The University of Karachi (KU) and the Youth Development, Education and Sports Society (YDESS) signed a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday to collaborate on promoting sports-related learning, practical exposure, training support, and institutional development opportunities for students.
Scope of Collaboration
The KU Department of Public Administration (DPA) and YDESS recognized the vital importance of youth and leadership development, sports sciences, educational advancement, community engagement, and professional capacity-building through this MoU. They acknowledged the critical role of sports, education, and experiential learning in developing resilient, disciplined, ethical, and professionally competent youth capable of addressing future societal and professional challenges.
The purpose of the MoU is to establish academic, practical, institutional, and operational collaboration between KU DPA and YDESS. Key areas include promoting sports sciences and youth development initiatives, providing practical training and experiential learning opportunities for students, establishing and operating sports and cricket-related training activities, developing leadership, management, and organizational skills among students, and optimally utilizing available facilities for educational and sports development purposes.
Training Programs and Student Involvement
The KU DPA Sports Society may establish and operate training support programs and academy activities for youth and students, including cricket coaching, physical fitness sessions, sports management training, workshops, and seminars. Students will participate actively as trainees, interns, volunteers, coordinators, researchers, or program assistants. Both parties will jointly collaborate on research projects, conferences, seminars, policy discussions, sports sciences awareness, and academic publication initiatives.
Addressing Skill Gaps in Sports Management
YDESS Vice President Muhammad Hanif Malik shared that there is a huge gap in training professionals in sports management in Pakistan. He noted that the country often engages foreigners to bridge this gap during locally organized matches or tournaments. He expressed that with this MoU, they will be able to produce local talent to cover matches and tournaments without any hassle.
Renowned cricketer Romaan Raees mentioned that Pakistani youngsters are very talented but often face problems due to a lack of communication skills. He observed that this MoU would hopefully help overcome this major issue.
University Leadership Perspectives
KU Director of Evening Program Professor Dr. Shahbib Ul Hassan said that the main objective of this MoU is to groom students for the future so that they can perform their tasks with professional dedication. KU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Khalid Mahmood Iraqi stated that sports are no longer only about games; it has become an industry. He emphasized the need for skilled professionals in this field to run it smoothly.
Signing Ceremony
The MoU documents were signed at the KU VC Secretariat by KU VC Professor Dr. Khalid Iraqi and YDESS VP Muhammad Hanif Malik. YDESS Executive Member Romaan Raees, YDESS Executive Member Outreach and Social Inclusion Tayyaba Arif, deans, DPA chairperson, faculty members of various departments, Director of Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization, and the team of ORIC were also present on this occasion.
