The University of Okara has announced that it will name its new girls’ hostel after German artist and academic Dr. Centa Siller to pay tribute to her lifelong services in empowering women and fighting against gender discrimination in the region.
The announcement was made by Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Sajjad Mubeen during a prestigious ceremony held today in recognition of Dr. Siller’s services. He praised her significant role in the development of Pakistani women, especially in teaching entrepreneurial skills in the small village of Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka. The Vice Chancellor said, “Education is the best investment for social and economic development.”
The event, jointly organized by the university’s Directorate of External Linkages and Directorate of Public Relations, highlighted Dr. Siller’s key project “Thatta Kedona”. The academic and representative of a German broadcasting house, Amjad Ali, informed the audience about this project which was started in the 1990s. He explained that the project empowered thousands of rural women and brought a major positive change in the socio-economic conditions of the village.
Dr. Siller, who is currently visiting Pakistan with her husband Professor Dr. Norbert Pintsch, delivered the keynote address and explained the factors that motivated her to dedicate her energies to this project. Professor Pintsch also spoke and shed light on various aspects of Dr. Siller’s life journey.
Various representatives of Okara’s civil society attended the ceremony. Other distinguished speakers included renowned local social activist Aslam Tahir-ul-Qadri and representative of Pakistani agricultural organizations Chaudhry Maqsood Ahmed Jutt.
The ceremony was moderated by the university’s Deputy Director for Press, Media and Publications, Sharjeel Ahmad.