Introduction

The contemporary global security landscape is undergoing profound transformations, marked by the convergence of traditional threats and emerging, non-traditional challenges. From violent extremism and asymmetric warfare to the weaponization of information and the strategic implications of climate change and migration, the domain of international peace and security demands critical rethinking and innovative responses.

The International Peace and Security (IPS) Summer Course at CIPS-NUST provides a platform for scholars, practitioners, and emerging professionals to engage in cross-disciplinary dialogue and strategic learning. This year’s course draws on diverse lectures that reflect the evolving nature of global security threats and peacebuilding approaches, emphasizing inclusivity, non-traditional security, and multilateralism.

Key sessions explore soft approaches to countering violent extremism, reconfiguring counter-terrorism strategies, and the legal and ethical dimensions of human security and migration. The course also interrogates the risks of militarizing development aid, especially in post-conflict contexts, and highlights the importance of feminist and inclusive frameworks for sustainable peace. The course further engages with shifting regional and global power dynamics, the evolution of peacekeeping operations, and the rise of hybrid threats, cyber warfare, and strategic competition in the digital age.

By engaging with these diverse yet interlinked themes, the IPS Summer Course seeks to equip participants with the analytical tools, policy insights, and ethical frameworks necessary to navigate and contribute meaningfully to the complex field of international peace and security.

Objectives

• Provide a multidisciplinary understanding of contemporary and emerging threats to international peace and security.
• Examine the effectiveness and limitations of existing counter-terrorism and peacebuilding frameworks.
• Explore alternative and inclusive approaches to security, such as feminist peacebuilding, climate diplomacy, and human-centric security.
• Analyze regional security dynamics within the broader context of global strategic shifts, particularly in South Asia.
• Enhance participants’ understanding of hybrid threats, strategic communication, and the role of media and perception in modern conflicts.
• Foster informed dialogue on the future of international peace operations, drawing from real-world missions and evolving mandates.

Methodology

Our pedagogical approach has been meticulously customized to closely align with the specific learning outcomes of the course, thereby guaranteeing an educational experience that is impeccably structured for utmost efficacy. The course will incorporate a blend of interactive lectures, engaging discussions, and thought-provoking guest lectures delivered by esteemed national and international experts in the realm of peace and security. Participants will be actively encouraged to participate in discussions, fostering an enriched learning environment that enhances their educational experience.

Target Audience

The IPS Course (2025) presents a unique opportunity for students and professionals from diverse academic backgrounds to engage with the complex peace and security issues. The course is open to undergraduate and graduate students, early-career professionals, researchers, and anyone interested in deepening their knowledge and understanding of peace and security issues.

Duration and Venue

The course will span two weeks, from 14^th July to 25^th July, 2025, and will be held at the Centre for International Peace and Stability (CIPS), NUST, H-12 Campus, Islamabad. The venue offers a conducive learning environment along with the necessary facilities to support interactive sessions and networking opportunities. Limited single-occupancy accommodation, on a chargeable basis, will be available at NUST for participants joining from outside Islamabad.

Certification

Participants who successfully fulfill the course requirements, including active participation, will be awarded a Certificate of Completion. NUST students who complete the IPS Summer Course will also be eligible for the award of 2.0 credit hours. Please note that a minimum of 75% attendance is mandatory for issuing the certificate.

 

Registration

Please Register at: https://forms.gle/XoQ3fuK1Fs4yYStCA

 

 

For further inquiries, please contact:

Mr Uzair Sheikh | Assistant Director (Administration & Examination), CIPS-NUST
Mobile: 0312-5236357 | Office: 051- 90856803 | Email: [email protected]

Dr Humaira Shafi | Assistant Professor, CIPS-NUST
Office: 051-90856791 | Email: [email protected]

Centre for International Peace and Stability (CIPS) hosted the first-ever “information session” for The Defense Attachés’ Association (DAA) in close collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Pakistan on 28th February, 2023.

The event brought together senior ICRC management, The ICRC’s armed and security forces delegates (FAS), military diplomats from over 25 foreign embassies in Islamabad, and representatives from the Centre for International Peace and Stability (CIPS) under one roof.

Mr. Ihor Shevtsov, ICRC Armed and Security forces delegate (FAS) delivered the welcome speech. This was followed by ICRC Communication and prevention Manager Fizza Bangash, who spoke on the “Overview of the ICRC mandate, modus operandi as well as ICRC activities in Pakistan”. Thereafter, Colonel Nicolas Presson, Defence Attaché of France and Dean DAA, presented the DAA’s activities. After a short break, Brig Imran Rashid (Retd), Sr Research Fellow, delivered an introductory presentation on CIPS status and activities in Pakistan. In the concluding session Mr. Ihor Shevtsov, ICRC Armed and Security forces delegate (FAC) briefed the audience regarding ICRC dialogue with arms carrier.

This joint session was followed by a brief Q&A Session. At the conclusion of this joint session, Major General Muhammad Salim Raza, Principal of the NUST Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, delivered the closing remarks and appreciated the ICRC’s efforts to promote transversal collaborative learning with regional military panellists.

In order to promote further collaboration, the FAS team in Pakistan and DAA have decided to continue working closely to implement the provisions of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) with the support of CIPS.

 

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International peace and security has different meaning for different states. Each state views security issues from its own peculiar geo-strategic and geo-political perspectives. While the era in the aftermath of the establishment of United Nations witnessed relative peace yet the current security environment marked by civil wars, terrorism, organized crime, pandemics, rise of nationalism, mistrust in global institutions, natural and manmade disasters and effects of climate change, is threatening to upend the global order and undermine the world peace. Since these threats transcend national boundaries, today more than ever before, there is a demand for greater level of cooperation among states – through regional and global multilateral institutions.

From the academic point of view, a multidisciplinary approach is imperative to understand the causes and consequences of threats to national and international peace and security. Thus, there is a genuine relevance of this course for students and professionals, having backgrounds in social and administrative sciences and in the disciplines such as engineering, science and technology, and every other discipline that can rationalize with the idea of peace and security.

The course aims to provide students with the knowledge and necessary skills to understand and critically analyse the evolving and contributing factors – challenging the contemporary international peace and security. It will help students to understand both the theoretical and historical background of politics, war, law and economy as well as their interplay in shaping as well as threatening the global order.

Course Participants Views about the Course

Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher. You don’t just teach, you inspire!

– Farhan Khan, S3h NUST

This summer course by CIPS, NUST; really intrigued my interest since day 1. It was a pleasant recap of my 6 IR semesters so far, lectures delivered by Dr. Salma and Dr. Humaira, were two of my favorites!

– Syeda Shanzay, IR NDU

A wonderful experience altogether. Had a great interaction with future leaders. Course was well planned. Thanks to all the speakers who made sure that we get the knowledge under the umbrella of international peace and security. Special thanks to Prof.Dr. Tughral Yamin for arranging the education trip to AIMH, Rawalpindi.

– Nauman Gul

The course was quite enlightening and it covered majority of the topics related to International Peace and Security. The instructors had a good grip over the topics they taught. However, coherence of the subject topics and coordination could be improved but overall it was a good experience.

– Sammar Amin, IR NDU

All in all a wonderful experience. A well constructed and easy to follow course yet challenging and thought provoking. Special thanks to all the faculty for there efforts and in-depth knowledge.

– Sana Rauf,  S3H NUST

The IPS summer course most definitely helped me out in my interests. For someone, who was always interested in Peace and Conflict studies, and Security/Defense studies, the course over all gives you a basic idea of how all of these things are incorporated in the global structures of our world.
The professors were all highly qualified in their respective fields and cooperative in regards to our personal interests in the course.

– Areesha Shah, S3H NUST

The participants of the IPS course summer 2022 visited the Army Institute of Military History on Friday 28^th of July. The participants were accompanied by the Associate Dean Prof. Dr Tughral Yamin and HOD PCS Dr Muhammad Makki. The participants were briefed about the role and scope of the Military History Institute by their Dean Brig Fouad Hafeez (retired) in Chawinda Hall. He also took questions from the audience. The briefing session was attended by the DG AIMH Maj Gen Agha Masood Akram (retired). After tea and refreshments, the visitors were taken around the Institute’s facilities and shown the rooms, library and archives. At the end of the visit the AIMH presented souvenirs.

  

A two-week capacity building course was organized by CIPS for Afghan professors and administrators representing various public service universities and the ministry of higher education of Afghanistan from 18 to 29 July. This was an exercise undertaken to help Afghanistan rebuild its higher education institutions and to create goodwill among the two neighbouring countries. The first week was devoted to combined faculty development training, while the second week was spent in enhancing the capacities of the Afghan professors in their areas of specialization in relevant schools and directorates. Visits were also arranged for National Defence University and the Higher Education Commission. During their stay In NUST, the Afghan delegates were taken to Monal restaurant and places of interest in Islamabad such as the Faisal mosque and the Centaurus Mall. At the end of the training, certificates were distributed among the course participants by the Acting Ambassador of Afghanistan in Pakistan.

 

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