Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
SCHOLARSHIP FOR PAKISTANI STUDENTS IN King Abdullah University, Saudi Arabia
SCHOLARSHIP FOR PAKISTANI STUDENTS IN King Abdullah University, Saudi Arabia
Post-Doctoral Researcher
Job Description : Post-Doctoral Researcher Position in Electrical Engineering at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Job Homepage : KAUST
Post-Doctoral Researcher
Job Description : Post-Doctoral Researcher Position in Electrical Engineering at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Job Homepage : KAUST
Category : Engineering
Contact address :
Dr. Hakan Bagci, hakan.bagci@kaust.edu.sa
FOR MORE SCHOLARSHIPS VISIT REGULARLY
http://escholarship-positions.blogspot.com
ALSO FORWARD TO DESERVING STUDENTS
Friday, December 18, 2009
Karachi University MBA aptitude test KU aptitude test for MBA Evening Programme
Karachi University MBA aptitude test
KU aptitude test for MBA Evening Programme
Karachi, Dec 18: A notification By University of Karachi announced on Thursday that the aptitude test for Master in Business Administration (Evening Programme), whose date was postponed earlier, will now be held on December 20, 2009, at 2:00 pm in the Faculty of Arts. Candidates are advised to report at the centre at least an hour earlier than the given time.
The candidates of BS in Computer Science and BS in Software Engineering, who could not appear in the aptitude test due to confusion of the time on December 16, have also been advised to appear in the test on Sunday December 20, at 10:00 am in the Faculty of Arts. Candidates who have already appeared in test are not eligible, and should not appear in the test.
Director Admissions, KU, Dr Saleem Shahzad announced that the selected candidates for BS (Hons.) First Year, through merit list issued on December 12, 2009, can submit the fee till December 19 otherwise their admissions will be cancelled. It has also been notified that the list of valid claims for BS 3rd Year/Masters will be issued on December 19 at 6:00 pm., whereas list of valid claims for BS (Hons.) first year will be issued on December 22 at 6:00 pm.
International scientific community
International scientific community
Karachi: Active participation of scientists and young researchers from Pakistan in the international scientific community is the need of the day, University of Karachi (KU) Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof. Pirzada Qasim has said.
He was delviering the presidential address to the National Conference on "Physics and the World of Today" at the KU Department of Physics.
"The promotion of research in the emerging field of physics as per international norms of productivity and originality, and acquisition, generation and transmission of knowledge in the field of physics, should be the aim of our teachers," he said. Prof. Qasim discussed the role of teachers for the development of "scientific culture" and in the motivation of young scientists towards meaningful research.
The two-day conference, in memory of Prof. Dr M. Rafi and Prof. Dr M. Razi Hussain, has been organised by the KU Department of Physics in collaboration with the National Centre for Physics (NCP), Islamabad.
The aim of the conference is to continue research activities at the university and set up a platform for young researchers to exchange their ideas with scientists from all over Pakistan.
In the first half of the session, scientists and professors shared their memories of Prof. Dr Rafi and Prof. Dr Hussain. KU Department of Physics Chairman Prof. Dabir Hasan Rizvi spoke about the contributions of these two great scientists for the development of scientific culture at the department. Former chairman Dr Iqbal A. Khan also shared his experiences with and memories of the two professors.
The guest speakers included Prof. Dr Fayyazuddin from NCP, Islamabad; Prof. Dr Bahria University (Karachi) Department of Computer Science Chairman Khalid Anis; KU Department of Computer Science Chairman Prof. Dr S.M Aqil Burney; Prof. Dr Feroz Ahmed, Prof. Dr Ansar Ahmed Qidwai, and other former chairpersons of the KU Department of Physics.
CIE issued new schedule for 'O' Level English
CIE issued new schedule for 'O' Level English
Karachi: According to the latest updates on the Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) website, the new schedule of the papers that were cancelled due to the GHQ attacks has been announced.
The majority of exams went ahead as scheduled and the results of these exams will be released on January 25, 2010, as planned, the website states. One paper which was rescheduled - the Cambridge 'O' Level English Language (1123) examination - will now take place on the morning of January 27, 2010; results will be released in March 2010, the website adds.
Although a number of components of different subjects, such as Mechanic 1 paper of mathematic, Biology Practical Skills and a section of Accounts, were not examined, these issues will be solved by special considerations, which have not been mentioned yet.
"Special Consideration is an adjustment to the marks or grades of a candidate in special circumstances. Special Consideration procedures are being applied by CIE, where appropriate, for the small number of candidates who missed one or more papers in their exams due to the closure of an exam venue. The British Council will contact all schools and private candidates who are eligible for Special Consideration once CIE confirms individual special consideration cases. On the contrary the candidates who missed one or more papers in their exams due to the closure of an exam venue, but who are not eligible for Special Consideration, will receive a full exam fee refund," the official statement says.
There is, however, confusion amongst students about whether they are eligible for special consideration, or will have to give the papers again.
CIE exams were cancelled for the first time in Pakistan and rescheduling has now become a bigger dilemma for students because the future of all of them relies on there grades; some of them have already missed university admission tests due to these delays. The news
Sindh university teachers body to boycott exams
Sindh university teachers body to boycott exams
Hyderabad: Sindh University Teachers Association decided on Thursday to boycott ongoing semester examinations as well as the convocation scheduled for Dec 22 as a mark of protest against an incident in which a lecturer was subjected to humiliation by an outsider a few days ago.
The association held a general body meeting at the university's Jamshoro campus took the decision with majority votes after failure of talks with a 10-member committee headed by pro-vice chancellor Dr Rafia Ahmed Shaikh.
The secretary of the association Prof Badar Soomro said that the outsider who insulted teacher of political science Naseem Abbas Abbasi during the ongoing examinations, was moving about freely and police had not arrested him yet although he had been nominated in an FIR.
He said that two murders had taken place in the hostels and some students had been subjected to sexual assault over the last eight years because of inefficiency of the administration.
Even jirgas had been held in the university to settle such grave issues, said Prof Soomro, adding that good governance had become a misnomer on the campus.
Nobody's life, property or self respect were safe and armed robberies, purse and motorcycle snatching and exhibition of arms had become order of the day, he said.
He said the police and Rangers on whom the university was spending millions of rupees had failed to maintain law and order.
These circumstances forced the university teachers to go public, he said. He appealed to the president, prime minister and governor of Sindh to provide protection to university teachers.
Meanwhile, the vice-chancellor of the university Mazharul Haq Siddiqui urged the teachers not to boycott examination because it was no solution to the problem.
Addressing a meeting of deans of faculties, directors and chairpersons of teaching centres, institutions and departments on Thursday, he said that the boycott of examinations was affecting a large number of students and urged protesting teachers to return to their duties. Dawn
Education department resolution
Education department resolution
Karachi: The City Council on Thursday passed a resolution by majority vote stating there must be uniforms in schools and colleges in order to remove class differences among the students.
The resolution, proposed by Imran Ahmed Khan of the treasury benches, and seconded by Shamim Akhter, said that there was information that the provincial education minister was adamant on abolishing uniforms in schools and colleges but the House was of the view that if the idea was given a practical shape, it would accentuate class differences.
The resolution said that uniforms removed the distinction between the rich and the poor when children come to educational institutions in uniform and thus the House was opposed to any move aimed at abolition of uniforms. It further said that the city Nazim had established model English medium schools in the city and the move to abolish uniforms was tantamount to sabotaging that move.
Imran Ahmed Khan of the treasury benches said that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) was opposed to the class system in society and uniforms in schools were necessary to remove the class divide in educational institutions. Dr. Ziauddin of opposition benches said that there should be uniforms in all schools whether they were English-medium or Urdu-medium. He pointed out that the state of schools run by the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) was pathetic and many schools didn't even have teachers and furniture. He said the CDGK should adopt measures to improve the lot of public schools.
The city council passed another resolution through majority vote to hand over a portion of plot 9 RC-II, Ranchore Lines Quarters, to the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) for constructing a hospital in view of the yeoman's service rendered by Prof. Adib-ul-Hasan Rizvi and the SIUT in the field of health. The above-mentioned plot at the moment is under the jurisdiction of the Works and Services Department of the CDGK.
The House also welcomed undoing of the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) by the Supreme Court Wednesday night.
Yet another resolution passed by majority vote urged the Sindh government to adopt measures to give relief to the common man regarding skyrocketing prices of sugar and other commodities. The resolution said that the new produce of sugar mills should be immediately brought into the market and action should continue against hoarders and profiteers. It also said that appropriate steps should be taken against smuggling of sugar and in order to overcome the artificial crisis, steps should be taken to import sugar in accordance with the demand.
In another resolution, the City Council demanded that 134 union council secretaries should be restored immediately so that the public-private partnership committee could function smoothly.
The House also passed a resolution with a majority vote for payment of salaries to the Christian employees of CDGK ahead of Christmas to facilitate their celebrations.
Jumman Darwan of the opposition benches said that two people were killed and 10 injured when the CDGK employees demolished a Goth in Gadap Town. He said a First Information Report (FIR) had been registered in this regard.
City Naib-Nazim Nasreen Jalil asked Darwan whether the matter was pending in a court of law upon which Darwan said an FIR had been registered. Darwan said the ethnic communities of the city were moving forward towards reconciliation but the high-handedness of the police and Rangers would have a negative impact..
However, Masood Mehmood of the benches rebutted Darwan and said the said land was private property and was encroached upon by the land mafia and it was strange that Darwan was supporting it. Darwan retorted by sternly asserting that he never supported the land mafia. The news
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
620 graduates get degrees at Lahore University of Management Sciences, convocation
620 graduates get degrees at Lahore University of Management Sciences, convocation
LAHORE:The Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) held its 21st Annual Convocation on Tuesday, conferring degrees on 620 graduates.
The outstanding students were honoured with awards and medals for showing excellent performance in field.
As many as 12 students graduated from the BA/LLB programme, 414 students graduated from the BSc (Honours) Undergraduate Degree Programmes and 194 students graduated from the Graduate and Post-Graduate Degree Programmes.
The National Management Foundation, the governing body at LUMS, also awarded medals to graduates securing top positions in various programmes.
The convocation address was presented by Shoaib Sultan, a leading figure in spearheading various rural support programs in Pakistan and abroad, while LUMS Chancellor Dr Syed Babar Ali, faculty members and students were also present.
Those getting awards include BA-LLB & Undergraduate Programmes: National Management Foundation Award (tied) - overall first position Maleeha Rizwan-Gold Medal and Syeda Shah Bano Ijaz-Gold Medal, Gold Medal (tied) for Best Student in Economics Syeda Shah Bano Ijaz and Husnain Fateh Ahmad, Gold Medal for Best Student in BA-LLB Reema Omer, Gold Medal for Best Student in Accounting & Finance Waqar Ali Malik, Gold Medal for Best Student in Computer Science Taimoor Shahid, Gold Medal for Best Student in Mathematics Hira Manzoor, Gold Medal for Best Student in Social Sciences Taimoor Shahid, SZH Gold Medal for Best NOP Scholar Asim Jahangir.
In MS Computer Science Programme, the National Management Foundation Award Hassan Ali- Gold Medal (Overall First Position) and Mouna Abdul Haye Shuja- Silver Medal (Overall Second Position) MS Computer Engineering Programme: National Management Foundation Award for attaining highest CGPA amongst MS Computer Engineering graduating class Shahrukh Athar- Silver Medal
For MSc Economics Programme: National Management Foundation Award Kiran Naseer- Gold Medal (Overall First Position) and Sana Majeed- Silver Medal (Overall Second Position)
For MBA Programme: National Management Foundation Award Syed Johar Gillani- Gold Medal (Overall First Position) and Zunaira Malik- Silver Medal (Overall Second Position) National Management Foundation Award Syed Johar Gillani- Gold Medal (Overall First Position) and Zunaira Malik- Silver Medal (Overall Second Position) In MBA (Executive) Programme: National Management Foundation Award Moetesum Khurshid- Gold Medal (Overall First Position) and Rizwan Aziez- Silver Medal (Overall Second Position). THE NEWS
Matric, intermediate examinations revised schedule Revised schedule for matric, intermediate examinations
Matric, intermediate examinations revised schedule
Revised schedule for matric, intermediate examinations
Karachi, Dec 16: Sindh education department has issued revised schedule for various examinations. According to the revised schedule, examinations up to middle class would be conducted by March 15 and secondary school examination would begin on March 24 and intermediate on April 27.
The results of SSC exams would be announced by July 15, inter exams of the Karachi boards by Aug 31, and other boards in the province would announce results by Aug 16.
Meanwhile the Sindh government has dispensed with the condition of compulsory uniform for students of all government schools and colleges, and allowed the use of Ajrak as a scarf.
This decision was announced by Senior Education Minister Pir Mazhar-ul-Haq while briefing newsmen after presiding over a meeting of the steering committee on education held here on Tuesday evening.
On the issue of the number of annual holidays in educational institutions, a sub-committee headed by Education Secretary Rizwan Memon was formed. The secretary was asked to submit his recommendations within 15 days.
The meeting drastically cut examination fees. According to the decision, the intermediate (science) examination fee has been reduced from Rs950 to Rs550, intermediate arts and commerce fee from Rs750 to Rs500.
The committee expressed its concern over the rising trend of cheating in examinations and decided to check it strictly and adopt new ways to improve the examination system.
The meeting also decided to enforce a state of emergency around the centres of examinations of the boards and colleges and that examination centres would be set up only in government institutions. It also decided to hire internal and external invigilators who must not be in a grade lower than grade 17.
If any college principal [or headmaster /headmistress] declined to perform the examination duty, disciplinary action would be taken against them, it said.
The meeting also decided that the system of automatic promotions up to class three from class one would be conditional with tests, but the age limit was waived for appearing in such tests.
Answering a question, the education minister said that if the government decided to observe two weekly holidays, the decision would not apply to educational institutions.
The meeting deferred a decision on disbanding of evening classes in Karachi and the issue would be taken up at the next meeting of the steering committee.
Those who attended the meeting were Education Secretary Prof Rizwan Memon, Director of Colleges Prof Rafiq Siddiqui and all EDOs of education.
Over 5,000 Karachi university students receive degrees
Over 5,000 Karachi university students receive degrees
Karachi: The University of Karachi held its 21st convocation on Tuesday in which over 5,000 students received degrees.
Some 74 gold medals were awarded to top students in various disciplines. Girl students received 55 of the 74 gold medals awarded on Tuesday.
The convocation was attended by KU alumni, foreign dignitaries, teachers, students and their parents.
The chancellor of the university, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, however, was conspicuous by his absence.
It is the third consecutive year that he could not make it to the event, although he was the chief guest.
A total number of 5,166 students were awarded degrees - 630 in BA (Hons) BLIS, 1,352 in MA/MLIS, 22 in BA (Hons) Islamic learning, 107 in MA Islamic learning, 159 in BBA/B.Com/BPA (Hons), 489 in MBA/M.Com/MPA/MAS, 165 in D.Pharm, 38 in M.Pharm, 735 in BS/BS.c (Hons), 1,281 in MSc/MCS.
Besides, 187 students were awarded MS, M.Phil, MD and PhD degrees. Of the total 5,166 students, about 1,015 had taken evening courses.
The recipients of the gold medals in the faculty of arts are: Farjad Ali (two gold medals), Maria Malik, Saira Shaikh, Shehla Naqvi, Aliza Batool, Saima Naseer, Maheen Qureshi (two gold medals), Mubusshrah Shafiq, Samra Sarfaraz Khan, Neha Ansari, Sarah Raza, Syeda Sadia Naz, Haya Fatima Iqbal, Rahat Kamal, Saba Syed, Nida Sarfaraz, Syeda Qaima Qaiser Ghazali, Komal, Saira Batool, Naila, Mashhood Hussain, Farzana Hussain, Humaira Zubair, Raheela Yousuf, Namra Asif, Jameela Saeed ul Khair and Alia Anwar.
Faculty of science: Kahkashan Nawaz, Sajid Ali, Rizwana Malik, Mariam Sophie, Hina Asrar, Noureen Fatima, Sana Gul (two gold medals), Safi Asim Bin Asif (three gold medals), Mohammad Rashid, Tayyaba Abid, Sania Sultana, Fahdila Azam, Hira Naz (two gold medals), Kausar Noor, Jawad Ahmed Ansari, Shaffaq Jawaid Kurd, Sadaf Shakeel, Syed Amir Mahmud, Sidra Arshad, Madiha Hafeez, Mohammad Kamran, Faizan Mirza, Usama Farooq, Mohammad Najamuddin, Nazia Arshad and Saman Mehboob (two medals) received gold medals.
Faculty of pharmacy: Sana Sarfaraz received four gold medals.
Faculty of Islamic studies: Hafiza Maria Hassan Padhiar, Hafiz Faiz Rasool, Rouqaia Anwar received gold medals.
Faculty of management and administrative sciences: Shumaila Khalil, Faiza Hina, Sarah Anjum, Syed Raza Naim (two gold medals) and Sana Raees received gold medals.
Dr Ishratul Ibad in his message read out by KU registrar Prof (Dr) Mohammad Raees Alvi congratulated both students and teachers and expressed the hope that they would continue to strive for achieving the best academic standards in future as well.
Highlighting achievements of the university, KU Vice Chancellor Prof (Dr) Pirzada Qasim said that the institution had grown remarkably over the years and the student enrolment had risen from 19,000 to 24,000 in the past five years.
The number of faculty members had also increased from 623 to 826 during the same period, he said.
"Along with the number of students and teachers, the standard of education has also improved. The university is ranked 23rd in the field of natural sciences in the world, according to a survey conducted by the Times Higher Education 2009. The QS World University Ranking 2009 has placed the KU in the list of top 600 universities," he said.
"The Institute of Sustainable Halophyte Utilization at the university," he said, "is the first of its kind in the world".
"That's why the Unesco chair in sustainable halophyte utilization has recently been established at the institute. A number of projects in collaboration with foreign universities are also under way on the campus."
Giving some facts about the KU status, he said that there were 24,000 students acquiring education at the university which had nine faculties, 54 departments and 21 research institutes and centres of excellence.
Around 150,000 students were enrolled at affiliated colleges, he said. Till 2009, 1,034 PhD degrees had been awarded and a total of 2,500 postgraduate students were involved in research on the campus, he said.
Besides, 695 of KU research papers had been published in international journals during the past two years, he informed the audience. Dawn
Record number of degrees awarded
Karachi: The university awarded degrees to a record number of 5,166 students, including 1,015 from the Evening Programme. The degrees conferred included 630 for BA (Hons) and BLIS students; 1,352 for MA/MLIS; 1,281 for M.Sc./MCS.
A total of 68 MS, M.Phil and MD and 120 PhD degrees were awarded in Medicine, Arts, Pharmacy, Science, Islamic Learning, Law and Management and Administrative Sciences.
Gold Medals offered by various individuals and companies were awarded to 74 meritorious students who had excelled in their respective examinations.
International organisation to promote education
International organisation to promote education
Karachi: The Peaceful Schools International (PSI), a Canadian non-profit, charitable organisation has started to promote peace education in Lyari. PSI head Dr Hetty Van Gurp with the organistion's Pakistan coordinator Muhammad Nadim Ghazi is nowadays visiting Lyari to identify schools to seek support of the schools management and Lyari Town Municipal Administration.
One of Karachi's oldest neighbourhoods, Lyari, has mostly been in the middle of a war between various armed groups which has disturbed the education process in the area and this initiative by PSI is being welcomed by the people of Lyari as well as by the town administration.
PSI was formed in 2001 by Dr Hetty Van Gurp, whose elder son, Ben, died when he was 14 years old as a result of a bullying incident in Nova Scotia in 1991. Since then, Dr Van Gurp has been involved in this mission.
PSI provides support to schools that have declared a commitment to creating and maintaining a culture of peace. It has over 300 member schools around the world where students, teachers and community members work together to ensure that everyone feels safe.
Dr Van Gurp's teaching career has included extensive and varied assignments in Canada and the USA. In addition to teaching public school, she has taught students with special needs as a resource teacher and as a teacher of the blind. She has also been principal of an elementary school in Nova Scotia. Currently, she is a part-time member of the faculty of Mount Saint Vincent University.
She is the author of four books, and has been serving as a peace education consultant to schools across Canada and internationally since 1991.
During this time, she introduced the concept of peer mediation to schools in Nova Scotia and still conducts regular training sessions for students, educators and community members.
Meanwhile Muhammad Nadim Ghazi said that they are planning to identify 30 schools in the city initially out of which 75 per cent would be selected from Lyari. Ghazi has got training in PSI headquarter in Canada to achieve the goal in Pakistan.
He said that they are planning to extend their work in 300 schools all over the country, mostly in conflict-hit zones. They have provided training to 400 teachers of Karachi out of which 150 teachers belong to Lyari neighbourhood. He said that they are trying to convince both government and private schools in the neighbourhood.
Ghazi said they act as a catalyst for innovative ideas that help to build an environment in schools where everyone feels safe, respected and valued. PSI's vision is to create a global network of peaceful schools, he added.
In this regard Lyari Town Nazim Mahmood Hashim said that they are happy to see the eagerness of the international organisation to work in their neighbourhood, providing training to teachers and introducing valuable syllabus to promote the peace education through their unique demonstrations within the educational institutes.
The town Nazim added that the law and order situation in Lyari is improving now and the people who had migrated from the area to other areas due to bad law and order situation are returning. He expressed the hope that this exercise would prove to be helpful for the poverty-stricken community.
He said that the teachers and students would get a golden opportunity to learn how to promote peace in their neighbourhood.
NAPA student staged Othello
NAPA student staged Othello
Karachi: The final-year students of National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) successfully staged Shakespeare's classic play 'Othello' at the Arts Council Karachi as a part of their final year project. The best part of the NAPA play this time was the fact that it was directed by a student of the graduating batch and not by a member of the faculty.
The play was directed by Ali Abbas and had Nazar al Hassan, Shaan Sheikh, Mewish Siddique and Zain Nazar in the lead cast. The story is a popular tale of Othello and the doubts that keep on building up against his wife Desdemona.
Performing Shakespeare in Urdu and doing it perfectly with keeping the body of knowledge of that era in context is a very difficult task to achieve. The not yet graduate students of NAPA have shown new rays of hope for theatre in Karachi by there exceptional performance. The play was performed in the absence of their seasonal actors such Ali Rizvi, Ovais Mangalawal, Aiman tariq , Saqib Khan and Bakhtawar Mazhar who had become the part and parcel of every NAPA play and yet the entertainment level never went down.
The actor who dominated the play was Nazar al-Hassan who played Lago. Although Lago by its very nature is a strong character, the way it was executed was commendable. Character traits such as the wicked laughter, cunning walk and whispering with suspicion gave the character a very strong feel and the audience could see Nazar living the character of Lago and changing delivery patterns on stage.
Previously we had seen only Aiman Tariq and Baklhtawar Mazhar, two female graduates from NAPA, who had made it big but Mehwish, who played Desdemona, is another gem to look forward to.
Shaan Sheikh was the smart guy playing Othello but there was not much to his character, Othello could have been more powerful, however in the end of the play when he was about to kill Desdemona, Sheikh did not leave the audience disappointed.
Technically the play was very sound. Something that needs to be commended was the brilliant choreography of the sword fighting scene and the reactions that were necessary in such duels. All the characters were hitting swords with full force yet no one was hurt.
Lighting was an interesting part of the narrative which started with a very low key effect and moved on to fully lit faces in the second half of the play. The wardrobe was adapted according to the script and the set was minimalist but yet had the Shakespearian feel to it.
NAPA students proved there mettle with Othello and also negated the stereotype that NAPA students can only act and not direct with excellence. Considering that it was a final year project and for the first time any project was commercially staged, it was a class act. Some very bold lines were delivered so convincingly that they never sounded profane.
Othello was a positive step for NAPA and for theatre in Karachi and putting Shakespeare successfully on stage is a solid proof of the potential of the NAPA students. The news
Violence on girl students
Violence on girl students
Lahore: Muslim Students Federation former central president and Human Rights Movement's central chairman Nasir Iqbal Khan has said that the police baton charging on the students of Fatima Jinnah Medical College has committed inhuman act.
He said it is right of every citizen including the students to raise voice in support of their demands abiding by law in the time of need, which can't be usurped. He said that in the existence of elected Punjab Assembly it is worst example of human rights violation, therefore, action should be taken against the police employees involved in it.
In a statement here Tuesday Muhammad Nasir Iqbal Khan further said that had the democracy restored in real sense in the country, such incident of violence on girl students who were forced to come on roads due to cold attitude of the secretary health with regard to their demands did not occur.
He said that the students are architect of our future and the inhuman treatment with them can't be allowed. He said that the rulers and law enforcement agencies can't control the activities of miscreants but they remain alert to make the citizens target of their wrath.
He said that if the rulers prior to taking such decision may consult with the people the gap of contact between the government and people can be bridged amicably, besides solving the problems. PPI
Ceremony for position-holders
Ceremony for position-holders
Lahore: The Punjab University (PU) organised a special ceremony for its students who had secured top positions in the CM's essay writing and speech competitions.
The students were awarded cash prizes during the ceremony presided over by PU Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Jamil Anwar Chaudhry.
Mock interviews at PU
Mock interviews at PU
Lahore: Career Development Centre (CDC) of the Punjab University (PU) in collaboration with Career Counselling & Career Planning and Bank Alfalah organized a "Mock Interview Session" for the students of the Hailey College of Banking and Finance (HCBF).
A press release on Tuesday said two interviewing panels were set up to conduct the session. The students were briefed how to evaluate their skills and also how to make their CVs whenever they apply for a job.
Punjab university BSc, BA Examinations schedule PU BSc, BA Annual Examinations 2010 schedule
Punjab university BSc, BA Examinations schedule
PU BSc, BA Annual Examinations 2010 schedule
Lahore, Dec 16: The Punjab University (PU) Examinations Department has issued a notification under which the BA/BSc Annual Examinations 2010 will commence from April 20, 2010.
NWFP Public Service Commission exam results 180 candidates qualified PSC competitive examination
NWFP Public Service Commission exam results
180 candidates qualified PSC competitive examination
Peshawar, Dec 16: In all 180 candidates have qualified the competitive examination of the NWFP Public Service Commission (PSC) held for 195 posts of the Provincial Management Service (PMS).
A spokesman for the PSC in a press release here on Tuesday said that the Commission had received 18,160 applications.
All eligible candidates were admitted for competitive examinations of whom, 4,138 candidates appeared in the examination out of which 180 candidates qualified the test.
The qualified candidates were called for viva voce test including 74 petitioners who had been granted relief by the Peshawar High Court and PHC Abbottabad Bench.
After the conclusion of interviews, the Commission finally recommended the candidates for appointment in accordance with the prescribed zonal allocation formula.
It is notified for general information that the commission had advertised 195 posts of Provincial Management Service (PMS) Officer (B-17) (including posts reserved for females, disables and earthquake affected people). APP
ICU teachers started boycott of classes
ICU teachers started boycott of classes
Peshawar: The teachers of Islamia College University (ICU) started boycott of classes Tuesday to press the university administration for acceptance of their demands.
There were no classes in the university from 10am to 12 noon. The teachers resorted to protest on the call of the Islamia College University Teachers' Association and pledged to continue their strike till fulfillment of their demands.
The teachers expressed serious concern over what they called the apathy of the university administration. They said the vice-chancellor had earlier made a commitment with them to come to their meeting and try to convince them on winding up of their strike. However, neither the vice-chancellor nor the registrar bothered to attend the meeting.
The protesting teachers were of the opinion that despite lapse of more than one year of the establishment of the university, no single meeting of the varsity senate could be held due to which their promotion cases could not be resolved.
They said that 70 percent of their promotion cases were pending and the university administration was least interested in resolving them. They said that the university should immediately call the senate meeting so that their problems could be resolved.
PM approved setting up of Education Task Force
Pakistan education task force setup
PM approved setting up of Education Task Force
Islamabad, Dec 16: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has approved the setting up of Pakistan Education Task Force on the recommendation of the Education Ministry.
According to a notification issued here Tuesday by the Education Ministry, Shahnaz Wazir Ali and Sir Michael Barber are the co-chairs of the Task Force.
Other members include the Education Ministry secretary, Saba Gul of Planning Commission, Finance Ministry representative, NCHD chairman, secretaries of schools of Balochistan, NWFP, Punjab and Sindh, education secretary of AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan, director (education) of FATA, Dr Muhammad Memon of IED Karachi, former Punjab finance minister Shahid Kardar, Dr Fareeha Zafar of Society for Advancement of Education, Lahore, Mehnaz Aziz of Children Global Network, Islamabad, Member Board of Directors Citizen's Foundation Ahsan Saleem, representative of Religious Education, and two international experts, each nominated by USAID and DFID, UK.
The objective of the task force will be to increase the capacity of the federal and provincial governments to implement the education reforms set out in the National Education Policy.
The task force will support the federal and provincial ministries, and prioritise and identify clear goals for improving the school system. The task force will also set targets for improvement and cascade them out through the system.
Ministry to announce results in two months
Ministry to announce results in two months
Islamabad: Ministry of Youth Affairs (MoYA) plans to announce the results of the second National Youth Essay Writing Competition in two months.
A ministry official said that the competition, announced on November 8, received good response from the youth. "The ministry is in the initial stages of registering the received entries after which the evaluation process will start," he said. The last date for the submission of essays was December 5.
This year, the essay topics were divided into two categories, based on the age of the participants. Category I was for the age group of 15-21 years, whereas Category II was for those above 22 years but less than 29 years.
Topics for the first category included 'Socio-cultural Factors for Solidarity of Pakistan', 'Education Reforms and Employment', 'Role of Youth in Nation Building' and 'Volunteerism for Social Change.' The second category had more specialised topics such as 'Clash of Civilisations: Myth or Reality', 'Global Warming and its Impact on Pakistan', 'Public Private Partnership for Quality Public Service Delivery' and 'Impact of Economic Growth on Poverty Reduction with Special reference to Pakistan'.
The ministry has also increased the prize money for the winners this year that now amounts to Rs50,000 from Rs20,000 of last year for the first position holder, Rs30,000 for the runner up and Rs20,000 for the third position holder.
"We are in the process of assessing the eligibility of the received essays," the official said adding that these essays would be sent to subject experts for assessment.
Talking about the criteria on which the essays would be judged, he said the writing should reflect analytical thinking and critical insight of the participant. "The judges will also look into how well-structured, focused and coherent the arguments are," he pointed out. The aspiring candidates were asked not to accede the limit of 2,000 words.
In addition to providing them an opportunity to express themselves, he said the activity is aimed at knowing the perception of the young generation about the challenges faced by the country. "It will also help in inculcating the youth's opinion in future policymaking."
Last year, the competition was announced in June. The rational behind organising the event in summer vacations was to involve the youth in constructive activities in their free time.
There were only four topics including 'Causes of Unemployment in Rural Areas', 'Role of Youth in Promotion of Civil Spirit and Courtesies', 'Plan of Action to Curb the Use of Tobacco in Youth' and 'Causes of Youth Crime and Remedies'. According to ministry sources, the activity proved to be a success last time, as they received 634 essays, majority of them from rural areas.
Intel Education Awards for schools and teachers
Intel Education Awards for schools and teachers
Islamabad: In order to recognise schools and teachers using technology to enhance learning, Intel Pakistan hosted 'Intel Education Awards' in collaboration with Intel Education Initiative and Ministry of Education, attended by Additional Secretary Education Muhammad Juman J Jamro.
The awards are held annually in the country in conjunction with the implementation of the Intel Teach Programme, which provides professional development and guidance to teachers on how to use technology to enhance student learning in the digital world.
To date, the programme has trained 220,000 teachers in Pakistan, reaching out to over 60 cities and districts.
In addition to the teachers' training, the Intel Teach Programme also hosts forums and workshops to enhance the use of ICT in the learning environment, and so far, it has reached more than 28,000 teachers and principals.
The Intel award-winning principals included Rehana Shabbir of FG College for Women G-10/4, Khadija Javed of FG Margalla College for Women F-7/4, Farzana Yousaf of Government High School Gulbahar, Peshawar, Naheed Begum of Government Higher Secondary School Lady Griffith, Peshawar, and Bilqees Ismail of Government Girls Middle School, Peshawar.
The 'Teacher of the Year' shield was given to Nargis Gul Yousafzai of FG Margalla College for Women F-7/4 and Kulsoom Bibi of Beaconhouse School System, Wah Cantonment. While appreciation awards, given to government officials associated with the task of improving the state of education, included the names of former federal education minister Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani and Minister of State for Education Ghulam Farid Kathia.
Other officials included Qazi Muhammad Asad, Sardar Hussain Babak, Imtiaz Qazi, Atta ur Rehman Lodhi, Muhammad Arifeen, Mohammad Akram Sohail, Muhammad Juman J Jamro, Qaisar Alam, Nasreen Javed, Aurangzeb Rehman, Shaista Pirzada, Prof Muhammad Rafique Tahir, Muhammad Ismail, Noor Amna Malik, Air Commodore Waseem Mahdi, Major General M Tahir, Brig Muhammad Asif, John Raleigh, Helen Kirby, Mrs Shama Saeed, Amina Sitwat, Faisal Mushtaq, Abida Sohail, Zahida Powar, Anwar Ahmad Khawaja, Mohammad Zaman, and Salahuddin.
The Intel Teach Essential Awards were awarded to Durdana Shaheen and Arjumand Bano, Ayesha Ahsan and Rubab Minhas.
"Teachers play a significant and valuable role in our society and the Intel Education Awards are held with the recognition of this role in mind," said Ashar H Zaidi, Country Manager Intel Pakistan. He said the programme inspires the teachers to revisit their views on how ICT could be used in education, and encourages them to use technology to enhance the learning of their students.
"Schools and teachers, who take an innovative approach to use technology, are equipping their students with the real-world skills. Intel invests more than $100 million annually to promote education and technological literacy across the globe, and we are pleased to be working closely with the government to ensure that this training reaches the teachers across Pakistan," Zaidi said.
Schools rally against terrorism
Schools rally against terrorism
Rawalpindi: All Pakistan Private Schools Management Association (APPSMA), Rawalpindi Region, on Tuesday took out a rally against the terrorist strikes in the country.
APPSMA Rawalpindi Chapter President Abrar Ahmed Khan led the rally, which started from Liaquat Bagh and culminated in front of Rawalpindi Press Club. A large number of students and teachers of private schools attended the rally.
The participants of the rally were carrying banners inscribed with slogans against the terrorist activities in the country and anti-state elements.
The APPSMA office-bearers said the wrong decisions would also produce wrong results and there was a dire need to eliminate the roots of terrorism from the country.
They said the terrorists had no link to Islam that preached love and peace in the world. Daily times
Doctor remarkable achievements
Doctor remarkable achievements
Rawalpindi: Professor Dr Muhammad Umar, a Gastroenterologist has been appointed as the Governor of American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) for Pakistan, in recognition of his remarkable achievements.
It is for the first time, since ACG's inception in 1932 that a position of ACG Governor for Pakistan has been created, in recognition of Pakistan's accomplishment in this field.
ACG President Eamonn M. M. Quigley MD has acknowledged Professor Umar's services and contributions for research, training and treatment of hepatitis and termed him suitable and highly qualified physician for the position of Governor of ACG for Pakistan.
Dr. Muhammad Umar is presently serving as Professor of Medicines at Rawalpindi Medical College and Holy Family Hospital. He has promoted academic as well as research activities, organised a number of national and international events, besides representing Pakistan at international forums.
Dr. Umar has also written a number of academic and research books on the treatment of hepatitis and drafted guidelines for Prime Minister's Hepatitis Control Programme.
He has established a free liver clinic at Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi and treated thousands of patients by providing them free medicines. He has also established an academic research centre in the name of Rawalians Research Forum (RRF).
The RRF has been declared as a role model by Punjab government and with the personal efforts of Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Member National Assembly Muhammad Hanif Abbasi and other elected representatives of the area efforts are being made to establish the first Liver Diseases Transplant Centre of Punjab at Holy Family Hospital. The news
Punjab university announced various MSc exams results
Punjab university MSc examinations results 2009
Punjab university announced various MSc exams results
Lahore, Dec 15: Punjab University Examinations Department has announced the results of MSc Chemistry, Part-II, Annual Examination 2009, MSc Geography, Part-II, Annual Examination 2009 and MSc Zoology, Part-II, Annual Examination 2009.
Detail results are available at PU website www.pu.edu.pk. F.P Report
Over 600 students of Fatima Jinnah Medical College, Lahore, held a protest demonstration and blocked The Mall against the college's affiliation with the University of Health Sciences.
Students protest against college affiliation with UHS
Lahore: Over 600 students of Fatima Jinnah Medical College, Lahore, held a protest demonstration and blocked The Mall against the college's affiliation with the University of Health Sciences.
Students came out of the college in the morning and blocked the Queens Road and The Mall for more than three hours from 10 am onwards, which caused massive traffic jam on two roads and diversion of traffic to linking roads. The traffic jam inconvenienced motorists. Students organised a sit-in on The Mall for more than two hours to press the government for accepting their demands. Citizens and policemen argued with students but they refused to disperse. Ambulances also found it difficult to make their way for timely transportation of patients to hospitals.
Meanwhile, the Young Doctors' Association (YDA) has announced that it would support students of the FJMC. "The decision to affiliate the FJMC with the UHS should be reverted," said Dr Salman Kazmi, the general secretary of the YDA in a statement issued on Monday.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Central Information Secretary Omar Sarfaraz Cheema has condemned the government for its actions against Fatima Jinnah Medical College.
He said the students had been lodging protests quietly within the college premises for the past six days but the government had not paid any heed to their valid demands.
The Punjab government's decision to establish a veterinary university in Bahawalpur
PVMC critical of vet university in Bahawalpur
Lahore: The Punjab government's decision to establish a veterinary university in Bahawalpur has invited strong criticism from the Pakistan Veterinary Medical Council (PVMC).
The PVMC, expressing concerns over lack of qualified faculty, deteriorating standard of veterinary and animal husbandry education and shortage of practical facilities in existing institutions, has questioned the establishment of a new university.
The council has also expressed resentment against the government for not taking it on board in the whole process on the plea that it had the mandate to establish and regulate uniform standards of veterinary and animal husbandry education and practice.
Dr Alamdar Hussain Malik, secretary/registrar PVMC, said the University College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at the Islamia University Bahawalpur (IUB) had already been established in 2006 and the college was still short of qualified faculty, practical and proper accommodation facilities.
'It is strange that a veterinary college has already been established at the IUB while a full-fledged veterinary university is being established in Bahawalpur,' he said and added that in 2006, four veterinary institutions were established in Punjab without having the minimum basic mandatory requirements for such institutions.
Dr Malik said that presently 10 institutions in the public sector and one in private sector were offering five-year DVM degree programmes in the country.
'Out of these institutions, the Veterinary College IUB, Veterinary Faculty Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU), Multan, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Jhang, and Veterinary Faculty Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, are yet to get their accreditation and recognition of their institutions and degree programmes from the PVMC,' he said.
Dr Malik further said the Gomal College of Veterinary Science, DI Khan, and the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Uthal University, Balochistan, which got the provisional accreditation and recognition had not fulfilled the minimum required criteria yet which might force the PVMC to review its earlier decision.
'What to talk about the newly-established vet institutions, the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, an institution which has completed its 125 years, has yet to complete its faculty in some very important subjects, i.e. anatomy, veterinary public health, epidemiology and pathology,' he maintained.
'The veterinary sciences, is not an easy business like the upgrade of a middle school to a secondary level,' the secretary/registrar PVMC said and added: 'Veterinary medical science is the only which have the comparative anatomy and medicine and also it is much diversified profession than the human medical profession.'
He said for the sake of arguments, when the veterinary university at Bahawalpur would be established and recruitment for the faculty would be advertised, all trained faculty in the newly established institutions would prefer to join the university.
'Then what will be the fate of the present veterinary institutions?' he questioned.
To support his argument, Dr Malik said when in 2002, the College of Veterinary Science, Lahore, was upgraded to the university status, the qualified professionals from all over the country joined the university and the institutions which they left had yet to fill that positions.
Dr Malik further quoted an example regarding the glaring situation of brain-drain of the qualified veterinarians, saying when the UVAS advertised the post of Professor of Epidemiology there was only one applicant and the same was the case in most of the subjects.
'When everybody, especially the political leaders in the country, believe in the supremacy of the Parliament, the mandate of the PVMC as a regulatory body, which is entrusted powers, through the Act of the Parliament, may also be given proper respect and the PVMC participation while making the decisions regarding the veterinary/animal husbandry education and practice,' he said and added that there was no doubt that the Punjab chief minister was fully committed to strengthening the veterinary education and livestock sector to counter the poverty and unemployment in the province but without taking the PVMC on board 'I am afraid this effort may not produce the desired results,' he said.
Sources in the Punjab Livestock and Dairy Development Department said that DG Extension Dr Muhammad Irfan Zahid had recently written to the departmentís secretary about the plight of vet institutions of the province. They said the DG expressed displeasure over the standard of education in these institutes besides exposing the lack of facilities there.
About the standard of education, the DG had expressed strong concerns while saying some graduates had given ëridiculousí answers to simple questions in tests for different posts in the Livestock and Dairy Development Department and attached bodies, the sources said.
They further said the idea regarding establishment of a full fledged veterinary university in Bahawalpur was basically the brainchild of Punjab Chief Secretary Javed Mahmood. They added that all the problems faced by the vet institutes in Punjab were ironically ignored when the high-ups were ëponderingí how to turn the CSís dream into reality.
When contacted, Deputy Secretary (Technical) of the Livestock and Dairy Development Department Dr Iftikhar said the establishment of a university was a policy matter and the PVMC had no role in this regard.
'Its role comes only for accreditation of degrees and programmes offered at vet institutes,' he added.
To a question about the lack of facilities and shortage of qualified faculty at existing vet institutes, Dr Iftikhar said it was the responsibility of the Chancellorís Office to look after such issues.
'We are dealing only with policy matters,' he said and added that shortage of qualified faculty was there but we needed future veterinarians for commercial farming, leather industry and other such growing industries. He also confirmed that the establishment of a vet university in Bahawalpur was the idea of the chief secretary and added that a presentation was later given to the chief minister who okayed it.
To a question, Dr Iftikhar said that land had been identified for the said project which had also been approved by the Board of Revenue. He said the new university would be linked with the top vet institutes of the world.
DG Extension Dr Muhammad Irfan Zahid, when contacted, confirmed that he had recently written about deteriorating standard of vet institutions of the province. He said after establishment of a veterinary university in Bahawalpur, the faculty of the IUB College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences would be merged with the new university.
Agreeing that there was a shortage of qualified faculty, the DG Extension said the new university would be set up totally on a new concept, adding that it would have satellite link with the foreign universities. The news
Punjab Assembly Public Accounts Committee-I Chairman Chaudhry Zaheeruddin Khan has said that academic activities in schools are suffering due to non-utilisation of funds at lower level because of red tape.
Non-utilisation of funds
Lahore: Punjab Assembly Public Accounts Committee-I Chairman Chaudhry Zaheeruddin Khan has said that academic activities in schools are suffering due to non-utilisation of funds at lower level because of red tape.
He said this while presiding over the committee meeting held here on Monday to consider audit paras pertaining to Punjab education department and hearing answers of secretary (schools) in response to the questions about funds use.
He said the members had been shocked to learn that funds were not being utilised in primary and middle schools due to the fear of audit paras. The education department officials could, however, ensure funds' utilisation by making serious efforts for settlement of audit paras, he added.
The secretary education (schools) informed the committee that a sizeable number of audit paras were 'frivolous'. Giving an example, he said a para was made even for not mentioning a date on a document and it took years to clear it.
Committee member Mehr Ishtiaq asked the secretary to explain why the department waited for the PAC-I meeting for the settlement of audit paras when it (the department) could get the objections removed by contacting the audit authorities.
The secretary further informed the committee that most of the audit paras were related to the utilisation of the SMC grant used on the directions of the schools management committees. He said the grant was negligible and was utilised for minor repairs and meeting requirements like the purchase of chalks for which no receipts were issued in villages. The expenditure was was not audited because the amounts involved were negligible. The teachers had stopped utilisation of the grant for the fear of audit paras.
Mr Zaheer observed there was no justification for avoiding utilisation of funds for fear of audit, terming it sheer escapism. The institutions should not be made to suffer for saving one's own skin, he added.
The secretary assured the chairman that the education department would get the paras settled with the audit authorities. The committee also directed the department to update the record after getting the details of school funds lying in their bank accounts.
The committee meeting was attended by Syed Nazim Hussain Shah, Mehr Ishtiaq, Mohsin Leghari, Zaib Jaffer, Major Abdul Rehman (retired), Syed Hasan Murtaza, Mian Shafi Muhammad and Chaudhry Arshad. Dawn
GCU graduates degrees
GCU graduates degrees
Lahore: As many as 424 students of BA/BSc (Hons) were given degrees at the concluding session of the 8th Convocation of the Government College University Lahore on Monday at the Bokhari Auditorium. Addressing the concluding ceremony, GC University Lahore Vice chancellor Dr Khalid Aftab said that GCU is a modern, demand-driven, research-based and quality-conscious institution.
He hoped that the students would be benefited in their professional lives from what they have learnt at the university. He also advised the fresh graduates to go for specialization in their relative fields, saying that their journey of knowledge should not end here.
The vice chancellor told the students that they owe deep debt to their country and Alma Mater and advised them pay it off as much as they can. Later, the vice chancellor and head of departments pose for photographs with the students.
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