is now open and the deadline is January 06, 2023.
For more information about the program, visit https://habib.edu.pk/gscp/
