Violent extremism starts with manipulated ideas and emotional vulnerabilities, not with acts of violence, a distinguished expert cautioned students at a seminar held at the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) today. The address highlighted the growing susceptibility of young people to radical ideologies fuelled by social media misinformation and algorithm-driven echo chambers.
The special awareness session, organised to commemorate the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism, took place at the Masood Hall of the Electrical Engineering Department. Its purpose was to promote peace, strengthen unity, and encourage responsible leadership among the student body.
The guest speaker, Lt. Col. (R) Dr. Qudsia Nawaz, delivered a thought-provoking address titled ‘Preventing Violent Extremism – Role of Youth and Engineers’. She outlined the psychological, social, and digital factors that can lead to radicalisation.
Addressing the engineering students directly, Dr. Nawaz underscored the ethical responsibility that accompanies technical expertise. She urged them to cultivate critical thinking, promote respectful dialogue, and actively foster an inclusive campus environment. She stressed that engineers, as future nation-builders, must apply their skills to develop solutions that enhance transparency, digital responsibility, and social cohesion.
Dr. Qudsia Nawaz is a renowned Obstetrician-Gynaecologist, author, and an internationally invited faculty in aesthetic medicine with over two decades of experience. She is a noted advocate for healthcare quality, ethics, patient safety, and social responsibility. She is set to retire on 31 March 2026, after which she will be joining PAF Hospital Lahore and Aesthetics Artistry.
The formal programme commenced with a recitation from the Holy Quran by Muneeb Ul Moiz. Following the main address, an interactive question-and-answer segment allowed students to engage with the speaker on topics including digital radicalisation, professional ethics, and the role of educational institutions in countering extremism.
To conclude the event, Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Humanities and Islamic Studies, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Shahid Rafique, and Director of Student Affairs, Dr. Amna Niazi, presented a souvenir to Dr. Nawaz as a token of appreciation. The gathering concluded with a group photograph of the speaker, faculty members, and student participants.