HEC Chairman Urges Promotion of Mother Languages at MUET International Symposium, Calls for Cultural Pride

Chairman Higher Education Commission Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmed Akhtar addressed an international symposium on mother languages organized by the Center for English Language and Literature at Mehran University of Engineering and Technology.

The event focused on the role of native languages in education, culture, and national identity.Speaking to academics, faculty members, and students, Dr. Niaz Ahmed Akhtar emphasized the urgent need to promote and preserve mother languages.

He urged participants to take pride in their cultural identity and to give native languages greater space in academic and professional platforms. He noted that even at events dedicated to mother languages, people often default to English, and stressed that this trend must change.

The symposium was attended by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Tauha Hussain Ali, Pro Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Anil Kumar, Registrar Prof. Dr. Nasrullah Pirzado, deans of various faculties, and Director CELL Prof. Dr. Sahiba Thehim, along with a large number of faculty members and students. The gathering provided a platform for dialogue on multilingual education and the preservation of linguistic heritage in Pakistan.Dr. Akhtar said that mother languages are the foundation of thought, creativity, and cultural expression. He encouraged universities to design research, curriculum, and community programs that strengthen regional languages while maintaining global competitiveness. He added that a strong connection to one’s linguistic roots enhances confidence and knowledge creation.The Chairman’s remarks were well received by the academic community at MUET. Participants agreed that promoting mother languages alongside English can improve learning outcomes and safeguard Pakistan’s rich cultural diversity. The university reaffirmed its commitment to advancing linguistic research through CELL and similar initiatives.