Day: November 4, 2022

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FCCU Comp Science Students win Gold at PASHA Awards

Lahore, November 04, 2022 (PPI-OT): Students of the Department of Computer Science, FCCU brought home the most prestigious P@SHA ICT Award home for the first time. Undergraduate students Hassan Shakoor Rana, Ahmed Yasser, and Rifa Salman transformed a thesis conducted by Mr. Sharoon Nasim into an android mobile application, displaying the method of R and D, and won the Gold Award in the Tertiary Students category after competing against 90 projects.

Under the supervision of Dr. Aasiya Khanum, Dr. Sidra Minhas, and Dr. M Haroon Shakeel, the students developed “Sunno”, an application that enables everyone to talk to our deaf community seamlessly. This application stems from the publicly available Pakistan Sign Language (PSL) Dictionary compiled by the Deaf Reach Foundation (https://www.psl.org.pk/) under Family Education Services Foundation (FESF).

“Sunno”, now available on Google Play Store and applies the principles of Natural Language Processing to convert English/Urdu text and voice inputs to PSL so the deaf can understand day-to-day communication. This app aims to provide real-time translation to sign language without any dependency on an interpreter. The success of this application will result in the ease of home schooling of deaf children and increase employment opportunities for them.

The theme of this application has attained recognition at various venues including the 2nd Runner award at 3MT Computer Project Exhibition and Competition (COMPPEC, 22) held at NUST, Islamabad, and Best Project Award at Computer Science Senior Project Exhibition (COMPSPEX-22) held at FC College, Lahore and now at P@SHA ICT Awards.

The Department of Computer Science is actively pursuing this project in collaboration with the Deaf Reach Foundation and FCCU ORIC for further feature additions and implementing two-way communication by converting PSL to text/audio. The team is working in line with the motto of FCCU i.e. “With love, serve one another”.

For more information, contact:
Forman Christian College
Ferozpur Road, Lahore 54600, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-99231581-8
Fax: +92-42-99230703
E-Mail: contact@fccollege.edu.pk
Website: www.fccollege.edu.pk

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Panel Discussion: “Managing Natural Disasters in Pakistan”

Islamabad, November 04, 2022 (PPI-OT): The Centre for Strategic Perspectives (CSP) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) in collaboration with Islamabad Security Dialogue (ISD) organised a Panel Discussion titled, “Managing Natural Disasters in Pakistan” on November 3, 2022. Speakers of the event included: Mr. Idrees Mahsud, Member (Disaster Risk Reduction), National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Pakistan; Engr. Aamir Hasan, Secretary, National Security Division (NSD); Mr. Raja Rehan Arshad, Former Lead Disaster Risk Management Specialist, World Bank; Dr. Imran Khalid, Director, Governance and Policy, WWF; Ms. Maryam Shabbir Abbasi, Visiting Senior Research Associate, SDPI; and Mr. Ammar Rashid, Senior Researcher, Heartfile.

In her introductory remarks Dr Neelum Nigar, Director, CSP said that the discussion is aimed at shedding light on factors leading to the occurrence of hazards and the existing challenges with regards to Pakistan’s preparedness in preventing and mitigating their impact.

In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Director General, ISSI, said that Pakistan is facing unprecedented floods and whether it is a recurring phenomenon or an exceptional situation still needs to be determined. Going forward, Pakistan needs to implement the lessons learnt from previous disasters formulate and executive policies accordingly.

While giving his opening remarks, Mr. Aamir Hasan said that in the last decade Pakistan has faced major natural disasters in the form of floods leading to a humanitarian crisis in the country. Pakistan is facing unprecedented challenges due to climate change and the country is not prepared to deal with these challenges. The natural disaster has also increased economic challenges along with food insecurity in the country.

Mr. Mahsud, Member NDMA said that moving forward Pakistan needs to develop policies to make it more resilient to natural disasters. Disaster Management is an evolved subject and NDMA 2010 Act was an important legislation in this regard. There is a need to strengthen coordination at the provincial and district levels. He added that Pakistan has national frameworks in place but what is lacking is their implementation. Risk assessment needs to be carried out across Pakistan to determine the vulnerable areas and actions should be taken accordingly.

He further said that Pakistan policy circles are more sensitised to take actions more efficiently after learning hard lessons from the previous natural disasters. Pakistan cannot reduce its risk completely but it can prepare for mitigation and adaptation. Resolving endemic issues along with climate disaster management is also vital and for that there is a need to keep the discussion active on this topic at the national level.

During the panel discussion, Mr. Rashid said that PDMAs are still non-functional and district level coordination is missing. Furthermore, funding for disaster management has not increased in accordance with the losses incurred. Pakistan is also not utilising existing institutional capacity and end up creating new institutions after every disaster leading to decrease in institutional learning. He further emphasised that essential sectors like health, education, and agriculture need to be prioritised during reconstruction phase. Along with these, institutional roles need to be defined so that they can work efficiently which can be achieved through capacity building.

While sharing her views on the subject, Ms. Abbasi said that data and knowledge-based response is required for Pakistan to deal with disasters. Pakistan needs to strengthen its own constitutional rather than looking for handouts. Mental health arising out of disaster is also an important subject that needs to be looked into as it is a real thing. Furthermore, gender issues also need to be managed during disaster mitigation. Furthermore, aid coming into the country needs to reach the vulnerable people to ensure their social protection.

During his remarks Mr. Arshad said that 2022 floods are a wakeup call for Pakistan as disaster is a multi-layered calamity. Natural hazards should not be looked as a major threat but there needs to be a holistic approach. Policy, financing, implementation, regulatory institutions need to be looked into together as a collective. He further emphasised that scenario analysis and risk identification should be done at national and regional level. Contingent funds need to be set up for disasters so that country does not have to repurpose development funds and look for international financing.

Dr. Imran Khalid, while presenting his views said that climate change is not a major issue, rather lack of good governance is an issue in Pakistan. He further said that global warming targets are out of reach especially for vulnerable countries like Pakistan which impact it adversely. COP-27 will not be able to produce desired results as the developed world is not fulfilling its commitments. Moreover, policy and plans need to build on previous plans, but this is lacking in Pakistan. Disaster response needs to be taken seriously as inaction impacts the national security of Pakistan. At the end, by Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman BoG, ISSI presented the Institutes souvenirs to the speakers.

For more information, contact:
Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI)
Sector F-5/2, Islamabad – 44000, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9202481
Fax: +92-51-9204658
E-mail: strategy@issi.org.pk
Website: http://issi.org.pk/

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Governor Punjab Engr. Muhammad Baligh-ul-Rahman appreciated the outstanding progress of the IUB in international ranking

Bahawalpur, November 04, 2022 (PPI-OT): Engr. Prof. Dr. Athar Mahboob, Vice Chancellor, Islamia University of Bahawalpur met with Engr. Muhammad Baligh ul Rahman, Honourable Governor Punjab and Chancellor at Governor House Lahore today. On this occasion, Governor Punjab praised IUB’s tremendous rise in international ranking during the last three years. The Islamia University of Bahawalpur stands at top position in the Southern Punjab and at 2nd position in the Punjab besides joining the top 800 universities club in the World University Rankings of the Times Higher Education.

The Vice Chancellor also apprised the Chancellor about the progress on Consortium on Climate Change, Sustainability and Conservation leading the universities in the province on environmental issues. The Chancellor also praised the recently held convocation ceremony presided over by him at the Islamia University of Bahawalpur. The Governor also lauded the flood relief campaign run by the faculty and students of the IUB. The Vice Chancellor also briefed about academic and research activities going on at the campus and progress on development projects.

For more information, contact:
The Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB)
University Chowk, Gulshan Colony, Bahawalpur,
Punjab – 63100, Pakistan
Tel: +92-62-9250235
Fax: +92-62-9250335
E-mail: info@iub.edu.pk
Website: https://www.iub.edu.pk/

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SU’s IELL students highlight significance of project based learning in poster exhibition

Jamshoro, November 04, 2022 (PPI-OT): The undergraduate students of English Linguistics at Institute of English Language and Literature (IELL), University of Sindh Jamshoro, organized a poster exhibition in a bid to highlight the significance of project-based learning and get an opportunity to showcase their talent and skills here on Thursday.

Both the male and female students of the institute provided information on project based learning and its importance in improving pronunciation, learning grammar, effective teaching of communicative language in classrooms and the use of information and communication technology in English teaching.

The third year students of BS (English Linguistics) presented various projects in the exhibition under the supervision of their supervisor and teacher Dr. Ellahi Bakhsh Gopang which was held in the corridors of the Institute of English Language and Literature aiming at promoting project-based learning. More than 20 different poster projects were put on display by 10 groups; each of those consisted of 7 to 10 male and female students.

According to the decision of the judges including the director of the institute, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Khan Sangi, Dr. Farida Yasmin Panhwar and Dr. Ghulam Ali Buriro, Seven Star group comprised seven students including Anum Chandio, Pirah Leghari, Iqra, Saima, Murk Rustamani, Shiloobai and hoor Junejo grabbed first position in the exhibition and received the award.

The second position was given to ‘hacks to speak group’ and the trophy was jointly received by the students Ayesha, Nayab Zahra, Ayesha Qureshi, Qandeel, Momina, Anum Wafa, Sadia and Qamar ul Nisa. Thus the Swagger’s Group succeeded to get the third position and the students of the group Aiman Sohito, Tooba Fatima, Anum Memon, Aqsa Sheikh, Rehman Shoro, Mushtaque Khoso, Syed Hasnain Mehdi, Syed Faizan Shah, Arsalan Khaskheli and Zeeshan Khaskheli jointly received the award.

Speaking on the occasion, the supervisor of the projects Dr. Ellahi Bakhsh Gopang said that there was a need to promote project based learning as it was a successful model across the world. He said that English was a non-native language in Pakistan, for which the project based learning could prove very beneficial for the learners.

He said that the purpose of the exhibition was to improve communication skills of students through modern techniques of teaching and learning of the language, build on pronunciation, learn English through grammar, teach communicative language in the classroom, and promote language learning through technology.

He said that different teaching methods were introduced and highlighted through the posters as to how the use of information and communication technology could be beneficial in the language learning process. Dr Gopang further said that the projects will enable students to face real life challenges and prepare them for academic, personal and career success.

The Director Institute of English Language and Literature Professor Dr. Muhammad Khan Sangi said that the students of the third year of English Linguistics had prepared projects in a very professional manner and put them on display. “I am elated to see the skills of my students”, he said and added that there was a difference between learning English language and studying English linguistics.

He said that the 3rd year students had highlighted the importance of English in the modern age and that how it could easily be learnt and taught with the help of project based learning. “The projects prepared by students in different 10 groups are amazing and professional”, Dr Sangi said.

He stated that such wonderful educational activities will boost the learning of the students and will help them greatly in their practical life. Earlier, teachers and students hailing from different departments of the varsity thronged to IELL to witness the projects. They visited the stalls and carefully observed the academic work prepared by the students of English Linguistics.

For more information, contact:
Director
Centre for Pure and Applied Geology
University of Sindh
University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan
Tel: +92-22-9213167
Cell: +92-300-9375193
E-mail: shsolangi@usindh.edu.pk
Website: www.usindh.edu.pk

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2572 Graduates Given Degrees on 23rd Convocation 2022

Lahore, November 04, 2022 (PPI-OT): University of Management and Technology (UMT) held its 23rd Convocation 2022 on Wednesday, November 02. A total of 2572 graduates were given degrees in various disciplines on this occasion. According to the details 1816 Bachelor, 185 Master, 537 MS/MPhil and 34 PhD degrees were conferred.

Furthermore, 32 Patron Gold Medals, 36 Rector Silver Medals, 03 Rector Academic Excellence Award Gold Medals, 04 Certificates of Excellence, 03 Certificates of Merit, 05 Research Publication Awards for MS/MPhil students, 02 Dr Hasan Sohaib Murad Medal Awards (Gold) for PhD graduates along with cash prize of Rupees 100000 each, 01 Khurram Murad Medal Award (Gold) along with cash prize of Rupees 100000 for MBA graduate, 01 Mubarak un Nisa Medal Award along with cash prize of rupees 100000 to BBA graduate, 02 Dr Muhammad Ahmed Medal Awards along with cash prize of rupees 25000 each to BSHEL graduates, 01 Fast Excellence Award along with cash prize of Rupees 100000 to BSEE graduate and 18 Rector Awards for Entrepreneurship and Innovation were also given away on the occasion.

The convocation commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran followed by the National Anthem. Rector UMT Dr Asif Raza in his welcome address expressed his gratitude to the guest of honour Mr Sadiq Sanjrani (Chairman Senate of Pakistan) and the keynote speaker Dr Gohar Ejaz (Patron in Chief, APTMA), parents, faculty, students and other attendees for gracing the event.

Mentioning the various milestones that UMT has achieved, he appreciated the commitment and dedication of the faculty and staff in supporting UMT to become the number 1 private sector university in the country and among the top 600 universities in the world. Speaking to the audience, Rector praised the students for their efforts and perseverance and the parents for their distinguished contributions and sacrifices.

He said that the day of convocation marks the successful accomplishment of an important milestone in the lives of the graduates. I am confident that the graduates would keep the UMT flag high through their conduct and performance and would be a source of pride for all of us, he concluded.

Mr Sadiq Sanjrani, Chairman Senate of Pakistan congratulated the graduates and stated that I feel honoured to give away degrees and medals at the 23rd convocation of Pakistan’s number 1 ranked private sector university. He expressed that the seed of UMT was sown by Dr Hasan Murad (Shaheed) and I’m happy to see it growing and prospering.

These graduating participants are a testimony of how UMT is committed to its mission of transforming learners into leaders, he added. He advised the graduates to be good human beings, only then they will be able to serve the nation and the country and also make a name in the world.

Mr Sadiq Sanjrani wished the graduates the best in their lives and careers as these graduates are the future of Pakistan. We all have to together safeguard this country and work for its progress, he concluded. Dr Gohar Ejaz, Patron in Chief All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) congratulated the graduates and said that I feel privileged to be addressing to the future leaders of Pakistan here at UMT’s convocation ceremony.

Mr Gohar stated that UMT has been brought to heights by the dedication and loyalty of Ibrahim Hasan Murad and Dr Ahmed Omer Murad who played a key role in making UMT the number one university in Pakistan. Speaking to the graduates he said that you people are the future of our country and it is your responsibility to provide innovative solutions to the challenges we are facing today.

“UMT gave you the education, your parents gave you the grooming and your religion gave you the way of life. Now success is waiting for you, you just have to take the first step because there is no shortcut to success”, he expressed. Chairman ILM Trust\UMT Dr Ahmed Omar Murad congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to figure out the purpose of their life. He laid emphasis on life-long learning, skill development and social welfare.

He stated, “I am confident that as you step out into the real world, equipped with knowledge and skills, the next 40 years of Pakistan will be shaped by you and others of your generation”. He also said that I see great potential in the Pakistani youth because they have faith, a vision for a moral and just world and are not purely driven by material needs.

He guided the youth to not just settle for the ordinary but to make their lives extraordinary. President UMT/ILM Trust, Ibrahim Hasan Murad presented souvenirs to Mr Sadiq Sanjrani and Dr Gohar Ejaz along with DG UMT Abid Shirwani at the end of the ceremony.

For more information, contact:
Media Coordinator,
University of Management and Technology (UMT)
C-II, Johar Town, Lahore, Pakistan
UAN: +92-42-111-300-200
Tel: +92-42-35212801-10
Fax: +92-42-35184789
Email: yaqoob@umt.edu.pk
Website: https://www.umt.edu.pk

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Visit of U.S. Consulate General and USEFP Session

Faisalabad, November 04, 2022 (PPI-OT): Ms. Sumayya Tariq Education Adviser and Cultural Diplomacy Officer of the U.S. Consulate General with Ms. Maryam Khan Education USA Adviser of the USEFP Lahore office visited NTU on October 27, 2022.

They talked about the State Department and the opportunities available for scholars, faculty members, and management, along with discussing other possibilities of linkages including grants. Faculty and students had an interesting conversation with them regarding education programs. Advisor Students Office facilitated the visit and session.

For more information, contact:
National Textile University (NTU)
Sheikhupura Road, Faisalabad 37610, Pakistan
Tel: +92-41-9230081-90
Fax: +92-41-9230098
Email: info@ntu.edu.pk
Website: http://www.ntu.edu.pk