Pages.cdr

August 2011

HEC Devises New Rating for

Private Universities

Foundation Course for Balochistan &

FATA Scholarship Programme Concludes

HEC, Microsoft Join

Hands to Provide

Genuine Software

to Students

HEC, Microsoft Join

Hands to Provide

Genuine Software

to Students 4

3

8

Table of Contents

Graphic Designer

Raja Ahmad Nadeem

Reporter

Waseem Khaliqdad

Editor

Aayesha Ikram

Publisher:

Higher Education

Commission, Pakistan

HEC News & Views is published every month.

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.

7Young Medical

Graduates Meet

Nobel Laureates

in Germany

4HEC, Microsoft

Join Hands to

Provide Genuine

Software to

Students

6HEC, Pink Ribbon

Join Hands

Against Breast

Cancer

9PM Distributes

Certificates

among BZU, IUB

Students

2

3

HEC Places 415 Fresh PhD Scholar in

66 Universities

HEC Devises New Rating for Private

Universities

New Vice Chancellors Take Charge

Foundation Course for Balochistan &

FATA Scholarship Programme

Concludes

HEC Scholar Shahid Farooq Completes

PhD from France

2 HEC Scholars Complete Post-

Doctorate from USA

HEC scholarship has changed my life:

Shaheen Khan

Abdus Salam School of Mathematical

Sciences Recognized Internationally Yet

Again

HEC Trains 249 University Teachers

Architectural Design Idea Competition

at BUITEMS

Student Conference on Engineering,

Sciences & Technology at MUET

SPSS Workshop at JUW Karachi

3

8

10

11

11

13

15

19

20

23

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has

successfully placed 415 Pakistani PhDs as

Assistant Professors at 66 public and private

sector universities across the country. The task

has been accomplished through HECs Interim

Placement of Fresh PhDs (IPFP) Programme.

The specific faculty requirements of the host

institutions and the priority of returning scholars

were duly taken into consideration prior to every

placement so that the services of the PhD scholars

are optimally utilized by HEC. It is important to

mention here that the

programme has also

a t t r a c t e d n o n H E C

scholars. Out of 415, 168

are non HEC scholars

who have benefited from

IPFP programme.

A m o n g t h e n e w

universities brought on

board this year are mostly

young HEIs such as Abdul Wali Khan

University, Mardan, Balochistan University of

Information Technology, Engineering and

Management Sciences, Quetta, Beaconhouse

National University, Lahore, Dawood College of

Engineering and Technology, Karachi, College of

Business Management, Karachi, Karakorum

International University, Gilgit, Dow University

of Health Sciences, Karachi, Hazara University,

Mansehra, Khyber Medical University,

Peshawar, Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore,

Mirpur University of Science and Technology,

AJK, National Institute of Biotechnology and

Genetics Engineering, Faisalabad, Riphah

International University, Islamabad, Sindh

Agriculture University, Tando Jam, Sarhad

University of Information Technology,

Peshawar, University of Gujrat, University of

Science and Technology, Bannu and University

of Wah.

The placed scholars belong to diversified fields

like Solid State Physics, Poultry and Animal

Nutrition, Fisheries, Intelligent Systems and

Robotics, Geophysics, Rural Developments,

Pathology, Toxicology, Water Resource

Engineering, Environmental Science, Business

Administration, Anatomy, Genetics, MEMS,

Anthropology, Psychology, Veterinary Science,

Urban Planning, Electrical and Mechanical

Engineering, Biomedical Textiles, International

Relations, Gender Issues, Islamic Studies,

Education and other Physical Sciences.

The scholars have been

initially employed for a

period of one year on a

salary package of Rs.

80,000 per month.

HEC also offers these

s c h o l a r s a s t a r t u p

research grant of Rs. 0.5

mil l ion immediately

upon joining the host institution. This serves as

an impetus for the scholars to excel in their fields

and secure permanent positions ahead.

During the IPFP contract period, these scholars

are given an opportunity to compete for regular

posts advertised by the universities for securing a

permanent position on open merit through

normal selection process. So far, 179 Assistant

Professors have also been provided with the

startup research grant out of a total 231 who had

applied for this grant.

While HEC is consistently determined to provide

opportunities to the aspiring talented scholars to

pursue higher degrees, it is also accelerating the

IPFP programme for placement of these scholars

to overcome skilled faculty shortage at academic

and research institutions of the country.

HEC Places 415 Fresh PhD Scholars

in 66 Universities

Interim Placement of Fresh PhDs Programme

Commission Events

2

The scholars have been initially

employed for a period of one year

on a salary package of Rs. 80,000

per month. HEC also offers these

scholars a startup research grant of

Rs. 0.5 million immediately upon

joining the host institution

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has

devised new rating for private sector

universities by which all categories X, Y and Z

will cease to exist and degrees awarded by

universities/degree awarding institutions

(DAIs) holding such categories will not be

recognized by the HEC.

W category will now be the minimum baseline

requirement for a university/DAI to be

allowed to admit students and award degrees.

W category is not the highest ranking as

advertised by most universities rather it is the

minimum criteria required of them to admit

students and award degrees.

In an enhanced effort to provide better

educational facilities to students, HEC has

now devised and improved the criteria in

which those universities/DAIs meeting the

minimum HEC requirement will be awarded a

W-1 category while those with far superior

HEC Devises New Rating for Private Universities

W Category is Minimum Baseline

a c a d e m i c , f i n a n c i a l a n d p h y s i c a l

infrastructure will be awarded a W-4 category,

which is now the highest rating.

The revised rating of such universities will be

disseminated through print and media by

October 2011.

As per HEC approved cri teria , the

universities/DAIs were required to meet a

certain minimum criteria for award of W

category by June 30, 2010.

The institutions not meeting the requirements,

and based on inspection of HEC prior to June

30, 2010 were placed in X, Y and Z categories.

The universities not meeting the W criteria

have been asked not to offer admissions in Fall

2011, and a list of all universities with

minimum W criteria and their approved

campuses are placed on HEC website.

Dr. Khaleeq-ur-Rehman Dr. Samina Amin QadirDr. Faiz-ul Hassan Engr. Naib Hussain

New Vice Chancellors Take Charge

Commission Events

Prof. Dr. M. Khaleeq-ur-Rehman, Prof. Dr. Faiz-ul Hassan, Prof. Dr. Samina Amin Qadir and Prof. Engr.

Naib Hussain and Prof. Dr. Sabiha Mansoor have assumed responsibilities as Vice Chancellors of the

Government College University, Lahore, University of Education, Lahore, Fatima Jinnah Women

University, Rawalpindi, Mirpur University of Science and Technology and Lahore College for Women

University, respectively.

Dr. Sabiha Mansoor

3

HEC, Microsoft Join Hands to Provide Genuine

Software to Students The Higher Education Commission (HEC) in

collaboration with the Microsoft Pakistan has

launched Nat iona l S tudent Sof tware

Accessibility (NSSA) Portal to provide genuine

software availability to higher education sector.

The service will streamline software distribution

to all faculty members and students of public

sector universities in the country.

All public sector universities

recognized by HEC have been

provided a customizable Portal

f o r l i c e n s e d s o f t w a r e

d i s t r i b u t i o n . T h e p o r t a l

consisting of around 150 software

applications will enable over one

million students and about 40,000

faculty members to download

genuine Microsoft software.

The event to mark the launch of

the portal as recently held at HEC

Secretariat was attended by the Vice Chancellors,

Rectors, Directors, and representatives from

different universities of the country.

Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, Minister for

Professional and Technical Training was the

chief guest on the occasion. He appreciated the

initiative of HEC for collaborating with Microsoft

for availability of free latest software to the

students and faculty members. It will definitely

enhance the capacity of our higher education

institutions and will be of great help to compete

in the modern world. Youth is our real asset and

we need to facilitate them as much as possible.

Revolutionary changes may be brought through

investing in our people. I am happy that HEC has

taken many initiatives in this regard, he said.

D r . J a v a i d R . L a g h a r i ,

Chairperson HEC said that this is

a g r e a t o p p o r t u n i t y f o r

universities to gain access to a

broad spectrum of technology

and enable the country to move

towards a knowledge-based

economy, ultimately benefiting

t h e c o u n t r y t h r o u g h

socioeconomic development.

I apprec ia te Microsof t ' s

commitment for development of

the education sector in Pakistan. It is always

fruitful for public sector and private enterprise to

combine expertise, knowledge and resources to

ensure successful and sustainable education

transformation. Microsoft has facilitated HEC to

attain its goals by transforming education,

fostering local innovation and creating jobs and

opportunities through the Strategic Education

Alliance, the Chairperson said.

Commission Events

4

Commission Events

Dr. Qaisar Mahmood of Department of

Environmental Sciences, COMSATS Institute of

Information Technology, Abbottabad has been

conferred Tamgha-i-Imtiaz by the President of

Pakistan. Dr. Mahmood, who completed his PhD

under HEC's Scholarships for Basic Sciences in

China, has been given the prestigious award for

excellence in the field of Environmental Sciences.

Dr. Mahmood has 15 years of national and

international academic and research experience

in Life Sciences and Environmental Sciences in

application of living process biochemistry for the

Sahib Gul Afridi, HEC Indigenous Scholar has

been awarded Gold Medal during the recently th

held 5 convocation of Hazara University,

Mansehra. Barrister Masood Kausar, Governor,

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa graced the occasion as

chief guest. Qazi Muhammad Asad, Provincial

HEC Scholar Dr. Qaisar Mahmood

Conferred Tamgha-i-Imtiazenvironmental remediation of

toxic metals, dyes, inorganic

and organic pollutants.

He has special experience in

phytoremediation of toxic

metals, dyes and anaerobic treatment of domestic

and industrial wastewaters through processes

like denitrification, Anammox and related

nitrogen removal biotechnologies. Moreover, he

has supervised two PhD, 20 MPhil and 15 MSc

students. He was awarded Best University

Teacher Award by HEC for 2009.

Minister for Higher Education was also present.

Dr. Sahib Gul Afridi belongs to Khyber Agency

and has the honour of being first PhD from the

University in Genetics. His PhD research topic

was Molecular and Phytochemical Elaboration

of Tea Genotypes Grown in Pakistan. He has

completed his studies under the supervision of

Prof. Dr. Habib Ahmed.

Dr. Syed Sakhawat Shah, Vice Chancellor,

Hazara University not only greeted Dr. Gul for

securing gold medal but also appreciated the

efforts of Higher Education Commission

regarding human resource development. I am

thankful to HEC for supporting me throughout

my PhD studies, said Dr. Gul.

HEC Indigenous Scholar Wins Gold Medal

Mr. Shoaib Khalid, Marketing Lead, Microsoft

Pakistan said Microsoft believes that Information

and Communications Technology, combined

with education, provides the path to individuals,

communities and nations to achieve their

potential.

NSSA provides support for a comprehensive

joint public/private implementation plan that

will sustain Pakistan's objective of achieving

education excellence, he said.

Last year, Microsoft and HEC entered into the

agreement to provide centralized IT services to

the universities and degree awarding institutions

across Pakistan while maintaining the highest

standards in the use of ICT across higher

education sector in the country. The alliance

consists of Faculty Connection, Microsoft

Student Partner Programme, Imagine Cup,

Course Lab Integration, Student to Business

Interaction (S2B), .NET clubs and MSDN

Academic Alliance.

5

HEC, Pink Ribbon Join Hands Against Breast Cancer

Farzana Bari and Ms. Noor Amna

Malik, Director General Learning

Innovation HEC.

HEC also plans to begin a

r e s e a r c h p r o j e c t o n t h e

prevalence of breast cancer in

Pakistan by taking on board all

major medical universities of

the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Mrs.

Thomson said that we are looking

for established institutions to work

with that's why we have chosen HEC

for this purpose. We want to

institutionalize this effort and

m a k e i t l o n g - t e r m a n d

sustainable.

Dr. Laghari said that HEC

has a lready run a

s u c c e s s f u l

p r o g r a m m e o n

tobacco control. He

n o m i n a t e d D r .

Samina Amina Qadir

to head the task force for

launching pink ribbon

campaign throughout the

higher education sector. Every

university will be asked to

nominate a focal point for

coordination, he said.

Dr. Naqvi suggested

formation of a Breast

C a n c e r R e s e a r c h

Working Group. He

said that HEC can also

set aside funds from

o u r r e s e a r c h

programme. Our

medical universities

h a v e t h e h u m a n

resource and facilities

to work on it.

Pakistan has the highest rate of Breast

Cancer in the whole of Asia while

prevalence of Breast Cancer is at the

highest 38 per cent among all

cancer.

I n o r d e r t o l a u n c h a

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

campaign the Higher Education

Commission will join hands with

Pink Ribbon Pakistan to bring

about creating awareness of the

deadly disease as well as help early

detection among female students of

universities.

The HEC will soon sign a

m e m o r a n d u m o f

understanding with Pink

Ribbon and set up a task

force. Pink Ribbon is a

g l o b a l c h a r i t y

organization aimed

to create global

c o m m u n i t y t o

support breat cancer

awareness.

This was decided in a

m e e t i n g h e l d a t H E C

Secretariat between Dr. Javaid

R. Laghari, Chairman HEC and

Mrs. Fariba Shiraz Thomson,

C h a i r p e r s o n P i n k

Ribbon, Dr. Sohail

N a q v i , E x e c u t i v e

Director HEC, Omer

A f t a b , C o u n t r y

C o o r d i n a t o r P i n k

Ribbon, Dr. Samina

Amin Qadir, Vice

Chancellor, Fatima

J i n n a h W o m e n

U n i v e r s i t y , D r .

Mohammad Lat i f ,

D i r e c t o r G e n e r a l ,

R & D , H E C , D r .

Commission Events

6

F i v e P a k i s t a n i m e d i c a l

graduates participated in the st

recently held 61 meeting of

Nobel Laureates in Lindau,

G e r m a n y . T h e m e e t i n g

provided an opportunity to

these scholars to interact with

2 3 N o b e l L a u r e a t e s i n

Medicine/Physiology and

about 570 young scholars form

78 countries.

The participation of Mr. Bill

Gates, Chairman, Microsoft

made the inaugural session a

mega event. New initiatives

like Science Breakfast of

selected students with the

Laureates, Cruise Dinner and

Bavarian Grill and Chill

gathering fascinated all

participants of this unique

activity in the world.

The five Pakistani scholars

included Dr. Ehsan Ullah,

University of Health Sciences,

Lahore, Dr. Kanwal Zulfiqar,

Islamic International Dental

C o l l e g e a n d H o s p i t a l ,

Islamabad, Dr. Maryam Alam

Khan, Khyber Teaching

Hospital, Peshawar, Dr. Syed

Imran Ali Shah, Central Park

Medical College, Lahore, and

Dr. Wafa Omer, Army Medical

College, Rawalpindi.

Dr. Mutawarra Hussain, Dean,

Faculty of Applied Sciences,

P a k i s t a n I n s t i t u t e o f

Engineering and Applied

Sciences (PIEAS) and Mr.

Waqar Ahmad Butt, Chief

Young Medical Graduates Meet

Nobel Laureates in Germany

Pakistani participants with Nobel Laureates Prof. Ei-ichi Negishi

S c i e n t i s t , P I N S T E C H

accompanied the group as

T e a m L e a d e r a n d

Coordinator, respectively.

Countess Battina Bernadotte,

President of the Council

opened the Meeting and

w e l c o m e d t h e N o b e l

Laureates as well as young

researchers. The scientific

programme started on June 27,

2011. Formal lectures of

Laureates were held in the

morning session followed by a

few panel discussions each

consisting of 56 Laureates.

The afternoons were devoted

to question / answer session

and face-to-face discussion

among the Laureates and

young scholars.

P a k i s t a n i s t u d e n t s

participated actively in all the

scientific programmes and

personal discussions with

Nobel Prize Winners about

their scientific endeavours.

They were introduced to many

Laureates as well as the

Council Members and sought

guidance from the Laureates

about their research projects as

well as opportunities for

higher studies in advance

Institutions/Medical Centres.

After the meeting in Lindau,

the scholars visited medical

research centres/hospitals,

including Ulm University/

hospital, Medical Centre of

Heidelberg and Jena School of

Medicine in Eastern Germany.

In Heidelberg and Jena, the

placements of Pakistani

students at these places for

h i g h e r s t u d i e s a n d

possibilities of collaborative

research were offered in

highly sophisticated state-of-

the-art laboratories.

Dr. Maryum Alam was

selected to prepare a video

about the culture and science

in Pakistan. This video

'Peshawar to Lindau' and an

interview of Dr. N. M. Butt

Commission Events

7

The closing ceremony of the

foundation course 2011 was

recently held at University

Law College, Quetta. The

course was organized by HEC

u n d e r i t s p r o g r a m m e

P r o v i s i o n o f H i g h e r

Education Opportunities for

Students of Balochistan and

FATA in collaboration with

the Balochistan Study Centre,

University of Balochistan,

Quetta.

The chief guest of the

ceremony was Dr. Ruqayya

Hashmi, Provincial Minister

f o r I n t e r P r o v i n c i a l

Coordination but due to

s u d d e n l a w a n d o r d e r

situation in the city she could

not attend the ceremony.

Mr. Zahoor Bazai, Director

F T D C , U n i v e r s i t y o f

Balochistan welcomed the

guests and briefly presented

the concept of organizing

foundation course and steps

taken for its execution.

Dr. Sabir Baloch, Director,

Balochistan Study Centre

appreciated the efforts of HEC

in higher education sector

particularly in Balochistan and

suggested that such courses

should be held on a regular

basis to uplift the education

standards in the region.

Mr. Habibulah Nasir, Deputy

Director, HEC Regional

Centre Quetta gave an

overview of different projects

initiated by HEC especially for

Balochistan, which also

include establishments of two

new universities. He briefed

the audience about the

Commission's efforts for

e s t a b l i s h m e n t o f

infrastructure as well as

faculty development of the

universities of Balochistan.

Mr. Waqas Ahmed Chaudhry,

Project Director, HEC assured

that HEC is taking tangible

measures to upl i f t the

standard of higher education

in the province. He said that

there is no deficit of talent in

students of Balochistan but

due to lack of opportunities

they could not come forward.

With the help of such courses

and specific scholarship

p r o g r a m m e s , t h e y w i l l

definitely come at par with

s t u d e n t s o f t h e o t h e r s

provinces.

He informed the gathering

that HEC has successfully

launched three batches of the

project and 750 scholarships

w e r e a w a r d e d t o t h e

u n d e r g r a d u a t e a n d

postgraduate students of

Balochistan during 2008-10.

He sa id that HEC has

submitted proposal to the

Planning Commission for 600

l o c a l a n d f o r e i g n P h D

scholarships under the Aghaz-

e - H a q o o q - e - B a l o c h i s t a n

Package.

He also explained the selection

process for the scholarship

pro ject for s tudents of

Balochistan and FATA. He

informed the students that

HEC is providing majority of

scholarship (90%) to the

students who have studied in

the colleges of Balochistan and

prepare merit list on district

population basis.

Foundation Course for Balochistan & FATA Scholarship

Programme Concludes

describing the merit based selection of Pakistanis

has been put on the You Tube of the Lindau

Meeting organizers.

Prof. Wolfgang Schuere, Chairman, Lindau

Nobel Prize Winners' Meeting Foundation, who

is also Vice President of the Lindau Council,

specially mentioned that representation from

Pakistan was very good. It is important to note

that links established with Nobel Laureates and

fellow participants from other countries will go a

long way for scientific collaborations.

Commission Events

8

Prime Minister Syed Yousaf

Raza Gilani recently awarded

medals and certificates to

students of the Islamia

University, Bahawalpur (IUB)

and Bahauddin Zakariya

University (BZU), Multan

during his visit to Bahawalpur.

The ceremony was organized

by Pakistan Software Export

Board (PSEB), a Government

body mandated to promote

Pakistan's IT industry in local

and international markets, for

PM Distributes Certificates among BZU, IUB Students

the students of both the

universities who completed

internships under a special

training programme.

In his address, the Prime

Minister said that youth is the

future of Pakistan and

country's fate is associated

with their performance, who

constitutes 65 per cent of the

total population. He said that

an IT university will be set up

in Bahawalpur very soon with

s u b c a m p u s e s i n

Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar

Khan. He congratulated 30

students of IUB and BZU who

had completed the training

and hoped that they would

promote the education of

information technology.

The Prime Minister advised

the Ministry of Information

Technology to launch similar

programmes with a vision to

provide opportunity to the

students of backward and far

flung areas on priority basis.

Federal Ministers Dr. Firdaus

Ashiq Awan and Mian Riaz

H u s s a i n P i r z a d a , M r .

Muhammad Saeed Khan,

F e d e r a l S e c r e t a r y f o r

Information Technology, Mr.

Zia Imran, Managing Director,

Pakistan Software Export

Board, Mr. Christiane Albek,

Chief Executive Officer,

Telenor and Dr. Muhammad

Mukhtar, Vice Chancellor, IUB

were also present on the

occasion.

A Pakistani scholar Shujaul Mulk Khan

presented his poster entitled Life on the Edge:

balancing the needs of nature and people in the th

remote north-western Himalaya at the 7

Festival of Postgraduate Research 2011 at the

University of Leicester, UK.

The University organizes Postgraduate Festival

every year to give an opportunity to the scholars

to present the application and implication of their

research work. The seventh successive year the

University held a one-day exhibition of

postgraduate research in June 2011.

th

7 Festival of Postgraduate Research 2011

Pakistani Scholar Presents Poster at University of LeicesterThe work of Shuja, who is doing

PhD at University of Leicester

u n d e r t h e P o s t Q u a k e

Development Plan of Hazara

U n i v e r s i t y , w a s h i g h l y

appreciated. He is working on

Plant Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services of

Naran Valley Pakistan. He is using the very

recent techniques to quantify and classify the

natural vegetation and to assess the services

related to it. He believes that his work will be a

considerable contribution in the field of

biodiversity and conservation.

Commission Events

9

HEC scholar Muhammad Shahid Farooq has recently

completed his PhD in Educational Science from Universit

Lumire Lyon2, France under the supervision of Prof. Jean-

Claude Rgnier. He was awarded scholarship under Overseas

Scholarship for PhD in Selected Fields in 2008.

After undertaking an intensive French language course at

CAVILAM (Centre d'Approches Vivantes des Languages et des

Medias) Vichy, France, he got admission in MS (Educational

Science) at Universit Lumire Lyon2, France. But on the basis of

his academic background, outstanding performance and

good level of understanding his Professor recommended that

he should be promoted directly to PhD. The doctoral school

arranged a special meeting and he was promoted to PhD after

two months of admission in MS. He received his PhD in June

this year with Highly Honorable Grade.

His research entitled "University Students' Cognitive Styles,

Learning Styles and Academic Performance: Evidence from

Pakistan" was evaluated by Professors from USA and

Germany. The potential and significance of the research topic,

quality of work and the approaches adopted by Dr.

Muhammad Shahid Farooq for data analysis and

interpretations were very much appreciated by the jury.

The research of Dr. Shahid, who is also a Gold Medalist of

University of the Punjab in Master of Education, will be

beneficial for the higher education learners, educators,

teacher educators, curriculum developers and is a new

addition in the existing body of knowledge.

During his study, he participated in an American research

competition and won a research grant of about 1000 dollars in

the form of a Learning Style Inventory. He also participated

and presented papers in four international conferences in UK,

Belgium, Slovenia and France, besides participating in a

Dr. Shahid Farooq (R) with his

superviser Prof. Jean Claude Regnier

HEC Scholar Shahid Farooq

Completes PhD from France

number of seminars in France. Dr.

Shahid published eight research

papers in journals of national and

international repute.

The experience of education from

France was a blessing in disguise.

Although it was very difficult to

cope with the French language

requirements, it also provided me

opportunity to learn an international

language. It was a good chance for

me to consult the research work

compiled in French language that is

rare available in other countries. The

exposure to the French culture,

language and contacts with the

people of France and other

international community helped a

lot in my personal and professional

grooming, says Dr. Shahid while

offering special gratitude to the

Higher Education Commission for

selection on merit, continuous care

and support in this endeavour.

He is expected to come back in

September and resume duties in his

parent organization, University of

the Punjab, Lahore.

Commission Events

The Bioinformatics Group at Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB) has published a paper

entitled "The Development of Computational Biology in Pakistan: Still a Long Way to Go" in PLOS

Computational Biology, one of the leading journals in Bioinformatics having impact factor 5.7. The

article is about the current situation of Bioinformatics in Pakistan. The authors have suggested many

things for developing Bioinformatics in the country. It may be accessed through

http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1001135

News Flash

10

instant messaging, social

networking sites, mashups,

podcasts, vodcasts, wikis,

photo sharing, presentation

sharing, virtual worlds,

customized webpages and

vertical search engines have

helped libraries to involve

their users in service delivery.

The research found that there

was a significant positive

correlation between the extent

of Web 2.0 adoption in

libraries and librarians

o p i n i o n a b o u t t h e i r

a d v a n t a g e s , s a y s D r .

Mahmood.

He has re-joined his parent

organization where he intends

to incorporate his learning

a b o u t N o r t h A m e r i c a n

a c a d e m i c c u l t u r e i n

curriculum design, classroom

t e a c h i n g , s t u d e n t

management and conducting

and supervising research.

Dr. Bukhari completed his

research in the field of

B io logica l and Medica l

Sciences. The topic of his Post

Doctorate research was

Pharmacological Studies on

novel hybrid Compounds

with a nitric oxide donor. Dr.

W i l l i a m B C a m p b e l l

supervised his research.

Dr. Bukhari has developed

new compounds that are

i m p o r t a n t t o h i s

understanding of the causes of

hypertension and ischemic

heart disease and provide

insights into new therapies.

Ongoing investigations of

eicosanoid metabolites in the

laboratory have led to the

discovery of novel therapeutic

targets for cardiovascular

diseases.

2 HEC Scholars Complete

Post-Doctorate from USA

Dr. Khalid Mahmood with his research

supervisor Dr. John Richardson

HEC scholars Dr. Khalid

Mahmood and Dr. Ishfaq Ali

Bukhari have successfully

c o m p l e t e d t h e i r p o s t -

doctorate studies from the

University of California, Los

Angeles and The Medical

College of Wisconsin, USA,

respectively.

Dr. Mahmood, who is a

Professor of Library and

Information Sciences at

University of the Punjab,

Lahore surveyed US academic

librarians and library websites

to study the impact of Web 2.0

t e c h n o l o g i e s . D r . J o h n

Richardson supervised his

research.

In my research, I have found

that Web 2.0 technologies have

played a significant role in

delivering library services to

their users particularly beyond

library walls. Web 2.0 tools like

blogs, micro blogs, RSS,

HEC Scholar Ms. Shaheen Khan is a doctoral

researcher at University of Warwick currently

pursuing 3rd year PhD study in Women and

Gender Studies. During her study, she published

five international papers, presented her work in

three international conferences (Sweden, Nepal

and Pakistan) including as panel expert and

received award for highly commended research

poster by the Vice Chancellor of the Warwick

University, UK.

She also organized South Asia Women and

Water Exhibition at University of Warwick. She

HEC scholarship has changed my life: Shaheen Khanis among few of the outstanding

young Pakistani women scholars

whose profile is published in a

book on Women Managing

Water: Inspiring Stories from

South Asia- 2010 by SacciWaters

India.

Shaheen thinks that PhD scholarship by the

Higher Education Commission has been a life

changing experience, which has opened the

doors of opportunities and advanced learning for

her.

Commission Events

11

The young scientists of the National University of

Science and Technology (NUST), Islamabad have

developed Blast Protection Material having

capacity to absorb shock and can be applied upon

existing construction.

The material when used on existing structures

will be able to protect these and the inmates from

explosion, blast and seismic activity or

earthquakes. During the research Intelligent

viscoelastic composites based on segmented

nano-polymer technology were developed and

tested for Seismic and blast protection.

The blast protection material protects the inmates

from the aftermath of a nearby explosion. It can

be gainfully used on all types of construction sites

both civil and defense platforms, including

sensitive installations and buildings. It is a potent

safeguard against any seismic activity, or

earthquake. The material being tough, resilient

and flexible, allows only minor deflection,

thereby absorbing the shock effectively. The

structure remains intact mitigating the

possibility of injury, or death to the inmates.

The polymer system and the defining material

properties such as impact Strength, Tensile

Modulus, Elongation, Dynamic Mechanical

Properties (Storage Modulus, Loss Modulus and

Loss Tangent), Tear Strength were evaluated.

The material development was assisted by

computer simulations using autodyne that helps

to optimize far-field and structural parameters.

Initial field trials were conducted to prove the

practical viability of the blast protection material,

namely, (a) the DROP TEST and (b) the BLAST

TEST. These tests basically determine the

mechanical shock-induced response of the

retrofitted material. Initial tests conducted with

extremely encouraging results.

The material will benefit the Security agencies

including Defense Forces and Civil Installations

situated in whole of the country.

The Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi has

completed an HEC sponsored research project on

commercial viability of hydroponic vegetable

production and its marketing at international

level. The research project has been completed by

faculty members and students of the University,

which is now capable of exporting about one ton

of high quality off season vegetables to Middle

East on daily basis.

This ongoing activity is generating valuable

foreign exchange through export promotion for

the already foreign exchange deficit country.

Major products include tomato on vine, cherry

tomato and coloured bell pepper (orange, yellow

and red).

Previously, Pakistan was importing beef tomato,

coloured bell pepper and cherry tomato from

international market. With the success of this

project, the University is now able to substitute

these imports saving valuable foreign exchange

for the country. These products are also available

in Pakistan in major cities on superstores.

The University is also conducting research on

production of different vegetables under the

same hydroponics system including tomato on

vine, beef tomato, cherry tomato, strawberry

tomato, cucumber, bitter gourd, egg plant and

white onion. This hydroponics system ensures

disease and pesticide free vegetables in the

country. These products are recognized for their

taste, shape, colour and quality.

Arid University Produces

Off Season Vegetables

HEC Sponsored ProjectYoung Scientists

of NUST Develop

Blast Protection Material

Commission Events

12

The Abdus Salam School of

M a t h e m a t i c a l S c i e n c e s

( A S S M S ) , G o v e r n m e n t

College University, Lahore has

r e c e i v e d t w o m o r e

recognitions from famous

world organizations.

First, European Mathematical

Society (EMS) has announced

a number of a t t rac t ive

scholarships for the foreign

students to study at ASSMS.

EMS is one of the world's most

prestigious societies. Award of

such scholarships for students

from other countries to study

at ASSMS is definitely an open

recognition of the fact that

EMS considers the ASSMS a

world-class institution for

a d v a n c e d s t u d i e s a n d

research.

EMS awards scholarships to

most talented students from

all over the world for study at

different centres of excellence

around the globe. ASSMS is

the first Pakistani institution to

be recognized at this level.

Surprising fact is that India has

Abdus Salam School of Mathematical Sciences

Recognized Internationally Yet Again no research centre recognized

at this level yet.

Second, UNESCO ICTP in

collaboration with world-

famous Centre International

de Mathmatiques Pures et

Appliques (CIMPA), choose

only two centres of advanced

studies every year from all

over the world to fund the

advanced level workshops.

ASSMS is one of the two

chosen centres this year. The

resource persons and main

speakers at this workshop will

be the ASSMS faculty.

UNESCO, ICTP and CIMPA

wil l be invi t ing young

researchers from all over the

world for learning from the

faculty of the ASSMS. All

expenses of the foreign

delegates coming to ASSMS

will be paid by UNESCO,

CIMPA and ICTP. The

selection of ASSMS by the

world-class organizations, for

carrying out high level

research workshops to train

the international scientific

community is a recognition at

the highest forum.

It is the success of its course

w o r k a n d r e s e a r c h

programme that has brought

the international recognition

to ASSMS. The School is

mainly supported by the

H i g h e r E d u c a t i o n

Commission (HEC). Its main

a c h i e v e m e n t i s t h e

establishment of a versatile

and strong PhD programme.

The School started in late 2003

and produced its first PhD

graduates in 2007. Since then,

63 young scientists have

received their PhD degrees at

ASSMS and this has doubled

t h e e x i s t i n g t a l l y o f

University's Math faculty at

doctoral level in Pakistan.

HEC's Foreign Faculty Hiring

Programme (FFHP) is surely

one of the key factors for the

rapid growth and success of

this Pakistani institution for

a d v a n c e d s t u d i e s a n d

research.

Mr. Walayat Hussain, Assistant Professor,

Department of Computer Science, Balochistan

University of Information Technology,

Engineering and Management Science

(BUITEMS), Quetta has published seven

international research papers during the last

year.

Hussain did his BS (Hons) from Hamdard

University, Karachi, MS from BUITEMS and one-

News Flashyear Postgraduate Diploma from

Asian Institute of Technology

(AIT), Thailand.

I am very thankful to HEC for developing

research capacity through scholarship under

the Faculty Development Programme for one

year Diploma at Thailand because of which I

was able to publish all these papers, says

Hussain.

Commission Events

13

HEC Workshop on

Research Methods in Psychology

abstracting, peer-reviewing and publication

process involved in their respective journals.

Leading academicians were invited to offer their

expertise as resource persons.

The participants lauded contributory role of HEC

in setting-up guidelines and criteria which

substantially improved quality of research. They

thanked HEC for delivering a presentation on

HEC criteria for recognition, publication and

funding of a research journal.

The Council is planning to conduct similar

workshops for Editors of research journals of

other subjects falling under Social Sciences, Art,

Humanities and Business Education.

Workshop for Editors of

Islamic Studies and Arabic Journals

The Learning Innovation Division, Higher Education Commission

(HEC) organized a workshop on importance and application of

Research Methods in Psychology at Bara Gali in collaboration with

Islamia College University, Peshawar.

As many as 30 participants attended the six-day workshop.

Renowned resource persons in the field of Psychology were invited

for this workshop.

The training covered different topics, including Research: Need,

Significance and Types of Research; Hypothesis Formulation and

Testing; Projective tests used in Clinical Research; Descriptive and

Inferential Statistics; Presentations of Research Findings and How

to Find a Referred Journal; Preparation of Proposal for Research

Project; SPSS and Data Entry into SPSS.

Dr. Haider Shah Jadoon, Vice

Chancellor, Islamia College

University was the chief guest

in the closing ceremony.

Dr. Johar Ali , Director,

Institute of Social Work,

Sociology, Gender Studies and

P r e s i d e n t , P e s h a w a r

U n i v e r s i t y T e a c h i n g

Association (PUTA), Dr.

Madiha Asghar, Chairperson,

Psychology Department and

D i r e c t o r , Q u a l i t y

Enhancement Cell, Islamia

College University, Dr. Sareer

B a d s h a h , C h a i r m a n ,

Department of Statistics,

Islamia College University

were also present on the

occasion.

Speakers praised the efforts

and initiatives taken by HEC

for development of the higher

education sector. The chief

guest distributed certificates

among successful participants.

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research

Council of Pakistan (SSHRCP), Higher

Education Commission organized a three-day

workshop for Editors of Journals of Islamic

Studies and Arabic journals at Bara Gali Camp,

University of Peshawar. The workshop was

aimed at enhancing the quality of research

journals, making the editing process more

contemporary and at par with international

standards, discussing modern research

methodologies in editing, introducing emerging

trends in editing, building an interaction among

editors and promoting code of ethics.

The participants highlighted issues and

challenges faced by them relating to indexing,

Commission Events

14

The Learning Innovation

Div is ion (LID) , Higher

Education Commission (HEC)

has successfully trained 249

university teachers under its

Continuous Professional

D e v e l o p m e n t ( C P D )

programme through a series of

10 workshops held over five

weeks during July-August,

2011.

LID engaged a visit ing

Pakistani Canadian Academic

Mr. Ahmad Salman PMP,

f rom the Univers i ty of

Victoria, Canada to design and

deliver two remarkably

i n n o v a t i v e f a c u l t y

development programmes.

The programmes addressed

C a s e B a s e d T e a c h i n g

M e t h o d o l o g y a n d

Understanding the Adult

Learner.

Both the programmes started

on July 6 in Islamabad.

Thereafter the programme

was taken to Lahore, Karachi,

Quetta and Peshawar.

University teachers with

background of Management

Sciences, Social Sciences, Life

Sciences, Biological Sciences,

Medical Sciences, General

Sciences and Engineering

disciplines from different

public and private sector

universities attended the

sessions.

The purpose of the two day

workshop on Case Based

Continuous Professional Development Programme

HEC Trains 249 University Teachers

Teaching was to introduce

the highly acclaimed Harvard

C a s e M e t h o d t e a c h i n g

technique to a variety of

teaching faculty members

from multiple disciplines to

enhance the qual i ty of

t e a c h i n g a t v a r i o u s

institutions of higher learning.

S i m i l a r l y t h e t w o - d a y

workshop on Understanding

the Adult Learner was

designed to equip the faculty

members with the skills they

need in order to design and

deliver courses towards

m a k i n g l e a r n i n g

e n v i r o n m e n t s m o r e

meaningful and conducive.

The overarching theme of the

workshops was to give the

teachers more control over the

contents and process of

teaching through a design than

would engage students in a

highly effective manner.

It may be mentioned here that

faculty development is one of

the key pillars of Higher

E d u c a t i o n C o m m i s s i o n

strategic vision and an

important component of the

Medium Term Development

Framework (MTDF) (2010-15).

Quality of education is highly

dependent on quality of

teachers and educat ion

managers. In the absence of a

formal pre-service mechanism

for the professional training of

H E a c a d e m i c s a n d

management it was highly

imperative to fill up the gap

through in-service academic

orientation and certification.

Commission Events

15

The University of Agriculture,

F a i s a l a b a d ( U A F ) w a s

established in 1961 by upgrading

the former Punjab Agricultural

College and Research Institute,

whose foundation stone was laid

in 1906.

The University has six faculties

including Faculty of Agriculture,

F a c u l t y o f A g r i c u l t u r a l

Economics and Rural Sociology,

F a c u l t y o f A g r i c u l t u r a l

Engineering and Technology,

Faculty of Veterinary Sciences,

Faculty of Animal Husbandry and

Faculty of Sciences and a

Division of Education and

Extension. Besides, there are five

institutes namely Institute of

Horticultural Sciences, National

University of Agriculture, Faisalabad A Profile

Institute of Food Science and

Technology, Institute of Soil and

Environmental Sciences, Institute

of Animal Nutrition and Feed

Te c h n o l o g y, I n s t i t u t e o f

Microbiology and Institute of

Business Management. The

University has two sub-campuses

one at Dera Ghazi Khan and the

other at Toba Tek Singh.

The University has developed

flexible and comprehensive,

purposeoriented and updated

curricula after assessing the

qualitative as well as quantitative

needs of manpower training under

the semester system.

The central library of the

University has a covered area of

The Competitive Support Fund of USA, in collaboration with

the Higher Education Commission has established a

Business Incubation Centre at the University to accelerate

the successful development of startup and fledgling

companies by providing entrepreneurs with an array of

targeted resources and services. The Centre aims to provide

management guidance, technical assistance and consulting

tailored to young growing companies, develop linkages

between academic/ R&D institutions and private sector thus

creating knowledge based enterprises, and facilitate

entrepreneurs with well-equipped laboratories, extensive

libraries, powerful computer systems, technology expertise,

a well-educated workforce and subject matter experts.

45000 square ft and the total

collection is around 2,46,220

w h i c h i n c l u d e s 2 1 , 0 3 5

manuscripts and 51,800 volumes

of national and international

research journals covering

various discipline taught in the

University.

The library has database under the

Oracle based module developed

by University's IT team, besides

availability of online public

access catalogue terminals.

Business Incubation Centre

The University has excellent

hostel facilities for male and

female students, who come from

all over the country as well as

foreign countries. Hall Wardens

and superintendents guide and

facilitate the students in solving

their day to day problems.

S t u d e n t s a r e p r o v i d e d

economical , hygienic and

nutritious food.

A Central Hi-Tech Laboratory

was established in 1997 at Faculty

o f A g r i c u l t u r e w i t h t h e

c o o p e r a t i o n o f J a p a n

In te rna t iona l Coopera t ion

Agency (J ICA). In i t ia l ly,

s p e c i a l i z e d a n d h i g h l y

sophisticated equipment were

provided by JICA. Later new

equipment were purchased

through a Higher Education

Commission funded project. The

laboratory offers opportunities for

scientific research that enable

researchers to pursue research in

d isc ip l ines of b io logica l ,

chemical and physical sciences.

Services are offered not only to

University News

16

President Asif Ali Zardari has conferred prestigious civil award Sitara-i-Imtiaz

on Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmed Khan, Vice Chancellor, UAF for his valuable

contribution to the field of agricultural education and research. Dr. Khan has a

long career in education and agriculture. He earned a PhD from the University

of California, Riverside in 1988. He has released a potato variety (PARS-70),

pioneered the research on breeding seedless Kinnow and discovered new

varieties of wheat. He is also the author of 252 publications which includes five

books and several book chapters. He has initiated an internationally acclaimed

programme to solve a problem called Witches' Broom Disease of Lime, which poses a global threat

to citrus fruits, the vitamin-C provider for masses. He is currently leading international projects to

combat citrus greening disease and mango sudden death.

the students and researchers from this university but

also to other universities, research institutions, non-

government organizations and industries.

The University is fully committed to implement

policies of the Quality Assurance Agency of the

Higher Education Commission through its Quality

Enhancement Cell. UAF strongly adheres to the

concept of quality assurance in institutions of higher

learning with enhanced levels of international

compatibility through capacity building.

Intermittent Poultry Feeding System

To provide poultry farmers a reliable automatic feeding system, scientists from UAF have

developed an electro-mechanic feeding system, which relieves the farmers from the hassle and

threat of over/under feeding.

Certified Citrus Nursery

A certified nursery system developed at UAF provides congenial environment for nurturing

healthy citrus budwood and plants. The products (citrus budwood and plants) from these

nurseries will be more disease resilient and more beneficial for the citrus growers. It has the

potential to eliminate or replace diseased citrus plants.

Vaccine for Mastitis Control in Cows and Buffaloes

Mastitis Vaccine is very useful innovation from UAF, which is designed to overcome mastitis

disease within the mammary gland of the udder in cattle and buffaloes.

Zone Disk Tiller Drill

ZDTD has been designed to cater the planting needs of wheat, barley and chickpea growers. This

machine carries a special feature of sowing without removing the residuals of previous crop thus

providing much savings to the farmers in terms of labor time and energy.

Rose Perfume

Rose perfume is very unique innovation from UAF which caters to the market of perfume in the

country. There is no competitive product available at the moment in the market. This alcohol free

product has perfect match with our religious society. The product is prepared with highest

possible purity standards.

A Few of the UAF Success Stories

Sitara-i-Imtiaz Conferred on Dr. Iqrar Ahmed Khan

Ms. Aayesha Ikram, Director (Media) HEC calls on

Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan, Vice Chancellor, UAF.

University News

17

A three-day International

S c i e n c e C o n f e r e n c e o n

Prospects and Challenges to

Sustainable Agriculture was

recently organized by the

Facul ty of Agr icul ture ,

University of Azad Jammu

and Kashmir at Rawalakot.

The conference was attended

by about 400 delegates. The

Agriculture Scientists showed

grave concern on a dire need of

a paradigm shift in agriculture

as the community is feeling

t h r e a t e n e d d u e t o

unprecedented changes in the

environment which is directly

undermining food security.

While addressing concluding

session, Dr. Manzoor Hussain

Soomro, Chairman, Pakistan

Science Foundation said that

Facul ty of Agr icul ture ,

Rawalakot has sufficient to be

given charter of a full-fledged

university.

Dr. Habib-ur-Rehman, Vice

Chancellor, AJK Varsity said

t h a t t h e F a c u l t y h a s

contributed significantly in

Conference on Prospects and Challenges

to Sustainable Agriculture

promoting research as its share

was 50 per cent in publishing

r e s e a r c h p a p e r s o f

international repute in the last

year.

The scientists urged the

Agriculture Department of

A J K a n d M i n i s t r y o f

Agriculture, Government of

Pakistan to create a liaison

between Department of

Agriculture Extension and the

University for promoting

problem based research and

research based solutions, and

special emphasis be given to

comprehensive collection,

d o c u m e n t a t i o n a n d

conservation of Germplasm

from AJK and Northern Areas.

They emphasized on Plant

Breeders to restructure the

genotypes of staple and cash

crops to enable them to cope

w i t h h i g h a n d l o w

temperature, draught and

flooding situations.

T h e y s t r e s s e d o n

Entomologists and Plant

Pathologists for strategic

planning rather than crises

management for upcoming

diseases and pests.

Biotechnology sector was also

urged to solve specif ic

problems faced by agriculture

community and to avoid

repetition in order to save

monitory and manpower

resources.

It was also emphasized that

improvement in quality of

food and its nutrition be made

by breeding or by fortification

and efforts should be made to

p r o c e s s a c c o r d i n g t o

in ternat iona l s tandards

whatever food is produced in

the country in order to

facilitate its export.

The Animal Scientists were

urged to do aggressive

research on production of

vaccines for various diseases

of poultry and animals, and

development of quality animal

feed using the culturally

a c c e p t a b l e a n d l o c a l l y

available ingredients.

University News

18

The Faculty of Life Sciences, Baluchistan

University of Information Technology,

Engineering and Management Sciences

(BUITEMS), Quetta organized a lecture

presentation on Interdisciplinary Research in

Medical Textiles by Prof. Dr. Faheem Uddin,

Chairman, Textile Engineering, BUITEMS.

The speaker began the presentation with the

identification of aims that included the

realization of medical textiles discipline as an

interdisciplinary subject of study, introducing

Lecture on Interdisciplinary Research

in Medical Textilesmedical textiles and developing motivation in

the medical textile study, and identifying

potential areas for local postgraduate studies in

medical textiles.

A number of medical textile products surgeons

wear, wound dressings, masks, bandages,

art if icial l igaments, sutures, art if icial

liver/kidney/lungs, nappies, sanitary towels,

vascular grafts/heart valves, artificial

joints/bones, eye contact lenses and artificial

cornea were discussed.

T h e D e p a r t m e n t o f

Architecture, Balochistan

University of Information

Technology, Engineering and

M a n a g e m e n t S c i e n c e s

(BUITEMS) organized its

second annual exhibition in

Expo Centre, Takatu Campus.

The theme of the exhibition

was Architectural Design

Idea Competition for low cost

houses suitable for flood-

affected areas of Pakistan,

particularly in Balochistan. rd

Entries were invited from 3

semester architecture students

for designing houses up to

covered area 500 sq ft.

Ms. Ghazala Gola, Provincial

M i n i s t e r f o r W o m e n

Development inaugurated the

exhibition. Ms. Hussan Bano

Rakhshani and Ms. Zarina

Zehri, Advisers to Chief

Minster Balochistan, and Engr.

Ahmed Farooq Bazai, Vice

Architectural Design Idea Competition at BUITEMS

Chancellor, BUITEMS, were

also present on the occasion.

Arch. Muhammed Sohail Alvi

explained the aims and

objectives of the exhibition.

T h e V i c e C h a n c e l l o r

highlighted services of the

University with regard to

grooming competent and

productive youth.

In her address, Ms. Ghazala

Gola assured the University

authorities of her support in

nation building programmes.

S h e a l s o o f f e r e d f u l l

c o o p e r a t i o n i n t h e

construction of the main

boundary wall of BUITEMS.

First, second and third prizes

were won by Ehtesham

Jogezai, Adeel Zahoor and

Abdul Maj id Malghani ,

respectively.

Commission Events

19

M e h r a n U n i v e r s i t y o f

Engineering and Technology

( M U E T ) , J a m s h o r o i n

collaboration with the Higher

Education Commission (HEC)

and IEEE Inc USA (Karachi

Section) recently organized a

two-day Student Conference

on Engineering Sciences and

Technology (SCONEST).

U n d e r g r a d u a t e a n d

p o s t g r a d u a t e p a p e r

presentations were made on

f i r s t a n d s e c o n d d a y ,

r e s p e c t i v e l y . O v e r 2 0 0

delegates from academia and

i n d u s t r y a t t e n d e d t h e

conference.

In his inaugural speech, Dr.

Muhammad Aslam Uqaili, Pro

Vice Chancel lor , MUET

appreciated holding of a

comprehensive technical

event devoted to research

i s s u e s i n E l e c t r o n i c s ,

E l e c t r i c a l , C o m p u t e r ,

T e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n ,

Biomedical and Software

E n g i n e e r i n g . D r . B S

C h o w d h r y , C h a i r m a n ,

S C O N E S T O r g a n i z i n g

Student Conference on Engineering,

Sciences & Technology at MUET

Committee and Dean, Faculty

of Electrical, Electronics, and

C o m p u t e r E n g i n e e r i n g ,

MUET said that SCONEST is

the most vital series of

research paper competition

from IEEE, to introduce new

scientists and engineers with

the f ield of purposeful

research.

Engr. Parkash Lohana, Chair

I E E E K a r a c h i S e c t i o n

mentioned that a total of 58

papers from undergrad

s t u d e n t s a n d g r a d u a t e

students were submitted from

around the country, which in

fact is an indication of its

importance. After rigorous

exercise of reviewing, nine

p o s t g r a d u a t e a n d n i n e

undergrad papers were

a c c e p t e d f o r o r a l

presentations.

Speaking at the concluding

ceremony, Dr. AQK Rajput,

Vice Chancellor, MUET said

that exposure of such technical

events will go long way in

developing confidence among

students as well as inculcate a

fruitful discussion among the

experts from industry and

academia. I hope that papers

presented in the SCONEST

e v e n t m a y f i n d d i r e c t

commercial application. Such

seminars also gauge status and

standard of our engineering

education throughout the

country, he added.

Students and researchers from

N E D U n i v e r s i t y o f

Engineering and Technology,

S i r Syed Univers i ty o f

Engineering and Technology,

N a t i o n a l U n i v e r s i t y o f

Computer and Emerging

Sciences, Jinnah University of

W o m e n , S u k k u r I B A ,

University of Faisalabad,

Balochistan University of

Information Technology,

Engineering and Management

S c i e n c e s , H a m d a r d

University, Federal Urdu

University of Arts, Science and

T e c h n o l o g y , C O M S A T S

Institute of Information

Technology and MUET took

active part in the conference.

Speakers from academia and

i n d u s t r y h i g h l i g h t e d

e m e r g i n g t r e n d s i n

technological innovation.

Experts from universities

evaluated paper presentations

in terms of scope, usefulness,

t e c h n i c a l s t r e n g t h a n d

research contribution.

Pakistan Botanic Gardens Network Secretariat, Government College rd

University, Lahore is organizing the 3 International Conference on Role of Botanic Gardens in

Conserving Natural Vegetation from February 2-4, 2012. Conference themes include Conservation

and Habitat Restoration, Botanic Gardens and Gene Banks, Ethnobotany and Environmental Services,

Horticulture and Urban Green Spaces, Environmental Education for Sustainable Development and

Ecotourism.

News Flash

University News

20

The Pakistan Institute of

Fashion and Design (PIFD)

recently held a fashion show at

its campus in Lahore. The

school, which has produced

many renowned designers for

the country, exhibited the final

collection of 35 students of

Fashion and Marketing,

Merchandis ing, Fashion

Design and Textile Design

from the class of 2011.

The collections showcased a

blend of traditional and

western designs depicting

architectural inspirations with

references to buildings like the

Taj Mahal. The designs varied

with themes based on Kalash

culture and F1 racing. The

diverse themes were reflective

of the fact that the graduating

designers were aware of

global, as well as local, fashion

trends.

Makhdoom Amin Fahim,

Federal Minister of Commerce

a n d D r . S o h a i l N a q v i ,

Executive Director, HEC were

present on the occasion.

While many of the creations

featured sleek and all-weather

looks, it was the inclusion of

themes that were based on

Pakistani culture which

received appreciation from the

a u d i e n c e s . T h e y o u n g

designers' works were also

reviewed by a jury comprising

fashion industry's bigwigs like

Deepak Perwani, Kamiar

Rokni, Nilofer Shahid, Rizwan

Beyg and Sehyr Saigol.

Though the jury had to select

the top designers, the judges

later spent extra time with

them to ensure that they

PIFD Holds Fashion Show

g a r n e r e d a p e r s o n a l

understanding of every

student's designs.

The top few designers selected

from the class will mark their

debut in the upcoming

Pakistan Fashion Week.

Winner of the show, Zonia

Anwar's collection Aurora

Luminescence: The Glowing

Murk, was what the designer

calls an amalgamation of two

tremendous natural wonders

to achieve a man-made

termination in the form of four

experimental garments.

According to Anwar, the

inspiration for the silhouette in

her design had come from

u n i q u e b i o l u m i n e s c e n t

mushrooms.

Another talent and the runner-

u p o f t h e s h o w , R a z a

Muhammed Batur's collection

was a surreal visualisation of

society's good and evil side.

The outfits had a very

contemporary feel. The other

runner-up, Muhammad Irfan

Ali was inspired by the

Punjab, with touches of Indian

Rajasthan and the Cholistan

desert. The collection featured

vivid colours and traditional

embroidery.

W h i l e i n t r o d u c i n g t h e

graduating class, Ms. Hina

Tayyaba, Principal, PIFD

emphasised the effort that

went into developing the

designs displayed at the show,

adding that it was important

that the young designers

explored the i r cu l tura l

heritage. She said that it was

always harder to sustain

culture, because it took an

added effort to explore the

culture and differing fashions.

Initially, the students were

not exploring their cultural

heritage. It was after some

students took the initiative

that this trend changed, said

Tayyaba. Students have

taken inspiration from far-

flung areas. It's difficult

because, unlike western

h i s t o r y w h i c h i s m o r e

documented, you have to

research through archives and

look at the ancient buildings to

find inspiration and imagine

something new.

21

University News

The students include Haseeb Shaikh from School

of Chemical and Materials Engineering, and

Waleed Ahmad Mirza and Muhammad Junaid

Akhtar from College of Electrical and Mechanical

Engineering.

The opportunity exposed the students to the

expertise required to forward research and

industrial development in Pakistan.

The magnitude of learning can be gauged

simply from the fact that we saw almost 50 new

machines and worked on nearly half of them. We

worked on projects related to NASA, with the

latest in mechanical testing technology from

Instron, and our work also encompassed Henry

Moseley X-Ray Imaging Facility, the best in all of

Europe. From state of the art composite

manufacturing technology to machines for

testing and evaluation, combined with mentors

and researchers from the American continents,

Europe and Asia, including Pakistan, NCCEF

was the complete learning package, the students

remarked.

Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ibad Khan, Governor Sindh has

reappointed Prof. Dr. Nilofer Shaikh as Vice

Chancellor of Shah Abdul Latif University

(SALU) Khairpur, owing to meritorious services

for the promotion of education, research and

overall development of the University. Her

tenure has started from July 30, 2011.

Dr. Noor Shah Bukhari, President, Shah Abdul

Latif University Teachers Society (SALUTS) and

Dr. Ghulam Mohiuddin Veesar, General

Secretary SALUTS have welcomed the selection

of Dr. Shaikh and hoped that University will

further progress under her leadership.

Independence Day

Independence Day was observed with

traditional fervour, enthusiasm and solemnity at

SALU. Dr. Nilofer Shaikh hoisted the national

flag at a ceremony held in central lawn of the

University. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Shaikh

said Muslim leaders, under the visionary

leadership of Quaid-e-Azam, rendered great

scarifies for the emergence of Pakistan. At

present, Pakistan is confronting several problems

which could only be eradicated through unity,

education, tolerance and spirit of democracy and

institutional building. Education is an important

agent of change and development, she said.

NUST, University of Manchester Collaborate for

Internship Programme, ScholarshipsA one-month summer internship was arranged

for three students of the National University of

Sciences and Technology at the National

Composites Certification and Evaluation Facility

(NCCEF), The University of Manchester, as part

of the British Council sponsored DelPHE project

Capacity building for enhancing R&D in

designing, manufacturing, testing and

certification of composite materials.

The Project coordinator from Pakistan's side is Dr

Rizwan Saeed Choudhry, Assistant Professor,

Department of Mechanical Engineering and the

coordinator from Manchester side is Prof. Paul

Hogg, Head of the School of Materials.

The internship was one of the series of activities

planned for enhancing bilateral research

between the two Universities and in the next year

of project (starting this September) more than 10

scholarships (travel grants) will be available for

students for presenting research work related to

composites or performing experiments related to

composites in Manchester.

Dr. Nilofer Shaikh Reappointed VC SALU

22

University News

astronauts face during their

v o y a g e s . T h e y a l s o

e x p e r i e n c e d h a n d s - o n

t r a i n i n g , i n c l u d i n g

underwater exercises and

centrifuge simulator sessions.

On their return, the team

educator visited several places

to share their experience with

the students. At Institute of

Space Technology (IST), a

technology-focused academic

institution sponsored by

Students Selected for US Space Camp Visit IST

Dr. Rana Ejaz Ali Khan, Department of

Economics, Islamia University of Bahawalpur

has written a book entitled Child Labour in

Pakistan: Estimated and Determinants, which is

published by an international publishing house,

VDM Publishing Germany.

The author has pointed out the reasons for

curbing child labour in Pakistan. According to

him the negligence of the state department has

failed to produce any viable data to assess the

magnitude of child labour in different age

groups.

Dr. Ejaz

M S a n d P h D s c h o l a r s ,

students, business analysts,

statisticians and medical

doctors.

In her welcome address, Dr.

Shazia Tabassum Hakim,

D e a n R e s e a r c h , J U W

highlighted the significance

and purpose of the workshop.

The workshop mainly covered

the use of SPSS programmes to

SPSS Workshop at JUW Karachi do simple statistical data

analysis, including use of

correlation, creating frequency

tables, producing bar charts,

moving data from other

applications into SPSS and

moving SPSS output into word

processor application. Dr.

N a e e m F a r o o q u i , V i c e

Chancellor, JUW awarded

c e r t i f i c a t e s a m o n g t h e

participants.

A one-day training workshop

on Statistical Package for

S o c i a l S c i e n c e s ( S P S S )

software was organized by

Jinnah University for Women,

Karachi in collaboration with

t h e B u s i n e s s R e s e a r c h

Consultants (BRC), Karachi.

Over 50 participants of

different disciplines attended

the workshop, including

faculty members, researchers,

Book on Child Labour in PakistanThe first and only Child Labour

Survey (CLS) was held in 1996 at

nat ional l eve l , which has

remained the basic data for

researchers. The second CLS was

expected in 2000, which has not

been conducted yet. However, the

annual Labour Force Surveys

provide the data about child labour in 10-14 years

age group. The research work of Dr. Ejaz is

expected to attract the policy makers, researchers,

academicians along with general public having

interest in the subject.

Pakistan Space and Upper

A t m o s p h e r e R e s e a r c h

Commission, they had an

interactive session with the

Dean and faculty members in

which they were advised

about different studying and

career options in the field of

Science and Technology in

Pakistan.

They visited laboratories and

interacted with students in

IST.

T h e U S E m b a s s i e s i n

Islamabad and New Delhi

sponsored five students and

an educator each f rom

Pakistan and India to attend

the Advance Space Academy

at the US Space and Rocket

C e n t r e i n H u n t s v i l l e ,

Alabama.

During the 10-day camp, the

students and teachers learnt

about the mental, emotional,

a n d p h y s i c a l c h a n g e s

University News

23

NUML Journal of Critical Inquiry (JCI) has invited papers that engage a deconstructive/

theoretical/ideological critique of the standardized predicament as well as offer an intellectually

challenging education that is international in scope, interactive in process, and interdisciplinary in

content and approach.

Topics from all areas of Research, Language, Literature, Linguistics and Education are welcome without

any limitations as long as there is conviction and reasoning. For submission of papers and further details

please visit http://www.numl.edu.pk/QEC/Research%20Magzine/cop.htm

Focal Person

Dr. Sohaila Javed (Editor)

NUML Journal of Critical Inquiry,

National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad

Ph: +92-51-9257646 (Ext: 214)

E-mail: numl.editor@gmail.com

Riphah Advisory Council for Excellence (RACE)

held its fourth meeting at Riphah International

University (RIU) Islamabad, which discussed

collaboration of the university with industry and

business concerns in different disciplines.

Senior executives from public and private sector

organizations including NADRA, HEC, Value

Resources, ICMA, Society for Sustainable

Development, Allaninet (Pvt), Pakistan

Accumulators, Renewable Resources and Gillani

Solutions attended the meeting. Deans and

senior faculty members from various disciplines

RACE Discusses Academia-Industry Collaborationrepresented RIU on the occasion. They discussed

matters relating to the requirements of job

oriented quality education.

Various aspects of university industry

collaboration, human resource development,

research project linkages, career counseling,

faculty development and social welfare

programmes came under discussion. Executive

Officers from various public and private

organizations offered internship to the

graduating students of RIU in their industry and

business concerns.

CALL FOR PAPERS

A ceremony was recently

o r g a n i z e d a t H E C

R e g i o n a l C e n t r e ,

Peshawar to welcome the

new Director Mr. Hazrat

Bilal and bid farewell to

the outgoing Director, Mr.

Farman Ullah, who has

been transferred to the

Learning Innovat ion

Division, HEC Islamabad.

NEWS IN PICTURE

University News

24

t h

T h e 4 I n t e r n a t i o n a l

C o n f e r e n c e o n

Environmentally Sustainable

Development (ESDev-2011)

was recently organized by the

Department of Environmental

Sciences, COMSATS, Institute

of Information Technology

(CIIT), Abbottabad.

About 35 students and eight

f a c u l t y m e m b e r s f r o m

Department of Chemistry and

Biochemistry, University of

Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF)

attended the event.

Most of the students and

teachers presented their

scientific research work in the

different sessions.

Dr. Tahira Iqbal, Chairperson,

Department of Chemistry and

Biochemistry, Dr. Haq Nawaz

Bhatti and Dr. M. Asghar

The Department of Computer Science,

University of Peshawar (UoP) recently organized

the first International Conference on Computer

Networks and Information Technology, in

collaboration with IEEE Islamabad Chapter,

IEEE Peshawar Subsection, and John Moores

University Liverpool, UK.

The main focus was on Computer Networks,

Wireless Communications, Sensor Networks,

Databases, Web Semantics, Natural Language

Processing and Software Engineering. Almost

120 delegates from various national and

international universities/organizations,

including Bradford University, Lancaster

University, East Englia (Norwich) University

and John Moores University participated in the

conference.

UoP Conference on Computer Networks & IT The aim of the conference was to provide a

platform to academics and professional to

facilitate effective knowledge sharing. Dr. Azmat

Hayat Khan, Vice Chancellor, UoP inaugurated

the conference.

Dr. Amir Qayum from Muhammad Ali Jinnah

University, Islamabad was the keynote speaker.

He talked about the Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks

(VANETs). Other speakers included Dr. Azzam

Ul Asar, Dean, UET Peshawar who spoke on

IEEE Aims and Objectives, Dr. Akhtar Hussain

Khalil from UET Mardan Campus who

deliberated on Academia, Intellectual Property

and Commercialization and Mr. Imran Malik,

CEO Supernet, Karachi who spoke on the

Importance of Satellite Communication in the

Current Era.

UAF Chemists, Biochemists Participate in ESDev-2011

Bajwa chaired different

sessions of ESDev-2011.

The Department of Chemistry

and Biochemistry, UAF is also t h

o r g a n i z i n g t h e 1 0 n d

I n t e r n a t i o n a l a n d 2 2

N a t i o n a l C h e m i s t r y

C o n f e r e n c e 2 0 1 1 f r o m

November 21-23, 2011 under

the auspices of the Chemical

Society of Pakistan, as part of

the Golden Jubilee and the

I n t e r n a t i o n a l Y e a r o f

Chemistry 2011 (IYC 2011)

celebrations.

University News

25

The Centre for Civic Education, Pakistan, in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission is

organizing a National Essay Writing Competition. The competition is for regular students of public and

private universities (age 18-25) and aims to promote writing and analytical skills with futuristic approach

among university students along with encouraging research, analysis and argument development on

this important theme.

Topic

What does federalism mean to me?

Guidelines

1. Students can write on the topic either in English or Urdu.

2. The essay shall be original and unpublished and must not exceed 2500 words, including footnotes or

endnotes.

3. Ensure that all sources for research which are used are given proper reference. Nothing should be

copied from books/newspapers without using references. Plagiarism will be checked through

software made for this purpose.

4. The essay must be typed using font 12 in Times Roman and saved in Word file, or typed by using the

In-page. For print outs, use only one side of the paper.

5. Do not place the author's name on the text pages. Include a cover page to mention the name, mailing

address, phone number, educational institution (department and registration number) and email

address.

Criteria for Judgment

Primary consideration will be given to the essay's originality and its contribution to new knowledge,

insights and creative approach. English and Urdu essays will be judged and awarded separately.

Essays will be judged according to the following criteria:

1. Substance and originality (Understanding and arguments): 50 marks

2. Idea development (Clarity, creativity, practicality): 25 marks

3. Writing style, composition and organization: 25 marks

Prizes

The authors of three best essays in English and Urdu will be awarded.

First prize Rs. 20,000, second prize Rs. 15,000 and third prize Rs. 10,000 along with certificates of

honour and shields.

Submission

Deadline for submission of essays is September 30, 2011. No entries will be accepted after the deadline.

Only one submission per student will be accepted. All entries will be property of the Centre for Civic

Education and may be published in future with writers names. Essay can be submitted either through

email to mnoor@hec.gov.pk or by post to The Centre for Civic Education

Pakistan, G.P.O. Box 1123, Islamabad.

contact@civiceducation.org,

National Essay Writing Competition

University News

26

Travel GrantsFollowing grants were sanctioned by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) during June-2011:

Name and Address of Applicant Title of Conference Venue

Dr. Zaheer Abbas, Assistant Professor,

Department of Accounting and Finance, IIUI

The 2011 SIBR Conference

on Interdisciplinary

Business and Economics

Research

Thailand

Mr. Sohail Amjed, Lecturer, Department of

Commerce, AIOU, Islamabad

The 2011 SIBR Conference

on Interdisciplinary

Business and Economics

Research

Thailand

Mr. Zaryab Sheikh, Lecturer Department of

Management Sciences, CIIT, Lahore

The 2011 SIBR Conference

on Interdisciplinary

Business and Economics

Research

Thailand

Mr. Muhammad Irfan Khan, Lecturer,

Department of Business Administration, Iqra

University, Karachi

The 2011 SIBR Conference

on Interdisciplinary

Business and Economics

Research

Thailand

Mr. Naveed Ahmed, PhD Scholar, Department