March 25, 2022

WHO designates AKU as collaborating centre on reproductive health

Karachi, March 25, 2022 (PPI-OT):The World Health Organization (WHO) has opened a collaborating centre on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) at the Aga Khan University Medical College’s Department of Community Health Sciences (CHS). This is the first such centre specific to SRHR in Pakistan and the fourth in general in the country.

The partnership incorporates AKU into a network of over 800 WHO collaborating centres in over 80 member states working with the global health body on areas such as nursing, occupational health, communicable diseases, nutrition, mental health, chronic diseases and health technologies.

Dr Sarah Saleem, a professor of population and reproductive health at AKU, will lead the centre and provide strategic support in implementing WHO’s mandated work and programme objectives, and develop and strengthen institutional capacity in the 22 countries and territories within the EMRO (Eastern Mediterranean) region.

She is also the principal investigator for the Eastern Mediterranean hub for research capacity strengthening, based within AKU’s CHS Department, which was initiated in 2019 and has trained over 200 participants in sexual and reproductive health research, including gender-based violence.

“This enables so many people to take their first steps towards quality research, policy and development in SRHR. We are contributing to a cause, a country and a region,” said Dr Saleem. The collaboration aims to provide technical input and expertise on WHO’s repository of SRHR evidence, guidelines and training resources; to assist WHO in building national and regional capacity on sexual and reproductive health through training on SRHR; and to support WHO in conducting collaborative research, under WHO’s leadership, on SRHR at the regional level.

The team is in the process of forming a virtual network of institutions within EMRO to discuss their needs and share knowledge. The team is already developing an open-access SRHR repository housed within the AKU library. This project is led by Dr Peter Gatiti, AKU Associate Vice Provost and University Librarian, and it will serve as a region-specific one-stop rich resource for scientists, researchers and policymakers. WHO collaborating centres are institutions such as research institutes, parts of universities or academies, designated by the director-general to carry out activities in support of the organization’s programmes.

WHO gains access to top centres worldwide and the institutional capacity to ensure the scientific validity of global health work. Conversely, designation as a WHO collaborating centre provides institutions with enhanced visibility and recognition by national authorities, calling public attention to the health issues on which they work. Dr Farina Abrejo, a senior instructor, is the co-principal investigator at the centre. AKU’s School of Nursing and Midwifery is also working with the centre, represented by Dr Saleema Gulzar.

For more information, contact:
Media Executive
Department of Public Affairs
Aga Khan University (AKU)
Stadium Road, Karachi
Tel: +92-21-34930051
Fax: +92-21-34934294, +92-21-34932095
Cell: +92-301-8258028
Email: rasool.sarang@aku.edu, public.affairs@aku.edu
Website: www.aku.edu

March 25, 2022

REDC Conducts Programme on Leading and Cultivating a Culture of Innovation for Interloop

Lahore, March 25, 2022 (PPI-OT):The Rausing Executive Development Centre (REDC) at LUMS recently hosted a focused programme on ‘Leading and Cultivating a Culture of Innovation’ for employees of Interloop Limited, under its custom initiatives. The programme aimed to explore the importance of innovation throughout the organisation and work to create an organisation-wide commitment towards it, as well as challenges and opportunities in this context.

The objective of the programme is also to enable participants to gain an understanding of creative processes and idea generation; and understand how to build an innovation culture in an organisation. It explores models of innovation systems, strategies, and processes, with real world application.

Designed as a highly engaging 3-day intervention based at REDC’s residential facility, the programme was directed by Dr. Muhammad Adeel Zaffar, and Dr. Zain ul Abdin Khawaja joined in teaching. They made use of case studies, simulations, and team activities to ensure active participation and engaging discussions for a better exchange of ideas.

“The programme was well designed, taught and delivered. The inclusion of case studies was the key aspect. The activities were also very interesting,” shared Omer Jawad, Senior Manager S and M, Interloop.

Muhammad Shahzad, Senior General Manager P and S, Interloop, also expressed his satisfaction with the programme and said, “It offered an excellent environment, reading material and teaching faculty. It makes you think innovatively.”
To reinforce the concepts and bring in practical knowledge from experienced professionals, Shahid Hussain, Chief Executive Officer of Service Sales Corporation (Pvt.) limited and Rector, LUMS, was invited to speak to the participants.

Mr. Hussain shared interesting insights and views on how to deal with anticipated future challenges, build influential leadership, and develop the capacity to deal with set-backs on the way towards becoming a future ready organisation.

“It was eye opening for us and will change the way we think, and cultivate a culture of innovation down the line. It was a very engaging and wonderful experience,” added Samoona Hasnain, Senior Manager S and M, Interloop.

Farooq Rauf, Deputy Manager, Interloop, shared, “It was a quality learning experience. Everyone participated in discussions which encouraged confidence-building. We learned in a positive manner. Such programmes should be arranged periodically and should also be planned at plant sites.”

Offering a range of group activities meant to introduce challenges arising on the path towards innovation, as well as dealing with internal team dynamics with a structured approach towards problem solving, the programme encouraged participants to learn to value each individual on their team and to manage group dynamics while addressing the issues at hand.

REDC is working towards building resilient and future-ready organisations and looks forward to assist organisations which are working to enhance the knowledge and learning of their employees.

For more information, contact:
Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS)
D.H.A. Lahore Cantt. 54792
Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-35608000
Fax: +92-42-35725048
Website: www.lums.edu.pk

March 25, 2022

Practical Learning Session: The Year of Change: Challenges for First Year Students in University

Rawalpindi, March 25, 2022 (PPI-OT):NUMS Department of Public Health (NDPH) conducted a Practical Learning Session with the theme: “The Year of Change: Challenges for First Year Students in University” on Friday, March 4th, 2022, at NUMS PWD campus. The purpose of the activity was to serve as an ice breaking session and to inform new students regarding challenges of university life and different coping strategies.

The session was organized by the students of Batch I and attended by all the students and faculty of Department of Public Health including the Head of Department Professor Dr Uzma Hassan, Associate Professor Dr Tamkeen Jaffry, Assistant Professor Dr Hina Shan, Senior Lecturer Dr Rehma Gilani and Assistant Manager Ms. Rubab Zulfiqar.

The session was moderated by Ms Fatimah Shahrukh and Ms Iffa Zahid. They introduced life at the university campus as a place to learn, explore and develop oneself holistically. They emphasized that the experiences students gain in their first year of university, help them in shaping their successes in the years ahead. Students, Mr Ahsan Khalil of Batch I, Mr Waleed Qaseer, Ms Fatima Saleem and Ms Sofia Rajput of Batch II, and Ms Hamda of Batch III, shared their personal experiences.

Presentation on Common Challenges Faced by Students and their Solutions by Ms Rimsha Azhar and Stress Management by Ms Noor Ul Ain Shah highlighted challenges faced by students and importance of friendship, meditations, discipline, budgeting and coping mechanism. Pamphlets and posters, prepared by Ms Fizza Javed and Ms Shiza Aftab of Batch I, were also displayed. The session also included fun games including Chinese Whisper, Would You Rather and Karaoke. In the Q and A session, students were given an opportunity to ask questions.

Their concern were mostly related to public health career pathway, field trips, timing and holidays. In her closing remarks, HoD Prof Dr Uzma Hassan reassured that wellbeing of students is priority of university and their genuine concerns will be address. She acknowledged and appreciated organizing committee on their hard work and team efforts especially, Senior Lecturer Dr Rehma Gilani who arranged and supervised the session. She reemphasized the importance of first year in the university and shared her personal experience at Army Medical College.

She said that this is the time where one is transitioning from a college student to a responsible adult, trying out different clubs and organizations, attending social events, and beginning to get to know batch-mates and instructors. This will lay a foundation that will be crucial for growth in these formative university years. The moderators thanked the students and faculty for attending the activity and ended with a group photograph of three batches with the HOD and the faculty of the Department of Public Health.

For more information, contact:
National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS)
The Mall, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9270677
Email: info@numspak.edu.pk
Website: http://numspak.edu.pk

March 25, 2022

NUMS Representation at First Ever Career Counselling Fest 2022 held by Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training

Rawalpindi, March 25, 2022 (PPI-OT):Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training organized a three-day event for career counselling of students. The event was conducted at Pak-China Friendship Center in collaboration with more than 80 organizations. The career fest was formally inaugurated by President Arif Alvi who appreciated the initiative by MFE and PT. Dr. Wasim Sajjad from Department of Biological sciences (Microbiology) was invited as a guest speaker to introduce various heath and biological sciences related domains other than MBBS and BDS.

Dr Sajjad apprised the audience about the opportunities in Bio-entrepreneurship, indigenization of bio-based products and technology transfer to contribute the country economic growth. He also emphasized the vital role of parents in in guiding their children towards career paths in science and research. He informed the students that there are many career opportunities in R and D, academia and industrial sector but unfortunately we are still lagging in training skilled researchers in Basic and Translational Sciences.

Additional Secretary Mr. Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani (MFEPT) presented a shield to Dr. Wasim Sajjad and appreciated his talk. Moreover, volunteers from the Department of Biological sciences, including Moeeza Ahmad, Hawaid Ahmed and Syeda Faiza Arshad facilitated the NUMS career Fest Stall at Expo. Students from different schools and colleges participated in the event to make an informed choice about their future career path. The NUMS team provided guidance and information and future opportunities in the field of Microbiology, Biotechnology, Human Genetics, Phytochemistry, Bioinformatics and Nanomedicine.

Faculty from the Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Dr Amjad Sohail and Mr. Umer Fayyaz also participated to shed light on future career prospects in Social Science for bridging the gap at community level. To sum up, initiative taken by federal ministry was highly appreciated by all and it was an opportunity for undergraduate students from NUMS to volunteer for directing potential undergraduate students towards better future and better career.

For more information, contact:
National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS)
The Mall, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9270677
Email: info@numspak.edu.pk
Website: http://numspak.edu.pk

March 25, 2022

Department of Microbiology Organized Merit Certificate Distribution Ceremony for Position Holders

Haripur, March 25, 2022 (PPI-OT):Department of Microbiology of The University of Haripur organized merit certificate distribution ceremony for position holders of all classes of BS and M.Phil on 17th March 2022. Merit certificates were distributed among students securing first, second and third positions in Fall 2021 exams, as a token of appreciation. Dr. Syed Muhammad Ali addressed the students and discussed the role of ethics and values in our daily life.

The chief guest Prof. Dr. Ayub Khan, vice chancellor of The University of Haripur distributed certificates among the position holders and congratulated the successful students. Dr. Syed Muhammad Ali offered bouquet of flowers to worthy chief guest.

For more information, contact:
The University of Haripur
Hattar Road near Swat Chowk, Haripur,
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Tel: +92-995-615384
Fax: +92-0995615384
Email: registrar@uoh.edu.pk
Website: http://www.uoh.edu.pk

March 25, 2022

Department of Microbiology organized a seminar on Quran, Ethics and Character Building

Haripur, March 25, 2022 (PPI-OT):Department of Microbiology of The University of Haripur organized a seminar on “Quran, Ethics and Character Building” on Thursday 17th March 2022. Students of different classes prepared lessons from Holy Quran and presented before fellow colleagues. Worthy vice chancellor Prof. Dr. Ayub Khan addressed the audience as a chief guest. The event was attended by a high number of students from various departments.