The ENF Podcast Episode 6: Interview with Dr. Javed Iqbal, Surgeon, Author and Educational Expert

By Zainab Cheema 

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Javed Iqbal. Dr. Javed is a medical doctor and surgeon, poet, motivational speaker and Youtube influencer from Pakistan. Dr. Javed has authored a book on surgery and a poetry collection. He also runs a Youtube channel that has over 1.5 million subscribers and over 900 videos on topics such as learning how to learn, health awareness, ethics, character building, and social development. He is a popular speaker in Pakistan and internationally. Get ready to be inspired.

In your videos, you often talk about the philosophy, “From Knowledge to Knowing.” Can you explain this philosophy and also talk about why you see it as relevant to 21st century teaching?

How is the new wave of science and technology influencing this process of knowledge and knowing? 

This question is especially important because humanity is undergoing a transformation. A shift is happening where science and technology is not only going to change our lifestyle, but it is actually going to threaten our humanity, as well. Before, machines were an extension of the abilities of the human being using them. Science has been extending human abilities for centuries. This relationship is changing because of two or three main reasons. Firstly, the data about a human being is already under the control of large organizations. Before this, knowing yourself was your individual responsibility. You may take a lifetime in knowing yourself or not try to know yourself at all—it was your own responsibility. Now, the computer algorithms can perhaps more accurately predict your likes, dislikes, traits, and behaviors than you yourself can. This is a threat because these algorithms can be used to control human behavior and human conduct. Thus, technology will become so advanced that people may lose trust in themselves and start believing in whatever the technology is prompting them. That is the place where human liberty and dignity is at risk.

When former Prime Minister Imran Khan was in office, you met with him and his policy advisors. You presented to him a plan about how to develop civic values in the people of Pakistan [who continue to suffer from the effects of colonialism, as well as decades of governmental mismanagement and corruption]. Why do you feel this kind of education is important?

People living in Pakistan, starting from the lowest economic levels in society to the elite classes, need civic training and grooming. There has to be a concrete system in the country that trains people to be citizens. The problem with the Pakistani educational system is that there is no such system to train the people in their civil responsibilities. This is why you will find a beautiful park but overflowing with litter. By evening, there will be empty plastic bags and bottles on the ground, even though the trash cans are there. This is because the people are simply not trained. Previously, this training used to occur in our society through the family. But for the past 20 to 30 years, we have shifted away from the family as a center for values and become influenced by global capitalism and our own inherent political turmoil so that the only main value in our society is money. Of course, money has always been important in all societies. But money as the prime value was never part of our society. Now, it is. Now, a person is considered valuable and important if they have money. This has led everyone in each household to start to earn money. This may have contributed to the economic development in our country. On the other hand, it has taken away the core family values. Before, all the family members used to work from the crack of dawn till 2 o’clock and then they spent time together. My grandmother used to tell the most fascinating stories to me. Now, all this is changed. So, the plan that I presented to (former PM) Imran Khan was about training people in civic and interpersonal values.

Listen to the podcast to get the full interview

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