Home  :  Mission and Vision  :   Author  :  Contact us

Author

Syed Nisar Hussain Shah (Hamdani)

Research Scholar, Studies in Divine Economics,
Labor and Worklife Program, Harvard University 125 Mt. Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA, USA

PRESENTLY
Professor and Director Kashmir Institute of Economics, University of AJK Dean Faculty of Arts University of AJK.

OTHER ASSIGNMENTS:
National Resource Person, Higher Education Commission, Govt. of Pakistan (For all universities of the country).
Member National Curriculum Committee, Higher Education Commission, Govt. of Pakistan (For Economics).
Convenor Board of Faculty, University of AJK
Member Board of Studies, Kashmir Institute of Economics, University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir).
Member Board of Studies, SKB Women University, Queta.
Honorary Technical Advisor, Small Industries Corporation, Govt. of AJK, Pakistan.
Member Committee on Assuring Quality in Higher Education via Implementation of ISO-9000, University of AJK.

RESEARCH JOURNALS
Executive Editor, International Journal of Human Development, Bi-annual research journal of Faculty of Arts, University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir.
Editor, Kashmir Economic Review, Bi-annual research journal of Institute of Economics, University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Post-Doc Wertheim Fellowship, Harvard University USA
  • Ph. D Economics in 2004 form Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad.
  • M.Phil Economics, (First Class) in 1997 from the Quaid–e-Azam University,
  • M.Sc. Economics (First Class) in 1984 from the Quaid-e-Azam University.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Short courses on Participatory Monitoring & Evaluation, Project Formulation, Logframe Matrix for Asialink/Europeon Union Projects, Research Methodology, PC-I preparation, Project Management, NGO Management, Community Participation, Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA and RRA), Computer applications in research.

AREA OF INTEREST:
Teaching, Training, curriculum-development and Research
Subjects Taught: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Planning and Project Appraisal, Public Finance, Islamic Economics, Islamic Banking and Finance, Divine Economics (off-class), Research Methodology, Computer Applications in Economics and Faith-based Research Methodology (taught at National Academy of Higher Education, Govt. of Pakistan).
Also Interested in Teaching/resaerch: Divine Economics/Economics of Religion, Islamic Labor Economics, Time Allocation Behavior, Issues in Islamic Economics, Product Development for Islamic Banking in Non-Islamic Societies, Faith-based Research in Social Sciences.

RECENT RESEARCH COURSES CONDUCTED AT HIGHER LEVELS
IT Skills workshop of UNDP/P&D/KIPA November, 2007 at Muzaffarabad

Conducted two courses on Gender Mainstreaming in UNDP/P&D/KIPA workshops Muzaffarabad (October and November 2007)

Conducted two courses on applied research skills / faith-based research  postdoc opportunities in HEC Islamabad (in Decmber 2006 at Quetta and in February 2007 in Peshawar), under HEC Faculty Development Program.

Conducted two courses on applied research skills / faith-based research  postdoc opportunities in HEC Islamabad (in Decmber 2006 at Quetta and in February 2007 in Peshawar), under HEC Faculty Development Program.

Conducted two courses on applied research skills / faith-based research methodology in HEC Islamabad (in April 2005 and July 2005), under HEC Faculty Development Program.

Conducted two courses on research skills / faith-based research methodology /advanced teaching skills/ microteaching skills in University of AJK (in May 2005 and July 2005), under HEC Faculty Development Program.

Conducted one course on research skills / faith-based research methodology in Islamic University Bhawalpur (in May 2005), under HEC Faculty Development Program

Conducted one course on Advance Teaching Skills in University College of Agriculture, Rawalakot. 

HONORS/AWARDS
A Gold-Medal given by Islamic Azad University Tehran for presentation of paper in Islamic management
Nominated by University of AJK for Islamic Development Bank Award on Islamic Economics 2004-5.
Many certificates

JOB EXPERIENCE:
Have acquired reasonable expertise in the following areas of activities:

  • Teaching Economics at University Level for more than 23 years
  • Administrative: Warden University Hostels (1986-88) in addition to teaching, Director Kashmir Institute of Economics, Dean Faculty of Arts UAJK w.e.f. September 2007..
  • Member many departmental and other comittees AJK, University of AJK.

Consultancies/Part Time/Honorary Achievements:
Have been involved on projects and short-term assignments from time to time in multi-disciplinary environment of United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO); UNICEF, CoWater International, Research & Consultancy Services (RCS), Turkpak International and PIDE Pakistan.


RESEARCH, SURVEYS, DATA ANALYSIS & REPORT WRITING; SINCE 1980.
.Most Recent

  • Religiosity and Patterns of Rehabilitation Among Workers in the Earthquake-Affected Areas of Pakistan: An Application of Divine Economics Framework, Labor & Worklife Program, Harvard University, USA;.
  • Job loss and livelihood survey conducted by ILO in collaboration with Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Islamabad.. a study of earthquake affected areas of AJK and NWFP, Pakistan, January 2006.
  • Community Skills Assessment Survey, Disaster Management Resource Centre, Islamabad, on-going.
  • Study on “Religiosity as a factor in early socioeconomic rehabilitation after a disaster”, KIE, University of AJ&K, Muzaffarabad, on-going.

OTHERS

  • Phd Thesis: “Religious Orientation as a Factor in Time Allocation Behavior” (2004)
  • M. Phil. Thesis: “Technology Transfer & Re-employment Patterns of Return Migrant. A case study of AJK”(1997).
  • M.SC. Thesis: “Supply Response of Broilers in Azad Jammu & Kashmir” (1984).
  • Religion and Economics Survey 2000 (Pakistan and AJK). Worked as Principal Investigator.
  • Final Synthesis Report on Small and Cottage Industries in AJK (written & edited on behalf of AK Small Industries Corporation & Turkpak International.
  • “UNIDO’s Support Strategy for Industrialization in Azad Jammu & Kashmir” 1997.
  • Worked as Logistic Manager for UNICEF’s National Nutrition Survey…AJK Component Sep-Oct 2001.
  • Worked as Team Supervisor for survey of Small and Cottage Industries In District Poonch & Bagh AJK, on behalf of Turkpak International Pakistan and AK Small  Industries Corporation in Sept. 1995.
  • Worked as Principal Investigator & Incharge of the Project(part-time), ‘Small & Cottage Industries in AJK’
  • Worked as Principal Researcher on International Migration-survey of AJK, project of Quaid-e-Azam, University, University of Hoenhiem Germany and ILO (1995)
  • Worked as Research Assistant on “ Quantifying the Effects of Tied Aid  to Pakistan ..a  Research   Project of Planning Commission of Pakistan and “Small Industries  in Pakistan” - a research Project of IDRC Canada
  • Worked as Consultant on the project “SPI Plan of Water Supply, Sanitation & Hygiene Education  in AJ&K”, a survey project of the World Bank, (1989).
  • Worked as Consultant & Incharge  on project “Urban Basic  Service of  Muzaffarabad City… a survey project of UNICEF (1989).

SUPERVISED STUDENTS’ RESEARCH
Supervised students’ research in the following areas:

  • Volunteer Labor Supply; 2003 – data collected through survey
  • Religiosity and savings behavior; 2004, – data collected through survey
  • Religiosity and consumption behavior; 2004; – data collected through survey
  • Religiosity and female time allocation behavior; 2004; – data collected through survey
  • Religiosity and child-care behavior; 2004; – data collected through survey
  • Economics of Voluntary work; 2004, – data collected through survey
  • Divine Economics; 2005
  • Religiosity and savings behavior; 2005
  • Religiosity and consumption behavior; 2005
  • Applied Micro economics; 2005
  • Economics of Disaster (Pakistan Earthquake 2005), supervised 83 students for their mid term research in University of AJ&K. – data collected through survey

OTHER SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
Curriculum Development for degree, diploma, and short courses; above 15 years experience. Conceived/Designed, Developed /Reviewed courses on the following: -

  • Reviewed and contributed as Group Chairperson to improved HEC’s Training Module for training of university teachers in Pakistan.
  • Reviewed and improved syllabi of M.Sc./BA/B.Sc.  Economics courses in  for Pakistani universities as member ‘HEC National Curriculum Committee on Economics’.
  • Reviewed and improved syllabi of M.Sc.  Economics Degree course in AJK University as member Board of Studies.
  • Participated and contributed in curriculum development workshops on a (one year) course titled ‘Social Mobilization Diploma Course’ by ESMA/UNDP-AJK.
  • Conceived, designed and developed 2 courses and reviewed, revised all compulsory and optional courses for national curriculum of economics as Member UGC National Curriculum Committee, Islamabad, March-July 2001
  • Coordinated and conducted a course on Project Formulation for top and middle level management, arranged by ESMA/UNDP-AJK, Sep. 1999.
  • Conceived and developed Six-Month, One year  and 2-Year diploma courses in Traditional Crafts, first time started by the Kashmir Society in Feb. 1996 in collaboration with AK Small Industries Corporation.
  • Formulated and organized a Course for “Library & Office Management Information Systems” conducted by PASTIC/Pak. Science Foundation, at Muzaffarabad, July, 1995.
  • Conceived and organized a One-day courses on “Promotion of Exports from  AJK”  conducted by the Kashmir Society in collaboration with Export Promotion Bureau Government of Pakistan, at Muzaffarabad, 23 July, 1995.
  • Conceived and developed One-Year Diploma in Computer Applications and One-Year Diploma in Advance Desktop Publishing (ADTP) first time in Pakistan started in AJK in 1992.
  • Developed and Conducted training workshops for Trainees of Computerline Institute Muzaffarabad on  ‘Computer Use in Research & Data Analyses’.

SPECIAL SKILLS
Material Development Script writing, Editing, compiling, printing Publishing, & presenting, Program documenting; Since 1980. And also:

  • Author of “Divine Sciences System of Education: Outline and methods
  • Author of a book on the appearance of the Imamul Asr (AS) under print
  • Author/Co-author  of a  book of Urdu Poetry.
  • Author/Co-author  of a number of booklets, souvenirs, Brochures and  training/Orientation material.
  • Editor  of  journals  “Quaid” QAU(1982) and  “IRTIKAZ:,QAU (1981-83.
  • Pioneer & Chief-Editor “ECONOMAG”, economics research magazine of the Department of Economics, QAU (1982)
  • Staff-Editor & Incharge “DOMEL” Azad Kashmir University, (1982),

Use of Media and Mass Awareness Building Skills: Masses Education & Orientation through print material, manuals, illustrations, Radio/TV Programs/ Newspaper campaigns, video documentaries; Since 1975 including the following:

  • Regularly contributed to Radio Pakistan World Service Islamabad from 1994 to 1997) on various topics relating to investment opportunities in Pakistan/AJK, micro- enterprises development potential, manpower development and export.
  • Regularly contributed to Azad Kashmir Radio Muzaffarabad from and national newspapers from 1977 to 1994) on various topics relating to HRD, industry, tourism, culture, literature, arts & crafts and science, religion and Kashmir freedom movement.
  • Contributed to AJK-TV on variety of topics and moderated many TV-programs,
  • Moderated many radio programs, community meetings and national as well as international conferences.
  • Written, directed and narrated a video documentary on “Muzaffarabad….. The  Capital of AJK” for PTV  (30- minutes duration)
  • Conceived and contributed in a number of audio-visual documentaries on different topics.
  • NGOs/Community Management Experience: Social Mobilization, Community Need Assessment, Participatory Monitoring, Evaluation, Community Projects Planning, Participatory Development, linkage development among community-government-NGOs-Donors for development activities in AJK; Since 1984.
  • Worked as Associate Secretary General Shah-e-Hamdan International Conference, October 2-4-1987, Organized by University of AJK, under the auspices of  Govt. of  Azad Jammu and  Kashmir
  • Conceived & played pioneering role in establishment of a number of community benefit projects (income-generation, arts & crafts, training, micro enterprises, behavioral change) such as; Kashmir Crafts Centre and Garments Unit, Jacket Training Pilot Project at Muzaffarabad  for women

Technical Advisory
Have the honor of providing Technical Advisory on variety of the topics as mentioned above to public, private and non-government organizations; Since 1992 as under.

  • Worked as Technical Advisor Rural Environmental Sanitation Project phase-1 assisted by WORLD BANK through GoAJK LGDD … and phase-2 assisted by GoP Ministry of Environment, Local Govt & Rural Development Pakistan (part time).
  • Provided technical advisory to the Small Industries Corporation Government of AJK and AJK Chamber of Commerce & Industries Muzaffarabad on variety if issues relating to policy and planning for the promotion of HRD, rural enterprises, small and medium enterprise development in  AJK.

Project Planning and Development:
Formulation and appraisal of programs/plans/project/ PC-1’s, feasibility studies; Visualizing, conceiving, developing new ideas/trends/Concepts/ Institutions; Since 1989

Experience of Project Formulation /PC-1’s

  • Prepared PC-1 of “Establishment of a Computer Lab in K.I.D.S, AJKU”, submitted to P&D Government of AJK/Women Division, GoP.
  • Prepared “UNIDO’s Support Strategy for Industrialization in Azad Jammu & Kashmir” a key document on which the UN’s projects on industrial support are to be based. (as UNIDO National Consultant) 1997.
  • Assisted AK Small Industries Corporation in project preparation for Walnut Wood  Carving Furniture Training Center to be established at Muzaffarabad, AJK, (submitted to UNIDO for technical and financial assistance).
  • Key role in preparation of technical & financial Proposal on (i) Effect of Return Migration on Enterprise Development, (ii) An Assessment of Agricultural Technology Transfer in PARL Model Areas of Punjab and NWFP, (iii) Self-employment Scheme AKSIC, Government of AJK.
  • Conceived/developed numerous concept papers on variety of projects.

Research for Feasibility and Pre-Investment Studies
Worked as Principal Investigator for preparation of pre-investment and feasibility studies on behalf of Turkpak International (a joint venture of government of Pakistan & Turkey) for Azad Kashmir Small Kashmir Industries Corporation (AKSIC), Muzaffarabad, AJK.

  • Pre-Investment Study on Fish Farming in AJK
  • Pre-Investment Study on Feed Mill Unit
  • Pre-Investment Study on  Hatchery Unit 
  • Pre-Investment Study on Spices Grinding in Muzaffarabad
  • Pre-Investment Study on Handicraft Production in Muzaffarabad
  • Pre-Investment Study on Handicraft Marketing in  AJK & Pakistan
  • Pre-Investment Study on  Soap Mill in Muzaffarabad
  • Pre-Investment Study on  Shoe Factory
  • Pre-Investment Study on  Plaster of Paris in Muzaffarabad
  • Pre-Investment Study on  Chipboard Manufacturing in Muzaffarabad
  • Feasibility Study on Fruit Preservation Unit in Muzaffarabad
  • Feasibility Study on Looms/Shawls Manufacturing and Marketing
  • Feasibility Study on Garments Factory Kotli
  • Feasibility Study on Automobile Workshop at Arjah
  • Feasibility Study on Ply Wood Manufacturing in Muzaffarabad

Besides the above studies, the following Feasibility and Pre-investment Studies were also conducted:

  • Feasibility Study on Expansion of Qazi Enterprises Pharmaceutical Distribution Network in AJK
  • Feasibility Study on Furniture Manufacturing
  • Feasibility Study on Educational Crafts Unit at Industrial Estate Muzaffarabad
  • Feasibility Study on Muzaffarabad Public School & College
  • Company Profile of M/S Al-Sheikh Printers AJK
  • Company Profile of M/S Akhtar Computers Pakistan
  • Feasibility Study on Al-Sheikh Copy Manufacturing Unit at Muzaffarabad.

Organizing & Trendsetter Activities
A reasonable number of government and non-government trend setting initiatives/projects/ activities have been based entirely or substantially on my concept papers, research work, personal initiatives, and technical assistance.

MEMBERSHIP OF SOCIETIES:
Founding Member and Secretary General, Kashmir Society of Scientific & Social Research, AJK.
Member Pakistan Society of Development Economics, Islamabad
Founding Member and Central Secretary, Higher Education Forum of Pakistan.