LAHORE: (Wednesday, September 23, 2026): Punjab University's Assistant Professor and Senior Public Relations Officer Dr. Khuram Shahzad has conducted a special training workshop in Germany as a resource person on “Fake News on Social Media and Migration” at the invitation of Bielefeld University, Germany. The workshop was attended by Dr. Aksakel of Bielefeld University’s Research Training Group on World Politics, along with students of BS and Master’s programmes. With around 25,000 on-campus students, Bielefeld University is a major public university in Germany and is ranked among the country’s top 20 universities. Dr. Khuram Shahzad was invited by Bielefeld University as an expert to conduct the training workshop on the emergence, processes, and effects of fake news on social media in the context of migration. The methodologies discussed during the workshop for identifying fake news were based on Dr. Khuram Shahzad’s PhD research completed in Pakistan at PU, during which he developed a model comprising 11 scientific indicators for the identification of propaganda content. His invitation to Germany by Bielefeld University in connection with this research work represents an example of the international academic recognition of research conducted at Pakistani universities. During the workshop, Dr. Khuram Shahzad briefed the students on identifying fake news circulating on social media, verifying information, understanding different aspects of misleading content, and the social impacts of fake news related to migration. He also explained how false and unverified information can influence public opinion, social perceptions, and policy debates surrounding sensitive issues such as migration. According to Dr. Khuram Shahzad, awareness of scientific research methods for identifying fake news can not only help students protect themselves from misinformation but also contribute to developing a more responsible and information-based understanding of important social issues such as migration. Dr. Khuram Shahzad expressed his special gratitude to German Ambassador to Pakistan Ina Lepel for her valuable support in promoting educational and research linkages between Germany and Pakistan. He also expressed his special thanks to Dr. Aksakel of Bielefeld University. Dr. Khuram Shahzad said that direct academic and research collaboration between universities provides students, faculty members, and researchers of both countries with opportunities to benefit from each other’s experiences. He said that by further strengthening cooperation and bilateral relations between Pakistani and German universities, academic activities could be promoted that would provide new avenues for understanding and addressing common social challenges faced by both countries. In his address, Dr. Akhtakl said that migration and refugees are also important issues in this regard, adding that fake news and misleading information circulating on social media about migration can create misconceptions in societies and influence the formulation of national policies. Therefore, he said, it is essential to develop the capacity to scientifically examine and assess propaganda content. The workshop also featured an extended question-and-answer session in which examples of fake news related to migration circulating on social media in Germany were presented, while participants were introduced to simple methods for identifying such misleading content.