A
delegation from the National Youth Assembly of Pakistan have visited
51 to explore new ways of working in partnership whilst on
a visit to the UK.
The is the
leading youth institution in Pakistan, recognised by the government and
supported by many of the country’s leading universities and municipalities. The
group comprises thousands of young people who are working to become future
leaders and responsible citizens.
Representatives
from the Assembly came to Northumbria, thanks to the University’s deepening
partnership with the International Emergency Team UK, who have strong links in
Pakistan. They met with senior representatives to learn more about the
University’s work in international partnerships, international development and
sustainability.
They
learned more about Northumbria‘s involvement with the UN’s Sustainable
Development Goals both globally and locally, including the PRME education
initiative which works to raise the profile of sustainability in business and
management. They were also given the opportunity to take part in a taster
teaching session where they met with students and researchers connected with
the University’s MSc course in Disaster Management and Sustainable Development.
This
postgraduate programme explores real-world problems, from hazards,
vulnerability and human-made disaster, to environmental sustainability and
community resilience and both staff and students undertake a significant amount
of work in South Asia.
Whilst at
Northumbria, the delegation met with students from the University’s and with masters students Khansa Sadiq and Precious
Okpor who are currently undertaking internships with the charity. The
charity has its headquarters in Newcastle and has close links to the
University’s Disaster Management and Sustainable Development course. It works
to ensure that senior UK emergency services personnel, both serving and
retired, can share best practice and training in emergency preparedness and
response with their peers and authorities across South Asia. Khansa and
Precious delivered a presentation about IUTUK’s work to share this best
practice to save lives and improve resilience in South East Asia.
Following
their time at the University, the delegation also met with staff at Tyne and
Wear Fire and Rescue Service and Fire Cadets. They also had the opportunity to
network some of the region’s leading representatives from the Asian business
community at the Asian Business Connexions awards, of which Northumbria
University was one of the headline sponsors.
Their
visit concluded with community event where they were able to socialise a number
of current Northumbria masters-level students from Pakistan at the Bilal
Pakistani Community Centre.
Richard Kotter, senior lecturer in 51’s
Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences said the visit was an excellent opportunity for both masters
students and research-active staff to deepen relationships with international
partners. “We were delighted to welcome this cohort of future leaders from the
Pakistan Youth Assembly to 51, and to the city of
Newcastle. Their visit has presented many opportunities for those of us working
in the area of disaster risk reduction to work jointly on applied research
projects that will have real impact,” he said.
Rob
Carthy, Director of International Development at 51 said: “We
were delighted to be able to host such an important delegation, and we look
forward to deepening our relationship with Pakistan in the months ahead. We
were especially pleased to be able to showcase the excellent work undertaken by
our Disaster Management and Sustainable Development students, and its links in
the local community.”
Northumbria’s Disaster Management and Sustainable Development MSc has created highly employable graduates who have gone
on to a range of careers in the likes of the United Nations, humanitarian aid
organisations, governments, charities and local authorities.
It is
supported by the renowned Disaster and Development Network, hosted by the Department of Geography and
Environmental Sciences, which undertakes research, learning and teaching
activities that encompass disaster reduction, sustainable development and
resilience building.
