The Eqbal Ahmad Centre for Public Education (EACPE) seeks to foster the use of science and reason to understand nature and society and so better enable all citizens of Pakistan to participate fully in the political, social, economic, and cultural life of their society; to exercise their democratic rights and responsibilities; to value human rights, democracy and the rule of law; to promote cultural and religious diversity; to raise awareness of global issues and the natural environment; and to advance the goals of international peace and justice.
EACPE is named to honour the life and work of distinguished Pakistani academic, activist, and public intellectual, Dr. Eqbal Ahmad.
“The EACPE record is very impressive, and hopeful — a rarity these days. About the webpage (design), I don’t have anything useful to say. Have little experience that’s relevant. To me personally, the range and choice of topics is appealing and impressive. I can’t think of any useful way to improve it.”
— Noam
(Received on 5th May, 2017. As a member of the EACPE board, Professor Noam Chomsky was asked to suggest how to improve our main page)
I agreed… we have to think about the education of future generation. Pakistani nation is far far a way from the technology.
Excellent reply to the question Whether Pakistan can achieve mission to Mars as India? I am very confident that
Pervaiz and many other real scientists of Pakistan can join and achieve a similar or better mission to Mars and beyond if the resources available to them. Based on the priorities of the existing government and the resources, I do not think it will be tried in the near future by the present corrupt and selfish government.
The pitch here is very different from your article in Dawn on the same subject. Instead of posing it in terms of bridging the gap with India in science and technology by a false analogy with the US lag in space technology over USSR in 1950s — which to some extent still persists — through a “sputnik moment” for Pakistan through “leapfrogging” or through “borrowed feathers”, I am glad you are emphasising here the need for much more gradual and determined efforts to bring about structural changes in the field of science and education. Indeed the country will have to step up to such radical changes much more widely in the social and economic structure. Simply by adding wish lists a la Qadri and Imran, we are unlikely to get very far. The question is how? Not through cosmetic and piecemeal changes changes in particular areas and institutions.
This is indeed heart warming and very educative for Pakistan. Pervez stresses grass root change in thiniking and setting right priorities. Having worked for Indian Space Research Organisation for many, many years, I must say that its work culture and atmosphere, originally created by Dr.Vikram Sarabhai and his closest associates and students, inspires everyone for performing to their best. For Pervez and his elder brother, Samir, who is my best friend, delevopment of Pakistan is so dear to them that they have sacrified a lot, working towards that goal. It is our hope that many in Pakistan would listen to this educative, inspiring talk and learn and change for the better future.
Is it necessary for a country having half of its population living under poverty line to go for Mars explorations? The ladies & gentlemen impressed by such programs must strive for the basic needs of our people like health, balanced education, clean water and just system.
Parvez Hoodbhoy ! Aapki hubbul watni ko salam . Aap pakistan ke sachche khairkhwah hain, aur saath mein nidad aur bahadur bhi jo sach bolne se nahi ghabraate , aap apni security kaa bhi khyaal zaroor rakhkhein .pakistan mein aap jaise logon ko pasand nahi kia jaata .
What is our priority?
Like building metro is of higher priority than giving clean water n electricity to masses so I am sure we will goto Mars sooner than expected. Otherwise our political leaders n business class always bailout when this country needs them. So people don’t be diaappointed, 30 million children n women r on streets n alot many more r without food or job or even clean water but our priority is different.