UoK - Department of Psychology : Faculty

We are pleased to present the brochure first time after the inception of the Department of Psychology, University of Karachi. Generally when we think of psychologists, we tend to think of the person who conducts therapy in a private practice setting. Although, a wide range of topics fall under the umbrella of psychology. Psychologists who spend most of their time conducting research to expand the knowledge base, those who practice or apply the findings to help people and communities, and those who do both, as scientist-practitioners. In addition, psychologists also teach and conduct research at colleges and universities.

Psychology emerged as an independent academic discipline in the 1880s, and for several decades thereafter psychologists confined their activities almost exclusively to teaching and research in universities and colleges. Starting in the 1950s, several new fields of applied psychology began to emerge, and eventually a range of non-academic professions of psychology developed. Psychologists began to find employment not only in universities and colleges, but also in hospitals, clinics, counselling agencies, specialized research establishments, schools, prisons, government departments, and commercial and industrial companies. In addition, many people built careers for themselves as self-employed professional psychologists in private practice. Some students after completing their masters in Psychology join Pakistan Armed Forces as Psychologists (commissioned officer; designated as Captain or its equivalent). Psychology has as its aim the understanding of human behavior, and as a secondary goal, the treatment of behaviors deemed abnormal. Almost immediately upon the formation of the field, efforts were made to place psychological studies on a scientific basis. The field of human psychology is a powerful force in modern society, and its influence is widespread.

The Department of Psychology came into existence in 1954 under the chairmanship of Professor Dr.Qazi Aslam. The names of other former chairpersons of the department are as follows: Dr. Haseemuddin Zuabiri, Dr.S.M.Hafeez zaidi, Dr.Farrukh Z Ahmad, Dr.Mohd Waseem, Dr.Afzal Imam, Dr.Nazre Khalique, Prof.Shamim Hashmi, Dr.Zeenat Ismail, Dr.Anjum Ara Jehangir, Mrs.Rakhshanda Talat Hussain, & Mr.Haider Abbas Rizvi (present chairman of the department).

The Psychology Department of the University of Karachi is committed to the development, dissemination, and application of new knowledge in the psychological sciences. Psychological studies that are useful for society with an aim towards a holistic understanding of human beings. Department of Psychology faculty members with diverse specialties aim to provide students with a “holistic understanding of human beings.” The area of psychology has greatly advanced in recent years, offering many interesting and exciting aspects of study. The department aims to convey such excitement to its students. Through studying psychology, students can obtain knowledge and skills that are useful for them when they start to work in society. Consistent with this commitment, the Department strives to attract and support a faculty that is nationally and internationally recognized for excellence in research. The Department also strives to provide excellent undergraduate and graduate programs of study in the psychological sciences. Our goal is for students at all levels to develop knowledge and critical thinking skills through didactic, laboratory, and practical training experiences, and hence, an understanding of the relationships among theory, research, and application.

The departmental seminar library has 1400 books in stock to support a wide range of education and research activities. It has not only specialized books in Psychology and human studies, but also publications covering a wide array of Clinical & industrial fields. Students can freely access the books of their choice as well.

Every faculty member officially devotes two hours twice in a week for the counseling of the students. Students in these timings can discuss their personal/academic/interpersonal difficulties with the concerned teacher or on the choice of their own.

Attendance: As per university rules, attendance in each course is necessary and students are eligible to take examination in courses in which they have at least 75% of classes held during the semester.

BS Program: The undergraduate program is designed to give students a basic theoretical, experimental and research background in the various fields of psychology, without practical, professional training. Each candidate is required to pass an entrance exam. All courses in the first year serve as pre-requisites to second-year courses, as second-year courses are pre-requisites to all third-year courses.