LAHORE: (Tuesday, July 14, 2026): A delegation from Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) visited Punjab University Department of Gender Studies (DGS) and held a meeting with the Chairperson, Prof. Dr. Rubeena Zakar, to explore avenues for future collaboration. The delegation led by Country Representative VSO Ms Sehr Afsheen and Ms. Bahar accompanied by CEO Bargad Foundation Ms Sabeeha Shaheen. The discussion focused on integrating relevant VSO-developed modules into academic course titled civic engagement; facilitating students’ access to VSO’s online courses; and the proposed launch of a certification course on civic engagement during this summer. Opportunities for collaboration in community engagement, student-led social action projects, and other experiential learning initiatives were also discussed. In her address, Prof. Dr. Rubeena Zakar highlighted the department’s existing student engagement in community-based and social action initiatives and expressed keen interest in strengthening future collaboration. She said that climate change was also identified as a significant potential area of cooperation, particularly in view of the BS Gender and Climate Change offered by the department. Faculty of DGS Prof. Dr. Rana Malik, Dr. Ambreen Salahuddin, Dr. Qaiser Khalid Mehmood, Dr. Lubna Razak, and Dr. Muhammad Uzair were also present at the meeting. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to further explore mutually beneficial academic, educational, and community-based initiatives.