MARCH, 2016 | ISSUE 3 | VOLUME 12 Price: Rs. 50 | Pages: 12 | www.educationist.com.pk | facebook.com/TheEducationistPK

Dr Shazia drivesTeachers Front victory in PU ASAElection 2016

PAGE 02 PAGE 07

UCP Conference on “Innovations in Business: Opportunitiesand Challenges”

VCs, teachers stand by IUB VC DrQaiser against minister’s ‘vandalism’

BaHaWaLPur: Vicechancellors of severaluniversities havecondemned the ill-mannered behaviourof CooperativesMinister Malik IqbalChannar with Islamiauniversity ofBahawalpur (IuB) ViceChancellor Prof QaiserMushtaq. VCs have

demanded the chief minister and the governor to takenotice of vandalism. VCs have expressed concern aboutincreasing political interference in varsities. On March 7,the minister had arrived at the IuB without anappointment and allegedly stormed into the vicechancellor’s office with his supporters, who madevandalism on the campus. —Staff report

INBRIEF

‘70 % of new KPK educationalinstitutions will be for women’

PESHaWar: Pakistantehreek-i-Insaf (PtI)chief Imran Khan saidthe KPK governmentwas committed topromoting womeneducation and 70percent of the neweducationalinstitutions would bespecified for them.addressing a function

in connection with the International Women’s Day atthe Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women university,Imran said that two out of every three new schools,colleges or universities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwawould be for women. He said that women educationhad always been the most neglected sector duringprevious governments. —Staff report

Dr. Arshad Ali joins HEC as newExecutive Director

ISLaMaBaD: Prof. Dr.arshad ali, formerrector National textileuniversity andfounding Principal ofthe NuSt School ofElectrical Engineeringand Computer Science(SEECS), has joinedthe Higher EducationCommission (HEC) asExecutive Director.

HEC’s governing body, Commission, had approved theselection of Dr. arshad ali as Executive Director during its31st meeting held on january 11, 2016. He won the Pride ofPerformance award owing to his creative and strategicthinking and over 33 years association with academicsand research. He will be awarded with the Sitara-e-Imtiazon 23rd March, 2016. —Staff report

Dr Talat Naseer Pasha gets 2ndterm as UVAS VC

LaHOrE: the GovernorPunjab has appointedProf Dr talat NaseerPasha as Vice-Chancellor of theuniversity of Veterinaryand animal Sciences(uVaS) Lahore for aperiod of four years.the Secretary,Livestock and DairyDevelopment

Department Punjab notified his appointment. this will be Professor Pasha's second term as uVaSVice-Chancellor. Earlier the, the Governor haddeputed Professor Pasha to look after theduties/functions of the office of vice-chancellor onDecember 28, 2015 after he had completed his firsttenure on December 9, 2015. —Staff report

avicenna, abu ali Sina, wrote 450treatises. He is "Father of modernmedicine." He wrote the Book of

Healing and the Canon of Medicine.He also worked on philosophy,

astronomy, alchemy, logic,mathematics, physics, poetry etc .

Editor: Shabbir Sarwar

BY AADARSH MUZAFFAR

LAHORE: The University of Engineering andTechnology (UET) has the best Student-Teacher Ratio(STR) of 17:1 amongst public sector universities ofprovincial capital, followed by the InformationTechnology University with 19:1 ratio and LahoreCollege for Women University with 23:1.UET has 12,000 enrolled students and total number ofteachers is 688 making the ratio 17:1, said its publicrelations officer Adnan Khaliq Bhatti. LCWU’s 12,000students and 510 teachers make its ratio 23:1. PU has40,000 students and 1081 teachers showing 38:1 ratio,Govt College University has 12,000 students and 300

teachers with a ratio 40:1 while University ofEducation has so far the worst ratio at 42:1 with totalnumber of students 21,000 and teachers 500. HECguides standard 12:1 for lab research studies and 20:1for other disciplines. According to the Times HigherEducation (THE), MedicalCollege of Wisconsin (US) wasplaced at the top with the ratio0.6 as it has the more facultythan students. The OregonHealth and Science University(US) stood 2nd with 1.1, RushUniversity (US) 3rd with 2.1 ,

Showa University (Japan) has 2.5 and University ofNebrasaka Medical Center (US) is at 2.6. NOTE: Only permanent and contract teachers havebeen included and visiting faculty is not included whilecalculating Lahore universities STR. g

THANK YOU! UOG

HEC and PHECs cold war turns ‘hot’g High time to bring in more positive energy through professional relationshipBY SHABBIR SARWAR

ISLAMABAD: The ‘cold war’ between HigherEducation Commission (HEC) Pakistan andProvincial higher education commissions (PHECs)– started after 18th Amendment in the Constitutionof Pakistan due to lack of a mechanism ondevolution of power in higher education – hasturned ‘hot’ as both are trying to let down eachother on various issues and ‘interests’.

The case is pending with the Council of CommonInterests (CCI) and awaiting its fate while somestakeholders are of the point of view to take theissue to the apex court before the waste of more‘positive’ energies into ‘negative’.

Recently two mega events of social sciences held inthe capital city on the same day (Feb 24) and boththe sides tried to attract more vice chancellors. Somevice chancellors were confused where to go andwhere to not due to extreme level of polarization.

According to reports, with the support of theNational Testing Services (NTS) and others, theKhan Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan and

Haripur University organised a two-day‘International Social Sciences Expo and Conference’on February 24-25 at Pakistan-China FriendshipCenter in Islamabad. PHEC chairman Dr Nizamwas also supporting it as a participant of theconference, although he couldn’t attend the eventdue to his ex-Pakistan leave. As many as 34universities participated in the event. However,HEC chairman Dr Mukhtar was not there.

On the same day (Feb 24) HEC organised the“National Symposium on Thematic Research inSocial Sciences”. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, BalochistanGovt Adviser Dr. Kaisar Bengali and Fatima JinnahWomen University Dr. Samina Amin Qadiraddressed the event. BZU VC Dr. Tahir Amin, Dr.Rasul Bakhsh Rais (LUMS), Dr. Najma Najam, Dr.Pervaiz Ahmed Memon (IBA Sukkur), Dr. FauziaMaqsood and Dr. Sami Ullah (UoG), Dr. AsmaManzoor (KU) and Dr. Ijaz Hussain (BNU) werealso there. On this occasion Dr. Mukhtarannounced establishment of the Social SciencesCouncil of Pakistan and to provide special funds forit. Allegedly both sides tried their best to make

other’s event a failure by inviting and attractingmore VCs and others. AIOU VC Dr Shahid Siddiquiand UoE VC Dr Rauf-i-Azam managed to attendboth the events. If we really wants a solution to thepower devolution issue, there is point of agreementbetween HEC and PHECs - working on one of theignored sector of higher education – colleges.PHECs should focus on colleges until clearity andconsensus on their area of working.

The PHECs should not challenge the authority ofHEC and must continue to recognise it as thesupreme body of higher education. At the same timeHEC should accept PHECs with a big heart becauseprovincial governments are fully supporting them.The sooner we accept it is better. The Educationistaims to play its role to help establish professionalrelationship of HEC and PHECs. Through thisplatform Dr Nizam had sent a message to DrMukhtar that he was like his elder brother and hewanted to work with him. Dr Mukhtar had also sent‘Salam’ to all PHEC chairmen through an interviewpublished in The Educationist. Focusing on collegeswill be the begining of a new relationship. g

Students-teacher ratio in Lahore universities

Gujrat: Punjab Governor/uoG Chancellor Malik rafiq rajwana and uoG Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr Zia ul-Qayyum present a memento to HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar ahmad at uoG convocation where 5,000students were awarded degrees. —Story and pics on Page 10 Photo credit: ali Muhammad arshad

Pakistan’s one generationfailed to provide leadership: CJ

KARACHI: Chief Justice ofPakistan Justice AnwarZaheerJamali has askedstudents of the SindhMadressatul IslamUniversity (SMIU) to comeforward and play theleadership role in conformity with the ideals ofQuaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. He said atleast one previous generation had failed in providingadequate leadership to Pakistan, which resulted innot only breakup of Pakistan, but underdevelopmentin many areas, like education, social sector andinfrastructure. He expressed satisfaction over thequality of education being provided at SMIU, thealma mater of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, and hopedthis young university of four years would emerge asone of the best in Pakistan. Vice Chancellor DrMuhammad Ali Shaikh said that SMIU through its130 years of service has produced a large number ofgreat leaders including Jinnah. Former FederalShariat Court chief justice Agha Rafique AhmedKhan, former chief election commissioner Hamid AliMirza also addressed the event. —NNI

UET stands 1st, ITU 2nd and LCWU 3rd

WWW.EDUCATIONIST.COM.PK March, 201602 | IN FOCUS

LAHORE: Government College University Lahorehas announced introducing the Western concept ofProfessor of Practice, Writer in Residence andArtiste in Residence on the pattern of world top uni-versities. This aims to benefit from the services of in-ternational and national scholars, writers andartistes of great eminence who do not meet the cus-tomary requirements of university service but their

outstanding acumen in their respective fields canenrich the university culture.

Addressing the second session of the university’s14th Convocation, Vice Chancellor Prof Dr HassanAmir Shah revealed that the Syndicate hadapproved the creation of above posts andappointments would be made against the posts soonafter fulfilling the statutory requirements. He said

that GCU was the first public sector university inPakistan to introduce these positions.

As many as 996 students of BA/BSc (Hons) wereawarded degrees at the second session. The ViceChancellor also conferred medals and rolls of honoron the 34 position holders which included 14females.

It is astonishing, the trend this year has reversed

and only 14 female students secure top positionsagainst 20 positions of boys, said GCU Controller ofExaminations Dr Haroon Qadir, adding that for thelast many years’ girls had outnumbered the body inthe positions’ holders list.

The Vice Chancellor also said that the GCULibrary and the US Consulate have joined hands toset up Lincoln Corner at the GC. —Staff Report

GCU creates posts of Professor of Practiceg VC says uS Consulate setting up Lincoln Corner at GCu Library

LaHOrE: Chancellor Malik rafique rajwana and Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Hassan amir Shah confers medals and rolls of honors upon position holders of Ba/BSc (Hons) programmes at the 14th Convocation of the Govt Col-lege university Lahore. (right)uzma Zafar, Nousheen Mazhar, rehana, Kiran, amna, Sana Shaukat, asif Sajjad, Farman attique students of GCu M.Phil Geography session 2012-2014 feelgrateful after taking degrees.

GCU gets 4 deans

STAFF REPORTLAHORE: Finally the much awaited decision has come for Govt CollegeUniversity in the form of appointment of two more deans making thetotal number four. The decision has been hailed by the academic circlesof the city terming it as a significant achievement of Vice Chancellor ProfDr Amir Hassan Shah, as two posts were lying vacant since theirinception in 2002 and 2009 respectively. All four seats were filled withinmonths after Dr Hassan took charge as vice chancellor.

Renowned historian Prof Dr Tahir Kamran has been appointed asDean Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and eminent physicist ProfDrRaiz Ahmad as Dean Faculty of Engineering. Prof Dr IqbalShahid is already appointed is as Dean Faculty of Languages, Islamic& Oriental Learning and Prof Dr Islam Ullah Khan as Dean FacultyScience of Technology. Prof Dr Tahir Kamran,who is currentlyserving as GCU History Department Chairman, also served as IqbalFellow in University of Cambridge UK. He has taken charge as Deanof Arts and Social Sciences, a post lying vacant for the last 14 years.Prof Dr Raiz Ahmad, also ChairmanPhysics Department, is PhDfrom the Imperial College, UK and he has 80 international researchpublications. He was instrumental in establishment of XRDLaboratory at the Centre for Advanced Studies in Physics.

Prof Dr tahir Kamran Prof Dr raiz ahmad

Prof Dr Muhammad Iqbal Shahid Prof Dr Islam ullah Khan

BY BUSHRA KHAN

LAHORE: PU Law College’s138th annual athletics meet heldin a graceful manner keeping thecollege traditions alive. ViceChancellor Prof DrMujahidKamran, Principal Law CollegeDrShaziaNaureen Qureshi,Academic Staff Associationmembers, senior faculty and alarge number of students werepresent on the occasion.Congratulating the winning players ofthe competition Dr Mujahid Kamran andDrShaziasaid,“Sports are vital forcreating positive thinking among the

youth along with education.” Later, theydistributed shields and medals amongthe best athletes and students LLB(Hons) 6th semester at PULC’s

EhtishamTarrar (Boys) and FilzaAleem(Girls) and other players. In the 2-dayathletic meet cricket, tug of war, chess,football and other games held.

LAHORE: Punjab University Teachers Front has sweptelections of Punjab University Academic Staff Association withlead and defeated opponents on the all the seats under theleadership of Principal Law College Dr Shazia Qureshi.

PU TF’s candidate for President Prof Dr Sajid Rasheed Ahmadtook 432 votes while his opponent from Teachers Alliance JavedSami, who is also member Syndicate, took 233 votes.

On Secretary’s slot, Dr Mahboob Hussain bagged got 449votes, the largest number of votes, while his rival Dr UsmanAwan took 220 votes. In a press statement, Dr Sajid RashidGujjar and Dr Mahboob Hussain said that the elementsinvolved in negative politics and fanning baseless propagandahas been rejected by academic community of the university.

There was tough compitition for Vice President Science seat. DrMuhammad Azhar Naeem took 346 votes while Dr Asmatullahgot 315 votes. For Vice President Arts, PU TF’s Dr Abid HussainChaudhry took 339 votes while Sardar Asghar Iqbal took 242votes. On Joint Secretary’s slot, PU TF Dr Muhammad Shafiquesecured 414 votes while his opponent Dr Shahbaz Ahmed Cheematook 240 votes. For Treasurer’s slot, PU TF’s Ch Naeem Ullah

Khan clinched the seat by obtaining 423 votes while his opponentsTariq Mahmood Butt took 236 votes. On member’s executive newcampus, PU TF’s Dr Ishfaq Ahmed410, Dr Muhammad AyubFridi405, Dr Nadeem Sheikh416, Dr Naumana Amjad413, DrSania Zahra Malik408, Sonia Omer 394. Executive Member’s(old campus) Dr Omar Nawazwon with 402 and Misbah Sultanawith 415 votes. —Staff Report

PuLC 138th athletic meet

Dr Shazia drives teachers Front victory in Pu aSa pollsDr Sajid Gujjar new president, Dr Mahboob Hussain secretary, Dr Abid and Dr Azhar VPs

Group photo of teachers Front winners and supporters with VC Dr Mujahid Kamran and Group leaderDr Shazia Qureshi in IEr Lawns after announcement of election result. Photos Credit: Sarfraz ali

teachers Front leader and additional registrar Dr Kamran abid, DrShafique and others celebrate after winning polls.

Newly elected aSa president Dr Sajid Gujjar andsecretary Dr Mahboob Hussain talk to media.

Newly elected aSa president Dr Sajid Gujjar gives money to a drum-beaterin traditional way over the head of group leader Dr Shazia Qureshi.

WWW.EDUCATIONIST.COM.PK March, 2016 IN FOCUS | 03

BY PROF. DR. AAMER IJAZ

A bout 2.3 to2.4 millionpostgraduates

have been produced indifferent universitiesof Pakistan. Most ofthem are gettingeducation at this level

with the mindset that it will help them ingetting a job; whereas the purpose ofeducation should be to produce manpowerwho should be self-sustained; it’s the way tofind new horizons, it shows the path to sellyour abilities and create jobs. We haveproduced a class of about 2.3 to 2.4 millionjobless people. We need to change the mind

set of both the students and teachers and thischange will not come through just byshouting, it will only come through theschools, colleges and universities and throughclassrooms. We have to create manpowerwho should have the real knowledge ofdeveloping their own products. Our teachersneed to teach with full enthousiam, vigourand inculcate in our youth the trueknowledge, integrity, honesty and humility.If we would able to change the mindset ofour teachers and students then it will be a

real change. Our faculty need to focus moreon research, if you are a good innovator youare a good entrepreneur. We need to combinetechnology, bussiness and innovationtogether, only then you would not be good tobe hired by other organizations but also youwould be in a position to create jobs.

Higher Education Commission, Islamabad,gives research top priority for sustainableeconomic growth and future knowledgeeconomy. For this purpose Offices ofResearch Innovation and Commercialization(ORIC) were established in 2010 in PublicSector Universities of the country to play apivotal role in research and developmentactivities. Accordingly, ORIC managers /personnel are been equipped with basicknowledge covering a variety of areas ofresearch promotion, administration, andcommercialization.

The main objective of the Office ofResearch Innovation and Commercializationis to develop, enhance, expand and managethe university’s research programs. It willexplore donors for research initiatives;establish linkages between universities andindustrial and commercial activities. Office ofresearch, innovation and Commercialization(ORIC), University of the Punjab is playing avital role in Punjab University researchactivities and also encompasses the businessincubation center of the university. ORIC hasadopted its following mandate to enhancethe environment for all research activitiesand scholarship schemes by:-• Developing the university’s strategic

research directions and policies.• Increasing and diversifying external

research funding.• Improving integration of research and

education at all levels of the university.• Improving translation of research into

the public benefit.• Strengthening university-industry

relationships.• Promoting entrepreneurship, technology-

transfer and commercialization activitiesthat energize and support the local andnational economy.

• Promoting and enhancing crosscuttingand multi-disciplinary research initiativeswhile working out incentives and awards’schemes for world class research andpublications.

• To critically enhance research activities inP.U.’s Institutes / Colleges / Departmentsand also protect intellectual propertygenerated as a consequence of researchactivities.

ORIC is working closely with the Ministryof Science and Technology (MoST),Islamabad since last two years, and an MOUhas been signed. The credit goes to both theparties and especially our worthy ViceChancellor to develop a liaison that willdefinitely give a boost to research anddevelopment activities at PU. There is anincreasing need today than ever before toidentify the technological needs of ourcountry and to point out how the academiacan apply their knowledge and expertise to

propose workable strategies that our industrymay embrace to do fuller justice to its vitalrole in the country’s development. At themoment, ORIC is acting as a bridge betweenthe university’s researchers and fundingorganizations.

A database of all the equipments which arebeing used for carrying out analysis andcertain tests have been made and placed onORIC’s website not for only PanjabUniversity but also other universities researchstudents, public/community, other researchorganizations and industries to get benefitfrom these highly valuableequipments/expertise of the faculty membersof PU. ORIC has planned to conduct a ViceChancellor’s IDEA Competition for Business,for which there will a prize for the bestinnovative business idea for the faculty ofPunjab University.

PU ORIC has been organizing a summitcalled “INNOVATION TO INVENTIONSUMMIT” for the last five years in which notonly faculty members of PU but also otheruniversities of Pakistan and differentindustries displayed their products andprocesses of commercial importance, whichthey have developed indigenously. ORIC hasplaced a showcase in its building displaying

few tangible products developed by ourfaculty members. Some of these productsinclude Aleo Vera Gel, Aleo Vera Juice,Biodegradable plastics, Urea Formaldehyde,Flower Extracts, Perfumes, Honey, LiquidDish Wash Detergent, Hand Washing Liquidand Sanitizer, Herbal Cold Creams, Dieselfrom Plastic Waste, Mosquito Repellent,Industrial Enzymes etc. g

Role of ORIC in Punjab University

aloe Vera juice, natural.

Extract of flowers

Virus resistant Potato

Product of Honeybee research Center.

Essential Oils (from different herbs)

Dish Wash

LaHOrE: Pakistan Science Foundation Chairman Dr Muhammad ashraf cuts the ribbon to open “5th Invention to Innovation Summit 2016” at Punjab university. Pu VC Dr Mujahid Kamran, Institute ofresearch Promotion CEO abid Sherwani, Pu OrIC Director Dr aamir Ijaz also present. (right) the guests and participants visit Bio-diesel stall. —Photos Credit: Sarfraz ali

SUPPLEMENT

WWW.EDUCATIONIST.COM.PK March, 201604 | EDITORIAL

S atellite are man-made bodies which revolvearound the earth or any other planet. Anatural satellite is called moon and our

planet earth has only one moon.The first man-madesatellite, the Sputnik I, was sent into space by SovietUnion in 1957. Artificial satellites are blasted intospace using rockets and space vehicles and theyrevolve around the earth indifferent internationallydefined orbits. A rocket is a kind of spacecraft ormissile that obtains thrust from a rocket engine tomove forward at a very high speed by expelling itsexhaust in the backward direction obeying Newton’sthird law of motion.Satellites are fitted with manycomputer-controlled systems.

Satellites are launched in space for many usefulpurposes so they are of different types and sizes. Forexample, weather satellites, communicationsatellites, research satellites, navigation satellites,

military satellites etc. They rotate around the earthin different orbits with different speeds dependingupon the purpose for which they are launched.Satellites can be dived into different classes such asgeostationary orbit satellites, low earth orbitsatellites and polar orbit satellites etc.

According to a report, more than 70 satellites arelaunched in space every year in various orbits for

useful purposes. They are disposed of when they areno longer needed or they complete their life.Satellites are never designed to be brought back

down to the earth. These disposed of satellites arecalled space junk or space debris. There is a high riskof collisions between the functioning satellites due tothis space junk and it is an alarming factor for thescientists to clear this mess from the upper space. Ifwe stop launching satellites from now on, even thenit can take a lot of time to free space from this junk.

Space junk is increasing every year and as a resultthe risk of the collisions for functioning satellite isincreasing as well. Apart from the abandonedsatellites, there are also many other small metalobjects in space that are revolving around the earthand are a part of the space debris. European SpaceAgency (ESA) claims that about 22,000 lumps ofmetals having size bigger than that of a coffee mugare wandering in space and over 170 million metalpieces of size 1cm are also flying in space.

Although the research is in its early stage,scientists are working hard to clear this spacerubbish and want to make space litter-free. There aresome ideas under consideration to get rid of thisspace junk. Lasers can be used to destroy these metal

pieces as well as harpoons or nets can be used tocatch the pieces of junk to make space rubbish-free.

(The writer is Punjab University PhysicsDepartment Chairman and Member Syndicate on

Associate Professor’s seat. He can be reached at:hafizrafique42b1@hotmail.com)

T here is a general consensus thatuniversities are source of newknowledge, innovative thinking and

providers of benefits for society’s economicprosperity. But, in my view, universities oweto society a lot more emphasis on theircontribution toward building a strong senseof community and social cohesion.

This social and cultural vitality in ourIslamic society can be achieved by creatingvaluable intellectual resources andproviding them space for free and opendiscussion of ideas and values.It transcendsthe traditional role of our universities.

There is a growing realization that achasm has emerged between thecontemporary social norms and Islamicthought or way of thinking. It is simplybecause most of the societies in the worldunderwent some kind of profound social,economic and political changes in therecent past.

Just two decades ago, higher education

was considered an elitist luxury andprimary and secondary education was themain focus of governments around theglobe. In this era oftransformation,developed societiesintroduced sound institutional regimes andinformation infrastructures, realigning theuniversities’ role to serve the communitymore efficiently.

However, with the advancement intechnology and access to Internet, theworld rapidly shaped itself into a globalvillage and the western cultural values andother un-Islamic practices startedpenetrating in our society. Thisglobalization adversely affected the socialfabric of Muslim societies. Most of ouryouth started believing that in order to becivilized they need to be westernized first.Teetering themselves on the brink of losingtheir own cultural identity, they allowed theglorious past of their ancestors sink intooblivion.

They just forgot that Islam is not only areligion of peace but also provides a perfectcharter to lead a successful life. Thesituation demanded the role of Muslimintelligentsia, but it was not itsresponsibility alone to remove the causes ofthe ever-widening chasm between thecontemporary social norms and the Islamicway of life. Since the situation remainsperilous,there is no time like the present for

our universities to play their role byintegrating education with the teachings ofIslam.

No other religion teaches humanism andlays emphasis on compassion more thanIslam does. The following saying of theHoly Prophet (peace be upon him) clearlydepicts the virtue of kindness andcompassion as one of the central themes ofIslam:

“None of you is a perfect Muslim until hedesires for his brother Muslim that whichhe desires for himself.”

(Recorded by Imam Bukhari andMuslim)

It has clear guidelines on the bondbetween individual and society, anindividual’sliberty and social responsibilityand human rights in social, economic andpolitical perspectives. Pakistani society is anIslamic society and Islam is anindispensable part of our life.

Unlike other religions, Islam does notdistinguish between life in this world andthe one hereafter.It does not limit itsguidance to success in the life hereafter. AQuranic prayer reads:

“O Allah! Bestow us with your blessing inthis world and the hereafter”.

(The writer is the Vice ChancellorUniversity of Gujrat and he can be reached

at: vc@uog.edu.pk)

Editor: Shabbir Sarwarassociate Editor: Muhsen Naseem; Executive Editor: Dr. Ifra Iftikhar

Email: editor@educationist.com.pkwww.educationist.com.pk - 136-j Gulberg III, Lahore

A lot has been said against the ranking mechanism of theHigher Education Commission (HEC); however what ismissing is a constructive criticism to make the federal

institution’s ranking more representative of the higher educationlandscape of the country.

It is true that HEC needs to devise better assessment technique forassessing the higher education institutions (HEIs). The criteria onlyevaluate facilities provided by these institutions and does not takeinto account the quality of education and the employability of theirstudents. Of course, a better mechanism is needed and the criticismthat an impartial body should rank HEIs also carries weight.

Parents, teachers and HEIs themselves need a mechanism/rankingto gauge the quality of institutions of higher learning and the HEChas been playing its part in this regard. It is also true that no otherorganization or body has come forward to take this responsibilityfrom the HEC and to be honest, there is no other organization inPakistan that can carry out this task with due diligence.

An exercise on this scale was not previously available to Pakistanisand students from other countries who sought admissions inPakistan. The current criteria, with its flaws, is the best available andif compared to any international ranking system it does deliver inproviding relevant education data. For example, the QuacquarelliSymonds (QS) ranking showed a similar trend for Pakistani HEIswith the Quaid-e-Azam University topping their list. Also theprocess adopted by the HEC is also quite good as it confirms the datafrom universities after collecting it themselves. Another aspect of theranking is that it has around 65 matrices for evaluating HEIs andseparate categories for specialized universities. Giving people optionsto look, for example, for the best engineering school in the country.

A grading system that thoroughly checks universities is veryimportant, especially for a country like Pakistan where there aresome universities in 2-bedroom homes. One may claim that suchpractice is also in other countries but we need to correct and put inorder our house. If it weren’t for HEC, students, parents andteachers would have no way to check the performance of HEIs.There is also no denying that the criteria could be made moreeffective by including other aspects of higher learning. As for nowthere is no better option to check the quality of universities.

The Information Technology University, Lahore has made anattempt, but it seems premature, lacking any legal authority andwithout adopting proper mechanism acceptable to majority. Thats thereason no one has taken it seriously, those who have, they are criticizingit. However, Mr Umer Saif has tried to clarify at a press conference.

A humble advice to HEC would be to first revamp the criteria ofevaluation and include new matrices in the mix hence enhancing theveracity of the ranking. Another thing the HEC should do is providedetailed interactive breakdown of different measures adopted so thatanyone can assess the quality of the institution as per their needs.

In defence ofHEC ranking

Islam and Society: the role of universities — I

Satellites and space junk

Prof Dr Zia-ul-Qayyum

Prof. Dr.M Hafiz rafique

More than 70 satellites arelaunched in space every year

in various orbits for usefulpurposes. they are disposed

of when they are no longerneeded or they complete

their life. Satellites are neverdesigned to be brought back

down to the earth

WWW.EDUCATIONIST.COM.PK March, 2016 OPINION | 05

W hat is our job? Is it to count name upon names as numbers areincreasing with every passing day. We do not do anything toeradicate this brutality, we just always end up making them

heroes. Nation does not need dead heroes; nation wants them alive. For howmany times these pseudo protectors of our country will hide their failure atthe cost of intellectuals’ lives? Moreover, can singing a song, visiting andcondoling of army chief and politicians bring back those precious lives whichwe have lost in Bacha Khan University incidence? KPK government is alsotalking about change with big mouth but is it a change that we were unable to

save real change agents of higher education. Unfortunately, it seems that sufficient security measures have not been taken into account for

universities because these are not as valuable as those of uneducated ministers and so-called VIPs. Wecan observe security protocols of rangers, army and police for bureaucrats, politicians, generals, evenretired generals and so-called VVIPs but poor academicians and universities are not on their priority.

We have learned nothing from our past experiences and BKU incidence as the proverb goes, “Historyproves that we learn nothing from history.” Universities have been opened on the next day of BKUincidence without providing any security by the government. It proves that academicians are braveenough to serve the nation without fearing terrorists and other enemies. But it is again a question thathave we opened the universities without providing them proper security as an invitation to terrorists. Itis claimed that government has insufficient resources available to provide security for each and everyuniversity. It is just a lame excuse to avoid responsibility and setting priorities. In the presence of550,000 active and 500,000 reserve troops, rangers, and provincial police, how many of securitypersonnel will be utilised just for 177 actively available higher education institutions in Pakistan?Deployment of a few hundred soldiers, rangers or police around 177 universities can save many preciouslives. It will be like securing the intellect that is the real future of Pakistan. Universities are not providedsufficient budget to cope up with their security issues. For universities, it is not possible to manage self-security within a meager amount of budget available. Academicians have spirit and courage to fight fortheir students but neither are they professional fighters nor is it their duty.

It is very ugly situation that less qualified army officers are serving as vice chancellors of some leadinguniversities but for security reasons we do not have army or proper security plan for universities. Thespirit of professionalism demands that academicians should be there to work as vice chancellors andarmy officers should be available to concentrate on security matters for which they are trained and paidfor. But it is a strange country where army has to perform every task from foreign ministry to take care ofuniversities’ administration. Let army concentrate 100% on defence and security matters by sparingthem from extra activities of foreign ministry, NAB, universities’ administrations and etc. Academiciansare working 24/7 for the development of nation through education, research and entrepreneurship. It isnow responsibility of Pakistani government and security agencies to provide foolproof security touniversities on top priority because it is importance of a scholar that Abdullah bin ‘Amr reported Allah’sMessenger’s (may peace be upon him) saying: “Verily, Allah does not take away knowledge by snatchingit from the people but He takes away knowledge by taking away the scholars, so that when He leaves nolearned person, people turn to the ignorant as their leaders…”

Government, security agencies and universities should collaborate to develop foolproof securityplan for nationwide higher educational institutions. Universities should be provided with extrasecurity budget to implement security plan. Provincial governments should provide police andsecurity forces should deploy special troops and weapons to make sure the security of highereducational institutions in Pakistan.

(Concluded)

(The writer is a Research Fellow at University of Helsinki Finland.He can be reached at:zaheer.asghar@helsinki.fi)

W ithreferenceto the first

ever InternationalConference on SocialSciences which washeld in Pak-ChinaFriendship Center,Islamabad on February

24-25, 2016, several“Issues and Challenges” were discussed indifferent sessions by well-known educationistsand sociologists. Being a social scientist and aparticipant of the conference, I intend to bringattention towards very some important “Issuesand the Challenges” faced by the social scientiststhrough The Educationist, premieres educationnewspaper of Pakistan:

1. In HEC faculty criteria for the post ofassistant and associate professor, underexperience, words of “relevant field” indicate thatonly persons who are working in the educationdepartment are eligible to apply. Governmentemployees working in other departments if theyearned PhD degree cannot apply for the same.Punjab Public Service Commission never

accommodates such PhDs. PPSC said that this isagainst the Higher Education Department Policy.The question arises here: Where GovernmentEmployees should apply? As they do not have“Relevant Experience”.

2. Publication of research articles in publicsector universities journals is the other veryimportant issue. The respectable professors are theeditors of these X & Y category journals. They onlyconsider articles of their dear and near ones.Researchers like myself never ever be considered bythese professors. Hijacking of scholarly researchwork is a very common trait in public sectoruniversities. Question is WHY it is so? The otherissue is unnecessary delays in the publication ofresearch articles. Chief Editors and editors alwayskeep on lying and use different techniques to keepscholars waiting for a long time.

These are the issues and challenges that needconsiderations not only by the HEC but alleducationists.

(The writer is assistant professor in Departmentof Sociology at Lahore Leads University and a

doctor of philosophy in Sociology from PU. Shecan be reached at: bushrayasmeen@gmail.com)

HEC faculty criteria andissues of social sciences

Muhammad Zaheer asgharDr Bushra Yasmeen

A round 15 government hospitalsof the city, which cater to over 10million Lahoris and patient

coming for adjacent cities and village, lack basic health facilities asdoctors and patients have complaint of inadequate medicaltreatment and unhealthy environment.

Most of the doctors and patient said the city hospitals neededspecial attention of the chief minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif andthe health ministry. Doctors of Mayo Hospital said that they wereshort of life saving drugs and they were not provided with propermedicines by the government. Relatives over there said that theyhave to rush to the pharmacies outside the hospital to get drugs,which are often very expensive. People claimed that if thesehospitals are owned by the government then why are they notproviding the satisfactory care. On the other hand, doctors saidthat it is not their duty to provide the drugs, they are just for thecheckup of the patient and according to the doctors, they aredoing it very well.

Gynecologists of Services Hospitals told about the badcondition of the wards. She said that the hospital is short of bedsand in some cases there are two to three deliveries done at samebed. She also added that the instruments over there are notsterilized rather they are washed by water, which obviouslycarries millions of germs with them.

Almost thousands of patients visit Jinnah Hospital daily butthe ventilators of the hospital are out of order. The departmentsuffers from shortage of life-saving drugs and even the hospital’sIntensive Care Unit lacks drugs due to which patients have topurchase them from the market. Hospital management said thatdue to shortage of funds, they were unable to improve thecondition of the department. Patients have make an appeal toPunjab Health Department to take notice of the situation.

(The writers are Punjab University students.)

rija awais, arshiya Zahidand Fizza tanvir

Hospitals lack basic facilities

W henever you think aboutPakistan and educationtogether your mind refers to

unequal education system, lack ofstandardization in education system, costof education and lack of technicaleducation etc but recently you can addterrorism in that list too.

Recent attacks on educational institutes ofPakistan has stunned the nation and sparked

a debate on the security related issues. Parents are scared to send theirchildren to schools, colleges and universities. Security level of most of theeducational institutes is non-existent and even those whose security levelis in place is not up to the mark to counter any untoward incident.

Terrorist sees education institutes as soft targets unlike anymilitary or paramilitary target, not only they have managed to attackthe institutes but also people and children associated with theinstitutes as attacking school and college buses has become verycommon in some certain parts of Pakistan.

It is extremely unfortunate that we have been indulged in such asituation where maintaining security of our educational institute hasbecome our top priority instead of focusing of real issues faced by oureducational institute. Serious measures needed to be taken to eradicatethis evil from its root so it does not adversely affect our young andflourishing minds. These measures includes but not limited to properboundary erection of the institute, performing check on securityguards, equipping them with latest arms, frequent security drills,proper monitoring of parking areas of institutes. By taking thesemeasures our students and children will have a peace of mind to focuson their education instead of living under the fear of terrorist attack.

(The writer is an M. Phil scholar at Institute of CommunicationStudies, Punjab University, Lahore and she can be reached at:

ridabutt13@yahoo.com)

rida Butt

threat to educational institutions

Security measures for universities in Pakistan—II

P roductivity is an important factorto achieve success in life. Successfulpeople who are leading the major

industries know well how to achieve highin a shorter span of time. We can learn alot from the tactics of these successfulindividuals on how to organize yourselfbetter. Here are a few points that I found

useful in building productivity. Keep yourself Focused: One of the key factor for productive outcome of your work is to

keep yourself focused. Be consistent with what you are doing. Pickone thing at a time and give your all efforts to it. Avoid anydistractions: It’s very hard to stay focused if you are at some busyplace, improve your working environment avoid any distractions.Make yourself physically comfortable and try to build a concentrationhabit, the more you practice this habit the stronger it gets.

Learn from experiences of others: It takes a lot of time learningthings yourself, failure is a good teacher but it can also make you feelmiserable. Take risks but learn from experiences of others. Outsource non important tasks: The most important thing to rememberabout personal out sourcing is to distinguish among important andnon-important tasks. Think about the things you do weekly, assignthe time taking things to some personal assistant don’t waste yourtime on things that are repetitive and enjoy your extra time in doingsomething useful and more important.

Increase your effectiveness through technology: Everyone has acomputer, mobile phone and internet connection these days. Keep arecord of your work by maintaining task lists and use productivetools that help you maintaining a record of your weeklyperformance. Search on internet for precise and to the point thingsinstead of wasting time on manual research.

(The writer is chairman Liberal Human Forum and DirectorVision Telecom. He can be reached at: faizan@vte.com.pk)

How to make yourself productive?

Faizan Khalid

T he journalismeducationalways plays a

role of backbone in themedia industry which isconsidered as fourthestate of any society. InPakistan, unfortunately,this education is now a

days facing massivedecline despite the fact that the number ofinstitutions, students as well as number of facultymembers had been increased in last decade.

There is massive gap between the professionaljournalism and journalistic education being given inour journalism schools. Teachers’ focus most of thetime remained the course outline and course books.

Of course books can help students in learning thehistory and techniques of news reporting, news

editing, interviewing skills and others journalisticrequirements but these cannot teach journalismstudents how to work in the field.

As a matter of fact, neither teachers nor studentsseem interested in practical work.

However, if we look at the best journalism schoolsacross the globe, we will be able to know theseschool focus more on practical work rather thanusing the traditional old techniques and pedagogy.

Need of the hour is to strengthen the future ofjournalism in Pakistan and media industry. Ourjournalism schools must provide professional humanresource to the media industry. For it there is need tofocus more on practice instead of theory. Also mediaethics is a much required element to focus at.

(The writer is a professional journalist. He worksat Daily Times as Education Reporter and can be

reached at: arsal428@gmail.com)

arsalan Haider

Journalism education on the decline

WWW.EDUCATIONIST.COM.PK March, 201606 | INTERVIEW

Sahiwal Coal Power project a hazard forhealth, environment: Dr Suhail Aftabg uEt tSa president says PHECs are fighting for power as powers not transferred properly to the respective provincial departments g the way we are handling electricity shortfall crisis, it would complete the demand by 2018 – the election yearBY ALI ARSHAD

P owers are not transferred properly to the PHECs ofrespective provincial departments. They are fighting forpowers. Selections of VCs are not on merit & I think

committee is not neutral in process.I am totally against theappointment of VC from other universities.Vice Chancellor shouldbe among the teachers of the universities. In my opinion Sahiwalcoal power project is a hazard for people’s health, environment ofsurroundings. These views were expressed by Prof. Dr. Suhail AftabQureshi, UET President of Teaching Staff Association and DeanFaculty of Electrical Engineering. The Educationist: Sir, Please tell us about your early life and highereducation?Dr. Suhail Aftab. Well, my early education is from two schools one isMadrsahtul Binat Lake Road. I completed primary education (fiveclasses) from this school after that remaining education up tomatriculation from Govt Muslim Model School Lahore. Then I gotadmission in GC Lahore & I was shining student throughout myacademic career. My father was in UET but I got admission in B.ScElectrical Engineering on open merit not as employee son, then I leftPakistan for higher studies and went to UK, my Master degree fromUniversity of Manchester and i was in Top 25 International studentsmy PhD is also from same Institution. The Educationist: Tell us about your doctorate and research work?Dr. Suhail Aftab: Throughout my subject was power engineering &my PhD is in Electrical Engineering with specialization in PowerEngineering from UK. I have written 150 research papers&supervised more than 200 MSc students supervise and got thancompleted.I have written 5 books on the topic of my specialization,my 6th book is in pipe line. Book are using as text book in all overPakistan. The Educationist: You are now president of TSA 12th timeunopposed selection. Do you think no other person is capablefor this post? Dr. Suhail Aftab: Yes, I am 12th time unopposed president of UETTeaching Staff Association before this I have worked in TSA ondifferent positions like general secretary. 12 terms are historicalrecord in all over Pakistani universities. There are few times when Ilost my position in TSA. Peoples ask me to go in Guinness Book of

World Record but I denied. In students’ evaluation I always got A+category. I am also elected member of governing body of PakistanEngineering Council. Our politics is totally different from others. Webelieve in the work for teacher’s welfare, their rights. I was also thehead of UET employees housing society for 8 years undisputed.There is no allegation on me during my services. The Educationist: Do you think TSA and university administrationare on one page?Dr. Suhail Aftab: I have worked with many vice chancellors but noton the president position, it is very difficult sometimes yourdemands are never considered by the administration….. sometimes.We have achieved the best possible percentage of demand of

teachers. We achieve 90% of our agenda. My slogan is to work forcommunity and you will be benefited as part of it. I have tried mybest to make everybody happy.We cannot live without each other.Sometime he (VC) compromise sometime we compromise. I havework experience of more than 30 years in public universities. The Educationist: You were also the candidate of Vice Chancellor,how do you see all the process of VC selection & search committeerole? Dr. Suhail Aftab: In my opinion many people have reservations onSearch Committee and selection process. The committee is totallyfrom private universities setup. Selection of VCs are not on merit & Ithink committee is not neutral in process. PHEC Chairman Dr.Nizamuddin told me members of Search Committee personalize inselection. Vice Chancellor should be among the teachers of theuniversities because he knows the actual problems of the university,while outsider could not know properly about problematic areas &the system. I am totally against the appointment of VC from otheruniversities. There are very wrong & totally politicize appointments.Perfect people should be encouraged.The Educationist: You are specialized in power engineering. Howcan we overcome electricity shortfall, one of the major issues ofPakistan? Dr. Suhail Aftab: Government is trying its level best to overcome thismajor crisis but the way we are handling it,we would complete thedemand by 2018 – the election year. We should have to focus onhydro power stations while we are going to adopt solar power, windenergy system they are not reliable for us. Reliability is only onreservoir of the water, dams are permanent solution that is useful formultipurpose like agriculture, irrigation, fishing etc.Lot of water weare wasting without using it. I want to say that the coal technology isdangerous in populated areas. In my opinion Sahiwal coal powerproject is a hazard for people’s health and environment ofsurroundings. The Educationist: How do you see devolution of Higher Educationafter 18th Amendment and establishment of provincial highereducation commissions? Dr. Suhail Aftab: Powers are not transferred properly to therespective provincial departments. Let it be totally transferred to theprovinces then see the performance in my opinion. They are fightingfor powers. Federal HEC should play its monitoring role. g

uEt and Chinese company sign Mou energy solution

Cultural Day held at UET

STAFF REPORT

LAHORE: Pakistan has a diverse nation having unique, rich and profound culture. Itcreates concrete social bonds among individuals to live with harmony and positiveapproach. It was stated by UET Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Fazal Ahmed Khalid on “CulturalDay” organized by Department of Electrical Engineering. At the event Dean Faculty ofElectrical Engineering Dr. Suhail Aftab, Chairman Electrical Dr. Tahir Izhar and PublicRelations Officer Adnan Khaliq Bhatti and big number of students were present.

VC UET Lahore Prof Dr. Fazal Ahmed Khalid said that culture was core identity ofany nation and measuring it on the basis of demographic & psychographics. “It isnecessary to keep our culture alive at the moment when some alien culture and taboosare fast making inroads in our culture. Pakistanis are very peace loving people and it isour duty to demonstrate this attribution to all over the world where multiple culturesexisted. Today students and girls not only from all over provinces of Pakistan butforeigners also were present in their native, traditional dresses, jewelries, caps, turbansand shawls as well.” Musical performances, traditional foods, poetry and other culturalsegments were part of the cultrual day. Students presented traditionally turban to ViceChancellor Prof. Dr. Fazal Ahmed Khalid.

BY HAFIZ NAUMAN

LAHORE: An MoU signing ceremony betweenCenter for Energy Research and Development(CERAD), UET Lahore and Chinese ZonergyCompany Ltd was held at Vice Chancellor’s Office. Thekey persons from both sides along with ViceChancellor UET Lahore Prof. Dr. Fazal Ahmad Khalidand KICS’ Director Waqar Mahmood were present.The MOU was signed for a mutual collaboration fordevelopment of energy solutions and technologieswithin the domain of mutual expertise. The purpose ofthis MoU is to initiate further collaboration for theprojects of mutual interest. According to agreementZonergy will train 10 engineers form UET for Quaid eAzam Solar Park Bahwalpur and CERAD-UET will

facilitate this training session.Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Fazal Ahmad Khalid said

that the friendship between Pakistan and China is sostrong and deep that China was helping out Pakistanin many problem. “Presently Pakistan is facing massiveenergy crisis and China is working on many projects soin this regard this MoU will facilitate to fulfill thedesired quality Human Resource for solar project ofBahawalpur.” VC UET also briefed about the ChineseCenter and Chinese Language Training Centersfunctioning at the university.

Mr. Ma Yu, Director Zonergy Company Ltd, briefedabout their projects. He expressed as to how efficientlyhis company has been working in the field specifically in

Quaid e Azam Solar Park Bahwalpur. He alsoexplained that how much this collaboration would

be beneficial for both theparties. Dr. Waqar Mahmood,Director KICS, then briefedabout this initiative andcollaboration. He also expressedhow successfully and effectivelythe projects were being done inCERAD and how the studentsare taking advantages of theirstudies in the field.

Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr.Fazal Ahmad Khalid, thenpresented a shield as a souvenirto Mr. Ma Ya, who in returnalso presented a souvenir to theVice Chancellor.

UET VC Prof Dr Fazal Ahmed Khalid works proactively

WWW.EDUCATIONIST.COM.PK March, 2016 CONFERENCE | 07

uCP Conference on ‘Innovations in Business: Opportunities and Challenges of Emerging Markets’

Pakistani exports declined to worrisome point, investment in R&D needed: Pro-Rector Dr Zafarullahg Pakistan needs to focus on governance, skill development, It and economy: Mr. Ben French from DFIDg academia and Industry need to devise innovative business strategies: Conference Secretary Dr Nadeem Dogar

LAHORE: The University of Central Punjab(UCP) organized the 3rd International Conferenceon Contemporary Issues in Business Management(ICIBM) with theme “Innovations in Business:Opportunities and Challenges of EmergingMarkets” held on February 22-23, 2016, inLahore, Pakistan.

The conference was attended by prominentacademics and researchers (National andInternational); and a wide range of corporaterepresentatives from large national andmultinational companies, who lauded the effortsof the conference management team in organizingsuch a successful international event. The focus ofthe two-day conference was to explore innovativebusiness practices in the six sessions including,International Marketing & Business; Public Policyand Governance; Investing in People; FinancialChallenges for Emerging Economies; The Impactof Technology in the Workplace; Innovation,Entrepreneurship and Leadership. As many as 16papers were presented by researchers fromdifferent universities while representatives fromcorporate sector also made presentations and

talked on the contemporary issues.The welcome address was delivered by the

Conference Chair and UCP Pro-Rector Dr.Muhammad Zafarullah, who highlighted thatresearch and knowledge sharing was vital for theacademia where mutual collaboration betweenacademia and industry would createopportunities. Pointing at the economy of thecountry, he added: “Our exports have beendeclined to worrisome point and investment inresearch and development is needed for theeconomic development of the country. Innovationlifts the hampered economy and it can be broughtin via research and development.

Prof. Rajneesh Narula, Henley Business School,University of Reading, UK and keynote speaker ofinaugural session, shared his valuable thoughtsabout the globalized technological innovation. Hepointed that financing was not the issue howeverthe key issue was the linkages between academiaand industry. Prof. Rajneesh stressed upon thatuniversity-industry joint projects must be activelypursued in developing countries.

The chief guest, Sitara Group of Industries

Chairman & CEO Muhammad Adrees highlightedthat among many other challenges, technologicaladvancements is the major one. “Multinationalcompanies are progressing because they are muchmore innovative as compared to the nationalcompanies. Pakistani companies need to put inefforts and in this regards HR plays a significantrole.”

The keynote speaker for the second day was Dr.Naubahar Sharif from Hong Kong University ofScience and Technology, Hong Kong. Hecommenced the first session Financial Challengesfor Emerging Economies by highlighting acomprehensive presentation on the China’sjourney towards technological advancements. Hetalked about three competitive advantages ofChina that are government power, autocraticsystem of governance and globalization.

The Chief Guest for the closing session, Mr. BenFrench, Head of DFID (UK), Punjab Officeappreciated the overall enthusiasm of youngscholars, and efforts of University of CentralPunjab in arranging a successful conference. Hesaid that innovation does not provide

opportunities in Pakistan only but thisphenomena is global. West and East must workhand in hand in order to be more innovative. Hementioned four areas i.e. governance,development of skills, information technology andemerging economy, that Pakistan needs to workon and linkages between the academia andindustry. This will eventually open new avenuesfor young scholars who should then make full useof them.

UCP Director Research and ConferenceSecretary Dr. Muhammad Nadeem Dogarpresented the conference report concluding thatacademia and corporate sector need to workcollaboratively in the areas of research anddevelopment in order to devise innovativebusiness strategies to meet the challenges ofemerging markets and to leverage the benefits ofavailable opportunities of the 21st century. Finally,researchers, academics and corporaterepresentatives applauded the services of Dr.Nadeem Dogar, Conference Secretary, Dr. BilalMirza, Conference Coordinator and Prof. TahirAshfaq, Conference Organizer. g

Dr. Muhammad Zafarullah, Pro-rector uCP andconference chair delivers welcome address

Muhammad adrees, CEO & Chairman Sitara Groupof Industries and Chief Guest of Opening Ceremony

rajneesh Narula, HenleyBusiness School, universityof reading, uK

ayub Ghori, ExecutiveDirector Netsol and 5thSession Chair

Dr. Naubahar Sharif from HongKong university of Science andtechnology, Hong Kong

Ben French, Head of DFID(uK), Punjab Office, ChiefGuest of closing ceremony

Naeem-ul-Haq, DG NationalInstitute of Managementand 2nd Session Chair

Dr. Fazal Hussain, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences,PIDE and 4th Session Chair

Dr. Nasira jabeen, Dean Institute of administrative Sciences, Puand 3rd Session Chair

rajneesh Narula, Henley Business School, university of reading, uK receives a souvenir From Mr. Muhammad adrees, Chief Guest of Conference

Prof. tahir ashfaq, Conferecne Organizer receives a souvenir from Mr. BenFrench & Dr. Muhammad Zafarullah

Dr. Nadeem Dogar, Conference Secretary receives a souvenir from Mr. BenFrench & Dr. Muhammad Zafarullah

Ms. tosheeba Sarwar, Director Promotion & Placements uCP receives asouvenir from Mr. Ben French & Dr. Muhammad Zafarullah Group Photo

Dr. Bilal Mirza, Conferecne Coordinator receives a souvenir from Mr. BenFrench & Dr. Muhammad Zafarullah

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WWW.EDUCATIONIST.COM.PK March, 2016 NATIONAL | 09

WWW.EDUCATIONIST.COM.PK March, 201610 | CONVOCATION

GUJRAT: Around 5,000 graduating students of variousdepartments as well as Nawaz Sharif Medical College wereawarded degrees and medal at the University of Gujrat (UoG) 4thconvocation held at Hafiz Hayat Campus on February 18, 2016.

Chancellor Malik Rafiq Rajwana and Vice Chancellor Prof DrZia Ul-Qayyum conferred degrees upon 2269 students whograduated in the academic session ending in 2013, and a further2803 students graduating in the academic session ending in 2014.Moreover, 129 students from various disciplines were awardedwith gold medals for exceptional performance.

Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Dr MukhtarAhmed, Govt College University Faisalabad VC Dr MuhammadAli Shah and University of Education Lahore VC Dr Rauf-e-Azamalso graced the event and they honoured the gold medalists.

Governor Punjab Malik Rafiq Rajwana said, “This is, no doubt,a landmark achievement for all of you. But, remember, this is notthe end. You owe a lot to your society and your country.” Thegovernor said that the terrorism has been defeated on almost everyfront by our armed forces. He also said that the government hadstepped up efforts for permanent peace in the region. “We want

permanent peace in the entire region, genuine peace and stabilityin our country and in the neighbourhood, including India andAfghanistan,” he said, adding that the government believed insolving all the matters of dispute with India through dialogue.

HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed said that the governmentwas spending more in the higher education sector to promotequality education. He said the government had doubled itsfunding to education sector as compared to 2013.He said thatthere were a total of 178 universities in both the public and privatesector of the country.

“Our youth possess a tremendous potential. It is a matter ofgreat pride for us that our graduates have made a mark in foreignuniversities,” Dr Mukhtar said. He said that apart from educationwe should also promote tolerance in our society.

UoG VC Dr Zia Ul-Qayyum said,“the success of a nation isdetermined by the achievements and advancement of its people inthe skills and knowledge in various fields of life. All our effortshere at the UoG are aimed at promoting quality education tostrengthen the social and economic foundations of Pakistan bypreparing the new generation to serve and lead the country in a

better way.He said that the UoG had set up an Endowment Fundfor deserving students. A Business Incubation Centre (BIC) hasalso been set up to promote entrepreneurship among the students.The UoG’s Office of Research, Innovation & Commercialization(ORIC) and the Centre for Languages and Translation Studies(CeLTS) have been actively playing their part for the socialdevelopment of the country.

He called upon the government of Punjab to generouslysupport the university to further help strengthen the UoG causeof higher education.

The University of Gujrat (UoG) has established itself as one ofthe important seats of higher education in the country. There are26,000 enrolled students in six faculties. Its Institute of Hotel andRestaurant Management (IHRAM) is offering Pakistan’s firsthospitality management degree programme and the School ofArts, Design and Architecture (SADA) has also earned a big namein the country. The UoG Nawaz Sharif Medical College (NSMC) isfully equipped with the state-of-the-art medical diagnostic andtherapeutic tools and is serving as a healthcare facility for thepeople of Gujrat and adjacent areas. g

university of Gujrat’s 4th Convocation

129 graduates awarded medals, 5000 get degrees g Chancellor Malik rafique rajwana, VC Dr Zia ul-Qayyum, Dr Mukhtar ahmed, Dr Muhammad ali, Dr rauf-e-azam grace event

Governor Punjab and Chancellor of university of Gujrat Malik Muhammad rafiq rajwana honoursa graduate at the 4th Convocation of the university of Gujrat. Higher Education CommissionPakistan (HEC) Chairman Dr Mukhtar ahmad, uoG Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr Zia ul-Qayyum andController Examinations uoG ahmad jamil turk are also seen.

Governor Punjab receives a memento fromuoG VC Prof. Dr Zia ul-Qayyum.

HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar ahmad receives amemento from Governor and uoG VC.

VC university of Education Lahore Dr rauf-i-azamreceives a memento.

GCu-Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammadali Shah receiving a memento from Governor.

Director Press, Media and Publications (PMP) of uoG Sheikh abdul rashid comperes theconvocation proceedings.

uoG graduates at the Convocation ceremony.the academic procession of deans, directors and HoDs being led by uoGregistrar Dr tahir aqil and Controller Examinations ahmad jamil turk.

Governor Punjab and uoG Chancellor Malik Muhammad rafiqrajwana unveils the plaque to inaugurate the Data Center at theuniversity of Gujrat. HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar ahmad and uoGVC Prof. Dr Zia ul-Qayyum are also seen.

a group of jubilant graduates after receiving their degrees at the uoG Convocation. the participants at the convocation.

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Catholic schools a symbolof the Christian-Muslim solidarity

g 33,935 students including 34% Muslims are studying in 87 schools under Catholic Board of Education in Lahore

T he network ofCatholicSchools is

spread throughout thecountry underNational CatholicEducation SystemCatholic Schools with87 schools serving onlyin Lahore providing

education to 33,935 students including 11,538Muslim boys and girls (34%) – as a symbol ofChristian-Muslim Unity.

The Educationist Investigation found that intwo Catholic higher secondary schools StAnthony’s College, Lawrence Road Lahore andCathedral Higher Secondary School LahoreCantt, there are 2120 students including1919boys and 202 girls, while 1652 students (78%)are Muslims.

There are 10 middle schools accommodating2547 children comprising 1275 male and 1272females students with 827 Christian boys, 839Christian girls and 448 Muslim boys and 433Muslim girls in the city.

Secretary Catholic Board of Education Mr.Maxwell Shantin told The Educationist that 56high schools were being running underCatholic Board with enrollment of 26,888students. He said they had an admission policywithout religious discrimination. “That is why3,800 female and 4679 male Muslims shareequal academic atmosphere with 660 male and10,075 female Christian students.

Mr. Max said their education system includedboth Urdu and English medium modes. “Thereare 17 English medium schools enrolling 9833students with equal number of boys and girls4931 and 4902 respectively, and 70 Urdumedium schools with a total number of

students 24,102 comprising 11,609 male and12,493 females students.”

Due to quality education the number ofenrolled students is increasing every year. Asmany 28,834 students were enrolled in 2013and the number increased to 33,935 in 2015.Catholic schools showed high results in all

board examinations. In2015 in 5th class boardexams 2010 candidatesappeared and 91.19%were passed, while inmiddle 1415 studentspassed out of 1571showing 90 % resultsuccess. In Matriculation1044 (81.37 %)candidates got successfulout of a toal 1283 thoseappeared in exam.

He said Catholicschools hire qualifiedteachers at every level asatotal 1551 teachers were

serving including 1004Christian females, 292males and 37 Muslim males and 218Muslim females. Out of them 467 areB.A/B.Sc, some 447 B.Ed and 170 areM.A/M.Sc.

However, investigation reveals thatthese highly qualified teachers wereworking at very low salaries. Only 35%of the whole teaching staff get Rs14000or higher salary while 221 teachers arebeing paid between Rs2000/-toRs4000 only. Even some teacherswere getting only Rs2000 or less.

However, the overall performance ofthe schools is very good.

Prominent personalities includingPrime Minister Mian MuhamamdNawaz Sharif , his brother andPunjab Chief Minister Mian ShahbazSharif , Speaker National Assembly SardarAyyaz Sadiq , renowned media person and PCBCommittee chairman Najam Sethi, cricketerRameez Raja, Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan,

Moamar Rana and Usman Peerzada and manyothers are the alumni of Catholic schools.There are 13 Primary and 5 pre schools alsoworking under CBE.

By azhar Iqbal

Grading system is better than divisions: Prof aslam Seikhug Gujranwal BISE chairman says Punjab govt has improved education system

GUJRANWALA: ProfMuhammad AslamSeikhu, chairmanGujranwala Board ofIntermediate andSecondary Education(BISE), has said thatthe education wasmost necessary thinkin today’s highly

competitive world and education was the basicright of every child because no nation canprogress without progress of education sector.

During an interview with The Educationist,he said Gujranwala BISE was working underPunjab Board of Intermediate and SecondaryEducation.This board conducts Matric andInter exams every year within its jurisdiction.Matric and Inter Exams mostly held in Marchand April respectively and the result of both

exams is announced in July and August or inthe start of September.

The main purpose of board ofintermediate and secondary educationdepartment was conducting theexamination of districts schools and collegesstudents. The purpose of the examinationsin public institutions means to make a finalreview of the course and assessment of eachstudent's knowledge of the subject. Fromthis method you would evaluate theteacher’s performance in the classroom.

Replying to a question regardingcomputerization of the system, Prof AslamSeikhu, a former principal of Islamia collegeGujranwala, said that computerized system is amore efficient, accurate, cost saving, timesaving, safe and staff motivational system ascompare to manual management system.

He said the government of Punjab has taken

important steps in education field for the betterfuture of our nation, especially in terms ofeducational institutions security. Thegovernment had given instruction to the BISEto cancel the registrations of a school orcollegein case it do not meet security parameters

issued by authorities. “We are not makingregistration of new schools and colleges untilthey meet the security parameters issued by thegovernment.” To a query, Prof Aslam said thatthe grading system in results was better than thedivision system, because you will easily evaluateand assessment of a student’s whole yearperformance through A+,A,B,C,D,F grades.

The performance graph of the departmentwas rapidly going up from the last few yearswhen the governments launched themonitoring system in all the section of thedepartment, he added.

Regarding co-curricular activities, he saidthese are very helpful in making youth and thenation strong and brilliant because these type ofactivities facilitate in the development of mindand personality, emotional development, socialdevelopment, moral development and aestheticdevelopment, he added. g

Secretary Catholic Board of Education Mr. Maxwell Shantin

Prime Minister Mian Muhamamd NawazSharif , his brother and Punjab Chief Minister

Mian Shahbaz Sharif , Speaker Nationalassembly Sardar ayyaz Sadiq , renowned

media person and PCB Committee chairmanNajam Sethi, cricketer rameez raja, Dr.

abdul Qadeer Khan, Moamar rana andusman Peerzada and many others are the

alumni of Catholic schools

By arslan Mughal

PrEMIErE EDuCatION NEWSPaPEr OF PaKIStaN

Publisher and Editor Shabbir Sarwar, printed at Intekhab-e-jadeed Press, 8 abbot road, and circulated from 136-j Gulberg III, Lahore

GCU-F: EXPO

PHEC Chairman Dr. Nizamuddin visits a handicrafts stall in GCu Faisalabad with Vice Chancellor GCuF Dr. Muhammad ali, NuSt rectorLt-Gen (r) Muhammad asghar and others. —Photo Credit: Naeem Sarwar Khan

BY ALI ARSHAD

ISLAMABAD: Higher Education Commission (HEC) hasranked Quaid-e-Azam University number one and PunjabUniversity as number two in the general category accordingits rankings for 2015 released recently.

National University of Science and Technology (NUST)secured third positions. HEC chairperson Dr Mukhtar Ahmedunveiled the rankings of 129 universities on basis of 100 marksincluding: quality assurance (15 marks), teaching quality(30), research (41), finance and facilities (10) and socialintegration and community development (4). Winners: QAU maintained its position, PU improved its

position from 3rd to 2nd position and the NUST has securedthird position jumping three steps higher than last year’s.Losers: University of Agriculture, Faisalabad dropped to thefourth position from last year’s second position, whileComsats Institute of Information Technology dropped tosixth position compared to last year’s fourth position. Engineering: The National University of Sciences and

Technology (NUST) Islamabad retained the top slot inEngineering & Technology category, while Pakistan Institute ofEngineering and Applied Sciences, Islamabad remained secondand Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences andTechnology got 3rd spot pushing behind University ofEngineering and Technology, Lahore to 5th place.

In Business Education Iqra University tops rankings for producinggood number of PhDs, Lahore School of Economics retained itssecond place while Institute of Business Administration, Karachidropped down to third position.Agriculture: University of Agriculture - Faisalabad

topped for Agriculture. Aga Khan University remained first inMedicine, University of Health Sciences Lahore 2nd and DOWUniversity of Health Sciences Karachi as 3rd. NCA Lahore toppedrankings for Arts, Indus Valley School Karachi remained second. Webometrics Ranking 2016: PU has been declared top

university of Pakistan by the Webometrics maintaining itslast year’s top position. In South Asia its new ranking itnumber 24 as all other 23 universities are Indian. TheWebometrics released its January 2016 Edition evaluating12000 universities of the world. g

HEC university rankings: Qau 1st, Pu 2nd and NuSt 3rd

Who is up, who is down?

LAHORE: Punjab’s Public Service Commission (PSC) ChairmanSajjad Akram has said the commission is capable enough to replacethe National Testing Service (NTS) in the province as it has theexpertise and resources.

In an interview he said, "The PPSC has more extensive networkacross Punjab besides the experience of almost 80 years to conductreliable, transparent and fair tests as well besides its task offacilitating recruitment.” The commission would develop its ownquestion data-bank by December 2016 as it had the OpticMagnetic Readers (OMR) to mark the Multiple Choice Questions(MCQs) on its own, he said. Akram said that he had approachedvice-chancellors of all public-sector universities to recommend

advisers and subject specialists to assist the commission indeveloping the data-bank. To another question, he said that thecommission could also process the promotions from Grade 20 andonwards inthe provincial cadre, adding the commission wasempowered to conduct grade 20 and promotions under the 1935Act but the powers were transferred to the chief secretary in theearly 1970s. He said that the commission should be granted therole as the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) was doingthe same. He said this would enhance transparency and fairness ofthe system. He said the commission had ensured a system whichwas fair, free, merit-based and expeditious to promote excellenceand professionalism through right selection. —APP

‘PSC can replace NtS in Punjab’g VCs to recommend advisers and subject specialists to assist commission g Sajjad akram says commission has expertise, resources and experience

uEt Lahore VC Prof. Dr. Fazal ahmad Khalid and Internationaluniversity of the Kyrgyz republic, Bishkek Dr. asylbek a.aidaraleive sign an Mou for exchange of faculty, researchscholars. Photo credit: Muhammad ashraf

BaHaWaLPur: uEt assistant Professor rana tanvir Qasim receivesPhD degree from State Minister for Education Baligh-ur-rehman,Punjab Education Minister rana Mashhood ahmed Khan andIslamia university VC Dr. Qaiser Mushtaq at 9th convocation.

PHEC Chairman Dr Nizamuddin, tonwnship College Principal DrMuhammad Ejaz Butt, VP Kamran Zahoor, Dean Science azizullahQureshi, Dean arts Kahkashan and Prof amjid Hafeez at convocation.

LaHOrE: VC Dr Hassan amir Shah awards a degree to a studenton the seond convocation of the 14th Convocation of the GovtCollege university Lahore.

GCu-Faisalabad VC Dr Muhammad ali and Media Department in-charge Dr Salma amber lead a walk in support of Punjabilanguage on World Mother Language Day. —Photo by Mansoor Khan

LaHOrE: a delegation from royal College of Physicians andSurgeons, uK with College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan(CPSP) Senior Vice President Khalid Masood Gondal.

IN PICTURES

Webometrics ranking 2016