The Department of Political Science University of Peshawar in collaboration with Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) Islamabad has organized the 4th International Summer School in Bara Gali, the summer campus of university of Peshawar. Summer School is the annual activity of the department of political science and it was the 4th such activity. It was a two week course attended by 23 participants (local and foreigners). Nine students/scholars were selected from Afghanistan (American University of Afghanistan, Nangarhar University, Paktia Complex Institute, Hirat University), one each from Iran (University of Tehran), and Kazakhstan (Suleyman Demirel University Almaty). Two participants were selected from India (University of Kashmir, Hazratbal Srinagar, Aligarh Muslim University). 10 local (Pakistani) participants were selected from different universities across Pakistan (University of Peshawar, Malakand University, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, UMT Lahore, University of the Punjab Lahore, Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpore, IBA Sukkar and University of Baluchistan Queta).

Contents of the summer school covered three aspects; academic, applied and extra-curriculum (sports and excursion trips to different places). Usually three sessions (two hours each) were conducted in a day, followed by excursion to nearest tourist resort/place, cultural night or group discussions. The academic sessions covered a variety of topics ranging from the conceptual understanding of the theme of the summer school to its relations with different disciplines in social science including religion, media, psychology and economics. Resource persons from different foreign and local universities conducted different sessions.

The participants were given visits of the different institutions and places in Peshawar and Islamabad. Three academic sessions were conducted in Islamabad i.e. with Dr. Waqar Ali Shah in QAU, Dr. Husnul Amin in IRD, IIUI, and with Khalid Rahman, executive director Institute of Policy Studies.

Dr. Jan Peter Hartung who was one of the resource persons from Germany (Gottingen University) stayed for two weeks with the participants, taken mentorship sessions and helped them with their research proposals and research projects. The participants of the summer school also attended the 6th International Conference on "The Dynamics of Change in the Pakistan-Afghanistan Region: Politics on Borderland" jointly organized by the Department of Political Science University of Peshawar and HSF. In his keynote speech Mr. Mohammd Sadiq (former ambassador to Afghanistan) stressed on the need for more academic inquiry to the present deteriorated situation on the borderland. He pointed out that people's to people contact is very much important and essential in bridging gaps and eliminating mistrust between states. In his concluding remarks Prof. Dr. Taj Muharram Khan (Dean faculty of social sciences University of Peshawar) stated that academic events like summer school is providing an opportunity to the participants (students and scholars) of the neighboring countries to come closer to each other and have academic debate and discussion on the mutual issues facing by these states in the region. The participants were awarded certificates and souvenirs for successfully completing the course.

Rafiullah
Assistant Director Communications
University of Peshawar