Head of Department Message

Dr Ansar Jamil

After its inception in 2013, the Centre for International Peace and Stability (CIPS) now stands as the leading institute in Pakistan offering academic programs at both post-graduate and doctoral levels in the cutting-edge field of Peace and Conflict Studies. The Centre boasts a dynamic ‘hybrid’ approach to PCS, with critical theoretical exposition brought to bear on the multidimensional experiential learning derived from Pakistan’s role as one of the largest troop- and police-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping. The programs at the Department of PCS at CIPS, under the stewardship of a dedicated faculty, are structured to cultivate a set of tangible analytical skills needed to engage with the complexity of contemporary conflict resolution and peacebuilding. In light of this, research themes are organized around such broad-ranging areas as conflict transformation and resolution, arms control, UN peacekeeping, post-conflict peacebuilding, security-development, the dynamics of violence, and the impact of international law on conflict etc. Given the evolving nature of PCS as both a multi- and interdisciplinary field, the Centre welcomes students from a wide range of academic backgrounds, while actively engaging in research collaborations, joint research programs and institutional exchanges with organisations that share a common commitment to building ‘positive’ peace. Additionally, a regularly updated roster of seminars, guest lectures, roundtable conferences, and symposiums on emergent issues provides students with the interactive learning opportunities needed to establish a broad academic skillset. We at CIPS are part of a community dedicated to the cause of ‘peace’ through the advancement of knowledge, policy/practitioner engagement, and critical applied research.