Higher Education Commission - Pakistan

November-December 2017

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Workshop for Editors of Agricultural Sciences Journals

HEC, IPO and Varsities Sign Agreement to Protect Intellectual Property Rights

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Table of Contents

Publisher:Higher Education

Commission, Pakistan

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Graphic Designer

Raja Ahmad Nadeem

Reporter

Syed Muhammad Ittifaq

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

w o u l d l i k e t o t h a n k a l l t h e

institutions and individuals who

contr ibuted informat ion and

photographs for this Magazine.

Graphic Designer

Raja Ahmad Nadeem

Reporter

Syed Muhammad Ittifaq

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

w o u l d l i k e t o t h a n k a l l t h e

institutions and individuals who

contr ibuted informat ion and

photographs for this Magazine.

6

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International Trans-

Eurasia Information

Network Annual

NOC Workshop

Six Pakistani

Students to Take Part

in Huawei Middle

East Final

Competition

5

Workshop for Editors

of Agricultural

Sciences Journals

HEC Achieves New Milestones in 2017

HEC, Somalia Sign DoU to Promote Bilateral

Collaboration

HEC Organises Blockchain Workshop

High Commissioner of Mauritius Meets

Chairman HEC

HEC, IPO and Varsities Sign Agreement to

Protect Intellectual Property Rights

rd3 National Symposium on Thematic

Research in Social Sciences

National Conference on Persian Language

HEC Organises Awareness Seminars in

Provincial Capitals

HEC, University of Balochistan Organise

Workshop on Writing Research Proposals

HEC, NUML to Expand Scope of NLP

Workshop to National Level

VU Conferences on Food Science,

Biotechnology and Bio-Engineering

University of Baltistan Inaugurated in Skardu

15 Years of HEC & NUST

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Demonstrating perseverance in its endeavours

towards holistic development of higher education

sector, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has

marked pivotal milestones to promote higher

education, research culture and technological

advancement with focus on human resource

development, local and foreign collaboration, and

improved tertiary education access rate. In the long

list of HEC’s activities and achievements, a few have

been shared here.

During the year 2017, HEC awarded 395 overseas

scholarships and 1068 indigenous scholarships in

various disciplines. Under International Research

Support Initiative Programme, 412 PhD scholars

proceeded for research abroad, each for a period of

six months. While under bilateral agreement for

Hungaricum Scholarships, 157 students proceeded

to Hungary for PhD, MS and BS studies.

Besides embarking upon the execution of US-

Pakistan Knowledge Corridor, HEC launched Allama

Muhammad Iqbal Scholarship Programme for

Afghan National Students under which 3000

scholarships will be awarded. HEC also signed a

Memorandum of Understanding with Turkey to

avail scholarships for Pakistani youth to study in

Turkish universities. HEC held deliberative sessions

to discuss the modalities of Pakistan-UK

Knowledge Gateway.

HEC also launched the 'Provision of Higher

Education Opportunities for Students of

Balochistan and FATA, Phase-II' under which a total

of 3900 students from Balochistan and Federally

Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) will be extended

financial support for higher education.

In 2017, HEC and China Road and Bridge

Corporation (CRBC), a state-owned company of the

People's Republic of China, signed a Document of

Understanding under which the latter will sponsor

30 Pakistani students for Master’s degree

Sets up New Universities and Campuses, Awards Scholarships and Research Grants, Enhances Focus on Quality & Good Governance,

Launches Convenient Online Attestation and Approves 22 Development Projects worth 48 Billion Rupees

programme in Transportation Engineering at

Southeast University China consecutively for two

academic years. The scholarship will be fully funded

and cover tuition, accommodation, return airfare

and living stipend for all the awardees.

As a whole, HEC approved 22 Development projects

worth Rs. 48 billion for universities in the year.

Moreover, HEC launched Phase IV & V of Prime

Minister’s Laptop Scheme (PMNLS) So far, 300000

students have benefited under three phases of the

scheme executed by HEC. With the efforts of HEC,

the laptops assembly plant has been installed in

Pakistan and students are now able to get made-in-

Pakistan laptops along with Evo devices under the

scheme.

The quality of engineering education in Pakistan

improved further due to initiatives and efforts of

Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) and HEC. It was

in June 2017 that Pakistan was declared as Full

Signatory of the Washington Accord. Engineers

registered with PEC will now be considered at par as

world class competent professionals and will not be

evaluated for any migrational assessment for their

degrees.

In the ICT sphere, HEC launched Online Attestation

System by developing an e-portal for registration

and processing of degree attestation cases. This

initiative has made the degree attestation process

for candidates easier, as they register online, get

the i r degrees scrut in ised and schedule

appointment for documents attestation. HEC set up

Call Centre to facilitate parents, students, faculty

and researchers across Pakistan in case of any query

regarding HEC programmes. Moreover, HEC also

inaugurated the Smart and Safe Campuses Project

as well as Pakistan’s first R&D Centre in 2017. HEC

also launched Event Registration Portal, which will

serve as an academic calendar to register events

apart from providing information on events,

trainings and online courses.

HEC Achieves New Milestones in 2017

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In 2017, Pakistan’s first Internet Exchange Point

(PKIX) was also inaugurated at HEC under the

headship of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority

(PTA) and support of HEC as well as Internet Service

Providers (ISPs). The primary purpose of PKIX is to

allow networks to interconnect directly, via the

exchange, rather than through one or more third-

party networks. HEC played a significant role in

making the Huawei ICT Skill Competition 2017 a

success. Six Pakistani students have won the

competition at national level and they will

take part in Huawei Middle East Final

Competition soon.

HEC also established Education

Testing Council (ETC) in 2017 to

ensure free-of-cost, standardised

entry tests for admission in public

and private institutions. ETC

conducted its first entry tests for Fall

2017 admissions.

As a part of National Qualifications

Framework (NQF), HEC launched

Pakistan Qualification Register

(PQR) in order to enable the

students and their parents to make

informed decisions. The e-portal

system helps stakeholders of HEC to

view online the programmes of

Pakistani universities that have been

approved by HEC. It is aimed to

provide clearly defined levels of knowledge, skills

and competencies to be acquired by every

graduate. HEC also plans to launch Higher

Education Information Management System

(HEIMS) soon.

The Ministry of Interior and HEC also launched

Young Peace and Development Corps (YPDC),

comprising a number of students from 20 Pakistani

universities, in 2017. The platform of YPDC will play

a vital role in promoting culture of tolerance and

healthy argumentation while discouraging

violence.

In 2017, HEC won the Global Good Governance (3G)

Award of Cambridge IF Analytica, an international

organisation based in Cambridge, UK. The award

distribution ceremony was held in Dubai, UAE. The

3G Awards are presented to government

organisations, corporations and non-governmental

organisat ions (NGOs) for exce l lence in

transparency, good governance and social

responsibility. HEC bagged the award for second

consecutive year.

For infrastructure development and expansion of

universities and sub-campuses, sub-campuses of

Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University,

Lasbela University and University of

Poonch were made operational in

Naushki, Wadh and Forward Kahuta,

respectively. HEC also announced

establishment of University of

Khushab for students of the district

and adjoining areas. It also

announced establishment of two

university colleges in Balochistan,

one each in Zhob and Dera Murad

Jamali. The University College

Zhob will be a constituent college

of Balochistan University of

I n f o r m a t i o n Te c h n o l o g y ,

Engineering and Management

Sciences (BUITEMS), Quetta. The

second university college will be

established in Dera Murad Jamali

and will be a constituent college of

Lasbela University of Agriculture,

Water and Marine Sciences, Uthal.

However, HEC stopped four universities from

admitting students in any degree programme,

o w i n g t o a c a d e m i c i r r e g u l a r i t i e s a n d

mismanagement and after non-compliance despite

constant reminders from HEC to fulfill the

deficiencies.

The Commission has so far closed down around

450 MS and PhD programmes of different

universities, as they failed to fulfil the HEC criteria.

To create awareness among parents and students

about the status of universities, their campuses and

programmes, HEC continued its series of publishing

Parent and Student Alerts in national dailies in 2017

too.

In order to improve the quality of education, many

other steps were taken including the improved

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qualification of university faculty. In 2017, HEC

directed the universities and degree awarding

institutions to ensure implementation of the

Commission’s decision to raise minimum

qualification for appointment of Lecturers to 18

years of education.

Seven Pakistani universities won representation in

300 best universities of Asia in the Times Higher

Education’s 2017 ranking announced in March

2017. Only two universities were enlisted in the

ranking in 2016, but the number reached seven in

2017 with the addition of five more universities

from Pakistan.

Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman HEC and Vice

Chancellors of various universities represented

Pakistan in Going Global Conference in the United

Kingdom in 2017. This year, theme of the

conference was “Global Cities:

Connecting Talent, Driving

Change.” The conference drew

a record number of 900

delegates from 77 countries.

H E C l a u n c h e d C P E C

Consortium of Business Schools

in 2017 as a step forward

towards successful execution of

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The

Consortium of the two countries will focus on issues

of economics and management. The business

schools will be assigned projects to assist the two

governments in the development and operation of

CPEC. As a testimony to its commitment to

technological advancement, HEC awarded 31

projects under Technology Development Fund to

PhD scholars who have returned from abroad after

completion of their PhD in order to develop new

technologies relevant to country’s socio-economic

needs.

HEC launched HEC Vision 2025 in line with the

Government of Pakistan Vision 2025 and held

multiple consultative sessions for deliberation on

future plans for higher education sector and

discuss further improvement in the reform process.

Under National Research Programme for

Universities (NRPU), HEC honoured researchers

working in different areas crucial to the socio-

economic development of Pakistan. Under the

programme, 529 research proposals were

approved in 2017. In this lieu, an amount of Rs.

1303.62 million was utilised during this period.

Moreover, 59 projects worth Rs. 178 million were

completed. Hence, the number of projects

underway till December 2017 was 1908. Under

Interim Placement of Fresh PhDs Programme

launched by HEC, 3016 PhD holders have been

offered jobs as Assistant Professors at TTS salary

package in Pakistani HEIs with conditions that

during a one-year serving period, their host

institutions will announce respective positions to

provide the inducted PhDs with equal opportunity

to compete.

By 2017, HEC has awarded over 2,51,000

scholarships to Pakistani students including, 8,700

indigenous, 9,550 overseas,

a n d 9 , 5 0 0 n e e d - b a s e d

scholarships.

As many as 200,700 students of

114 districts have benefited

from Prime Minister’s Fee

Reimbursement Scheme for

Less Developed Areas. HEC

started its journey with only 59

universities in the country, 2.6 per cent gross

enrolment, 800 publications, and 3,110 PhDs,

however the number of higher education

institutions has now reached 188 with 9 per cent

gross enrolment, 12,000 publications, and 11,960

PhDs. Female enrolment has reached 48 per cent,

as HEC is promoting equal higher education

opportunities to maintain gender equity.

As a whole, 41 per cent of HEC funding goes to

human resource development, 33 per cent to

ensuring equitable access, 23 per cent to ICT

development and the rest of four per cent to other

necessities. HEC has so far allocated funds for

construct ion of 505 academic blocks in

universities, out of which 357 blocks have been

completed and 148 blocks are under-construction.

HEC eyes ensuring establishment of at least one

university or its sub-campus in each district by

2019 without any compromise on quality of

education.

HEC has so far closed

down around 450 MS and

PhD programmes of

different universities, as

they failed to fulfil the

HEC criteria.

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The Higher Education Commission (HEC) recently

organised the five-day International Trans-Eurasia

Information Network Annual NOC Workshop 2017

in collaboration with Trans-Eurasia Information

Newtork (TEIN). The inaugural ceremony marked

the launch of HEC Event Registration Portal and

signing of a Document of Understanding (DoU) to

technologically promote telemedicine.

Mr. Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Interior Minister was chief

guest of the ceremony, while Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed,

Chairman HEC, Dr. Nimal Ratnayake, Secretariat

Director Asia Pacific Advanced Network (APAN) and

Vice Chancellors of different universities were also

present. The workshop was attended by delegates

from Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Sri

Lanka, and Bangladesh.

The HEC Event Registration Portal was formally

inaugurated jointly by Mr. Ahsan Iqbal, Dr. Mukhtar

Ahmed and Dr. Nimal Ratnayake. The portal will

serve as an academic calendar to register events

apart from providing information on events,

trainings and online courses. This will also provide

opportunity to national and international academic

community to collaborate as well.

The DoU was signed between Dr. Masroor Ikram

from Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied

Sciences (PIEAS) and Dr. Iqbal Chaudhary from

Hussain Ebrahim Jamal (HEJ) Research Institute of

Chemistry, Karachi for executing this programme

under Virtual Education Project Pakistan. HEC has

provided video conferencing facility to connect

PIEAS teaching under TESP.

HEC Event Registration Portal Launched

International Trans-Eurasia Information Network Annual NOC Workshop

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ahsan Iqbal observed

that the world is standing on the threshold of fourth

industrial revolution being driven by digital

technology. “The way we are living today will be

transformed through this revolution, as the new

digital paradigms are setting new haves and have-

nots,” he added. He stressed the need for

embracing the new revolution to keep pace with the

world. Pointing out the major challenge being faced

by the world in form of rising inequality, he urged

the need for preparat ions to adopt new

technologies to cope with this menace. He

maintained that the new developments will create a

plethora of opportunities for researchers.

In his welcome remarks, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed said

that the higher education sector of Pakistan has

witnessed remarkable development in the last 15

years, adding that now Pakistan has one of the best

ICT set-ups of the region. He said HEC has realised

the dream of connecting university through fast and

effective technologies by launching PERN-III. He

informed the audience about the plans to set up

Centres of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence, Big

Data and Cyber Security.

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The Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan

and Huawei Technologies held the closing

ceremony of HEC-Huawei ICT Skill Competition

2017 here at the Commission Secretariat. The

ceremony marked the announcement of winners

of the national round of competition.

As many as 7000 students from around 50

Pakistani universities registered themselves for

the compet i t ion, however 3000 students

participated in the first round. One hundred and

fifty students appeared in the national round. Six

Pakistani students including Ayaz Ahmed,

University of Engineering and Technology (UET),

Lahore; Malik Noor Muhammad, National

Six Pakistani Students to Take Part in Huawei Middle East Final Competition

University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad;

Muhammad Shahid, Lahore Garrison University;

Shamim Iqbal, Virtual University; Zubair Malik,

UET, Lahore; and Fatima Rashid, UET, Lahore won

the national competition. The winners have

qualified for Final Huawei Middle East ICT

Competition to be held in China.

Mr. Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Interior Minister was chief

guest and Mr. Yao Jiang, Ambassador-Designate

of China to Pakistan was the guest of honour on

the occasion. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman HEC,

Mr. Xua Man, Vice President Huawei Middle East,

Vice Chancellors, faculty members and a large

number of students were also present.

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has

recently signed a Document of Understanding with

the Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher

Education, Somalia to promote bilateral academic

collaboration and develop cooperation in higher

education and other fields of common interest. The

DoU was signed by Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman

HEC and Mr. Abdi Dahir Osman, Somalian Minister

for Education, Culture and Higher Education.

Under the DoU, the two sides agreed to describe the

guidelines for future agreements on specific

activities by the institutions involved. Areas of

c o o p e r a t i o n w i l l i n c l u d e d e v e l o p m e n t ,

HEC, Somalia Sign DoU to Promote Bilateral Collaboration

strengthening and capacity building of higher

education of Somalia, technical assistance in

establishment of higher education body in Somalia,

and assistance in establishment of quality assurance

standards in academia in Somalia.

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High Commissioner of Mauritius Meets Chairman HEC

Appreciating HEC for its measures for growth of

higher education in Pakistan, Mr. Rashid Soobadar

hoped that the two countries will develop

collaboration and plan joint academic activities,

which will further strengthen the bilateral relations.

The High Commissioner said Mauritius hails a great

number of tourists from across the world, adding

that the country’s textile sector and other fields are

very strong.

Mr. Rashid Soobadar, High Commissioner of

Mauritius in Pakistan recently visited Higher

Education Commission (HEC) Secretariat and called

on Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman HEC to discuss

issues pertaining to higher education.

Welcoming the Ambassador, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed

briefly shared initiatives and achievements of HEC

since its inception in 2002. He said HEC has taken

tangible steps to promote a research culture in

Pakistan by establishing Offices of Research,

Innovation and Commercialisation (ORICs) in

universities. He said Business Incubation Centres, set

up by HEC in various universities, are actively playing

their part in thriving entrepreneurship and startups.

The Chairman assured the High Commissioner of full

cooperation in joint collaborative projects. He said

HEC can facilitate Mauritius for short and long-term

training of scholars and faculty. HEC will support

Mauritius in any joint venture like establishment of

R&D organisations and ICT infrastructure, he

assured. He maintained that HEC has one of the best

ICT infrastructures of South Asia.

The Higher Education Commission, (HEC) Pakistan

recently organised Blockchain Workshop at its

Secretariat. The workshop was chaired by Dr. Arshad

Ali, Executive Director HEC. Dr. Masoom Alam,

Director Cybersec Lab COMSATS Institute of

Information Technology, (CIIT) Islamabad, Ms

Yumna Ghazi, Co-founder of Block 360, Islamabad,

Mr. Bilal Arif, Founder of Block 360 CIIT, Islamabad,

and Mr. Umair Sarfaraz, Blockchain Researcher, CIIT

Islamabad were the key resource persons of the

workshop.

HEC Organises Blockchain Workshop

The topics covered under the workshop are

introduction to Blockchain, the ethereum, the

internet of things, and decentralisation.

Resource persons were of the view that Blockchain

has the potential to change the way we buy and sell,

interact with government and verify the authenticity

of everything from property titles to organic

vegetables. It combines openness of the internet

with the security of cryptography to give everyone

faster, safer way to verify key information.

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The Quality Assurance Division of Higher Education

Commission (HEC) recently organised a one-day

workshop for Editors of Agricultural Sciences

Journals at its Secretariat.

Editors of 14 relevant journals attended the

workshop, which aimed to enhance the quality of

journals by training editors as to how common

shortcomings of the journals can be improved and

prepared to get enlisted in Thomson Reuters Web of

Science.

Dr. Arshad Ali, Executive Director HEC welcomed the

workshop participants and elaborated aims of the

workshop. He stressed on maintenance and

improvement of quality of the journals and advised

the participants to upgrade quality of journal by

learning and adopting good practices.

The workshop was spilt into three sessions. The first

session comprised methods to improve the journals,

getting journals enlisted into Thomson Reuters and

meeting minimum quality criteria set by HEC. The

resource person for this session was Dr. Ahrar Khan,

Dean Veterinary Sciences, University of Agriculture,

Workshop for Editors of Agricultural Sciences Journals

Faisalabad. Dr. Alamgir Khan, Professor of

Physiology and Head of IT Department at National

University of Medical Sciences Islamabad facilitated

the second session and dwelled upon ‘How to

review statistical data of articles of the journals’. The

topic of Open Journal System was covered in the

third session conducted by Dr. Muhammad Sajid

Mirza, Principal Librarian at Islamic International

University, Islamabad.

Dr. G. Raza Bhatti, Member Operations and Planning

HEC was chief guest in the closing session. He

thanked the resource persons for sharing their

valuable knowledge and expertise with the

workshop participants. He hoped that participants

would use the acquired knowledge for upgrading of

their journals for recognition at international level.

He distributed certificates among the participants.

The workshop ended with note of thanks by Mr.

Muhammad Ismail, Consultant Quality Assurance

Division. He appreciated the participants of the

workshop for sparing their precious time and

advised them to make best use of the information

shared by resource persons.

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The signing ceremony of institutional agreements

among the Higher Education Commission (HEC),

Intellectual Property Organisation (IPO) and host

institutions for establishment of Technology and

Innovation Support Centre (TISC) Network in

Pakistan with the support of World Intellectual

Property Organisation (WIPO) was recently

organised at the Commission Secretariat.

During the signing ceremony, 27 institutional

agreements were signed between different

univers i t ies and R&D organisat ions . Mr .

Muhammad Naseer, Executive Director, IPO, Dr.

Muhammad Latif, Adviser (R&D) HEC were the main

signatories whereas Vice Chancellors and

representatives from respective ORICs signed the

institutional agreements.

Engr. Muhammad Baligh Ur Rehman, Minister for

Federal Education and Professional Training was

chief guest of the ceremony. Mr. Salim Ranjha,

Executive Director, IPR Enforcement (Pakistan

Customs), representatives of Chamber of

Commerce and Vice Chancellors of various

universities were also present.

Engr. Baligh-ur-Rehman congratulated all the

stakeholders on achieving the milestone. The

minister stressed that we need to lead our

youngsters in the right direction. He assured that

An Initiative under WIPO Development Agenda

HEC, IPO and Varsities Sign Agreement to Protect Intellectual Property Rights

promotion of higher education is among top

priorities of the government. He said that the

government funded Rs. 40 billion in 2012 to

universities through HEC, adding that the funding

for higher education has now been increased to Rs.

100 billion.

He further said that nations cannot progress without

acknowledging the efforts of their researchers,

adding that this ceremony is an effort to encourage

youngsters to bring forward their innovative ideas

for socio-economic development of the country. He

said that the establishment of TISC will protect the

innovative ideas and promote creativity and

commercialisation.

Dr. Arshad Ali, Executive Director, HEC said that this

is a landmark in the history of Pakistan as we are

taking initiative for safeguarding intellectual

property rights of our thinkers, researchers,

academicians and innovators. He maintained that

respecting and protecting intellectual property

rights is one of the aspects of the initiative but taking

advantage of the initiative is the real benefit.

Mr. Irfan Tarar, Director General, IPO expressed his

views and said that since its inception, IPO is

facilitating the public and is striving for the

development of digitisation and atomisation

sectors.

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The Higher Education Commission (HEC) recently rdorganised 3 National Symposium on Thematic

Research in Social Sciences to provide scholars of

various Social Sciences disciplines a platform to

showcase their research at the Commission

Secretariat. As many as 10 scholars presented their

research.

Engr. Baligh-ur-Rehman, Minister for Federal

Education and Professional Training, was chief guest

on the occasion.

Addressing the audience, Engr. Baligh-ur-Rehman

stressed the need for promoting applied research in

Social Sciences in the country. “Research is an

imperative obligation to pursue if we want to make

progress,” he said, adding that research not only

verifies old facts but also brings about new realities

to the surface.

He said HEC, with the support of government, is

actively developing academia-industry and

academia-government linkages, adding that

universities are now receiving phenomenally

enhanced funding.

Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman, HEC said that HEC

gives equal importance to Social Sciences in any

research grant, as the development of Social

rd3 National Symposium on Thematic Research in Social Sciences

Sciences is linked to the uplift of society. He said that

the annual funding for Research Support

Programme, which used to be only Rs. 40 million in

the start, has reached Rs. 3.5 billion now. Shedding

light on the significance of Social Sciences, the

Chairman remarked that it is responsibility of

academia to ponder upon solutions to the social

issues of Pakistan and present their proposals to the

policymakers.

Earlier, Mr. Raza Chohan elaborated objectives of

the Symposium and told the participants that HEC

has so far awarded 140 research grants. He said the

Symposium aimed at giving an open space for a

dialogue among researchers and nurture a research

culture in difference areas of Social Sciences.

Scholars Showcase 10 Research Projects under Various Subjects

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) recently

organised a training session entitled “Discover

Your Potential and Understand Others” using

Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Instrument for

HEC Officers working in BPS-17 to enhance their

se l f -understanding , mot ivat ions , natura l

strengths, and potential areas for improving

personal and professional life.

A discussion session was also arranged for HEC

Discover Your Potential

Training Session for HEC EmployeesSenior Management to highlight the importance

of MBTI and its implications in education sector

both by the teachers and managers to understand

personality types and align tasks to the specific

type that would result in excellent performance.

Dr. Muhammad Qamar-ul-Hassan was the

Resource Person. He is among leading experts on

Personality Type and Personality Type Based

Performance Improvement Solutions.

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The Higher Education Commission (HEC) recently

organised a two-day National Conference on

Persian Language: Challenges and Future Prospects

at the Commission Secretariat. The conference was

held in collaboration with the Cultural Consulate,

Embassy of Iran, National University of Modern

Languages (NUML), Islamic Culture and Relations

Organisation, and Iran-Pakistan Institute of Persian

Studies.

Engr. Baligh-ur-Rehman, Minister for Federal

Education and Professional Training was chief guest

in the closing ceremony. Mr. Mehdi Honardoost,

Ambassador of Iran to Pakistan, Mr. Shahaboddin

Daraei, Cultural Consular, Iranian Embassy, Mr.

Jononov Sherali, Ambassador of Tajikistan to

Pakistan, faculty members and scholars from across

the country were also present.

Addressing the conference, Engr. Baligh-ur-Rehman

said “Learning multiple languages cast positive

impact on critical and analytical thinking and enrich

the canvas of thought”. He said Persian possesses

vital status in regional as well as religious

Persian LanguageNational Conference on

perspectives, adding that the language preserves a

huge treasure of knowledge and wisdom. He said

Pakistan accords great importance to its relations

with Iran, as the two countries enjoy historic,

religious and cultural bonds. “The bilateral relations

demand emphasis on promotion of Persian,” he

stressed.

In his remarks, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman HEC

stressed the need for reading history to know how

the ancestors of Muslims spread knowledge across

the world through their research and theoretical

findings. “It is high time to understand the ideology

of our forefathers by learning their languages which

we have relinquished,” he stated. He maintained that

universities’ faculty has a great role to play for

encouragement of students taking interest in

history and languages like Persian.

On this occasion, Mr. Mehdi Honardoost, Mr.

Shahaboddin Daraei, Mr. Jononov Sherali, Mr.

Iftikhar Arif and other notables also expressed their

views on the importance of Persian language. They

paid tribute to Allama Iqbal and Sheikh Saadi for

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producing remarkable Persian literature which is a

worthwhile source of guidance for the entire Muslim

Ummah.

Dr. Iqbal Saqib presented the communique agreed

upon by the conference participants. The

communique emphasised joint efforts to promote

Persian language and use it as a tool to further

strengthen relations between Pakistan and Iran. It

also stressed the need for academic measures to

facilitate Persian students and scholars. It urged the

Persian teachers to extend their services for

promotion of academic relations between the two

countries.

At the end, Saadi-Iqbal Awards 2017 were

distributed among the honourable teachers of

Persian language who devoted their lives to the

promotion of Persian language. The awardees

included Dr. Arif Noshahi, Dr. Mehr Noor

Muhammad Khan, Ms. Zakia, Dr. Rabia Kiyani, Ms.

Bint-ul-Huda, and Dr. Hakim Dastari.

The Capital University of Science and Technology

(CUST), in collaboration with the Higher Education

Commission (HEC) and Institute of Electrical and

Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Islamabad recently thorganised two-day 13 International Conference on

Emerging Technologies (ICET) at the Commission

Secretariat.

Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman HEC was chief guest

on the occasion, while Dr. Mansoor Ahmed, Vice

Chancellor CUST, Prof. Aamer Iqbal Bhatti, General

Chair ICET and a large number of faculty members

and students were also present.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed

stressed the need for translating the opportunities

created by new technologies into reality while

ensuring positive use of advanced gadgets. He said

HEC is committed to facilitating universities and

encouraging research activities. “We need to

conduct research that casts positive impact on

society and mitigates the miseries of humanity,” he

underlined.

He pointed out that water and food security will

become vital issues to be dealt in the near future. He

emphasised that solution to all social ills including

terrorism, poverty and unemployment lies in

promotion of education. “It is the era of knowledge

economy and no nation can make progress without

promoting education,” he stated. He said the

universities are responsible for imparting education,

International Conference on Emerging Technologies

creating knowledge and integrating it with society.

He urged the faculty to pay special attention to

training of students, as training is imperative for a

peaceful society.

Sharing the background of conference, Prof. Aamer

Iqbal Bhatti said the first international conference on

emerging technologies was held in 2005. He said

CUST lays great emphasis on applied research and ththe 13 ICET is a testimony to that fact. He

appreciated the role of HEC and IEEE Islamabad for

collaboration to organise the conference.

CUST is now a Member of the United Nations

Academic Impact (UNAI) as CUST has joined 1200

institutions in more than 120 countries who are

working with the United Nations to promote global

priorities, including peace, human rights and

sustainable development. UNAI is an initiative that

aligns institutions of higher education with the

United Nations in actively supporting and

contributing to the realisation of UN goals and

mandates.

12

The Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan

has initiated a project Technology Development

Fund (TDF) for joint proposals of academia and

industry to avail grant (up to Rs. 14 million for each

successful proposal) to convert their innovative

ideas into product/services development. Under

this project public sector and approved private

sector universities’ faculty members can team up

with their industrial partners to apply for TDF grant

to develop new technologies relevant to Pakistan’s

socio-economic needs.

The TDF recently started a series of TDF awareness

seminars in public sector universities in provincial

capitals starting from University of Engineering and

Technology Peshawar, Peshawar followed by TDF

awareness seminar at University of the Punjab,

Lahore, Balochistan University of Information

Technology, Engineering and Management

Technology Development Fund

HEC Organises Awareness Seminars in Provincial Capitals

Sciences, Quetta, University of Karachi, Karachi,

Mirpur University of Science and technology, AJK

and Karakoram International University, Gilgit-

Baltistan. Moreover, an informative seminar on TDF

was organised at HEC Secretariat to mobilise faculty

members and local industry representatives to

bridge the gap between industry and academia.

In response to TDF awareness seminars more than

250 proposals were received against second call for

proposals from the universities.

During the awareness seminars academicians and

industrialists provided their valuable feedback.

They suggested that more awareness seminars

should be conducted all across Pakistan, and efforts

should be made to engage more industrialists,

chambers of commerce and associations prior to

next call for proposals.

A 3-day training workshop on “How to Write a

Research Proposal” was recently organised at the

University of Balochistan in Quetta.

The purpose of this workshop was to prepare the

potential candidates for Indigenous and Overseas

Scholarship Programme of Master leading to PhD

for the students of Balochistan.

HEC, University of Balochistan Organise Workshop on Writing Research Proposals

Dr. Attaullah Shah from IM Sciences, Peshawar and a

few other experts along on the subject spoke on the

occasion. Fifty students from different universities of

Balochistan attended the workshop. HEC is also

planning to conduct similar workshop at the

University of Uthal in the next phase so as to attract

more students from other parts of Balochistan in the

near future.

13

HEC and USAID-funded Merit and Needs-Based

Scholarship programme (MNBPS) recently

organised two training workshops at Sukkur IBA

University.

The workshop on Talent Grooming was held for

newly enroled students and the other on Career

Counselling was held for students who are in last

semesters of their degree programmes. The USAID-

funded programme which focuses on personality

grooming and professional skills development of

the students in addition to awarding scholarships.

Over 30 USAID-MNBSP scholars including 14 male

HEC, USAID Organise Workshops at Sukkur IBAand 19 female graduates from Sukkur IBA University

and SZABIST, Larkana Campus participated in talent

grooming workshop while 36 USAID-MNBSP

scholars including 20 male and 16 female students

from Sukkur IBA University and SZABIST, Larkana

Campus participated in career counselling

workshop.

A certificate distribution ceremony of both

workshops were held at Executive Development

Centre, of the University in which Engr. Zahid

Hussain Khand, Registrar, University, was the chief

guest.

The Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan

and Mehran University of Engineering and

Technology (MUET), Jamshoro in a joint venture,

established Self-Access Centre at English Language

Development Centre, MUET. The purpose of

initiating Self-Access Centre is to promote

technology-integrated language education.

In this context, Learning Innovation Division (LID),

HEC organised three days training programme on

Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) at

HEC Establishes Self-Access Centre at MUET Jamshoro

English Language Development Centre, MUET

Jamshoro.

Mr. Javed Memon, Director HEC, Regional Centre

Karachi was the chief guest of the closing

ceremony. Dr. Muhammad Aslam Uqaili, Vice

Chancellor, MUET, Dr. Tauha Hussain Ali, Pro-Vice

Chancellor, Dr. Abdul Sami Qureshi, Dean Faculty of

Science, Technology and Humanities, and faculty

members of the university were present on the

occasion.

The Learning Innovation Division (LID), Higher

Education Commission (HEC), in collaboration with

National University of Modern Languages (NUML),

Islamabad organised a three-day workshop on

Effective English Language Communication

through Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP)

Techniques for the faculty members of higher

education institutions of the twin cities.

The workshop aimed at increasing the capacity of

faculty members of higher education institutions in

HEC, NUML to Expand Scope of NLP Workshop to National Level

the area of NLP which is a body of knowledge as well

as skills that deals with enhancing the performance

of human mind through practical tools and

techniques. Mr. Fida Hussain, Director General LID,

HEC and Brig. Muhammad Ibrahim, Director General

NUML, graced the closing ceremony.

Mr. Fida committed to expand the scope of this

workshop to national level, where maximum faculty

members of higher education institutions could be

trained on NLP and its usage in the teaching.

14

ndThe Learning Innovation Division, HEC organised 2

two-day Consu l ta t i ve Workshop on the

Development of Science Teaching Methodology

Programme at HEC Secretariat.

The aim of conducting this Consultative Workshop

is to provide training to newly hired faculty in Higher

Education Institutes (HEIs) and help them

understand latest techniques to share their

knowledge with their students. The Programme is

designed to focus on Professional Development of

Science faculty only with a selected group of seven

academicians from the first workshop to initiate the

Workshop on Development of Science Teaching Methodology Programme

module development task. In the second

Consultative Workshop Outline and Methodology

has been designed for the Science workshops.

Dr. Ajmal Khan, Vice Chancellor, University of

Karachi felicitated HEC on behalf of University

Syndicate, Academic Council, faculty members and

employees for its exemplary services for promotion

of quality standards in higher education in the

country for the last 15 years.

He appreciated HEC for providing grants to

different departments and institutes of the

university including Institute of Sustainable

Halophyte Utilisation, HEJ, KIBGE, UBIT, Department

of Mass Communication, Department of Pharmacy,

National Centre for Proteomics, etc. He further

noted that HEC is providing need-based

scholarship, indigenous and oversees scholarships,

thVC UoK Felicitates HEC on 15 Anniversary

research, travel, conference and seminar grants to

higher education institutions, faculty members and

students on a regular basis. He further added that

regular training sessions are also held for

employees of University as part of HEC’s

commitment of capacity building of human

resource.

“Since, its inception in 2002 through a constitutional

amendment preceding Univers i ty Grants

Commission, HEC has facilitated development of

higher education system in the country with main

purpose of upgrading the universities to become

focal point of change through higher learning of

education, research and development,” he said.

Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design (PIFD)

signed a Memorandum of Understanding

(MoU) with National College of Arts (NCA),

Virtual University (VU) of Pakistan and University

of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJKU) in order to

establish a strong liaison and collaboration

among the institutions for promotion of

education in the region and capacity building of

each other. The MoU signing ceremony was

held at Ministry of Commerce, Islamabad.

News in Picture

15

The Virtual University of Pakistan in collaboration

with Higher Education Commission, Pakistan

Science Foundation and Punjab Agricultural

Research Board recently organised International

Conferences on Agricultural and Food Science (2017 thICAFS), Biotechnology and Bioengineering (7 ICBB)

at its main campus in Lahore.

A large number of national educationists and

delegates from USA, Canada, China, Japan, Nigeria,

Sudan, Turkey, Jordan, Malaysia and Jammu and

VU Conferences on Food Science, Biotechnology and Bio-Engineering

Kashmir participated in these conferences. The

events provided a forum where innovative

developments were exchanged and discussed by all

stakeholders. Over 70 poster presentations and 50

research papers were presented.

Dr. Naveed Malik, Rector Virtual University of

Pakistan inaugurated the conference. He warmly

welcomed the delegates from all over the world and

appreciated Faculty of Science and Technology for

organising the events.

The Higher Education Commission, (HEC) Pakistan

in collaboration with Virtual University, (VU)

Pakistan and University of Education, Lahore thorganised 2-day 4 E-Learning and Distance

Education Conference (ELDEC) at Lahore.

The theme of the conference was “E-Learning and

Distance Education: Envisioning the Future:

Rethinking, Reshaping, Redesigning Education.”

De legates f rom Malays ia and Indones ia

thVirtual University Organises 4 E-Learning and Distance Education Conference

participated in the event along with educationists

and academicians from across the country. A total

of five keynote speeches and 30 technical papers

split over in five sessions were presented in two

days.

Prof. Dr. Arshad Ali, Executive Director, HEC was the

chief guest in the inaugural ceremony. Dr. Naveed

Malik, Rector VU said that ELDEC is the practical

realisation of this need.

16

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has recently

inaugurated the University of Baltistan during his

visit to Skardu as Higher Education Commission,

(HEC) Pakistan has completed all formalities to

establish the University.

With the establishment of University of Baltistan,

Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) will now have five higher

education institutions including two universities,

one each at Gilgit and Skardu and three sub-

campuses of Karakorum International University at

Hunza, Diamer and Astore.

The Charter of the University had already been

approved by the Federal Government in the Cabinet

meeting. The University has been established by

upgrading the existing campus of the Karakorum

International University which had been working in

Skardu since 2012 with l imited academic

programmes: computer science, management

sciences, education and English.

University of Baltistan Inaugurated in Skardu

Over 5000 students from Baltistan region are

pursuing higher education in various part of the

country mainly due to lack of higher education

facilities in the region. The University will offer

academic programmes in sciences and humanities

in different phases. For this purpose Planning

Commission of Pakistan has approved a project

costing RS. 1750 million this year.

The allocated funds will be utilised to develop new

campus of the University at the 1000 kanals land

being provided by GB Government. The project has

also provision to commence professional and skill

enhancement programmes such as tourism and

hotel management, trekking and mountain

climbing, tour guide training with English and

Chinese languages, mining and gemstone cutting

and polishing etc. HEC has also made a provision in

the development project of the University by

providing 18 PhD and 10 master level foreign

scholars for faculty development.

The Learning Innovation Division, Higher Education

Commission, Pakistan in collaboration with Training

and Development Centre, Islamia College Peshawar

recently organised a three-day training programme

on English for Academic Purposes for faculty

members at Islamia College Peshawar.

The purpose of this training programme was to

teach current approaches and methods in Teaching

Islamia College Peshawar Organises Three-Day Training Programme

English for Academic Purposes. Over 25 teachers

from various departments of Islamia College

Peshawar participated in the training programme.

At the closing ceremony, Dr. Habib Ahmed, Vice

Chancellor, Islamia College Peshawar was the Chief

Guest. Mr. Muhammad Arshad Kamran, Director

General, Regional Centre HEC, Peshawar was the

Guest of Honour.

17

National University of Sciences and Technology

(NUST) organised combined convocation of 279

graduates of Bachelors, Masters and PhD degree

programmes from School of Natural Sciences (SNS),

Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Bio-Sciences

(ASAB) and School of Art, Design and Architecture

(SADA) at its main campus.

Lt. Gen. Naweed Zaman, Rector NUST graced the

occasion as chief guest and awarded degrees to the

graduates in the disciplines of Physics, Chemistry,

Mathematics, Architecture, Industrial Design,

Healthcare Biotechnology, Industrial Biotechnology,

Plant Biotechnology and Applied Biosciences.

In his address, the Rector extended his felicitations

to the graduating students, their parents and faculty.

He urged the graduates to explore new vistas of

knowledge and innovation, transcend themselves as

professionals, and inspire the world with their

compassion.

NUST Organises Combined Convocation

thRecently, the 10 Convocation of NUST School of

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

(SEECS) was also held at the main campus. A total of

290 students received BS, BE, MS and PhD degrees in

the f ields of Computer Science, Software

Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer and

Communication Security, Information Technology

and Innovative Technologies in Education.

Since inception of Higher Education Commission,

(HEC) Pakistan in 2002, the development budget of

National University of Sciences and Technology

(NUST), Islamabad is provided by HEC.

In 2003, NUST was allotted its Central Campus in

Islamabad as per requirements of its Charter and

today full-fledged campus is functioning at H-12,

Sector, Islamabad since 2008. In total 27 PC-1s were

approved at a cost of Rs. 12187.514 million and 25

PC-1s have been completed at a cost of Rs.

8788.534 million. State-of-the-art facilities have

been established utilising funds provided by HEC

during the 15-years since 2002.

NUST faculty has increased from 322 to 803 in 2017

out of which 347 hold PhD degrees from foreign

universities. The Faculty Development Programme

being funded by HEC through a number of PC-1s

has major contribution in it. In 15 years since HEC

establishment, 114 patents have been filed out of

which 33 have been granted. In 2011, NUST

received guidelines from HEC to form Office of

15 Years of HEC & NUST Research, Innovation and Commercilaisation (ORIC)

while some of the essential ingredients required by

HEC were functional in NUST which were

reorganised in line with HEC requirements to

nurture an ecosystem of innovation centric

commercialisation, research and development.

NUST ORIC is consistently acclaiming to be number

one s ince i ts establ i shment by HEC and

independent evaluators.

The project entitled, “Network Performance

Monitoring for PERN” was the HEC funded project

completed by NUST School of Electrical Engineering

and Computer Science, in June 2012. The project

was executed under the collaboration of NUST and

SLAC-Stanford which resulted in uplifting NUST

status worldwide.

In 2012 and 2017 NUST in collaboration with HEC

organised capacity building programme for the

staff of ORIC of 35 universities. As many as 100

Directors and Managers from different universities

across the country participated in both trainings.

18

The Endowment Fund at University of Agriculture,

(UAF) Faisalabad feels pleasure to announce

successful completion of the multi-authored book

writing project and online launching of books

which was started during the year 2013.

The aim of initiating multi-authored book project

was to provide reference texts and to serve purpose

of improving quality of teaching and learning. The

series of books cover broad range of subjects from

theoret ical physics and electronic image

processing to hard core agricultural subjects and

public policy. Out of 25 books 17 are uploaded out

of which seven books are on Agriculture and

B io logica l Sc iences , three books are for

Engineering, one book is for Animal and Veterinary

Sciences, one book is for Food and Nutrition, two

books are for IT and Physical Sciences, one book is

for Communication Skills and five books are for

Entrepreneurship (Agri-business, Economics and

Finance).

The UAF books shall also be made available in paper

versions for a wider reach and affordability

whereas the on-line books can be viewed at

http://onlinebooks.uaf.edu.pk

CUST Holds Seminars on Wi-Fi Networks & Effective Communication

Reid, Emeritus Professor from University of Glasgow,

Scotland was the key resource in the seminar. The

scholar focused on the effectiveness of thinking in

the communication skills. During his lecture, he

engaged the faculty in discussion on four types of

thinking i.e. creative thinking, critical thinking,

systems thinking and scientific thinking.

Prof. Dr. Isabelle Guerin Lassous and Dr. Thomas

Begin from University of Claude Bernard Lyon 1,

France visited Centre of Research in Networks and

Telecom at Capital University of Science and

Technology (CUST).

Dr. Isabelle Guerin Lassous delivered talk on the

topic, A New Approach for Association in Wi-Fi

Networks and Dr. Thomas Begin shared his research

work on Performance Modeling of Virtual Switching

Systems. Later, both French professors called on Dr.

Muhammad Mansoor Ahmed, Vice Chancellor,

CUST and visited the university facilities.

Another seminar on Thinking Skills for Effective

Communication was organised at CUST. Dr. Norman

UAF Launches Books Portal

A three-week extensive workshop on Ceramic

Techniques was recently arranged by Ceramic and

Glass Design Department at Pakistan Institute of

Fashion and Design (PIFD).

The workshop was conducted by Mr. Gopal

Kalapremi, from Centre for Arts and Design,

Kathmandu University, Nepal. The workshop

focused on re sea rch and deve lopment ,

PIFD Workshop on Ceramics Techniquesexperimentation in fabrication and finishing

techniques. Mr. Gopal taught various techniques like

Raku, Lustre firing, Black firing, Beer Firing,

Terrasigilata, Kintsugi, and mix media.

Over 18 students of the Ceramic and Glass Design

department along with faculty members have

attended this workshop that generated over 200

finished pieces in various ceramic techniques.

19

Dr. Muhammad Azhar, Lecturer University of

Agriculture, (UAF) Faisalabad invented herbal-based

orally disintegrating tablet from Moringa oleifera

leaves as multi-vitamin, being the cheapest natural

source of multi-vitamins.

The researcher has also introduced banana powder

as natural super disintegrating agent for the first

time in history and compared its results with one of

the most popular synthetic super disintegrant,

AcDiSol. He also succeeded to preserve maximum

nutrients in Moringa leaves by optimising different

Researcher Invents Herbal-based Orally Disintegrating Tablet

drying treatments. The Scholar

has publications in international

journals and a patent from his PhD

research work.

Dr. Muhammad Azhar did his PhD

in Food Eng inee r ing f rom

University Putra Malaysia (UPM). He started his PhD

in March 2014 under the supervision of Dr. Yus Aniza

Yusof. He completed his doctoral degree in five

semesters, winning a Silver Medal in December

2016.

The National Agriculture Education Accreditation

Council (NAEAC) recently convened its first on-site

visit of second round of external evaluation and

accreditation to Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture

University, Rawalpindi. The objective is to improve

standard and quality of agriculture degree

programmes to make them globally competitive.

Four accreditation inspection committees (AICs) of

subject experts and programme evaluators were

constituted to undertake external peer-review of

the degree programmes of Agronomy, Soil Science,

Accreditation Inspection Committee Visits Arid University

Plant Breeding and Genetics and Entomology to

carry-out the review process.

Dr. Nadeem Akhtar Abbasi, Dean, Faculty of Crop

and Food Sciences, PMAS AAU, Rawalpindi briefed

the members of Committees on the recent

developments in the Faculty of Crop and Food

Sciences prior their visit of the respective

departments for peer review and participatory

SWOT analysis. The Committees in the end had a

wrap-up meeting with Dr. Nadeem Akhtar Abbasi

and shared their findings and observations.

Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied

Sciences (PIEAS) conferred degrees to 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 in ththe 8 Convocation.

thPIEAS Awards 481 Degrees in 8 Convocation

Mr. Muhammad Naeem, Chairman, Pakistan Atomic

Energy Commission (PAEC) and Dr. Nasir Majid

Mirza, Rector PIEAS felicitated the students who

received degrees and distinction during the

convocation. The awardees included 35 PhDs, 284

MS and 162 BS students. The students were

awarded with 10 gold medals, 40 merit certificates

and 28 certificates of appreciation during the

graduating ceremony.

20

The Quality Enhancement Cell of IBA, Karachi

recently organised a seminar on Identification and

Prioritisation of Critical Issues and Challenges in

Promoting the True Quality Culture in Higher

Education Institutions (HEIs) followed by a panel

discussion.

Dr. Mustaghis-ur-Rahman, Head of Management

Sciences Department, Bahria University in his

speech emphasised to have regenerative quality

culture rather than reactive quality culture. He

further explained that quality is a strategic issue

instead a managerial issue. He said that the top

management in HEIs should take quality as a

strategic issue.

Dr. Zaki Rashdi, Director Quality, Learning and

Innovation Associate Dean (Accreditation), Iqra

University, highlighted the relative nature of the

concept of quality. He asserted that the quality

culture is not tangible, but it is something which can

IBA Seminar on Quality Culture in Higher Education Institutions

only be felt and learned while you are exposed to

different quality systems. He said that the quality in

education is always associated with teaching,

learning and its processes so both the teaching and

learning should be the focus for quality.

Dr. Zaki recommended that as critical thinking is

missing in our teaching and learning practice, there

is need to use Socrates’ type of questioning.

Dr. Muhammad Nishat, Associate Dean, Faculty of

Business Administration, IBA and Vice Chairman

Accreditation Council, in his closing remarks,

recommended that the graduate employability

index should be taken as quality index. The seminar

was attended by a large number of QECs, faculty

members and management personnel from

different leading universities of Karachi, Nawabsha,

Sindh and Balochistan. Whereas, universities in

other cities connected the session via HEC video

conferencing and HEC web TV.

Mr. Anthony Dean Tranchina, Cultural Attache, US

Consulate, Karachi recently visited Shah Abdul Latif t hUniversity, (SALU) Khairpur to talk on 70

Anniversary of Pakistani Independence and

Diplomatic Relations with US and Pakistan. He said

that Pakistan and USA are close allies.

Mr. Anthony further appreciated the role of Pakistan

on war against terrorism, “Pakistani Armed Forces

are fighting against terrorism with commitment and

devotion.”

Dr. Noor Ahmed Shaikh, Pro-Vice Chancellor, SALU

in his welcome speech said, US-Pak relations are

historical, time tested and based on mutual trust

and confidence. He further stated that USA has

extensively supported Pakistan for economic uplift,

transfer of technology, education, energy and

capacity building of human resource.

US Cultural Attache Visits Shah Abdul Latif University

Ms. Zahra Hajyani, IRC Assistant, US Consulate,

Karachi briefed about salient features of various

educational programmes offered by USA including

Fulbright Scholarships, short courses and

community college programme under United States

Educational Foundation Programme.

21

National Defense University, Islamabad organised th19 Annual National Security Workshop with an aim

to acquaint the participants about strategising

national security issues.

Mr. Mamnoon Hussain, President Islamic Republic

of Pakistan was the chief guest. Major General

Muhammad Samrez Salik, HI (M), Acting President

NDU dilated on the role of Institute for Strategic

Studies, Research and Analysis (ISSRA) in ensuring

the provision of environment to participants in

desired learning process.

President Mamnoon Hussain congratulated the

participants of workshop on successful completion

of their studies on comprehensive national security

regime. He highlighted that National Security today

th19 Annual National Security Workshop at NDU

has become a very complex and multi-faceted

undertaking. It is no longer the exclusive domain of a

selected few, he added. He maintained that the

effective pursuit of national security requires

developing a s t rategic f ramework which

encompasses all elements of national power.

Selected Senators, MNAs, MPAs, and Legislative

Assemblies of AJK, Senior officers from Armed

Forces and distinguished personnel from various

segments of the society attended the workshop.

Eminent Speakers, Renowned Experts and relevant

Resource Persons shared their views on national

security as guest speakers. The chief guest awarded

certificates to the successful participants of National

Security Workshop.

National Defense University (NDU), Islamabad

recently organised five-day long Students Sports

Week. The aim was to develop true sportsmanship

in the students and strengthen their minds to

promote better time management skills as an

essential part of their professional and personality

development. Students participated in Cricket,

Basket Ball, Football, Table Tennis, Squash and

Badminton.

The sports week was culminated with a prize

distribution ceremony attended by faculty and staff.

Dr. Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema, Dean Faculty of

NDU Organises Students Sports Week

Contemporary Studies awarded shields and

certificates to winners, runners-up, participants and

organisers of the event.

22

National Defense University (NDU), Islamabad

recently organised one-day national seminar on

Paksitan-China Relations beyond CPEC. The seminar

aimed at deliberating Pak-China relations amidst

the phenomenal Chinese vision of One Belt, One

Road (OBOR) and China-Pakistan Economic

Corridor (CPEC).

H.E. Sun Weidong, China’s Ambassador to Pakistan,

Chief Guest of the opening session, emphasised on

the significance of strengthening Pakistan-China

relations amidst the economic activity generated

National Seminar on Pak-China Relations beyond CPEC

through CPEC. While addressing the closing session,

Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed stressed on

importance of learning form developed nations for

re inv igorat ing inst i tut ions of educat ion ,

infrastructure and human resource development in

Pakistan.

Maj. Gen. Samrez Salik, DG Institute for Strategic

Studies, Research and Analysis (ISSRA) thanked the

participants of the sessions and rendered CPEC as a

success story not only for Pakistan but also for the

region and beyond.

Sindh Inter-University Consortium (SIUC), under

Collaboration Programme, recently signed

Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with three

UK universities. The MoUs have three dimensions:

Mapping and Articulation of Curricula, Tuning

Programme and legal status of agreements.

The Collaboration Programme aimed at developing

mutual collaboration for promotion of higher

education and bringing the costs of studies abroad

to the lowest. Mr. Hastings McKenzie, Dean of

Academic Partnerships, University of Northampton,

UK arrived Karachi on a seven-day tour to visit SIUC

member universities.

The SIUC was established by the Government of

Sindh under the Chairmanship of Justice Rtd. Qazi

Khalid Ali, Vice Chancellor, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali

Bhutto University of Law (SZABUL) for promotion of

higher education.

SIUC Collaborates with UK Varsities for Promotion of Higher Education

The IBA University Sukkur, Agriculture University,

Tando Jam, Liaquat Medical University Jamshoro,

Mehran Engineering University, Karachi University,

NED University of Engineering and Technology,

Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Shaheed Zulfiqar

Ali Bhutto University of Law and Dr. Ziauddin

Medical University are founder members of the

Consortium while some other universities of the

province have also applied for the membership.

The In this way many students from middle and

lower classes may translate their dreams of studying

in international foreign universities into reality.

23

Ms. Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau, Consul General of

United States called on Dr. Murtaza Jafri, National

College of Arts Principal.

During her visit she was shown the exception

artwork done by Dr. Ajaz Anwar, renowned water

colour artist. Later, a special screening of the film

‘Lahore’ portraying the work done by John

Lockwood Kipling was organised. She was also

taken to the Department of Film and Television and

briefed on their exchange programme with the

US Consul General in Lahore Visits National College of Arts

University of Texas (UT)-Austin. She met students,

who recently visited UT-Austin for the exchange

programme , who shared their experiences.

Dr. Rahmatullah Qureshi, Associate Professor of

Botany, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture

University, (PMAS AAU) Rawalpindi has recently co-

authored an international book from Springer

Nature entitled, “Plant Responses to Hyperarid

Desert Environments” in collaboration with three

international scientists from Egypt, China and

Mexico.

The book provides a comprehensive account on

plant responses in hyper-arid regions of Egypt,

China, Mexico and Pakistan. The deserts of Pakistan

Scholar Authors Book on Plant Responses on Deserts

are first time highlighted on global level as the book

describes locations of deserts distributed across the

world, physiographic features, vegetation

composition, endangered vegetation species,

human impact and variety of plant types. Studies on

biotic and abiotic interactions, plant biodiversity

and soil-plant relationships are also covered in the

book.

The book includes many colour illustrations, and has

extensive and up-to-date references for further

reading.

University of Education, Lahore recently organised

an International Conference on Education

Management in Lahore. More than 80 research

papers were presented on the application of

research in various aspects of education

management by scholars and professionals in

different sessions of the conference.

Mr. Farrukh Idrees, Manager QEC, FAST-NU

presented a research paper on quality management.

He was awarded by certificate of appreciation by the

Scholar Presents Research Paper on Quality Management in Higher Education

jury for his research on the emerging theme of

quality management in higher education with the

application of structural equation modelling.

The researcher also contributed as a resource

person in a national workshop on six sigma in higher

education, organised by Institute of Business

Management, IoBM University.

More than 30 delegates from over 20 universities

attended the workshop.

24

The Higher Education Commission (HEC), in

collaboration with the Department of Zoology,

Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University (SBBU), Main

Campus, Dir Upper, Sheringal Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

has recently organised three-day International

Capacity Building Training Workshop (ICBTW)

entitled, “Advances in Research, Dissertation and

Paper Writing in Biological Sciences”.

Mr. Badshah Hussain, Vice Chancellor of SBBU was

the chief guest of inaugural ceremony. In his

inaugural speech, he emphasised that teachers,

students, scientists and researchers should focus on

R&D activities. Dr. Farzana Khan Perveen,

Chairperson, Department of Zoology, SBBU

explained aims and objectives of ICBTW.

Dr. Muhammad Azim Khan, Associate Professor,

University of Agriculture, Peshawar presented his

lecture on Scientific and Technical Writing, in which

he said that skill in scientific and technical writing

can be improved by reading and writing scientific

papers. Many words have same pronunciation but

Workshop on Biological Sciences at SBBU Sheringal

different meaning which computers cannot detect

or correct, he added.

The resource persons during the three-day

conference delivered lectures on qualities of good

researchers, errors in use of English in scientific

writing, how to write a synopsis, research and Islam,

ethics and regulation for dissertation examination,

advance research techniques in biological sciences,

anti-plagiarism policy: top priority, how to do

referencing, how to acquire foreign scholarships,

time management and data analysis in biological

sciences.

Mr. Muhammad Ali, Member of Provincial Assembly

(MPA) was the chief guest in the closing ceremony.

In his speech, he said this is the age of science and

technology.

He further said that those nations who are

advancing in science and technology will rule the

world. The secrets of development of a country are

hidden in research, he concluded.

Dr. Muhammad Naveed, Associate Professor,

Faculty of Management Sciences, SZABIST

Islamabad has recently been awarded with Best thPaper Award at 10 European Business Research

Conference held at Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy.

He received this award in recognition of his seminal

research contribution to Pakistan and US Non-

Financial Sector. Dr. Muhammad Naveed has

developed model on Dynamic and Sectorial

Analysis of Firms’ Investment Behaviour: A Case of

US and Pakistani Non-Financial Sector”.

He thanked to HEC for providing him opportunity

of research presentat ion at International

Conference. Keeping in view HEC’s roadmap for

Scholar Wins Laurels in Business Research Conference

creation of a Knowledge Economy, Dr. Naveed

brings into focus the need to shift researchers’

concentration from the impact factor to impact of

research on society to uplift social and economic

development of Pakistan.

25

stPAF-KIET held its 1 2-day International Conference

on Latest Trends in Electrical and Computing

Technologies (INTELLECT 2017) at its Main Campus,

PAF Base Korangi Creek in technical sponsorship of

IEEE Karachi Chapter.

The aim of this conference was to bring together

researchers , sc ient ists , academicians and

representatives of industry to discuss latest

directions of research in engineering technologies.

Dr. Saroush Hashmat Lodi, Vice chancellor, NED

University of Engineering and Technology In his

address emphasised the importance of higher

PAF-KIET Conference on Electrical and Computing Technologies

education and the significance of research and

development. Dr. Bhawani Shankar Chowdhry,

Chairman IEEE Karachi Chapter also addressed the

audience and congratulated PAF-KIET for holding a

successful research conference. Participants form

over 20 universities all across the country

participated in the conference.

Air Vice Marshal Tubrez Asif, President PAF-KIET, in

his welcome address said that such con¬ferences

motivate students to research and polish their skills

in their domain. Dr. Muhammad Amjad Saqib,

Executive Director of Akhuwat was the chief guest in

the closing ceremony.

The School of Media and Mass Communication,

Beaconhouse National University organised a

session on “Right to Information and its Practical

Benefits” to inform students about Punjab

Transparency and Right to Information (RTI) Act.

The Keynote Speaker , Mr . Toby Mendel ,

Executive Director of Centre for Law and

BNU Session on Right to Information ActDemocracy, Canada while emphasising RTI, said

the right to information is a fundamental human

right and the pillar of democracy which cannot be

snatched away from the people at any cost.

“Every country has its own information laws but

this must never be used as an excuse to deny the

public from their basic right to information”, he

concluded.

Dr. Zia-ur-Rahman Mashwani, Assistant Professor of

Botany at Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi,

presented his research paper in the ‘VII I

International Agricultural Symposium (Agrosym

2017) held at Jahorina mountains, Bosnia and

Herzegovina.

Scholar Wins Oral Presentation AwardOver 1300 scholars from 84 countries participated in

this symposium. Dr. Zia was awarded with the Best

Oral Presentation Award for the paper Impact of

S i lver Nanopart ic le on Agronomica l and

Biochemical Profiling of Canola presented during

the session of Plant Production.

26

The Higher Education Commission, (HEC) under its

research project, entitled, National Research

Programme for Universities (NRPU) funded Rs. 3.7

Million for provision of Molecular Genetics

Laboratory in Department of Zoology at Shah Abdul

Latif University, (SALU) Khairpur which was recently

inaugurated by Dr. Parveen Shah, Vice Chancellor of

the university.

While speaking on the occasion, Dr. Parveen Shah

applauded the efforts of HEC for generous support

in the establishment of first-ever genetics

laboratory of Department of Zoology with latest

equipment including PCR thermo cycler, Gel

electrophoresis, pH meter, Digital weight balance,

Water bath, Vortex machine, Centrifuge machines,

Gel documentation system, etc.

Molecular Genetics Laboratory Inaugurated at SALU

Dr. Javed Ahmed Ujjan, Principal Investigator briefed

on the salient features and various applications of

the laboratory including selective DNA isolation,

PCR amplification and qualification of DNA, medical

application, human genome detection, cancer

detection and genetic testing, infectious disease

applications such as HIV, forensic application-

paternity and maternity and DNA finger printing.

The Higher Education Commission, (HEC) Pakistan

in collaboration with the Department of Urdu,

Faculty of Arts and Languages, Shah Abdul Latif

University , (SALU) Khairpur organised an

International Conference on Literature and

Ecological Challenges (Pakistani and International

Perspective). The international conference was

inaugurated by Syed Qaim Ali Shah, former Chief

Minister Sindh at Shah Abdul Latif University,

Khairpur. Dr. Parveen Shah, Vice Chancellor, SALU,

Khairpur presided over the inaugural session.

Speaking on this occasion, Syed Qaim Ali Shah said,

Literature plays a vital role in the building of social

fabric and tolerance. He praised the intellectual and

literary work of Mirza Asad Ullah Khan Ghalib and

Allama Muhammad Iqbal, adding that Sindhi

literature is also very rich.

Dr. Parveen Shah said that literature in the

contemporary age, is a marvelous aspect which

provides awareness about beauty, human dignity

and justice. The Vice Chancellor sustained that life is

no more static due to industrial growth and the

International Conference on Literature and Ecological Challenges at SALU

mankind is facing serious challenges of climate

change and pollution. During her speech, she

announced to plant 2000 sapling of trees as token

of love with the cause of friendly environment at the

university. Many eminent scholars, researchers,

educationists and environment activist spoke on

the occasion and also presented their research

papers on various themes in the Conference.

The concluding session of the conference

comprised musical session and poetic session to

entertain the participants. During the concluding

session, Mr. Syed Waqar Hussain Shah Latifi,

Custodian, Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai was the

chief guest.

Speaking on this occasion, he said that this

University was named after the world renowned

poet and Sufi saint Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai.

He proclaimed that Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai was the

exponent of nature. “He always prefered the soil of

Sindh, had connection with the soil and established

his worship place at Bhitt which means place of

sand”, he added.

27

The Air University (AU), Islamabad recently

organised inauguration session of AirTech’17

conference at its main campus in Islamabad. Air

Chief Marshal Sohail Aman was chief guest of the

inaugural ceremony in which Air Vice Marshal (Rtd.)

Faaiz Amir Vice Chancellor of the university was also

present.

Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, in his keynote

address said that the purpose of education system

must be to introduce latest technologies and

contribute something positive for the betterment of

society as a whole. He affirmed the audience that

Pakistan would be able to send its own astronauts in

space in collaboration with its time tested friend,

China.

Speaking on the occasion, he also urged the

importance of industry-academia cooperation. In

this regard, he asked industry professionals to guide

universities what kind of skills are needed. No doubt,

Pakistani students are talented, intelligent and hard-

working but to achieve success in life goals,

unconditional faith, firm commitment and tireless

struggle are essential, he sustained.

The Air Chief emphasised that most important

segment of an education system must be character

Pakistan to Send Astronauts into Space within Two Years: Air Chief Marshal

building of students. He said that every fellow

human-being deserves respect equally. “Without

practicing good values, there is no purpose of any

kind of success,” he advised, while adding that a role

model leader must have courage to take tough

decisions at the time of crisis.

Air Vice Marshal (Rtd.) Faaiz Amir highlighted the

key aspects of the conference. He said that

AirTech’17 is designed to serve as a platform where a

fair and competitive environment will be provided to

young students to design, build and present

technical solutions and perform innovative tasks in

respective fields by utilising their creative skills

blended with the scientific academic knowledge and

technical capabilities.

The Quality Enhancement Cell of NED University

organised a training programme on Journal

Publication, Patent Writing and Commercialisation

for faculty members and research scholars. The aim

of this training programme was to give awareness to

participants regarding importance of journal

publication, patent writing and how their research

can provide an innovative path towards market.

Dr. Muhammad Masood Rafi, Editor In Chief, Journal

of Research, NED University, Ms. Urooj Fatima,

Patent Officer, IPO Pakistan and Dr. Syed Mahmood

Hasan, Director ORIC, NED University conducted the

training programme. While covering the session of

QEC Training at NED Universityjournal publication, Dr. Masood Rafi discussed the

common pitfalls during publication. He stated that

the process of scientific publication creates a

mindset that is vital for science to progress.

Ms. Urooj Fatima briefed the patent writing session

including procedure of registration process. She

also discussed the problems and their solutions that

can arise during registration. In the end, Dr. Syed

Mahmood Hasan guided the participants regarding

how to restructure research programme for

commercialisation purpose. He also highlighted on

researcher’s role in commercialisation and

commercialisation options during the session.

28