Universities to Make More Concerted Efforts for Enhancing Quality
Universities to Make More Concerted Efforts for Enhancing Quality
May-June 2016
Higher Education Commission - Pakistan
HEC initiatives and services for development of higher education
sector in Pakistan have been recognised internationally.
VCs Meeting held at Lahore
Pakistan Wins 3G Pakistan Wins 3G Excellence in Higher Excellence in Higher Education Award 2016Education Award 2016
P-11
3G Excellence inHigher Education Award 2016
HIGHER EDUCATIONCOMMISSION, PAKISTAN
P-2
Table of Contents
Publisher:Higher Education Commission,
Pakistan
Chairman HEC Visits Hungary
Pakistan Wins 3G Excellence in Higher
Education Award 2016
NACTE holds Capacity Building Workshop
HEC, Microsoft Organise National Final for
Imagine Cup 2016
HEC Committed to Developing Higher
Education Sector of Balochistan
HEC, SECP to Promote Investor Education
among Youth
9 Varsities Win Grant under Pakistan-
France PERIDOT Programme
Cooperation with Maldives Discussed
Gambia’s Minister Visits HEC
th27 Faculty Development Programme
Concludes
HEC Signs MoU with Law & Justice
Commission
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VCs Meeting Calls
for Enhancing
Quality of Higher
Education, Research2
News & Views is published after every two months. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission of the publisher.
The views expressed by authors in the articles is their sole responsibility and not of HEC. The Commission would like to thank all the institutions and individuals who contributed information and photographs for this Magazine.
Graphic Designer
Raja Ahmad Nadeem
Reporter
Waseem Khaliqdad
Editor
Aayesha Ikram
Graphic Designer
Raja Ahmad Nadeem
Reporter
Waseem Khaliqdad
Editor
Aayesha Ikram
News & Views is published after every two months. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission of the publisher.
The views expressed by authors in the articles is their sole responsibility and not of HEC. The Commission would like to thank all the institutions and individuals who contributed information and photographs for this Magazine.
5University Students
Prove Mettle in
Oratory
9Avenues of Further
Collaboration with
France Explored
The three-day Vice Chancellors’ Committee
Meeting recently held at Lahore developed a
consensus that the Higher Education Commission
(HEC) and universities across the country will make
more concerted efforts to ensure quality whether it
is faculty appointment, student admissions,
opening of new institutions and sub-campuses,
curriculum development, offering new degree
courses, granting affiliations, teaching and research
or any other matter related to higher education.
Concluding the session, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed,
Chairman HEC appreciated all the Vice Chancellors
for their active participation and discussing in detail
various challenges being faced by higher education
sector and deliberating possible solutions. He
stressed the fact that implementation of quality
criteria and other higher education policies in letter
and spirit was inevitable for development of
university education that is compatible with
international standards.
Ms. Shahnaz Wazir Ali, former Adviser to Prime
Minister and currently President of SZABIST said
that higher education leadership has to come from
HEC and ensure implementation of quality
standards in line with global trends. She urged
university heads and HEC to adopt a cohesive
approach for policymaking and its implementation.
A detailed session was held on Tenure Track System
(TTS) for faculty appointment wherein Dr. G. Raza
Bhatti, Member (Operations and Planning) HEC
described the purpose of introducing the system
and the discrepancies arising due to deviation from
set criteria for appointment.
Issues related to TTS discussed on the occasion
included non-approval of statutes from respective
governing bodies, submission of relevant record to
HEC, appointments without advertisement, lack of
Technical Review Panel reports from two foreign
experts, lack of Departmental Tenure Review
Committee reports, non-observance of Annual,
Mid-Term and Final Reviews, assumption of
administrative posts by TTS faculty, award of
increments at the time of initial appointment
against approved criteria, and deviation from
prescribed probationary contract period.
Mr. Tahir Abbas Zaid i , Di rector Genera l ,
Accreditation and Attestation, HEC gave a
comprehensive briefing on accreditation procedure
of opening of new universities, sub-campuses as
well as criteria for affiliating colleges. He showed
concern over violation of HEC criteria for opening
DAI/ sub campuses, grant of affiliations exceeding
the jurisdictional limits defined in respective
Acts/Charters, offering programmes in affiliated
colleges which are not available on the Principal
Seat, vetting of Charters as per Cabinet Criteria,
VCs Meeting Calls for Enhancing Quality of Higher Education, Research
2
increased enrolment of students without required
facilities, acute shortage of faculty, foreign
collaborations with non-chartered institutions. He
also emphasised the importance of accreditation of
degree programmes from relevant professional
councils, including Pakistan Nursing Council,
Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, Pakistan
Veterinary Medical Council, Pakistan Pharmacy
Council, Pakistan Engineering Council, Pakistan
Council of Architects and Town Planners, National
Computing Education Accreditation Council,
National Technology Council, Pakistan Bar Council,
National Agriculture Accreditation Council,
Accreditation Council for Teacher’s Education,
Institute of Cost & Management Accountants of
Pakistan, and National Business Education
Accreditation Council.
Another session focused on Role of Media and
Universities in Promoting Societal Development,
Discourse and Peace in Society. Among others the
session was attended by Mr. Mujeeb-ur-Rahman
Shami, Mr. Amjad Islam Amjad, Mr. Sajjad Mir, Mr.
Yasir Peerzada, Mr. Habib Akram and Mr. Ajmal Jami.
The participants agreed that both media and
universities play a key role in shaping any society,
particularly character building of citizens especially
youth. It was emphasized that interaction among
universities and media should be enhanced to
promote good research.
Mr. Shaharyar Khan, Chairman, Pakistan Cricket
Board (PCB) and Dr. Shabbir Ahmed Lehri, President,
Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) also
gave brief talks during the meeting. Mr. Shaharyar
highlighted the importance of promoting cricket in
universities and how it could benefit the
development of the game in Pakistan. He said PCB is
ready to work with HEC and universities for further
development of inter-university cricket and offered
to form a committee for this purpose.
Dr. Lehri underlined how the medical education has
suffered due to lack of proper policies as well as
implementation of the existing ones. He requested
the vice chancellors of medical universities to come
up with suggestions and enhance coordination with
PMDC for improving the overall quality of medical
education in the country.
On the occasion, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman HEC
said that the Commission will soon hold a meeting
of PMDC and medical universities/colleges for
identifying different issues pertaining to medical
education and setting a roadmap for the future.
The Vice Chancellors were also briefed about HEC
Safe Campus Solution for universities which is
aimed to address the challenges being faced by
universities. The project included blanket Wifi
coverage for 30 universities each year along with
security cameras for surveillance of campuses. The
University heads also gave various suggestions for
improving security of higher education institutions
keeping in view that educational institutions are a
very soft target for anti-state elements. They agreed
3
to work in close coordination with HEC for devising a
security strategy for their respective campuses.
Earlier in the opening ceremony, Dr. Mukhtar
Ahmed, Chairman Higher Education Commission
(HEC) made an impassioned call to ensure quality all
levels of higher education in the country. He
reviewed year’s performance, challenges and issues
to set target for the next year and urged the
gathering of over 120 heads of public and private
universities that quality of higher education should
top their agenda while planning for further
expansion and development.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed particularly advised the private
sector institutions that undoubtedly education has
become a business worldwide but that should not
be done at the cost of quality.
He also spoke at length about
mushrooming of sub-campuses
as well as launching of MPhil and
PhD p rog ram m es w i thou t
fulfilment of minimum criteria. “If
any institution violates criteria
and goes ahead just for the sake
of competit ion or increase
resources, it will definitely be held
accountable. Remember there are
no shortcuts if we want our
ins t i tu t ions to deve lop a t
international standards. Proper planning for
resource generation and developing human
resource is the key to achieve success.”
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed said that over the years HEC has
not only considerably increased the budget for
research but has also ensured that the faculty
members and researchers focus on priority areas
related to our society and country’s economic
challenges. He asked the university heads to take all
possible measures for encouraging relevant
research and allocating maximum amount for this
purpose. He also stressed upon them to clear
plagiarism cases pending at their end and enhance
efforts for eradicating the menace.
The Chairman also discussed the security problems
facing the country, particularly educational
institutions, and asked the vice chancellors to
thoroughly review the situation and come up with
solutions that envisage not only protection of
students and staff but make sure that open display
of weapons should not create a fearful environment
on campuses.
He also shed light on various ongoing and
upcoming projects of higher education sector
including establishment of technical universities,
thousands of scholarships under US-Pakistan
Knowledge Corridor in addition to existing
scholarship schemes, establishment of Centres of
Excellence in Water, Energy, Food Security and
Climate Change, creation of technology parks as
well as many national and international partnerships
for developing human resource in all fields of
national importance.
Earlier in his welcome address, Dr.
Rasul Jan, Chairperson of the VCs
Committee welcomed the guests
and thanked them for joining the
forum to deliberate the current
and upcoming challenges of
higher education sector.
H e a p p r e c i a t e d H E C f o r
conducting such sessions on a
regu la r bas i s fo r input of
univers i ty heads regarding
different polices of the higher education sector said,
“Our sector has weaknesses as well as many
achievements made during the last decade but if we,
the VCs remain united while identifying different
issues and their possible solutions, I’m sure this
august forum can lay foundations for changing
destiny of our future generations.”
In his presentation on Institutional Performance and
Programme Review, Dr. Arshad Ali, Executive
Director HEC shared Commission’s efforts, under
Prime Minister’s directive, to visit universities across
the country and identify deficiencies in fulfilment of
various quality criteria.
Appreciating HEC’s quality performance review
there were calls for making the report public so that
universities could correct their shortcomings.
4
The Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan th organized the final round of the 18 All Pakistan
Inter-University Declamation Contest at its
Secretariat.
Engr. Baleegh-ur-Rehman, State Minister for
Education and Professional Training, was the chief
guest, while Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman HEC
and Vice Chancellors as well as students of different
universities were also present on the occasion.
Mr. Shehan Zafar from University of the Punjab,
Lahore and Mr. Ammad Shakil from Al-Hamd
Islamic University, Quetta clinched the Allama Iqbal
Shield in English and Urdu
categories respectively.
I n E n g l i s h c a t e g o r y , M s .
Rameesha Khan from University
of the Punjab won the second
position and Mr. Abdul Hannan
f rom Government Co l l ege
University, Faisalabad obtained
the third position, while in Urdu
category, Mr. Abdullah Imran
from University of Engineering
and Technology, Lahore and Mr.
Taqi Jawwad from Preston University, Kohat gained
second and third positions respectively.
Speaking on the occasion, Engr. Baleegh-ur-
Rehman said that declamation contests and speech
All Pakistan Inter-University Declamation Contest
University Students Prove Mettle in Oratorycompetitions among students enhance their
analytical and critical thinking. He said such
activities create a spirit to come forward and work
hard for national growth. He urged the youth to
forge optimism for the national growth and social
uplift. He said Islam strongly condemns pessimism,
adding that disappointment among people
destroys nations. “Always see both the sides of a
picture, as you have to sort out way out of the
darkness of problems for your prosperous future,”
the minister stressed.
In his welcome address, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed,
Chairman HEC congratulated the position holders
and said that holding of the declamation contest is
a regular activity organized by HEC every year.
As many as 30 contestants, both in English and
Urdu categories, participated in the final round of
the contest. Prof. Dr. Waseema Shehzad, Dean
Faculty of Social Sciences Air University, Islamabad
chaired the English session, while Prof. Fateh
Muhammad Malik, former Rector International
Islamic University Islamabad chaired the Urdu
session of the contest.
Those who took part in the English category
included Mr. Fahad Farooq from
Army Medical College (National
University of Medical Sciences),
Mr. Habib-ur-Rehman from
B a l o c h i s t a n U n i v e r s i t y o f
I n f o r m a t i o n Te c h n o l o g y ,
Engineering and Management
Sciences, Quetta, Ms. Salika
Durrani, Foundation University,
R a w a l p i n d i , M s . M a r y a m
M a h s o o d f r o m G a n d h a r a
University Peshawar, Mr. Talha bin
Azhar from Ghulam Ishaq Khan
Institute of Engineering Science and Technology,
Topi, Sawabi, Mr. Humaira Ahmed from Gomal
University Dera Ismail Khan, Mr. Abdul Hannan from
Government College University, Faisalabad, Ms.
Sana Murtaza Dayo from Liaqat University of
5
“Declamation contests and
speech competitions among
students enhance their
analytical and critical
thinking. Such activities
create a spirit to come
forward and work hard for
national growth.”
Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Ms. Anam
Noor Ehsan from Aga Khan University, Karachi, Mr.
Barmsh Khan f rom Pakis tan Inst i tute of
Development Economics, Islamabad, Ms. Rafia
Noor from Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University,
Quetta, Ms. Maria Esan from University of
Balochistan, Quetta, Ms. Dua Fatima Faiz
Muhammad from University of Sindh, Jamshoro,
and Ms. Rameesha Khan from University of the
Punjab, Lahore.
The Urdu category contestants included Mr. Ahmad
Cheema from Army Medical College (National
University of Medical Sciences), Rawalpindi, Mr.
Ammad Shakeel from Al-Hamd Islamic University,
Mr. Muhammad Taqi Jawad from Preston University,
Kohat Campus, Ms. Ruqia Khan from Sardar
Bahadur Khan Women’s University, Quetta, Ms.
Kanwal Iqbal from Sindh Madressatul Islam
University, Karachi, Mr. Muhammad Ehtisham Akbar
from University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Mr.
Abdullah Imran from University of Engineering and
Technology, Lahore, and Ms. Mahrukh Baloch from
University of Sindh, Jamshoro.
Ms. Noor Amina Malik, former Director General,
Learning Innovation, HEC, Mr. S. Munawwar H.
Naqvi, senior journalist from Financial Daily
International, Islamabad, Dr. Najeeba Arif, Assistant
Professor, Department of Urdu, IIUI, and Dr.
Shaheena Ayyub Bhatti, Associate Professor,
English Department, NUML performed the
responsibilities of judges of the contest.
Prior to the final round, HEC organised various
rounds of the competition at its regional centres,
including Quetta, Karachi and Peshawar, in addition
to contests previously held at universities.
Quetta, Ms. Shaista Gul Khan from Balochistan
University of Information Technology, Engineering
and Management Sciences, Quetta, Mr. Inam-ur-
Rehman from Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan,
Ms. Hafsa Abdul Ghafar from Government College
for Women University, Islamabad, Ms. Adeela
Batool from International Islamic University,
Islamabad, Ms. Hareem Zafar from Islamia College
University Peshawar, Ms. Umm-e-Farwa from
Jinnah Sindh Medical College, Karachi, Mr.
Makhdoom Shahab-ud-Din from National
University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad,
Indus University, Karachi
HEC RC Quetta
HEC RC Peshawar
6
Chairman HEC Visits HungaryProf. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman, Higher
Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan visited
Budapest, Hungary to formalize Higher Education
and Scientific Exchange Programme signed
between the two countries in December 2015 for
award of 240 scholarships to Pakistani students to
pursue higher studies in reputed Hungarian
institutions and 30 scholarships for Hungarian
students to study in leading Pakistani institutions.
The visit was also aimed to explore further areas of
cooperation in the field of higher education. The
Chairman was accompanied by Engr. Waheed
Ahmed Mangi, Deputy Director (HRD).
During the visit, Chairman met with the Minister of
State for Education of Hungary, Dr. László Palkovics,
Ministry of Human Capacities, the Deputy State
Secretary for International and EU Affairs, Mr.
Gergely Prőhle, and representative of Tempus Public
Foundation, Dr. Zsuzsanna, to discuss bilateral
education cooperation. He also visited some
renowned Hungarian universities in the field of
Physical Education, Engineering & Technology,
Economics, Medicine, Agriculture & Veterinary
Sciences and Public Policy.
During meetings with Rectors of Hungarian
institutes, he discussed possible opportunities of
direct academic linkages between leading higher
education institutions of both the countries.
He met with Mr. Lajos Mocsai, Rector, University of
Physical Education (Sports), Dr. JánosJózsa, Rector
of Budapest University of Technology and
Economics (Engineering & Technology), Dr. Zoltan
Szilvassy, Rector of the University of Debrecen
(Medical & Pharmaceutical Science), Dr. Janos
Toszer, Rector of SzentIstvan University in Godollo
(Agriculture & Veterinary Sciences DVM) and Dr.
Norbert Kis. Vice Rector of National University of
Public Service (Public Policy& Strategic Studies).
After detailed deliberations with the Minister of
State for Education of Hungary, the Deputy State
Secretary for International and EU Affairs as well as
Rectors of leading Hungarian institutes, it was
agreed to establish close academic linkages
between the top ranked universities of both the
countries through HRD scholarships, joint research
programmes, workshops and conferences,
7
Academic Links to be Strengthened
I. Exchange of delegations from academia of
both the countries. HEC may send a team of
researchers and academicians from Pakistan
to study the ‘cluster function model’ in place
at the University of Debrecen for promotion of
university-industry linkages.
ii. Consider establishing a Joint Educational
Commission for promotion of education,
science and technology.
iii. Encourage linkages in areas of mutual interest
between universities of the two countries
through HEC and Hungarian Rector’s Council.
iv. Unde r the St ipend ium Hungar i cum
Scholarship Programme, the Government of
Pakistan may enhance the monthly stipend
from the existing (150 USD approx. for BA/BSc
and MA/MSc and 365 USD approx. for PhD
students) being offered by the Hungarian side
to 450 USD approx. and 1095 approx.
respectively.
v. Initiate tripartite collaboration between NUST
and the Hungarian Universities of Physical
Education and Budapest University of
Technology and Economics (BME), to work in
the fields of Sports Engineering & Sports
Management.
exchange of faculty and scholars, joint R&D
programmes, and academia-industry linkages.
Dr. Palkovics, Hungary’s Minister of State for
Education, expressed desire to establish long-term
relationship under the umbrella of Stipendium
Hungar icum Scholarship Programme. He
highlighted that among 48 countries, number of
applications from Pakistan was the highest.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed expressed gratitude for the
scholarships offer by the Hungarian Government.
He also gave a brief introduction of the higher
education sector of Pakistan. In this context, a
delegation of Pakistani academicians will soon visit
Hungary.
Earlier, Mr. Muhammad Syrus Saj jad Qazi,
Ambassador of Pakistan in Budapest, Hungary, and
Mr. Azeem Khan, Deputy Head of Pakistan Mission
warmly welcomed HEC delegates at Budapest
airport and effectively coordinated scheduled
programme with Hungarian Ministries and Rectors
of leading universities.
Points for Follow-Up Action
vi. Establish joint research linkages in the fields
of climate change, food security, water
management , d isaster management ,
vaccines, R&D exchanges, logistics, transport,
energy, etc.
vii. University of Physical Education may consider
imparting short training to sports coaches
from Pakistani universities in different sports.
viii. In tandem with the Ministry of Inter-
Provincial Coordination arrange a sports
conference in Pakistan. Invite Rector of the
University of Physical Education for this
conference.
ix. Initiate reciprocal acceptance of higher
education degrees awarded by each other’s
recognized universities.
x. Work towards exchange of faculty and PhD
students between Pakistan and Hungary to at
least enrol in one or two semesters in each
other’s universities.
xi. Tailor made short courses (Two-week training
courses) preferably on Leadership, Good
Governance for un ivers i ty and HEC
management at National University of Public
Services, Budapest.
8
A d e l e g a t i o n o f H i g h e r
Education Commission (HEC) led
b y D r . M u k h t a r A h m e d ,
Chairman HEC and comprising
Mr. Wasim Hashmi, Adviser
(HRD) , Ms . Ayesha Ik ram,
Director Media, Rana Shafiq
A h m a d , P ro j e c t D i re c to r,
Overseas Scholarships, and Mr.
Javed Awan, Project Manager
recently visited France.
During the visit, the HEC and
Campus France organized a
Pakistan Day function in Paris
with an aim to bring French
institutions of higher learning
closer to Pakistani universities so
as to enhance collaboration for
development of human resource
and strengthening of research in
Pakistan’s institutions. The
delegation also visited the
French Senate.
In the Pakistan Day ceremony, Dr.
Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman HEC
was the chief guest whi le
representatives of over 30 French
universities participated in the
event that was also attended by
Mr. Ghalib Iqbal, Ambassador of
Pakistan to France and Ms.
Martine Dorance, Ambassador of
France to Pakistan.
The participants discussed issues related to
bilateral cooperation in higher education,
particularly identifying areas where Pakistani
universities and academics could benefit from
French institutions as well as pinpoint common
disciplines for joint research projects.
Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed
appreciated the French Government and higher
education institutions for academic collaboration
with Pakistan in the shape of doctoral and post-
doctoral opportunities. “France is providing a
number of opportunities to Pakistani scholars and
students. Both the countries are collaborating in
higher education sector but this needs to be
enhanced and the best way is institution-to-
institution joint initiatives and HEC is ready to
provide all possible support for this purpose.”
9
Avenues of Further Collaboration with France Explored
The Chairman also referred to plan of setting up a
French university in Pakistan. "France has
remarkable achievement in industrial growth and
HEC would like to launch industrial-based research
projects with France so that Pakistan could also
efficiently cope with its industrial challenges," he
added. He also highlighted the concept of US-
Pakistan Knowledge Corridor and hoped that a
similar initiative may be taken between Pakistan
and France.
On the occasion, representatives of NUST
Islamabad, University of Agriculture Faisalabad,
Information Technology University Lahore and
Government College University Faisalabad gave
presentations on their achievements, focused areas
as well as identified fields for possible collaboration
with the French institutions of higher learning.
Mr. Wasim Hashmi, Adviser (HRD) HEC also briefed
the participants about various initiatives for faculty
development including local and foreign PhD
scholarships, fellowships for Post-doctoral research
and other incentives building a strong pool of
academics in every discipline particularly areas
more relevant to national growth.
The representatives of French institutions where
Pakistani scholars are studying appreciated
competence and hard work of Pakistani students.
They appreciated the performance of HEC for
transformation of universities and facilitating
faculty, students, research scholars to meet
international standards of higher education. They
expressed interest in enhancing academic links
between the two countries.
During its visit to the Senate of France, the
delegation was received by Senator Françoise
Cartron who is also the Mayor of Artigues-près-
Bordeaux and Vice-President of the Aquitaine
Regional Council. She was accompanied by Senator
Pascal Allizard.
Senator Cartron and Senator Allizard were part of
French Senators' delegation that visited Pakistan in
April this year to discuss issues related to bilateral
cooperation in higher education. It was agreed then
that both Pakistan and France have a strong basis of
collaboration which should be further expanded.
Talking to the delegation, Senator Cartron
highlighted the significance of education and
culture in development of societies and how
collaboration between countries in these areas
benefit nations at large.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed appreciated the interest shown
by the French Government for collaboration with
Pakistan in different fields, particularly higher
education. Both sides agreed that cooperation in
higher education and research need to be further
strengthened. "Though your country has provided
remarkable support in our faculty development
programmes, yet the scope of our collaboration has
to be strengthened at institutional level,” he said.
He informed the Senators that 400 scholars have
completed their doctoral studies from France while
many others are pursuing it in various institutions
across France. He also mentioned different HEC
initiatives for transformation of universities and
facilitating faculty, students, research scholars.
10
The HEC delegation also visited Aix Marseille Graduate School of Management (AMGSM) in France where a
number of Pakistani scholars are pursuing their doctoral degrees. AMGSM is imparting postgraduate
education and research and offers Master, MSc, MBA and doctoral programmes in Management and
specialized disciplines with a curriculum that is continuously adapted to meet needs of the business world.
Virginie De Barnier, Dean AMGSM welcomed the HEC team and apprised them about history of the School.
“Our School is a truly cosmopolitan environment with noteworthy scientific and cultural influence, and
develop new projects aligned with our core values, humanism, responsibility and commitment to the
common goal.” She admired Pakistani PhD scholars for their competence and hard work.
Performance of Pakistani Students Acknowledged
National Accreditation Council for Teacher
Educat ion (NACTE) in col laborat ion with
International Rescue Committee (IRC), USAID,
Pakistan recently conducted a three-day capacity
building workshop for the Faculty of Education,
International Islamic University, Islamabad.
The purpose of holding the workshop was to
facilitate and provide guidance to the faculty
members to conduct internal academic audit of their
own programmes, draft self-evaluation report, and
prepare for external academic audit/accreditation by
NACTE. It covered various topics like need of quality
assurance in teacher education; NACTE, its scope
and functions; national accreditation standards for
NACTE holds Capacity Building Workshop teacher education programmes; accreditation
documents and process; accreditation tools; role
and responsibilities of institutions, academic
evaluators/ auditors and NACTE in the accreditation
process; pre-requisites of accreditation; and
conducting internal audit and developing
institutional self-evaluation report.
Speakers described the workshop as a much-
needed activity, as it helped the participants better
understand the concept of accreditation and its
process. They appreciated the role of the NACTE
team for the efforts and contributions they made to
ensure and enhance the quality of teacher
education.
11
The Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan
has won “3G - Global Good Governance - Excellence
in Higher Education Award 2016”. The Award
announced by Global Donors Forums (GDF) was
presented during an auspicious ceremony held in
Istanbul, Turkey.
The prestigious award has been bestowed
upon HEC in recognition of its initiatives
and services for development of higher
education sector in Pakistan. Prof. Dr.
Masoom Yasinzai, Rector, International
Islamic University, Islamabad received the
Award on behalf of Prof. Dr. Mukhtar
Ahmed, Chairman HEC.
The HEC, with its prime focus on quality
of higher education and its equitable access, has
been strenuously struggling to promote higher
education in the country since its inception in 2002.
Leaving no stone unturned to ensure equitable
access, faculty development, excellence in
academics and research, technological readiness,
quality assurance, innovation and societal
development, HEC has taken a number of steps for
establishment of research facilities in the country’s
higher education institutions. Offices of Research,
Innovation and Commercialisation (ORICs) as well as
Business Incubation Centres in universities have
been setup in universities to encourage and
commercialise relevant research.
It is worth mentioning here that the World
Congress of Muslim Philanthropists
(WCMP), a global network of affluent
individuals, grant-making foundations, and
socially responsible corporations, launched
the GDF in 2008 at Istanbul by the then
honorable Prime Minister of Turkey along
with representatives of Organization of
I s l a m i c C o o p e r a t i o n , I s l a m i c
Development Bank, Islamic Education,
Scientific and Cultural Organization and
sovereign governments, socially-responsible
corporations, and philanthropic foundations.
Since then, the Forum has been held in Abu Dhabi
(2009), Doha (2010), Dubai (2011), Kuala Lumpur
(2012), and Washington DC (2014). It has now
evolved as a biennial convening of the WCMP to
promote effective giving and forge strategic
partnerships for high-impact social investment.
Pakistan Wins 3G Excellence in Higher Education Award 2016
3G Excellence inHigher Education Award 2016
HIGHER EDUCATIONCOMMISSION, PAKISTAN
The National Final for Imagine Cup 2016 was
organized by the Higher Education Commission
(HEC) and Microsoft at the Commission Secretariat.
Dr. Arshad Ali, Executive Director HEC was chief
guest on the occasion. Mr. Nadeem A. Malik,
Country Head, Microsoft Pakistan and Mr. Anwar
Amjad, Director General (IT) HEC were also present.
Imagine Cup is a global student technology
programme and competition that provides
opportunities for students across all disciplines to
team up and use their creativity, passion and
knowledge of technology to create applications,
games and integrate solutions that can change the
way we live, work and play.
This year there were over 100 projects from
universities across the country. A total of 187
students participated in various kinds of projects
that have been broadly
p l a c e d i n G a m i n g ,
Innovation and World
Citizenship.
The contest in Innovation
was won by the team of
students from Comsats
Institute of Information
Techno logy, Sah iwa l
compris ing Ms. Nida
Karim, Mr. Sohaib Hanif
and Mr. Umairullah.
The team from National
University of Computer
and Emerging Sciences
( FA S T ) , F a i s a l a b a d
including Mr. Roger Nazir and Mr. Usman Khan
topped the World Citizenship category, while Mr.
Kasra Zunnayyer from University of Karachi won the
Gaming competition. The winner teams will
participate in world semi-finals going to be held
online.
HEC, Microsoft Organise National Final for Imagine Cup 2016
HEC has been working with Microsoft for the last
seven years to execute Imagine Cup in Pakistan and,
the participation in this competition has been
phenomenal. Over the last seven years, more than
1.65 million students from more than 190 countries
have participated in the Imagine Cup. Pakistan left
its mark on the competition as well, boasting a large
number of student registrations in Imagine Cup
over the past four years, with submission of more
than 500 projects.
S p e a k i n g o n t h e
occasion, Dr. Arshad Ali,
Executive Director, HEC
stressed the need for
increase in the number of
projects developed in
var ious par ts of the
country. He emphasized
that both Microsoft and
HEC should set targets
whi le evolving ideas
followed by a strong
strategy for effective
materialization of their
ideas . Reca l l ing the
Imagine Cup final 2008-
09 in Egypt in which he
participated as a judge, he said the activity is
developing spirit of competition among the youth.
The Country Head Microsoft lauded HEC’s support
for Microsoft and its commitment to promote
literacy of technology among the youth.
12
Mr. Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Member National
Assembly and Chairman Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami
Party (PMAP) and Senators Usman Khan Kakar and
Sardar Azam Musakhel from PMAP called on Prof.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman, Higher Education
Commission at HEC Secretariat. Issues pertaining
to universities in Balochistan province were
discussed during the meeting.
The Chairman briefed the visiting MPs about
various HEC initiatives for development of higher
education in the province, including different
scholarship and R&D opportunities available for
faculty members, researchers and students. He
informed the guests that the Federal Government
has planned to increase access and bring education
to the doorstep. The universities which have given
their consent to establish sub-campuses in
HEC Committed to Developing Higher Education Sector of Balochistan
different districts include University of Balochistan
at Pishin and Dera Murad Jamali, Lasbela University
at Wadh (Khuzdar), Sardar Bahadur Khan Women
University at Naushki, and Virtual University at
Dera Bugti, Harnai, Jhal Magsi, Killa Abdullah and
Ziarat.
He said that under faculty development initiative
for the universities, there are a total of 375 slots for
Balochistan, of which 188 scholarships have been
awarded and 63 scholars have completed their
studies. Under the human resource development
initiative, 1256 scholarships have been awarded
while 2494 are under process.
Similarly, a total of 2515 Need Based Scholarships
have also been provided to the students of
Balochistan since 2012.
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) and
Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan
(SECP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to
foster partnership for increasing awareness about
capital investment and encouraging youth towards
entrepreneurship through investor education.
Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman, HEC and Mr.
Zafar Ul Haq Hijazi, Chairman SECP signed the MoU
at a ceremony held at HEC Secretariat, Islamabad.
Prof. Dr. Arshad Ali, Executive Director HEC and
other members of senior management from both
HEC, SECP to Promote Investor Education among Youth
sides were also present. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed said
that objective of this MoU is to put joint efforts for
raising financial literacy and inculcating saving and
13
A meeting of the joint committee of Pakistan-
France PERIDOT Research Programme (Phase-II)
was held at Higher Education Commission (HEC)
Secretariat, Islamabad and chaired by Prof. Dr.
Arshad Ali, Executive Director HEC.
The French team was led by Mr. André de Bussy,
Counselor for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs.
The Programme aims to develop new scientific and
technological cooperation between French and
Pakistani higher education institutions/research
laboratories by supporting the mobility of
researchers. It is being implemented in Pakistan by
HEC and in France by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and International Development (MAEDI) and the
Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESR).
Priority areas identified for 2016 are Health, Energy,
and Education.
9 Varsities Win Grant under Pakistan-France PERIDOT Programme
The Committee unanimously approved nine joint
research proposals for funding in three priority
areas. Pakistani universities that have won the grant
are University of Karachi, Balochistan University of
IT, Engineering and Management Sciences
(BUITEMS) Quetta, COMSATS Inst itute of
Information Technology (CIIT) Lahore, Hazara
University Mansehra, Mehran University of
Engineering and Technology (MUET) Jamshoro,
Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, University of
Education Lahore, FAST-NU Lahore, and Islamia
University, Bahawalpur
The meeting was also attended by Dr. Muhammad
Latif, Adviser (R&D) HEC, Mr. Alban Schwerer,
Scientific and Higher Education Cooperation
Attaché, Embassy of France, Ms. Noshaba Awais,
Director (R&D) HEC and Mr. Rehan Jamil, Assistant
Director (R&D) HEC.
investment culture particularly among university
students while building their financial capabilities.
He said the two sides will help equipping students
with skills and knowledge so as to make sagacious
financial decisions and managing risks.
Mr. Zafar Hijazi said though SECP has been
spreading awareness regarding capital investment
among youth but joint efforts with HEC will be more
e f f e c t i v e i n a t t r a c t i n g y o u t h t o w a r d s
entrepreneurial activities. He also briefed the
participants about increased interest of investors
owing to different SECP initiatives. It was agreed to
enhance outreach of SECP’s Jamapunji project, an
Investor Education Programme for students. Both
the institutions will coordinate with each other to
prepare curricula for graduate and postgraduate
students on Personal Financial Planning.
Faculty Development Programmes will be
organized wherein SECP will provide training to
university faculty on Investor Education who will
then cascade it among their colleagues and
students.
14
A delegation of the Republic of Maldives led by Mr.
Azleen Ahmed, Deputy Minister of Education
visited Higher Education Commission (HEC)
Secretariat and called on Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed,
Chairman HEC, Prof. Dr. Arshad Ali, Executive
Director HEC and other members of the senior
management.
The delegation included Dr. Mohammad Latheef,
Chancellor, Maldives National University, Dr. Ali
Fawaz Shareef, Vice Chancellor, Maldives National
University, and Ms. Fathimah Amira, Director
General of Higher Education.
Cooperation with Maldives Discussed
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman HEC welcomed the
delegates and presented an overview of HEC’s
initiatives and achievements during last 13 years.
He explained how Government’s commitment to
develop higher education and a considerable
increase in funding has brought remarkable
changes in the sector.
The Maldivian Minister appreciated the hospitality
of Pakistani people and agreed that cooperation in
the field of education will play a key role in bringing
the government and people of the two countries
more closer to each other.
A delegation from Gambia, which was in Pakistan to thattend the 19 meeting of COMSATS Coordinating
Council, visited Higher Education Commission
(HEC) Secretariat and met Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed,
Chairman HEC.
The delegation, headed by Dr. Aboubacar Abdullah
Senghore, Minister for Higher Education, Research,
Science and Technology, Government of Gambia
also included Mr. Mucktarr. M. Y. Darboe and Mr.
Bakebba Jatta.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed welcomed the delegates and
presented an overview of HEC’s initiatives and
achievements during the last 13 years. He explained
how Government’s commitment to develop higher
education and a considerable increase in funding
has brought remarkable changes in the sector. The
Gambian Minister appreciated achievements of HEC
Gambia’s Minister Visits HEC
in the fields of research, HRD, and development of IT
facilities for higher education across the country,
and termed it a role model for the whole Muslim
world. He expressed his desire to collaborate with
HEC for developing their country’s higher
education.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed offered full cooperation and
support to assist the brotherly Muslim country.
15
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman, Higher Education
Commission (HEC) has said that teachers are role
models for their students and are academic leaders
who play a vital role in development of future
generations.
“Unless our teacher and Imam perform their duty in
a responsible manner, we should not expect our
society to come out of social ills be it intolerance,
religious extremism, dishonesty or any other
problem,” the Chairman said this while speaking to th
participants of 27 Master Trainers-Faculty
Professional Development Programme organized
by Learning Innovation Division, HEC that
concluded at the Commission Secretariat on Friday.
Twenty-eight faculty members from 28 public and
private sector universities across Pakistan attended
the eight-week programme and were certified as
Master Trainers, who will conduct similar trainings
at their parent institutions.
“Pakistan does not only need best professionals in
different fields but also good human beings who
show empathy towards fellow humans and work in
a selfless manner, and that is only possible if our
th27 Faculty Development Programme ConcludesTeacher, Imam can bring much-needed behavioral change in society: Chairman HEC
teachers and religious opinion leaders feel their
responsibility and act accordingly,” Dr. Mukhtar
said.
Congratulating the participants on successful
completion of training, he said that HEC is
providing all possible opportunities to faculty
members and researchers to enrich their
knowledge and skills. “Whatever a teacher or a
university needs for professional development as
well as strengthening of institutions, HEC has been
putting all available resources to fulfill their
requirements. We are also thankful to the
Government for continuously increasing the
budget for higher education sector,” he said.
So far, 785 faculty members belonging to different
higher education institutions have benefitted from
Master Trainers-Faculty Professional Development
Programme in 27 batches. The programme has
been designed to equip teaching faculty with latest
pedagogical and research skills required for
effective teaching and research. It includes various
academic modules with additional sessions on
important social topics, with focus on enhancing
and enriching teaching abilities of participants.
16
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Law &
Justice Commission of Pakistan (LCP) have signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster a
partnership in increasing awareness among the
citizens about the rule of law and legal rights,
particularly focusing academia and the younger
generation.
Executive Director, HEC, Prof. Dr. Arshad Ali and
Secretary, Law & Justice Commission of Pakistan,
Mr. Mohammad Sarwar Khan signed the MoU at a
ceremony held at HEC Secretariat, Islamabad. Prof.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman HEC, Prof. Dr.
Ghulam Raza Bhatti, Member Operations and
Planning HEC, Mr. Muhammad Raza Chohan,
Director General (Academics) and other members
of senior management from both sides were also
present.
The purpose of the agreement is to establish a
sustained and effective collaboration between the
two institutions to inform and promote academic
research on rule of law, develop and implement
curricula for degree courses and modules including
short courses to raise awareness among students in
particular and other citizens in general.
It also envisages law clinics initiative to support
enforcement of Rule of Law as part of law degree
activities. Both HEC and the LJCP will jointly hold
different activities such as art competitions, intra-
HEC Signs MoU with Law & Justice Commission
university debates, seminars, walks for promoting
the rule of law at all levels of the Pakistani society.
Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed said
that objective of this MoU is to put joint efforts for
raising awareness on fundamental rights and how
to effectively implement the Rule of Law. He said the
two sides will help encouraging academia for a
proactive role and equipping students with skills
and knowledge so as to lead not their own life while
knowing the rights and abiding by the law but also
spread it among other citizens.
The Chairman said that with mutual consultation,
changes will be made in relevant curricula as well as
specific modules will be developed.
Mr. Mohammad Sarwar Khan said though Law and
Justice Commission has been spreading awareness
regarding Rule of Law among youth but joint efforts
with HEC will be more effective for their guidance
and training. “Our main objective is to ensure that
people know about their legal rights and also
realize importance of their engagement with the
State, and for this purpose youth can play a vital
role,” he said.
Dr. Arshad Ali said that citizens should also be
sensitized regarding their responsibilities because
only then a society can be shaped and developed
on true principles of justice.
17
Two young men carried their passion for
engineering from Pakistan to the US in the early
1970’s. They had no plan, only big dreams and lots
of ideas. Technology was only beginning to make its
impact and influence on the world and had they not
met when they did, this intriguing story would have
never taken place.
This is an abridged tale of a partnership that spans
over 34 years. The only thing Idris Kothri and Saeed
Kazmi had in common was acquiring education
from NED University Karachi.
The story of Idris and Saeed is not the usual one you
wi l l come across . Together they created
technologies and solutions, built companies,
developed teams, endured hardships and
ultimately experienced great success through
acquisitions and buyouts, several times. They
engineered concepts and products at the forefront
of technology innovation, usually much before their
time.
Idris Kothari
Idris is quite literally, a ‘kid’ from
the slums of Karachi, born
fourth among 11 children. Idris
did not realize how much
control he had over his destiny
until the kids at the popular
table at school were discussing
which family businesses each of them would be
running.
Idris topped in the BSc and got admission in NED.
After four years of studying at NED, he raised
funding from family, friends and community
members to go to the US for his Masters. He quit in
the middle of PhD program at Illinois Institute of
Technology while finding the US job market in its
worst slump. After doing a few odd jobs in
electronics for as little as $3/hour he landed in a real
engineering job and thought his life was set. Until
he met Saeed Kazmi and the roller-coaster ride
began.
Saeed Kazmi
The fact that Saeed Kazmi
worked at the Karachi Airport
a t n igh t wh i l e s tudy ing
Electrical Engineering at NED in
daytime speaks volumes about
the type of individual Saeed is.
He graduated from NED in
1973 and landed at Oregon State with only $300 in
his pocket and an attaché case to study Masters in
Microelectronics. Saeed moved to the Valley in 1976
when the semi-conductor revolution was just taking
off. Business was booming and he landed a job a
Monolithic Memories, a chip design company “I
quickly found out the engineering was not my
passion. Within a year, I changed my job function to
Marketing.”
Saeed was performing well in one of the first
technologies and marketing hybrid positions.
“Often the gap between what the company has
created and what the customer needs is where the
opportunity is.” Saeed started to focus on these
opportunities, which was how he discovered and
nurtured the idea of his own startup. He just needed
to find someone to collaborate with.
Startup with a Healthy Breakfast
The duo decided to ‘’do something’’. So, thirty four
years later, they are still business partners. They
brainstormed the fundamentals: how to set up a
potential business and what they needed. Both had
to keep their jobs in order to support themselves,
but they held great resolve to take this idea forward.
They opened up a bank account, deposited a few
hundred dollars each and got a business license.
Next, they needed a name for their company. “Since
I was the marketing guy, I put together all the
buzzwords I could think of and ‘Semi-Custom Logic’
or SLI was formed,”
In the early 80’s, SLI landed in its first defense
contract. The contractor needed a chip design that
needed to be used in Stinger missiles. “The
Duo of Pakistani Entrepreneurs Prove…
If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It
18
electronics made the missile too large to shoot and
needed the size to be drastically reduced and able
to run with low power batteries. CMOS technology
had just been introduced and could be used to
build the chip they needed. Idris designed the chip
and I did the selling.” Idris’s design combined 18
chips into one and customers loved the team,
making SLI money for the first time.
Saeed was already eyeing the manufacturing
prowess of Texas Instruments and the thousands of
chips they used to make with the help of the big
yellow reference book.
Since he had been exposed to Programmable Logic
at MMI, he realized that he could program one chip
to do the functions of all the chips that were making
the boards too big and bulky. He talked the idea
over with Idris and began
writing a business plan to
pitch to Vcs.
Both Idris and Saeed were
relatively new in the US and
had no clue what stereotypes
w e r e w r a p p e d a r o u n d
educational institution or VCs
for the matter. While raising
VC funding for their ideas was
proving to be difficult, they
ac tua l l y had cont inued
success with their consulting
business through SLI.
There was an Air Force Base
that wanted to set up their
Fab and invited SLI to come
and present. Recalls Saeed “Idris had no clue about
Fabs but knew that I had done my Masters in
Microelectronics so I know how to make chips,
albeit only in the lab. It was a million dollar project
and we got it.
Innovating Times
It was 1992 and the business partners went back to
focusing on the consultancy work that was ongoing
at SLI. They created the prototype of an electronic
book in 1992 called ‘Portabooks’ and the idea was
to put a book inside this mobile device with flat
screen and have some way of navigating through it.
“We started copying books into memory cards that
can be inserted into the Portabook.” Saeed and Idris
traveled to the East coast to pitch the idea to the
major publishers before they went to any VC.
A few years after Apple launched Newton, Saeed
felt the device was good, but not powerful enough
to replace a PC. He needed something that was in
between. As such, they designed a tablet and called
it Vista.
A few years down the line towards the start of the
communication revolution in 1991, Idris and Saeed
wanted to build and IP Telephony system and set up
a company specifically for that space and called it
VPNet.
Idris designed and built the
first Virtual Private Network
(VPN) product, securing that
Internet and VPNet raised $30
million in Venture Capital.
“We eventually sold VPNet to
Avaya for $ 180 million, who
does about $ 1.5-2 billion a
year now.
Saeed would interface with
customers and identify needs
and Idris would build. He
developed FreshStar t , a
technology that centres were
struggling with.
“Each time the computer
system would power cycle, it would produce a
brand new system which takes away common
issues such as hard drive corruption and viruses the
system that run FreshStart are virus-free.
Finally, a lot of ideas and concepts depend on skill,
timing and luck. Luck, timing and a clear vision --
these are three buzzwords you hear the most often
from entrepreneurs who have made it. However
one you get down to it, there are more unknowns
that need figuring out, than knowns.
19
Area Study Centre Far East and Southeast Asia,
University of Sindh, Jamshoro in collaboration with
Hanns Seidel Foundation, Islamabad organised
one-day training workshop on “Research
Methodology”.
MPhil and PhD students of the Centre as well as
individuals from other disciplines attended the
workshop in a large number. The workshop was
facilitated by Dr. Andrea Fleschenberg, Cologne
University, Germany, Lars Bergmeyer, Director,
German Academic Exchange Office, Islamabad,
Omer Ali,Programme Manager Hanns Seidel
Foundation Pakistan.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Dr. Muhammad
Siddique Kalhoro, Acting Vice Chancellor, University
of Sindh, Jamshoro observed that research should
be the top priority of a university. He said that the
very concept of a university would cease to exist if it
stopped generating new, valid, reliable and
authentic knowledge. Dr. Kalhoro insisted that the
seminal job of higher education institution was to
SU Workshop on Research Methodology create wisdom, solutions to social problems and to
upgrade the quality of life of masses. All the three
goals, he argued, would not be achieved without
genuine research.
Dr. Fleschenberg maintained that she had been
actively involved in several research projects across
the globe since the last nine years. She said that the
concepts ad methods of research remained in a
constant flux, hence, they all as researchers, needed
to re-acclimatise themselves with those changing
patterns. She further asserted that it would be
erroneous to conceive research as a smooth ride.
For, research involved a number of risks, political
constraints and several other obstacles, she said.
Yet, she opined that the researchers all over the
world, including her, had not only ironed out such
hiccups and hobnobs, but had also successfully
prevailed over them.
Mr. Lars Bergmeyer, Director, German Academic
Exchange Office, Islamabad and Mr. Bergmeyer also
spoke on the occasion.
Nasha Bin Rodziadi has become the first Malaysian
scholar to have completed his PhD in Archaeology
from the University of Peshawar.
The scholar was admitted in the PhD programme
under an agreement signed by the University Sains
Malaysia and the University of Peshawar few years
ago. The topic of the scholar was about the detailed
study and analysis of inscription found in the
Gandhara region for which the scholar collected
material from all the museums in Pakistan.
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Rasul Jan, Vice Chancellor, UoP
conferred the doctorate degree upon the scholar in
a ceremony held at the university.
Speaking on this occasion, he said the doors of
university are open to the foreigner scholars. He
lamented that the intake of foreign students in the
university has decreased due to prevailing security
First Foreigner Scholar Completes PhD from UoP
situation, but special exchange programmes have
been initiated with foreign universities to overcome
the issue. He informed that UniversitiSains Malaysia
was interested in enhancing collaboration with the
UoP in the fields of Disaster Management, and
Peace and Conflict Studies.
20
Engr. Muhammad Ismail, Consultant Quality
Assurance, HEC has won the Asia Pacific Quality
Network (APQN) Quality Champions Award-2016.
The award ceremony was held at Nadi, Fiji. APQN is
a n e t w o r k o f 1 6 6 q u a l i t y a s s u r a n c e
a g e n c i e s / o r g a n i z a t i o n s w i t h
ins t i tu t iona l members f rom 38
countries. It aims to enhance the quality
of higher education in Asia and the
Pacific region by building capacity of
quality assurance agencies. APQN
confers awards annually on outstanding
individuals , inst i tut ions and QA
agencies on the recommendations of an
international jury in four different
categories.
The APQN Quality Champions Award is set up for
the individuals who have made outstanding
contributions to promoting quality and excellence
of higher education and recognized nationally and
internationally in their research achievements or
leadership of Quality Assurance activities.
On w inn ing the honour, APQN
congratulated Muhammad Ismail for his
remarkable contr ibut ion to the
knowledge and practice of Quality
Assurance and for championing APQN’s
cause of quality.
Riphah International University has also
won APQN Quality Award 2016 in the
category of Model Internal QA Award.
APQN Quality Champions Award Conferred
Following the decision of the Syndicate of Quaid-e-
Azam University (QAU), Islamabad, the Higher
Education Commission (HEC) facilitated the
meeting of the committee to review the Tenure
Track Statutes version 2.0 of QAU viz-a-viz the HEC
Model Tenure Track Statues 2.0.
The Committee comprises Ms. Mehreen Anwar
Raja, Ex-MNA, Dr. Sohail H. Naqvi, Vice Chancellor,
LUMS, Dr. Abdul Qadeer Rajput, Ex-VC MUET
Jamshoro, Major General Zahid Hamid, AFPGMI,
Rawalpindi, Dr. Wasim Ahmad, Dean Biological
Sciences, QAU and Mr. Muhammad Ismail,
Consultant QA HEC. Dr Sohail H. Naqvi participated
in the meeting through video conferencing while
Major General Zahid Hamid could not attend the
Committee Reviews QAU TT Statutesmeeting due to other commitments. During the
course of meeting, Mr. Ismail presented a
comparative of the two statutes highlighting the
points of agreements and differences.
Dr. Sohail Naqvi shared a quick overview of the
Model Tenure Track and analys is of the
comparative. He expressed that most of the
differences are minor and there are only a few
points which need to be deliberated on by the
committee to reach a conclusion. The Committee
decided that Dean QAU and Consultant QA HEC
should discuss the points of difference and try to
reach a consensus wherever possible and present
the left over points of difference before the
committee.
21
A seminar on “Linkages between Engineering
Research and Entrepreneurship", a part of the
seminars on the topic, was held recently at the US-
Pakistan Centre for Advanced Studies in Water
(USPCAS-W), Mehran University of Engineering and
Technology (MUET), Jamshoro.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Shahid Qureshi,
Programme Director, Institute of Business
Administration (IBA), Karachi emphasized the
significance of entrepreneurship and said that
entrepreneurs need to work with a passion as it is an
important factor.
He said that starting a small business at the
community level and then expanding it to the
country and global level is a key to successful
Seminar Explores Linkages between Engineering Research, Entrepreneurship
e n t re p re n e u r s h i p . H e m a i n t a i n e d t h a t
entrepreneurship is also a social service, as it
benefits masses at large.
On this occasion, Mr. Ghulam Mustafa and Dr.
Rizwan Ahmed, entrepreneurs from NED University
also shared their experiences of entrepreneurship.
Similarly, students of USPCAS-W also shared their
experiences and participated in a question and
answer session.
Dr. Bakshal Khan Lashari, Project Director said that
this water research centre is trying its best to achieve
the targets and goals set in partnership with the
University of Utah, USA. He said the United States
Agency for International Development (USAID) is
fully supporting the centre.
As many as 50 national and multinational
companies participated in a two-day ‘Open House
and Career Fair’ of Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of
Engineering Sciences and Technology.
Mr. Pervez Khattak , Chief Minister, Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa was chief guest during the inaugural
session while Mr. Asad Qaisar, Speaker KPK
Assembly, also graced the event. Mr. Khattak
inspected the projects of final-year students
belonging to different disciplines of engineering
education. He also inaugurated Hostel-11 at the
institute.
50 Firms Participate in GIK Institute’s Open HouseEngr. ShamsulMulk, President, Society for the
Promot ion of Engineer ing Sc iences and
Technology in Pakistan said that the students have
been trained in GIK Institute to face the emerging
challenges and play their due role in the country’s
progress.
Jehangir Bashar, Rector, GIK Institute said the Open
House brings together senior representatives from
industry and research organizations once a year,
which is a very positive step. Prof. Dr. Javed A.
Chattha, Pro-Rector (Academic) and others also
spoke on the occasion.
22
The Government College University (GCU) Nano-
Chemistry Laboratory made an unprecedented
achievement by getting another US patent on
“Drug Entrapment Efficiency and Sustained Drug
Release of Chloramphenicol Loaded Polymeric-iron
Nanoparticles” in the field of applied research.
The patent in the field of nano-technology is the
result of research done by the group of scientists
under the supervision of Dr. Muhammad Akhyar
Farrukh.
Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic useful for the
treatment of a number of bacterial infections. It is a
bacter iostat ic . The original indicat ion of
chloramphenicol was in the treatment of typhoid
fever, treatment of tetracycline-resistant cholera.
The formulation of chloramphenicol loaded
polymeric-iron composite with the nanosize
increases its activity for the treatment of infections.
This research work yields nanocomposite which
enable targeted delivery of antibiotic. Antibacterial
activity of chloramphenicol loaded polymeric-iron
nanocomposite was found more extensive than the
GCU Lab Wins US Patent in Nano-technologyc o m m e r c i a l l y a v a i l a b l e
chloramphenicol eye drops and
showed a maximum of drug
entrapment efficiency (DEE) in 48 h
exhibiting sustained release of
drug. This research work harvests
nanocomposite which enable
sustained release and targeted delivery of
antibiotics as well as to cover deficiency of iron.
Iron nanoparticles of magnetic nature are suitable
candidates for sustained and/or prolonged drug
delivery. Iron magnetic nanoparticles loaded with
drug enhances the effect of drug tremendously in
drug delivery. Chloramphenicol is used for
treatment of eye and ear infections and typhoid
fever, but this drug has poor bioavailability when
given orally due to its poor solubility in the
gastrointestinal tract and its early degradation.
T h e s e i s s u e s c a n b e s o l v e d b y g i v i n g
Chloramphenicol loaded polymeric-iron drug orally
which is produced by the scientists of Nano-
Chemistry Lab, GC University Lahore.
The Centre of Excellence in Art & Design (CEAD),
Mehran University of Engineering & Technology st(MUET), Jamshoro organized the 1 International
Watercolour Biennale “Pearls of Peace” in
collaboration with the International Watercolor
Society (IWS), Pakistan and IWS-Globe.
The Biennale, which included an exhibition, award
ceremony, visits of historical places, preparation of a
20-meter long painting, and music with several
other segments, was inaugurated by Prof. Dr.
Muhammad Aslam Uqaili, Vice Chancellor MUET.
The Biennale included the paintings of 189
renowned artists of the world from 38 different
countries such as USA, Canada, Argentine, Brazil,
Mexico, Peru, UK, Russia, Sweden, Italy, Greece,
Spain, Belgium, Brussels, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Turkey,
India, Egypt, Ghana, China, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq,
Malaysia, Poland and others, whereas the artists
from Canada, Serbia, Spain, Thailand, Iran, Iraq,
CEAD MUET holds Biennale ‘Pearls of Peace’
Bulgaria and Pakistan personally witnessed the
Biennale.
In the award ceremony the “Life Time Achievement
Awards”, “Hardship Awards”, “Honourable Awards”
and “Pioneers Awards” were given away to the
participants.
23
The prototype-showcasing session and closing
award ceremony of Finding Innovative & Creative
Solutions for Society (FICS-NUST 2016), a platform
to foster social entrepreneurship, was held at
National University of Sciences & Technology
(NUST).
Dr. Shahid Mahmud, CEO Interactive Group of
Companies (IAG), was the chief guest on the
occasion. During the course of technology-based
event, the hard working and erudite young minds,
who had previously passed the first two stages of
this challenging competition, presented the
prototypes of their projects to the panel of
esteemed Industry judges. The jury, after a
thorough evaluation of entries, announced the
winners of the competition.
A team from SEECS-NUST won the competition for
their project ‘TAME’ in the category of ‘Biomedical
Engineering’. They were awarded a cash prize of Rs.
150,000 sponsored by Rastgar Engineering. The
special prize of Rs. 150,000 went to the talented
students from National Textile University (NTU) for
their project in the special category of ‘Counter
Terrorism’ named ‘STOP BULLET’. The 1st runner-up
team was from SEECS for their project ‘GAPS’ in the
category of ‘Healthcare’ and was awarded a cash ndprize of Rs. 100,000, sponsored by PlumGrid. The 2
runner-up was also a team from SEECS for their
project ‘sIONser’ in the category of ‘Environment’
which was awarded a cash prize of Rs. 75,000. The
consolation prize of Rs. 50,000, jointly sponsored by
IAG and Alfoze Technologies, was awarded to the
project MDVPL in the category of ‘Education’ to the
team from MCS-NUST.
Extending felicitations to the winners and runner-
ups of FICS 2016, the chief guest appreciated
students into playing their part in presenting
innovative ideas. He said that academia as well as
industry should focus their research on areas
pertinent to the needs and requirements of the
communities around. He termed FICS 2016 a great
success for generating around 250 new ideas.
All the participating teams were also given a
prototype development fund sponsored by
Industry partners like; Crescent Steel & Allied
Products (Pvt.) Ltd & Telenor Velocity.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Arshad Ali, Executive
Director HEC, congratulated the participants who
were able to materialize their useful ideas. He
maintained that he wanted FICS NUST to become a
countrywide event.
IAG also announced commercialization of the idea
‘Antibiotic Intelligence’ presented by the students of
ASAB NUST.
Winners of FICS NUST 2016 Announced
Entrepreneurial Challenge Generates 250 Innovative Ideas
24
Over the past few years, energy crisis has cost
Pakistan up to four per cent of GDP downfall.
Closure of hundreds of factories, paralyzed
production and increased unemployment are the
worst effects of the energy crisis and these factors
have made energy one the most critical challenges
for Pakistan.
The launch of U.S.-Pakistan Centre for Advanced
Studies in Energy at National University of Sciences
and Technology (USPCAS-E) project by USAID in
collaboration with Higher Education Commission
(HEC) and Arizona State University (ASU), is an effort
to fulfil this national need.
Indigenous Research, Training to Uplift Power Sector
Mr. Akif Zia Khan, faculty member at USPCAS-E,
NUST visited Arizona State University (ASU) from
Jan – Mar 2016 for this purpose and held a series of
meetings on curriculum, lab equipment and applied
research projects with peer faculty and fellow
researchers in Power Systems Research Centre
(PSERC) at ASU.
During his stay at ASU, the collaborative work with
Dr. George Karaday of PSERC played an
instrumental role in the development of curriculum
and power hardware in the loop smart grids
laboratory for Electrical Energy Engineering
Programme at USPCAS-E at National University of
Sciences and Technology (NUST), Pakistan. The
participation in different technical workshops and
events hosted by the IEEE PES Chapter at ASU
resulted in extraordinary capacity building of the
faculty under this exchange programme and
became a true reason of replication of teaching and
experimental facilities.
M e a n w h i l e , D r.
N a s e e m I q b a l ,
Assistant Professor
a t U S P C A S - E ,
NUST, specialized
in the area of fuel
cells technology; in
the area of catalysis
particularly visited
A S U u n d e r t h e
similar exchange
programme and
worked in the Fuel
Cell research group
at the Polytechnic
School, ASU. The
supervis ion was
provided by Prof. A. M. Kannan, a renowned expert
in Fuel Cell technology at ASU.
“The main bottle neck in the Fuel Cell development
is the Pt loading on catalyst which increases the
overall cost for this technology. I developed a
process to lower the Pt loading on electrocatalyst
for PEMFC. This contribution will help the industry
in lowering the cost of Fuel Cell”, stated Dr. Naseem
Iqbal. On the basis of these studies, a feasibility
analysis was conducted in collaboration with
Hyundai Motors Group for the development of
novel electrocatalyst with ultra-low Pt loading for
Fuel cell vehicles.
During the Exchange Programme with ASU, a
detailed research collaboration was formed which
helped the other faculty at USPCAS-E in building a
strong research collaboration with ASU faculty
working in different areas of Energy and executed
different research projects.
Some of the major projects to benefit energy
resources of Pakistan were PEM Fuel, hydrogen
storage materials, batteries fabrication and testing
for efficient energy storage and electrochemical
reduction of CO for improved environment and 2
converting CO into useful chemicals.2
25
The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences
(UVAS), Lahore in collaboration with the Higher
Education Commission (HEC) organized a meeting
on Academia-Stakeholders Linkages for Livestock
Sector Development to critically analyze the current
scenario and formulate a strategy for future
development.
Prof. Dr. Arshad Ali, Executive Director, HEC chaired
the meeting while Prof. Talat Naseer Pasha, Vice
Chancellor, UVAS, Prof. Dr. Fazal Ahmad Khalid, Vice
Chancellor, University of Engineering and
Technology, Mr. Nasim Sadiq, Secretary Livestock
and Dairy Development, Punjab, Rai Mansab Ali
Kharal, President, Pakistan Poultry Association
North Zone, representatives of FAST and Punjab IT
Board as well as people from livestock, dairy and
poultry industry were also present on the occasion.
The participants had a thorough discussion on
innovative ideas, need for investment in the
livestock sector, academic collaboration and
commercialisation of research for development of
dairy, livestock and poultry sectors.
Speaking on the occasion, the Executive Director,
HEC, said that HEC accords high priority to the
HEC, UVAS to hold Livestock Entrepreneurship Competition for Farmers
development of livestock sector in the country as it
is vital for food security. He announced that the HEC
and UVAS wi l l jo int ly launch a l ivestock
entrepreneurship competition. He said that the
Punjab IT Board in collaboration with the HEC, UVAS
and Punjab Livestock and Dairy Development
Department will also launch a mobile App for
education and awareness of farmers.
Dr. Arshad Ali also gave a presentation on “What
makes universities attractive as industry partners”
and threw light on the role of universities in national st
development in the 21 century, their role in
knowledge and economic growth and key lessons
for university-industry partnerships. He said the
HEC will promote university-industry partnerships
for socio-economic development of the country.
Vice Chancellor, UVAS, Prof. Talat Naseer Pasha said
that the UVAS in close collaboration with industry is
working for the development of livestock, dairy and
poultr y sectors through human resource
development, applied research, community
services and extension programmes. Dr. Abdul
Karim Bhatti and Mr. Faisal Fareed made
presentations on the current situation and
challenges in poultry and dairy sectors, respectively.
Dr. Nadia Agha resumed her job at Shah Abdul Latif
University, Khairpur after completing her PhD in
Women’s Studies from University of York, England.
She is associated with the Department of Sociology,
SALU and was awarded PhD scholarship under the
Faculty Development Programme by HEC.
During her stay in England, she presented her work
in four different conferences and attended a
residential course on teaching and learning. She
also worked as academic tutor under York
University’s Realising Opportunities and Widening
Participation Programme in
which she mentored college
students in their research
projects. Her disser tation
focused on the kinship system
in rural Pakistan and women’s
position in it.
Based on her findings, she has written several
newspaper articles. Recently, her research paper
titled ‘Kinship in rural Pakistan: consanguineous
marriages and their implications for women’ was
published in Women’s Studies International Forum.
HEC Scholar Completes PhD in Women’s Studies
26
The first convocation of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto
University (SBBU), Shaheed Benazirabad was
recently held in which 41 students were awarded
Bachelors and Masters degrees in different fields.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman, Higher Education
Commission, Mr. Arshad Saleem, Vice Chancellor,
Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University and other
renowned academicians congratulated the new
graduates on the occasion.
A large number of students, their parents and
teachers attended the event. Maheen Ali from
Business Department snatched a gold medal. Three
silver medals were awarded to position holders
including Muhammad Tahir Ali from English
Department, Summaira Qazi in Education, and Miss
stSBBU’s 1 ConvocationSaba, also in Education. Sanam Brohi won second
position in BBA, while Muhammad Ali, Rabail Niaz,
and Ghulam Murtaza also won second positions in
English, Education and B.Ed.
Merit certificates were awarded to the second
position holders. The third position was clinched by
four students including Aiman Israr in BBA, Waseem
Ahmed in English, Tooba Gul Khan in M.Ed) and Ms
Mehwish in B.Ed.
As many as 19 students of the School of Bachelors in
Business Administration, four students of BS
English, four students of Bachelors in Education,
four students of Masters in Education, and 10
students of Masters in Business Education were
awarded degrees in the first convocation.
thBahria University holds 15 Convocation
27
As many as 406 students were awarded degrees in
various disciplines at the fifteenth convocation of
Bahria University, Islamabad held recently.
President Mamnoon Hussain, Admiral Muhammad
Zakaullah, Chief of Naval Staff, and Tanveer Faiz,
Rector, BU graced the occasion with their presence
and conferred degrees upon the graduating
students. Students were also honoured with gold
and s i lver medals for the i r outstanding
achievements in their academic career.
Mr. Mamnoon Hussain awarded 20 gold medals
and 18 silver medals to students, who won top
positions in their respective departments.
Speaking on the occasion, President Mamnoon
Hussain congratulated the students and their
parents on their splendid success and said that
universities and institutions have gained significant
importance by imparting education and fostering
competencies to make productive citizens of
Pakistan. He said Bahria University is taking
necessary initiatives required to enhance
educational research activities.
Scholarly research work and other forms of creative
endeavours are essential for sustained intellectual
growth of any higher education institution. He said
it is a matter of satisfaction and encouragement for
all that universities are effectively contributing to
building human resource of the country.
Earlier in his welcome address, Tanveer Faiz, Rector,
Bahria University, wished the students a prosperous
future. He said that higher education has now
become a tool of economic growth and universities
have great responsibility of producing quality
graduates who could contribute to various fields
and to economic growth of the country.
thThe 7 Convocation of Virtual University of Pakistan
was held in different cities of the country including
Sialkot, Lahore, Karachi, Multan, Faisalabad and
Islamabad in order to facilitate students. A total of
1500 students were conferred degrees on their
successful completion of various graduate degree
programmes. Nine gold medals and 24 merit
certificates were also awarded to outstanding
graduates.
President Mamnoon Hussain graced the occasion
as chief guest while the audience included parents,
members of faculty, and eminent personalities from
academia, corporate and public sector.
thVU 7 Convocation Ceremonies
held across PakistanDr. Mukhtar Ahmed Chairman, HEC and Mr. Rizwan
Bashir Khan, Additional Secretary, Ministry of
Information Technology were also present on the
occasion. Addressing the audience on this
auspicious occasion, Dr. Naveed A. Malik, Rector, VU
highlighted the achievements of VU, its role to
impart education online even to the remotest areas
of the country.
Addressing the participants, President Mamnoon
Hussain stressed the need for working honestly and
with dedication to make the country a true
realization of the vision of Quaid-e-Azam and
Allama Iqbal.
Sindh Agriculture University (SAU), Tandojam
conferred degrees upon 598 candidates in addition
to award of 45 medals to top scoring students
during its ninth convocation.
Mr. Nisar Khuhro, Senior Minister for Education and
Literacy presided over the event and praised the
SAU VC and his team for working on research
development mainly in environment, water and
nutrition. The Minister said that environmental
safety in present time is a must to avoid disastrous
SAU Confers 598 Degrees impacts on agriculture, human health and other
resources. He said the Sindh is immensely
contributing to food production through
agriculture. He said these graduates are a ray of
hope for the nation facing a number of challenges.
Dr. Mujeebuddin Sehrai, VC, SAU shared the
contribution of SAU in agriculture, banking,
financial institutes, livestock, corporate sector and
other relevant fields. He said over one dozen
projects are in the pipeline.
1500 SSUET Students Awarded DegreesSir Syed University of Engineering and Technology
th(SSUET) organized its 19 convocation, which was
attended by a large number of educationists,
scholars and dignitaries including faculty and
students.
On this auspicious occasion, more than 1500
degrees were distributed among the graduates of
BS and MS programmes.
In his address, Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman,
Higher Education Commission (HEC), who was the
chief guest on this occasion, advised the students
that “graduation is the beginning of your
professional life. While you prepare to enter
practical phase of your career, never forget that a
large segment of our society is deprived of the basic
amenities of life and facing hardship. Do try to help
mankind. Do further strengthen the name and
image of your university and bring honour to the
nation.”
Mr. Jawaid Anwar, Chancellor, SSUET, Prof. Dr. Syed
Jawaid Hasan Rizvi, Vice Chancellor, SSUET, Syed
Sarfraz Ali, Registrar, SSUET and other notables also
spoke on this occasion.
28
The Foundation University Medical College
organised Convocation 2016 in which as many as
115 MBBS graduates were awarded degrees.
President, Foundation University, Islamabad (FUI),
Khalid Nawaz Khan was the chief guest while Rector,
FUI, Khadim Hussain and Director, FUI, Dr. Akhtar
Waheed, were also present on the occasion. The
chief guest also awarded six gold medals, five silver
medals, 11 distinction certificates and 43 merit
certificates. The award for best graduating student
was clinched by Ramlah Ghazanfar. Cash prize was
also awarded to the best graduating student.
In his welcome address, the Rector, FUI, highlighted
the progress and academic excellence FUI has
achieved in the past years. Regarding the 750-bed
Fauji Foundation Hospital, a teaching hospital of
FUMC, with state-of-the-art facilities can be
compared with any other modern hospital of
international repute.
FU Convocation for Medical College Graduates
The chief guest said that since its inception, the FUI
has been making progress at a remarkable pace. He
said the rapid progress made in undergraduate and
post graduate studies in health sciences by the FUI
is commendable. “We as individuals must focus on
the national goals of eliminating diseases and
poverty. A positive attitude creates positive
energies leading to high productivity, team work,
passion and optimism. We all must strive to be
innovative and dynamic citizens,” he concluded.
257 FUI Students Receive Degrees in Various Disciplines
Director FU, Rawalpindi campus, were also present
on the occasion.
The MD FFBL conferred degrees upon the
graduates. He awarded eight gold medals, sever
silver medals, six distinction certificates and 15
merit certificates. The award for best graduating
student was clinched by Salman Farooq, who was
also given a cash prize.
In his welcome address, Rector FUI said that he
expects the FUI graduates to possess high
professional competence coupled with humanistic
and moral qualities.
The chief guest said that the new graduates are
blessed to have an opportunity to utilize their
knowledge to serve the country. He lauded the
concerted efforts of the Rector, Deans, Faculty and
the entire management of FUI to improve the
quality of education, teaching and learning.
Foundation University Islamabad (FUI) organized
Convocation 2016 for the graduates of Humanities
and Liberal Arts, Engineering and IT disciplines,
wherein as many as 257 students were awarded
degrees.
Mr. Muhammad Haroon Aslam, Chief Executive and
Managing Director, Fauji Fertilizer Bin Qasim
Limited (FFBL) was the chief guest, while Mr. Khadim
Hussain, Rector FUI and Dr. Akhtar Nawaz Malik,
29
A large number of students were awarded degrees th in different disciplines during the 8 convocation of
Shah Abdul Latif University (SALU), Khairpur
recently held at the university.
The students included six PhDs, 40 MS and MPhil
students, 110 LLB graduates, 10 ADEs, 561 BA, BSc,
B. Com, BS, BBA and B. Ed students along with 373
MA, MSc, M. Com and M. Ed graduates. Eleven gold
and 115 silver medals were also given away to the
students.
Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Chief Minister Sindh was the
chief guest on this occasion, while Prof. Dr. Mukhtar
Ahmed, Chairman, Higher Education Commission,
Islamabad was the guest of honour.
Speaking on this occasion as chief guest Syed Qaim
Ali Shah congratulated the graduating students and
appreciated the university’s achievements. He also
admired the international entities like USAID for
their support to development of higher education
sector in the country.
Mr. Shah announced that each district will have a
university during the next two years. He said the
government is paying due attention to the
promotion of higher education in the province. He
urged the degree recipients to prepare themselves
for challenges prevailing in the society and serve
th 8 SALU Convocation
CM Sindh Urges Youth to Fight against Social Ills
the country’s people. He said Sindh is rich in
resources which need to be explored and utilized
for the country’s well-being.
In his address, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed said that the
Higher Education Commission, Islamabad is playing
vital role for promotion of higher education and
research. He said ensuring quality and good
governance in the country’s higher education
institutions is the top priority of HEC, adding that it
is also concentrating on equitable access to
education for the students of far-flung areas.
Dr. Mukhtar said that 178 public and private sector
universities are providing higher education and
research facilities to students countrywide. He
elaborated that more than 1200 publications are
included in Gold Star Category. He said that the
welfare of society lies in provision of quality higher
education and research opportunities, and this
should be the main objective of universities.
Institute of Business Management, Karachi is thplanning to hold 10 Mathematics, Computer
Science, Statistics (MCS-10) Conference on Data th thScience on 29 and 30 October 2016.
The conference will be held for two days as per the
requirement of Higher Education Commission. The
IoBM has so far organised a series of nine colloquia
in Mathematics on Optimisation (2007), Simulation
(2008), Financial Mathematics (2009), Risk
Management (2010), Forecasting (2011), Risk
Forecasting (2012), Stochastic Modeling and Data
Analysis (2013), BIG Data Innovation (2014) and Big
Data Analytics and Business Intelligence ( 2015) .
The conferences were largely attended by experts
from various academic institutions and industry.
IoBM to hold MCS-10 in October
30
Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied
Sciences (PIEAS) organized its ninth convocation in
which as many as 561 students were awarded
degrees in various disciplines.
Mr. Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning,
Development and Reforms was the chief guest on
the occasion. He conferred degrees upon the
successful candidates of PhD, MS, and BS in the
disciplines of Nuclear Engineering, Systems
Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical
Engineering, Nuclear Medicine, Radiation and
Medical Oncology, Medical Physics, Physics,
Materials Engineering and Process Engineering. The
outstanding graduates who received degrees and
awards included 27 PhDs, 437 Masters and 97 BS.
Around 11 gold medals, 34 merit certificates and 32
certificates of appreciation were also awarded.
Speaking to the gathering of scholars, intellectuals
and scientists, the minister lauded the research
output and quality of education at PIEAS. He urged
the graduating scholars to look around for positivity
and try to strengthen the scientific knowledge base
of the country. He urged them to materialize all their
energies for the development of Pakistan. He
emphasized the importance of applied research in
the country and said the world has identified the
key areas of development in the fields of IT &
Te lecom, robot ics , man-made mater ia ls ,
biotechnology, chemical processing, and
sustainable energy. By adopting modern
techniques in research, universities can play a major
role to develop a modern society.
In his welcome address, Muhammad Naeem,
Chairman, PAEC thanked the Federal Minister for his
presence and briefed the audience about the
culture of merit that is the hallmark of PAEC.
Earlier, Rector PIEAS told the audience that PIEAS
acquired degree awarding status in year 2000 and
within a short period of six years it was ranked high
as engineering institution of Pakistan.
thPIEAS Awards 561 Degrees in 9 Convocation
thThe 13 convocation ceremony of Pakistan Air
Force-Karachi Institute of Economics & Technology
[PAF-KEIT] was recently held at PAF Base Faisal,
Karachi.
A total of 569 graduates were conferred degrees in
the disciplines of Management Sciences, Computer
Sciences and Engineering. The College of
Management Sciences awarded 41 degrees in BBA,
seven in BS-AF, 171 in MBA and seven in MS-MS
degree programmes.
The College of Computing and Information
Sciences awarded 60 degrees in BSCS, 18 in BS-ERP,
569 Degrees Awarded thin 13 PAF-KEIT Convocation
28 in MCS, 5 in MBA-MIS, 16 in MS-CS, 7 in MS-EE,
19 degrees were awarded to BCA and 7 to MCA
graduates. Furthermore, the College of Engineering
awarded 183 degrees to the graduates of BE
Electronics degree programme.
Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan, Governor, Sindh was the
chief guest on the occasion. He awarded gold and
silver medals to distinguished students. He
emphasized the importance of higher education
and the significance of research and development
in the progress of a country. Chief of the Air Staff, Air
Chief Marshal Sohail Aman was also present on the
occasion as the guest of honour.
31
The European Union is providing considerable
funds to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for
uplift projects in education, especially construction
of schools destroyed due to terrorist acts.
This was stated by Mr. Jean-Francois Cautain,
Ambassador of European Union to Pakistan in the
one day seminar on the relations between EU and
Pakistan at the University of Peshawar.
Vice Chancellor UoP Prof. Dr. Muhammad Rasul Jan
Pakistan-EU Relations Creating Opportunities for Youth
and Dean Faculty of Social Sciences Prof. Dr. Adnan
Sarwar Khan also spoke on the topic. The
Ambassador said that 28 countries are actively
donating funds for development in the world. He
added that 100 scholarships are being offered to
the Pakistani students in various EU countries.
Responding to a question, the Ambassador said
that the EU was willing to play its role in resolving
the Kashmir issue.
Dr. Sonia Tariq, faculty of Marine Sciences, Lasbela
University of Agriculture, Water and Marine
Sciences (LUAWMS), Uthal, Balochistan has
successfully completed her PhD from the University
of East Anglia, London.
She developed optical PH sensors for Marine
Sediments during her PhD. Her research work
included PH vs depth profiles of Marine sediments.
She has rejoined LUAWMS.
Dr. Jalal Faiz, faculty of Education, LUAWMS has
completed his PhD from the University of
Westminster, London in the field of the International
Development, Education Policies, Textbooks and
Curriculum. Mr. Jalal Faiz rejoined Lasbela University
after completion of his PhD. Dr. Ghulam Khaliq,
faculty of Agriculture, LUAWMS, has successfully
HEC Scholars Complete PhD, Rejoin LUAWMScompleted his PhD from the University of Putra,
Malaysia in agriculture with specialization in
horticulture. He has rejoined the university a few
months back.
Dr. Khalid Khan has recently rejoined Lasbela
University of Agriculture, Water and Marine
Sciences (LUAWMS) after successful completion of
his PhD in Quantitative Economics (Econometrics)
from Huazhong University of Sciences and
Technology (HUST), Wuhan, P. R. China under the
Faculty Development Programme. The main focus
of his research was Macroeconomics Modeling with
his thesis entitled “Essays on Consumption
Hypotheses”. During his PhD studies, he published
three research papers in international peer
reviewed journals. Presently, he is working as
Assistant Professor at LUAWMS.
32
Lack of professionalism, downfall of ethical values in
the society and malpractices are leading causes of
deteriorating circumstances of the nation.
Speakers said this at a seminar on professionalism
organized by Faculty of Agriculture Engineering and
Technology at the University of Agriculture,
Faisalabad. The session was co-chaired by
Chairman, Higher Education Commission, Dr.
Mukhtar Ahmed and Chairman, Pakistan
Engineering Council, Engr. Jawed Salim Qureshi.
Engr. Jawed Salim Qureshi said that excellence,
honesty, humanity, and accountability are the
integral parts of professionalism. In the past,
teachers used to train students about the social
aspects and humanity after the classes timing also.
Now, the segment has gone missing from our
educational institutions paving the way for a serious
threat of manpower sans moral values.
He also stressed upon the need to change the
mindset of students to make them hardworking,
loyal and target-oriented to achieve the goals in life.
He was of the view that the social aspect was
missing from the professional educations. He said
that the PEC was introducing credit hours courses in
the syllabus of engineering. He said that Korea in
the 1960s adopted Pakistan's five year development
plan and now it has emerged as one of leading
nations in the world.
Promoting Professionalism and MoralityDr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman, HEC urged teachers
and religious leaders to play their role in inculcating
ethics and morality in the country's youth. He said
that teachers can refurbish the skills of students and
illuminate their heart with the light of humanism.
He said that Islam is a complete code of conduct
which guides in all fields of life. He said that the west
adopted our golden principles and made
remarkable progress.
He said that Muslim constitutes need to work hard
to keep pace with the world in sciences and
technology. He said that the Muslims need to recall
their history as some centuries ago, the Muslim
states were the hubs of knowledge. He said the HEC
is making all-out efforts to provide quality
education and research opportunities. "But we care
if a research does not address the problems of the
society or industry, it is useless", he stressed.
Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan, Vice Chancellor, UAF,
said it is a matter of concern that the hefty public
money is spent on the education of doctors,
engineers and science students, but they prefer to
settle abroad rather than serving Pakistan.
He observed that the country is blessed with
immense talent which needs to be put on the right
track for the development and prosperity of the
country.
33
The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences
(UVAS), Lahore and Tetra Pak, Pakistan signed a
Memorandum of Understanding to jointly conduct
a milk adulteration survey.
Executive Director, HEC, Prof. Dr. Arshad Ali was
also present during the MoU-signing ceremony.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr Talat Naseer Pasha and
Marketing Director, Tetra Pak, Assad Abbas signed
the MoU. Speaking on the occasion, the Vice
Milk Adulteration SurveyChancellor said that milk adulteration survey will
be a step forward towards ensuring supply of pure
milk to consumers.
He said that under the MoU, the university will
depute its research students and scholars through
its Centre for Applied Policy and Research in
Livestock (CAPRIL) and will provide adulterant kits
and refills, pipettes, test tubes, test tube stands
and tongs for the survey. The Tetra Pak will
arrange the field visits of the appointed team.
The first Syndicate meeting of the Khawaja Fareed
Univers i ty of Engineer ing & Information
Technology, Rahim Yar Khan was held at the Board
of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Lahore.
The meeting was chaired by Mrs. Zakia Shahnawaz,
Pro-Chancellor and Minister for Higher Education.
The agenda items of meeting included the Annual
Report of Vice Chancellor and the approval of the
university budget for 2016-17. Mr. Irfan Ali,
Secretary HED, Dr. Umar Saif, Vice Chancellor, ITU,
MPAs Umar Jaffar, Mehwish Sultana and Fozia
Qureshi also attended the meeting.
Engr. Prof. Dr. Athar Mahboob briefed the media
representatives that the university is instilling the
First Syndicate Meeting of Khawaja Fareed University
values of tolerance, service to others and innovation
in its students. He said that soon more engineering
and information technology related programmes
will be launched for the youth of Southern Punjab
so that they could acquire quality higher education
near their doorstep. The Syndicate assured the
university of its full cooperation and support.
Water experts team from University of Utah have
culminated their five-day boot camp aimed at
enhancing learning and research capacity
development of the faculty and students of US-
Pakistan Centre for Advanced Studies in Water
(USPCAS-W) at Mehran University of Engineering &
Technology (MUET), Jamshoro.
American professors including Prof. Patrick Shea,
Prof. Dr. Tariq Banuri, Dr. Jim VanDerslice, Dr.
Mohammad Aslam Chaudhry, and Dr. Sajjad Ahmed
had brainstorming meetings, graduate seminars
and workshops at USPCAS-W. The Utah mission has
formed paral lel research group on water
governance and sustainable development, clean
water infrastructure and technologies, water
informatics and decision support, sustainable
agriculture water management.
The water experts delivered lectures on water data
issues and challenges in Pakistan, tracking water
SDG’s through Pakistan Data Portal (PDP), Pakistan
Water Gateway and other topics. In the curriculum
reforms perspective, the mission discussed
University of Utah Concludes Research Boot Camp at MUET
different subjects of all programmes offered by
USPCAS-W and specially the newly introduced two-
year Master of Science (MS) programme on Water,
Sanitation and Health Sciences and Engineering.
The mission also conducted workshop on MUET
Clean Water Project and also had meeting on 'Water
Sustainable Development Goals (SGG) in Pakistan:
Challenges and Opportunities'. The mission also
discussed two flagship projects i.e., Pakistan Water
Development Repor t (PWDR) and Water
Management in the Indus Basin. In this connection,
a Technical Advisory Group (TAG) was set up at
USPCAS-W to steer the process of projects.
On this occasion, Prof. Dr. Tariq Banuri, Associate
Director USPCAS-W University of Utah, USA, who
led the mission said that Pakistan is facing various
development challenges as far as water is
concerned. The country is facing sever conditions
either of the scarcity most of the time or floods
some times. He said that due to water quality,
access to safe drinking water is one of the major
challenges in the country.
34
Virtual University of Pakistan (VU) and WWF-
Pakistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) to promote environmental education
amongst the youth of Pakistan.
Through this MoU, signed by Dr. Naveed A. Malik,
Rector, VU and Mr. Hamid Naqi Khan, Director
General WWF-Pakistan, both the organisations will
establish formal relationship to raise environmental
awareness and tackle the environmental challenges
through innovative research. Moreover, the two
organizations will collaborate to develop joint
research proposals.
The ceremony started with the welcome speech of
Dr. Naveed A Malik, Rector Virtual University of
Pakistan. Mr. Hamid Naqi Khan, Director General
WWF-Pakistan briefed the participants about
WWF-Pakistan and the scope of MoU and its future
prospects . The VUTV wi l l a lso broadcast
documentaries of WWF. Both the organizations
a g re e d to e n g a g e s t u d e n t s i n va r i o u s
environmental awareness initiatives of WWF-
Pakistan including the Eco-internship Programme,
volunteer engagement initiative, Earth Hour and
Nature Carnival. VU and WWF will also organize
joint workshops to mark environmentally important
days at the VU campuses along with capacity
building for the VU students and faculty.
The ceremony was also attended by the top officials,
faculty and staff of VU and WWF-Pakistan. It ended
with a positive note that the agreement would
deliver significant mutual benefits to both the
organizations and that all possible efforts would be
made to make the MoU as much productive as
possible.
Dr. Muhammad Rafique has completed his post-
doctoral research in Nuclear Engineering and
Radiological Sciences from University of Michigan,
USA. He did his PhD from Pakistan Institute of
Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS).
Dr. Rafique has 16 years of teaching and research
experience with more than 60 research publications
to his credit. He was funded by the Higher Education
Commission (HEC) of Pakistan to pursue a Post-
Doctoral Fellowship at the Department of “Nuclear
Engineering and Radiological Sciences (NERS)”,
University of Michigan Ann Arbor, USA.
The graduate programme in the Nuclear
Engineering and Radiological Sciences at U-M is
one of the most highly regarded nuclear
engineering programmes in the USA, regularly
ranked in the top two by US News and World Report.
HEC Scholar Completes Post-Doc FellowshipCurrently the Department of NERS is sharing Rank 1
with Nuclear Engineering Depar tment of
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
The major field of interest for Dr. Rafique was
radiation dosimetry and earthquake detection,
while monitoring seismic activities with the help of
radon stations. Radiation dosimetry in radiotherapy
is essential to realise its main aim i.e., to eradicate a
cancer whilst minimising the risk of severe side
effects due to the unavoidable irradiation of healthy
tissues and organs.
In industrial irradiators for sterilization of medical
equipment and pharmaceuticals, the need for
accurate dosimetry is also governed by two
opposing requirements: achieving legal tolerance
levels for microbiological contamination whilst
minimising the economic cost.
Virtual University Signs MoU with WWF-Pakistan
35
Pakistan Study Centre University of Peshawar
arranged a Seminar on “Khyber Pakhtunkhwa:
Political and Administrative History”. Miss Nadia
Bashir, Head Department of Pakistan Studies
Edwardes College Peshawar was guest speaker. Prof.
Dr. Fakhr-ul-Islam, Director Pakistan Study Centre
presided over the seminar.
In her detailed presentation, Miss. Nadia gave an
historical background of the province, ranging from
Durrani Dynasty till creation of Pakistan. She gave
reasons for separation of the area from Punjab and
creation of a new province in 1901.
She also discussed the struggle of Pakhtuns against
the British imperialism and role played by people of
Seminar Highlights KPK Political, Administrative History
the province in the freedom struggle. She also threw
light on administrative history and gave a
comparative review of the reigns of two chief
ministers i.e. Dr. Khan Sahib and Khan Abdul Qayum
Khan.
The presentation was followed by question answer
session. In his concluding remarks, Prof. Dr. Fakhr-ul-
Islam, Director Pakistan Study Centre said that the
young generation is unaware of the history the
province. He said Pakistan Study Centre has done a
lot to raise awareness about the history and culture
of the province. Besides offering it as a subject, the
Centre held an international conference, a national
conference, seminars and produced scores of theses
on its history and culture.
The Spor ts Divis ion of Higher Education
Commission (HEC), Islamabad in collaboration with
the University of Karachi (KU) organised three
sports events -- Judo (Boys), Swimming and
Taekwondo (Girls) -- during the Sports Gala 2015-
2016 at the KU.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of Sports
Gala, Director, Physical Education, Mrs. Anjum Aziz
appreciated the support of Higher Education
Commission (HEC), Islamabad and the Vice
Chancellor, KU, in organising this event.
She said that such activities play an important role
in the physical and mental growth of students,
adding that they help students focus on their
studies and keeps them away from harmful
activities. Such activities are essential for building
healthy and productive societies, he concluded.
Director General Sports, HEC, Mr. Fida Hussain
highlighted the initiatives and programmes of HEC
for the development of sports in the country’s
universities of the country.
HEC, KU Organise Sports Gala 2015-2016In the taekwondo event, out of 11 universities,
Karachi University Taekwondo (Girls) team got first
position with 157 points while Punjab University
secured second position with 152 points and Iqra
University clinched third position with 77 points. In
swimming event, out of seven universities, Punjab
University (Girls) swimming team got first position
with 225 points in the All Pakistan Inter-University
Swimming Championship-2016 while Agha Khan
University got second position with 157 points and
Karachi University clinched third position with 131
points. Among eight universities, the Karachi
University secured first position with 131 points in
Al l Pakistan Inter-Univers i ty Judo (Boys)
Championship-2016 while Agriculture University,
Tandojam got second position with 58 points and
Bahauddin Zakariya University was ranked third
with 53 points.
In the closing ceremony, Prof. Dr. Nusrat Idrees from
the Department of Political Science and Mr. Arman
from the Department of Examination distributed
prizes and shields among all the winner and runner-
up teams.
36
Institute of Space Technology (IST), Islamabad
organised the fifth NASA International Space Apps
Challenge in Pakistan.
NASA and other space agencies around the world
organized the annual International Space Apps
Challenge at more than 135 locations worldwide,
including New York, the host of the event’s global
main stage. IST, Islamabad was the sponsor and
host of this international event in which more than
20 teams from all over Pakistan participated.
Mr. Shakeel Shafiq, Space Apps Curator opened the
session. The keynote remarks were delivered by the
event head, Dr. Najam Abbas, Assistant Professor,
th5 NASA Int'l Space Apps Challenge Organised at IST
Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics and
Dr. Qamar-ul-Islam, Head of Electrical Engineering
Department. NASA International Space Apps
Challenge was an intense 48-hours global weekend
code-a-thon for developers, designers, engineers,
entrepreneurs, and astronomers to develop mobile
applications, software, hardware, data visualization
and platform solutions that could contribute to
space exploration missions and help improving life.
The challenges focused on real-world design
problems and on making our planet and universe
accessible, visual and fun to explore. This year, many
challenges represented NASA mission priorities in
six areas include Technology, Aeronautics, Space
Station, Solar System, Earth and Journey to Mars.
A seminar was recently held at the Pakistan Study
Centre, University of Peshawar, to mark the death
anniversary of Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
Speakers including Mr. Aftab Khan, Assistant
Professor, Government College of Management
Sciences, Peshawar and Dr. Fakhr-ul-Islam, Director
Pakistan Study Centre, University of Peshawar, shed
light on various dimensions of Allama Iqbal’s
personality as well as his services to the nation.
Mr. Aftab Khan said that Allama Iqbal was fervent
supporter of united India in the beginning but later
on he changed his mind due to the negative
attitude of Indian National Congress. He said that
Allama Iqbal’s Death Anniversary MarkedAllama Iqbal had cordial relations with Quaid-e-
Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and it was he who
persuaded Jinnah to come back to India after he
had decided to settle in Britain.
He said that Iqbal contributed a lot to the
independence movement in the capacity of a
political leader and member of Punjab Legislative
Assembly, adding that his Allahabad Address in
1930 had put the Indian Muslims on the right tract.
In his address, Dr. Fakhr-ul-Islam paid rich tributes
to Allama Iqbal and said that Allama’s personality
had many dimensions. He was a philosopher, an
educationist, a poet and, also, a politician.
37
Curriculum is the backbone of a nation and services
of academia and professionals working to develop
curricula are commendable.
This was stated by Mr. Sulaiman Ahmed, Director
HEC Regional Centre, Karachi, while welcoming the
participants of HEC National Curriculum Revision
Committee (NCRC) for the discipline of Marine
Science final meeting at HEC RC Karachi. The
curriculum of Marine Science was previously revised
and circulated by HEC in the year 2011 and its
periodic revision was due under HEC mandate.
The committee thoroughly reviewed and updated
the Marine Science curriculum by including
knowledge about latest developments and
innovations in the field of Marine Sciences. New
Modules of Port Operations & Ship Management
and Integrated Coastal Zone Management were
introduced as field of specialisation for students
who intend to serve indigenously or abroad. Utmost
effort was made to keep the curriculum at par with
HEC and international standards. It was also
emphasized that for various courses requiring
Periodical Revamping of Marine Sciences Curriculum Finalised
hands-on experience, the students will be required
to go through regroups internship to get their
degree. It was recommended that HEC should
provide ample funds for the establishment of state-
of-the-art laboratories and libraries in the
Universities.
Prof. Dr. Rashida Qari, Director, Institute of Marine
Science, University of Karachi, Karachi, Convener &
Mr. Muhammad Tahir, Lecturer, Faculty of Marine
Science, Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water &
Marine Science, Uthal, Balochistan contributed as
Secretary of the meeting while Mr. Riaz-ul-Haque,
Assistant Director, Curriculum HEC was the
coordinator of the meeting.
Dr. KhuramShahzad has won the honour of
becoming the first PhD HEC Indigenous scholar of
the University of Haripur (UoH).
He has also successfully developed a new
spreadsheet version of Roth C Model and applied to
field data to simulate the impact of treatment of
different manures under different tillage systems on
future soil carbon sequestration for next 100 years
under present climatic data averaged of last 10
years, as well as for future different climatic
scenarios i .e. A1B (economic growth with
globalisation), A2 (economic growth with
regionalisation), B1(Environmental protection with
globalisation) and B2 (environmental protection
with regionalisation). He has also published four
HEC Scholar Completes PhD from University of Haripur
research papers from his PhD thesis in peer
reviewed impact factor journals. The scholar has
successfully developed research linkages between
UoH and the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.
Dr. Khurram got Indigenous Scholarship from HEC
for MSc (Hons.) leading to PhD and got admission in
MSc (Hons.) Agriculture at the University of
Agriculture, Faisalabad. Later, he got admission in
PhD in Hazara University, Haripur campus during
2010. The Haripur campus of the Hazara University
was meanwhile upgraded to the UoH. The title of his
PhD dissertation was “Improving Maize Productivity
and Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration through
Biogas Slurry and Poultry Manure under Different
Tillage Systems.”
38
Scientists from Institute of Agricultural Sciences
have discovered a novel thermo-acidophilic
enzyme which can efficiently hydrolyze starch into
glucose and maltose syrups in a single step and in a
simpler way, in the absence of any other enzyme.
The US Patent Office has issued also patent in the
names of scientists including Dr. Nasir Ahmad, Dr.
Muhammad Saleem Haider, Dr. Naeem Rashid, and
Dr. Muhammad Akhtar in this regard. It is pertinent
to mention here there this is the first international
patent of Pakistan in the field of industrial enzymes.
Since the last three decades, scientists around the
globe were in search of efficient enzymes that could
simplify the process of starch hydrolysis for glucose
and maltose production.
Wonderful features of the enzyme resulted in the
publication of US PATENT titled; “Single Step
Liquefaction and Saccharification of Corn Starch
Using an Acidophilic, Calcium Independent and
Hyperthermophilic Pullulanase” (United States
Patent Pub. No. US 2014/0227744 A1 published on
14/08/2014; Funded (US $ 11000) by Higher
Education Commission) Dr. Nasir Ahmad, the first
author of patent, is an experienced food
Pakistan’s First int'l Patent in Industrial Enzymes
PU Scientists Develop Thermo-acidophilic Enzyme for Food Industry
technologist. This marvelous job was done by Dr.
Ahmad during his PhD research at PU School of
Biological Sciences. During this period, Prof. Dr.
Muhammad Saleem Haider and Prof. Dr. Naeem
Rashid were his supervisors. All the work was
completed within Pakistan using own resources.
Dr. Nasir Ahmad started his PhD in 2005 under
HEC ’s Ind igenous 5000 PhD Fe l lowsh ip
Programme. Previously he served at various food
industries in quality assurance/production
departments. Since December 2011, he has been
serving as Assistant Professor Food Technology at
Institute of Agricultural Sciences, University of the
Punjab, Lahore. This effort will simplify the
industrial process of glucose production and in turn
greatly benefit our country’s economy.
It is worth mentioning that there is not even a single
unit of enzyme production in Pakistan. Hence there
is great potential in this field. With the support of
public and private organisations efficiency of this
excellent enzyme may be further improved. Mass
scale production of it will not only suffice our own
needs but can also help to earn a lot of foreign
exchange.
Prof. Dr. Altaf Mukati, Vice President, Academics,
Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science
and Technology (SZABIST) visited Istanbul
Medipol University recently and met with its
Rector Prof. Dr. Sabahattin Aydin.
The purpose of the visit was to pave the way for
building linkages between the two universities on
various academic and research grounds.
The Medipol University, established in 2009, has
more than 10 ,000 s tudents in va r ious
News in Picture
undergraduates, Masters and PhD programmes. Its
infrastructure is exceptionally well, having state-of-
the-art laboratories. Several Pakistani students are
studying on scholarships here.
39
External evaluation and accreditation is the single
most important function of the National
Agriculture Education Accreditation Council
(NAEAC) mandated by the Higher Education
Commission (HEC).
The Council organised four on-site visits of the
e x p e r t s / p r o g r a m m e e v a l u a t o r s o f t h e
Accreditation Inspection Committees (AICs).
The first on-site visit of the AIC to the degree
programme of Food Science was carried out at
Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Punjab University,
Lahore. While the second on-site visit to four
disciplines of Entomology, Agronomy, Horticulture,
and Food Science was organised at Faculty of
Agriculture, University of Poonch, Rawalakot.
The third external assessment and accreditation of
four degree programmes -- Agronomy, PBG, Food
Science and Entomology -- at University College of
Agriculture, Islamia Univeristy, Bahawalpur was
accomplished by four AICs.
The last on-site evaluation and accreditation visit of
five disciplines -- Entomology, Agronomy, PBG,
Horticulture, and Soil Science -- was organized at
Faculty of Agriculture, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi
Khan. All the on-site AICs visits were carried out
NAEAC Accreditation Inspection Committees Visit Punjab, AJK Agri Institutions
with the mutual consent of the concerned Dean/
Principal and HoDs of the host institutions.
During on-site visits, the respective Deans and
Principals briefed the accreditation inspection team
members regarding the establishment of the
institution, programme objectives followed by a
detailed briefing by the concerned Head of the
Department focusing on quality and strength of
faculty, curriculum, infrastructure & learning
resources, teaching-learning practices, course files,
class rooms, laboratories, research farm areas, etc.
The committee members held separate meetings
with faculty members and students in detail to
know about their views regarding the teaching-
learning environment, facilities and resources, etc.
The AICs also conducted detailed visit of class
rooms, faculty offices, laboratories, library, and
research farm, etc. Exit meetings with Dean/
Principal were also held to share main findings and
outcomes of the visit.
The overall objective of the on-site evaluation and
accreditation visit to Institutions is to build the
capacity of human and physical resources of degree
programmes to enable to improve, maintain and
enhance the quality and standards of agriculture
higher education in Pakistan.
40
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