PR No. 119 AMBASSADOR DISCUSS GANDHARA & INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATIONS WITH PROF. JANSEN Islamabad

H.E. Ali Javed, Ambassador of Pakistan to Oman welcomed at his Office recently, Professor Michael Jansen, Honorary Professor for Conservation & Heritage Management at German University for Technology (GU Tech), Muscat, says a press release received here today from Muscat.

Having already curated UNESCO In’tl Exhibition on “Forgotten Cities on Indus” (1987), served as Chief Curator UNESCO Exhibition for Pakistan Gandhara Art’ (2008) through Europe, UNESCO Panel Exhibition, “Mohen-jo Daro” (Paris ~ 2010), headed UNESCO’s Technical Committee on Mohen-jo Daro (2009), Professor Jansen shared his vision to globally project Gandhara and Indus Valley Civilizations as powerhouses of Pakistan’s soft-power with global appeal.

Appreciating Professor’s services for Pakistan spanning 5 decades, the Ambassador admired his passion for preserving, protecting and projecting Indus Valley and Gandhara Civilizations and praised the Professor for establishing ‘Mohen-jo Daro Research Center’ at GU Tech (2012) which the Ambassador visited subsequently and also met with Rector and Vice Rector of GU Tech in an hour-long session focusing on bilateral cooperation between GU Tech and partners in Pakistan.

The Ambassador presented to the Professor, a copy of Embassy Newsletter, briefed on spectrum of bilateral relations with Oman, the historical bonds of affinity and kinship between both nations as well as public diplomacy and outreach initiatives. The Ambassador invited the Professor to visit Pakistani schools in Oman to introduce Pakistani youth to their historical heritage which was accepted.

Third millennium Indus Valley Civilization cities of Mohen-jo Daro and Harrappa figure on UNESCO World Heritage list and are situated in vicinity of ancient Indus River, in Sindh Province of Pakistan. The 1:2:4 ratio mud-bricks used in Mohen-jo Daro and Harappa in 2500BC (4500 years ago), is still followed as a standard measure in contemporary architecture.

Professor Jansen is associated with Pakistan since 1970 and holds Ph.D on ‘Studies on Architecture of Indus Valley Civilization’ (1979). He founded GU Tech Muscat in 2005 and established ‘Mohen-jo Daro Research Center’ at the University. Jansen has authored numerous books including ‘Mohen-jo Daro’ which he presented to the Ambassador. He was conferred National Award of ‘Sitara-e-Imtiaz” (Star of Distinction) by President of Pakistan in 1987.

 

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