Day: June 11, 2022

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Social Development and Policy students present Research Proposals to Pathfinder International on SRHR and Climate Change

Karachi, June 11, 2022 (PPI-OT):On 16th May 2022, Habib University students of the Social Development and Policy program presented their projects to Pathfinder International at Avari Hotel, Karachi. As a part of the Dharti Amar project, Pathfinder Pakistan published a Request for Proposals (RFP) which aimed at highlighting and addressing the link between SRHR (Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights) and Climate change within the communities in Tharparkar, Sindh.

An important aspect of this project was bringing behavioural change through communication strategies. To address this, the students of the course ‘Introduction to Program Planning and Design’ developed multi-channel communication campaign frameworks, products, and advocacy tools, under the supervision of Dr. Shama Dossa, Associate Professor in the Social Development and Policy program.

The event was honoured by the presence of Ms Renuka Swami from UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund), Ms. Madiha Latif (Project Manager at Pathfinder International) and Ms. Manal Khan (Marketing, Communication and Learning Manager at Pathfinder International), Mr. Gulab from Sukaar Foundation, Mr Hameer from Baanhn Beli, and Ms. Lubna Kerai (Director, Resource Development at Habib University).

The first project, Aahung, catered to the issue of early age marriages. This group developed an interactive board game for families in Tharparkar, which would use diagrams and techniques that highlights the importance of a girl’s agency in decision-making at different stages of life. They also developed a training module for CBO staff, which would guide them regarding improving agency and facilitating the empowerment of girls in Thar.

Following the similar issue of child marriages, the second group’s project which was called Bezarar, the term which means not harming or being harmed, developed an idea for a short animated film which would deliver sensitive and important information regarding child marriages and their link to education. It is anticipated to play in Pathfinder’s sessions in Thar as well as on social media platforms. The second communication strategy was the Ambassador Program training module. This strategy involved recruiting and engaging influential figures in Tharparkar and training them to act as direct agents of change within the community. This group developed an idea for a short animated film which would deliver sensitive and important information regarding child marriages and their link to education.

Larkartar (Kahi suni baat) or word-of-mouth was the third group’s project that caters to the issue of the high incidence of maternal mortality due to climate-induced droughts in Thar. This project used the communal bond and verbal communication in Thar as their strength and developed tools associated with it. The first communication strategy was a Forum Theatre manual for community mobilizers which helps the mobilizers in engaging the community members to solve problems through organizing an effective forum theatre. Similarly, the second strategy proposed was a Radio show script that would inform the listeners on this sensitive topic and help them with techniques of adaptive farming.

The last group presented Giza that focused on the importance of nutrition in SRHR and its link to adaptive farming techniques. The first communication strategy proposed was the Vocational Training Module which would be implemented in the form of workshops and sessions. The second communication tool developed was an educational pictorial pamphlet which would use strong visuals to highlight the issue and assist in educating the community in Tharparkar.

Students presented comprehensive ideas with objectives, implementation plans, indicators, and budgets which they developed over the course of the semester. All ideas were appreciated by the jury for their context relevancy and culturally sensitive deliverables. Ms. Swami remarked, “Students of Habib University always bring in unique and innovative interventions.” Each group displayed an exemplary dedication and passion for assisting the communities in Tharparkar, which they developed over the years at Habib University.

For more information, contact:
Habib University
Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-34301051-55
Email: marketing@habib.edu.pk
Website: www.habib.edu.pk

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Pre-Budget Seminar

Lahore, June 11, 2022 (PPI-OT):The Pre-Budget Seminar was held at the University of Central Punjab under the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences auspices. The event was attended by professionals from various fields, including Mr Abdullah Khan Sumbal, Mr Tanvir Ashraf Kaira, Dr Tasneem Zafar, and Mr Rehman Aziz Chann. The discussion began with Dr Tasneem Zafer addressing the essential predicament of insufficient revenues and high fiscal debt. She enunciated that economic success cannot be promised unless the growth is inclusive and contains the trickle-down effect.

The spur in development needs to reach out to all the levels and sectors of the economy to achieve prosperity. A growth model that facilitates only the elite and business class will only increase income inequality and poverty. In addition, she acquainted students with the global and exogenous factors contributing to inflation.

Furthermore, she cited that plummeting value of the rupee and rising import bills are the reasons for the current account deficit. At last, she concluded that Pakistan needs to develop long-term growth strategies, but because of its meagre budget and poor governance, the development projects always run out of finances. Fiscal deficit always results in austerity, and austerity is a curse for a country like Pakistan.

Mr Abdullah Khan Sumbal shed some light on the role of academics in policymaking. He addressed the grievances of the students, who lamented the lack of academic research in fiscal policy. He ensured that the planning and development committee would be working closely with the universities and research institutes like PIDE in the future. However, the reform process is deliberately hijacked and sabotaged by bureaucratic manoeuvres.

Mr Rehman Aziz gave beneficial insights on ways to bolster trade and commerce. He highlighted the incompetence of firms receiving a large number of government subsidies. He talked about the promotion of SMEs, selective intervention, and government subsidies for pro-job creating sectors of the economy. He claimed a dichotomy between the provincial and federal governments on power-sharing. The local government has deliberately left loopholes in agriculture taxation.

Also, he mentioned the provincial government’s incapacity to undertake the tasks hitherto under federal control. He asserted that the tax base needs to be widened by increasing the number of taxpayers instead of overburdening the existing taxpayers. To increase production and long-term growth, he added, the government should prevent the import of consumer-oriented goods and increase the sense of capital goods with minimum tariffs to become self-sufficient.

At last, Mr Tanveer Ashraf was questioned about the complex structure and complicated anti-growth tax codes and the hampered growth. The finance bill contains a complex system that a parliamentarian and even an economist cannot read. However, we have every conceivable reform available to improve the existing tax structure, but academia is not fully incorporated.

The initial tax structure is fragmented, leading to loopholes that facilitate particular beneficiaries like elite and business echelons from SROs and exemptions. The panacea to this problem is that we need to have a more open debate and criticism over the finance bill to eliminate the bizarre complexities that hinder growth. Students and faculty members well attended the event. In the end, Pro-Rector Dr Nassar Ikram gave the concluding remarks and presented the souvenirs to the speakers.

For more information, contact:
University of Central Punjab (UCP)
Khayaban-e-Jinnah Road, Johar Town, Lahore, Pakistan
Phone: +92-42-35880007
Fax: +92-42-35954892
Email: info@ucp.edu.pk
Website: https://www.ucp.edu.pk/

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Terminal Exam on Monday (June 13th)

Islamabad, June 11, 2022 (PPI-OT):The Terminal Exam at International Islamic University (IIU) for Spring 2022 will be commencing from Monday June 13th as per schedule already notified.

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

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Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology plans to construct a new block at the campus 

Karachi, June 11, 2022 (PPI-OT):Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology is going to construct a Ground plus 10-floor block. In this regard, a presentation was given to Sardar Yasin Malik at the university campus to highlight the construction and financial details. Registrar Syed Sarfraz Ali gave an elaborate presentation on the construction of the new block at the campus, featuring the developmental journey of the university.

Speaking on the occasion, Sardar Yasin Malik, a Member of the SSUET Board of Governors, said that one should not forget his past, and must remember the old days of poverty. The past is a mirror of your struggle and difficult journey. Today you have more opportunities and facilities available than before. By using modern technology, you can lead your economy towards improvement in which education plays a central role.

He suggested that students should be given scholarships from the very beginning so that they may not be deprived of education due to financial constraints and they may focus on education with full determination and dedication. Sardar Yasin Malik assured the SSUET management that he would extend all possible support in the construction of the building.

Chancellor SSUET, Jawaid Anwar said that Sardar Yasin Malik is a God-fearing person with positive thinking and is fully dedicated to the promotion of education. Many institutions in Karachi are running with his support and funding. His presence has been our source of strength and we hope that his patronage and support will always be with us. The university needs his cooperation in the construction of the new building.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Vali Uddin said that the efforts of Sardar Yasin Malik in the field of education and health are commendable. We always needed his guidance and advice. The construction cost of the new block of Sir Syed University was presented to Sardar Yasin Malik for favourable consideration.

For more information, contact:
Deputy Director Information,
Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET)
University Road, Karachi-75300, Pakistan
Mobile: 0333-2197581
Tel: +92-21-4988000-2, 4982393-474583
Fax: +92-21-4982393
Email: ahdaccani@gmail.com
Website: https://ssuet.edu.pk/

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PCB rubbishes The News story 

Lahore, June 11, 2022 (PPI-OT):Pakistan Cricket Board has rubbished the story in Saturday’s The News newspaper, terming it Fake. The PCB said the game of cricket unites the nation and, as such, these baseless and speculative stories attributed to unidentified “sources” and targeting the institution, it’s units and it’s chair is unfair, unethical and contrary to the basic principles of responsible journalism.

For more information, contact:
Media Manager,
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 54600, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-5717231-4
Fax: +92-42-5711860
Website: www.pcb.com.pk

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AI General Level Training Programme 

Lahore, June 11, 2022 (PPI-OT):UNESCO-ICHEI and IIOE Secretariat in Shenzhen, China! launching the AI General Level Training Programme, starting on April 26, 2021.

This training is now open for enrollment! The AI General Level Training Programme aims to provide university teachers with a better understanding of Artificial Intelligence and its application to facilitate higher education teaching and research.

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will receive an “IIOE Multilevel Training Series – AI General Level Certificate”.

Please note that this training is not only for teachers in STEM-related fields, but teachers of all disciplines and faculties, as well as administrative staff, technical staff, and university leaders.

Please see below for key information about the training programme:

Duration: 21 days Self-paced

Dates: 26 April, 2021 to 16 May, 2021

Fee: FREE

Leading Instructors: Bin CHEN, Professor at Department of Earth and Space Science, Peking University and Dr. Zheng WEN, Assistant Professor of the Department of Communications and Computer Engineering at Waseda University, Japan

Prospective Participants: Educators and professionals in higher education who wish to enhance their understanding of Artificial Intelligence for improvement in their teaching, research and work.

Please enroll at: https://iioe.ichei.org/training

Request device: Participate in the Training via desktop computers and laptops

For more information, contact:
Virtual University of Pakistan (VU)
M.A. Jinnah Campus, Defence Road, Off Raiwind Road,
Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-111-880-880
Fax: +92-42-99200604, +92-42-99202174
Website: www.vu.edu.pk