Applied Economics Research Center (AERC), University of Karachi, is a unique research institute devoted to imparting post graduate level education on one hand and conducting, supporting, and encouraging academic and policy oriented research in applied economics and related disciplines on the other. We are performing research on various topics. We publish academic journal, research reports, opinion pieces, and newsletters to the public, and we also seek to exchange opinions with people from various fields through conferences, seminars, and workshops.

As Director of the AERC, I envision our Institute as part of a vital strategy to invest in emerging research fields in applied economics and social sciences that may defy today’s traditional academic classification. Tomorrow’s challenges demand innovative and unconventional approaches that cross or dissolve the boundaries of classic disciplines. I encourage the faculty in AERC to work on modern-day socio-economic and development problems that lie at the intersection of economic growth, sustainable development, emerging business economies / good and efficient governance. Our research should be notable for its breadth of scale with innovation and sustained excellence from Structural and Institutional Economics to Financial Economics, International and Trade Economics to Business Economics, Public Economics to Behavioral Economics, International Political Economy to Experimental Economics, Environmental and Natural Resource Economics to Sustainable Development etc.

Today, AERC remains a vibrant and active teaching and research community with multiple areas of interests and expertise. We are home to more than 25 teaching and research faculty, and more than 100 graduate students pursuing MPhil and PhD degrees. Our diversity of expertise is matched by a shared culture of excellence and a common appreciation for interdisciplinary collaboration. In light of the recent, rapid changes occurring around the world, since 2013, our vision for our research needs to be “To conduct research which contributes to country’s sustained and holistic development, with an eye on the global landscape.”

It goes without saying that the source of pride for the AERC faculty is found in their ability to teach and carry out outstanding research and make contributions in the key research domains of applied economics and social sciences. However, at the same time it also is important to provide society with information it can use along with advice on policy recommendations. We are expected to play an active role in these areas as well. In fact, there are many opportunities for the AERC faculty to contribute to the management and development of contemporary society, both in the public and private sectors.

To achieve these goals, it is important that the faculty, researchers, administrators, and research support staff in the AERC work hard together as one while maintaining a high level of contribution to the public good as well as a high degree of originality in their respective research.

I invite you to take some time to visit our website and learn more about our latest activities, research, achievements, and events. Even better, I encourage you to visit our institute in person, to meet our students and faculty and be inspired by their ambitions, creativity and guide them in their academic pursuits.

As Galileo once said, “All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.”

In the ever-increasing complexity of the modern world, it is becoming more and more difficult to find the truth. We, at the AERC will continue searching for the truth and endeavoring to aid our society and the global community through our academic activities.

Professor Dr. Nooreen Mujahid
Director, Applied Economics Research Center (AERC)
University of Karachi
Karachi, Pakistan.
92-21-99261546
director@aerc.edu.pk