August 9, 2021 – Newswire Pakistan

August 9, 2021August 10, 2021

IIU to have Scholarships for Students, More Foreign Teachers at Campus: IIUI President

Islamabad, August 09, 2021 (PPI-OT):Calling for the joint efforts to implement the new strategic plan of the International Islamic University (IIU), H.E. Dr. Hathal Homoud Alotaibi, IIU President has said that university is working to bring more foreign faculty members and also working to establish a scholarships program for the IIUI students.

He was delivering a Presidential speech at the workshop on the preparation of strategic plan and organogram of the faculty level organized by Quality Assurance Department (QAD. The workshop was attended by Vice Presidents, Deans, DGs, HoDs/ chairpersons and Directors for the brainstorming on the new organogram and strategic plan on the department and faculty level.

“We are setting a roadmap for the coming generations, this strategic plan will not only ensure academic excellence but it will also be a peg to build the future of youth with best higher education” he added. Dr. Hathal said we are in a dire need to compete the world, while procrastination and unnecessary procedural constraints are the old ways of dealing with tasks, we are keen to revamp the infrastructure as well as the officials dealing such as addition of the E-office, building of new blocks and renovation of the classrooms.

Stressing upon the faculty, he said that we will be asked for the responsibility given to us and there is no place for injustice in our sacred profession indeed, we must be transparent, merit oriented and impartial in teaching and evaluating the students. H.E. Dr. Hathal said we are equally focusing on the welfare, progress and promotions of the officials of the university on all the levels, and recent selection boards and promotions of the officials are the evidence of that approach.

Highlighting the importance of the performance and initiatives in this regards, IIU President said that the university is working to make Institute of Professional Development as an exemplary institute for training. He added that soon Human Resource, IT and Quality Assurance Department would start training sessions for the better results.

Identifying the university achievement within this year, the university has approved its strategic plan and organogram, while its research activities through regular Board of Advanced Studies and Research Meetings (BASR) are also being streamlined. He also mentioned the training for the officials of the university. He specially mentioned the launch of the Distance Learning Portal terming it as an achievement and a milestone of the progress of the university. He thanked all the team members of the committee of the organogram and the strategic plan and hoped that same practice shall be followed the faculty and department level in this regard.

On the occasion, Vice President, Dr. Ahmed Shuja Syed, gave a presentation on quality assurance of post graduate programs at IIUI. He elaborated the vision and mission approved by the university in the new strategic plan. He also elaborated targeted policy areas and discussed the features of growth and academic excellence, research and collaborations, financial sustainability, improving quality of life on the campus, improving the governance and internal control mechanism and digitization of the university.

Dr. Muhammad Arif, Member of the committee for the development and implementation of IIUI strategic plan, gave an overview of the strategic plan (2022-2026) and organogram. Earlier, Dr. Rehmat Eahi, Director QAD gave a detailed briefing on the functions and roadmap of the directorate of Quality Assurance and Development. He also shared achievements and initiatives and taken by QAD as well as he also shared threats, strengths and other key features.

For more information, contact:
Public Relations,
International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI)
Room No.118, Admin Block, New Campus,
H-10 Sector, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9019249
Fax: +92-51-9257909
Email: iiuipublicrelations@iiu.edu.pk
Website: www.iiu.edu.pk

August 9, 2021August 10, 2021

UVAS Dairy Beef Project and PARC jointly holds workshop on “First Science into Action”

Lahore, August 09, 2021 (PPI-OT):The Dairy Beef Project of the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore in collaboration with Pakistan Agricultural Research Council organised “First Science into Action” workshop at Islamabad. Australian High Commission Dr Geoffrey Shaw was the chief guest while UVAS Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Nasim Ahmad, Vice-Chancellor University of Education Lahore (UE) Prof Dr Talat Naseer Pasha, Animal husbandry Commissioner Dr Khurshid Ahmed and representatives from livestock department Punjab, Sindh, KPK and Baluchistan, NRSP, LDDB, stakeholders from private sector participated in workshop. Dr David McGill Project Leader and many other Australian experts virtually joined the event.

Dr Geoffrey Shaw highlighted the importance of whole family extension approach for smallholder farmers to increase the farm production and profit. The Australian team; Research Program Manager Dr Anna Okello, Australian Center for International Agriculture Research (ACIAR) gave virtual talk on ACIAR’s experience with policy engagement with various examples of livestock extension systems which has encountered.

The discussion was on the current livestock extension systems, its challenges, and solutions. The participants bring up ideas to improve and support the policies recommendations for best extension services and implementation for smallholder farming families. This includes the regular training of farm advisors, quality extension material and capacity building of farmers (men, women and children) to improve farmer’s awareness, skills and farm production and profit.

The objectives of the workshop were to providing the opportunity to participants to learn and share experiences with each other regarding livestock extension and veterinary services in Pakistan with a specific focus on policies/programs targeted at smallholder farmers, to share key Dairy-Beef project lessons regarding smallholder support services and the broader extension system, co-design national, provincial and organizational policies recommendations to positively impact the extension system and smallholder farmers and to develop recommendations based on insights from the Dairy-beef project and the livestock ‘science into action’ discussion group.

For more information, contact:
Public Relations Officer
University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS)
Syed Abdul Qadir Jillani (Out Fall) Road,
Lahore – Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-99211374, +92-42-99211449
Email: webmaster@uvas.edu.pk
Website: www.uvas.edu.pk

August 9, 2021August 10, 2021

GCU confers honorary PhD upon humanitarian Anwaar Ahmad Khan

Lahore, August 09, 2021 (PPI-OT):The Government College University Lahore on Wednesday conferred the honorary doctorate of philosophy (PhD) degree upon eminent philanthropist, dedicated social worker and compassionate humanitarian Mr. Anwaar Ahmad Khan for his thirty years meritorious services to the society.

Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar chaired the special degree awarding ceremony at the Governor’s House Lahore where he along with Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi awarded the Honoris Causa Degree of Doctor of Philosophy to Mr. Anwaar A. Khan. The citation presented by Registrar Dr. Shaukhat Ali highlighted the commendable services of Mr. Khan as a well-known philanthropist, who has worked tirelessly for the uplift of the down-trodden over three decades.

Speaking on the occasion, Chaudhry Sarwar said Mr. Anwar Khan spends his energies, time and millions of rupees every year serving food to poor families, providing funds for marriages of daughters of labourer class, provision of financial assistance to widows and orphans, operating free health facilities and first aid points and provision of clean drinking water nationwide.

He also said that Mr. Anwaar A. Khan also did exemplary social work for people affected by COVID-19, and this honorary degree would be a token of recognition to his great services to the society. Mr. Khan is also member Board of Directors of 600-bed hospital which provides indoor and outdoor free medical treatment to over one million individuals annually. He is General Secretary of Jamiat Taleem ul Quran Trust which is providing basic and Islamic education to 80,000 students in over 2000 maktabs and 69 jails.

Addressing the ceremony, Vice Chancellor Prof. Asghar Zaidi said GCU has groomed several generations of great human beings who made their mark in different walks of life. “In order to seek inspiration from those who make invaluable contribution to the welfare of the society, we acknowledge the services of such social leaders in several ways,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor believed that this GCU initiative, for sure, shall serve as an inspiration for the privileged to emulate the worthwhile example of the Mr. Anwaar Khan and share their abundant resources with the underprivileged of our society.

Prof. Dr. Zaidi emphasized the fact that the GCU is breaking away from a tradition of granting honorary degree to eminent foreign dignitaries and politicians only, and this year it is acknowledging a person who has been doing good to the society and country. He said that people like Mr. Anwaar A. Khan are role models for our youth, especially to our students in placing value to philanthropy and social work.

For more information, contact:
Public Relations Department,
Government College University (GCU)
Squash Complex, GC University, Lahore, Pakistan
UAN: +92-42-111-000-010 Ext: 296
Tel: +92-42-99213343
Cell: +92-321-8440769
Email: registrar@gcu.edu.pk
Website: http://www.gcu.edu.pk

August 9, 2021August 10, 2021

Workshop on aligning academic research with SDGs

Lahore, August 09, 2021 (PPI-OT):A workshop on Aligning Academic Research with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was held here at the Government College University Lahore under the auspices of its Sustainable Development Study Centre (SDSC) and Environment Protection Society (EPS). Faculty members from different academic departments of GCU took part in the workshop.

In his key note address on “SDGs and their relevance for older persons”, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi emphasized on the importance of integration of SDGs in academic research. He said that all departments in GCU Lahore should streamline their research with the SDGs.

Director SDSC and Advisor EPS, Prof. Dr. Faiza Sharif, Dr. Mujtaba Baqar and Dr. Eng. Muhammad Imran facilitated a mapping exercise to explain the participating faculty members on aligning their research with SDGs, which was followed by question answer session. Dr. Faiza Sharif emphasized that as part of the Vice Chancellor’s vision to make 2021 an exceptional year, GCU aims to be a “SDGs engaged university” and more such faculty workshops will be carried out in future.

August 9, 2021August 10, 2021

Webinar on Life under Occupation – The Misery at the Heart of the Conflict

Lahore, August 09, 2021 (PPI-OT):A webinar on Life under Occupation: The Misery at the Heart of the Conflict was held here at the Government College University Lahore under the auspices of its Palestine Society. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi chaired the webinar which was addressed by Mr. Refaat Alareer, who lives in Gaza and is the editor of “Gaza Writes Back,” a collection of short stories.

In his key-note address, Mr. Alareer shed light upon the gravity of the situation in Palestine, saying that “it’s time to stand against the injustice happening over the land of Palestine; people around the world should put pressure on their respective governments and political representatives to sever economic ties with Israel.” “The resistance against the brutality of Israeli forces has to be raised globally to make the voice of Palestinians heard by the whole of humanity,” he said.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Zaidi said injustice should never be tolerated in any region of the world; until the Kashmir and Palestine issues are resolved, the dream of peace in the world will never come true. He talked about how Qibla e Awal is significant to all Muslims and the student body of GCUPS looks for every possible opportunity to support and highlight the cause. Advisor GCUPS, Ms. Sumera Khalil also addressed the webinar which was followed by questions answer session.

August 9, 2021August 10, 2021

GCU Syndicate approves new initiatives and reforms

Lahore, August 09, 2021 (PPI-OT):The 64th meeting of the Syndicate of Government College University Lahore was held here at the University’s Postgraduate Block, which approved new degree programmes including LLB (Hons), BFA (Painting), BS (Management Studies), MPhil (Disaster Management) and PhD (Geography). Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr Asghar Zaidi chaired the meeting which was attended by around 15 honourable members. Eminent civil rights activist Hina Jilani and noted academician Prof. Sajida Haider Vandal attended the meeting online.

Members of Punjab Assembly Ms Shawana Bashir and Mr Khurram Ijaz Chatta, Home Economics University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr Kanwal Ameen, Lahore Board Chairman Dr Mirza Habib, Institute of Industrial Biotechnology (IIB) Director Dr Nouman Aftab and faculty deans were present at the meeting also attended by the representatives of Higher Education, Finance and Law and Parliamentary Affairs departments.

The participants confirmed the minutes of previous meetings and highlighted the need for more frequent Syndicate meetings. They also approved the University’s annual budget for the fiscal year 2021-22 and appreciated that the GCU budget of the previous academic year was in surplus. Further, recommendations of the 29th meeting of the GCU Finance and Planning Committee were endorsed by the Syndicate members after a detailed discussion.

The meeting also consented to the recommendations of the 24th and 25th meetings of the GCU Academic Council, which included the establishment of new institutes, departments and a centre, besides the new academic programmes. The Syndicate members appreciated the steps taken for bringing evening programmes at par with the morning programmes and approved new admissions criteria and zero semester policy.

The honourable Syndicate members also approved the recommendations of the various selection boards of faculty and administrative positions after due deliberations. They also approved new criteria for hiring the senior faculty. Concluding the meeting, the Syndicate members appreciated the reforms and initiatives taken by the University.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Zaidi expressed gratitude to the Syndicate members for their valuable input and interest in academic and administrative matters. The members showed confidence and assured the Vice-Chancellor of their full cooperation in bringing about new initiatives and reforms.