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Punjab University researchers invent novel method to convert agri-waste into edible sugars

Lahore, June 28, 2021 (PPI-OT): A research team under the aegis of Punjab University Centre for Research in Ionic Liquids (CRIL) Director Dr Maliha Aroos has developed a protocol to convert agricultural waste into food. The food grade glucose produced can be used for human consumption; in pharmaceuticals, general food industry and also for the production of artificial proteins. The CRIL has been recently established by PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Niaz Ahmed Akhtar during restructuring of the university with an aim to resolve socio-economic problems of Pakistan and this research is the first landmark step to achieve the goals of its establishment.

The work is published in a highly reputed international journal of American Chemical Society named “ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering” with an impact factor of 7.63. This research contribution was made possible by her PhD student Azmat Mehmood Asim, in collaboration with Prof. Jason Hallett, Imperial College London and Dr. Nawshad Muhammad, Khyber Medical University. The method uses the highly desirable and environment friendly solvents; the biocompatible Ionic Liquids. Pakistan as an agricultural country is highly rich in agricultural waste. Dr Maliha Uroos and her research group successfully produced food grade sugars from the waste of wheat and rice straw that have no significant use except burning at the end, causing smog and increase in pollution.

This is the first time that these materials have been considered for human food. In view of the reports from world-wide organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), food sources are becoming insufficient with every passing day. According to these intimations, carbohydrates and proteins, the primary human food nutrients, will become less available for a huge population in the future. Alternate technologies, thus, should be developed to combat these imminent problems. This is what Dr Maliha Uroos and her research group worked on and succeeded in the invention.

The research team at the CRIL is working hard with industrial collaboration to find sustainable solutions to national challenges of food security, energy crisis, import substitutions and availability of clean drinking water by synthesis and utilization of these unique tunable solvents called “Ionic Liquids”. This work is supported by two mega research grants i.e. TDF and NRPU awarded by Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. In a press statement, Dr Aroos congratulated the research team and said that this success was made possible due to the encouragement and constant support by PU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmed Akhtar, who has tasked the university researchers to focus on the research which could resolve issues being faced by the society.

For more information, contact:
Registrar,
University of the Punjab
Quaid-e-Azam Campus, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-99231102
Fax: +92-42-99231103
E-Mail: registrar@pu.edu.pk
Website: http://pu.edu.pk/

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Level-1 umpiring and match referee course concludes

Lahore, June 28, 2021 (PPI-OT): As many as 49 cricketers among 346 personnel were part of the online Level-1 Umpiring course for umpires and match referees which took place from 7 to 25 June. These cricketers include Pakistan internationals – Abdul Rauf, Bilal Asif, Salman Butt and Shoaib Khan.

To develop match officials, the PCB has planned to introduce Level 1, 2 and 3 courses for umpires and match referees. In accordance to that the PCB has successfully concluded the phase 1 of the Level-1 course, where the participants were given online lectures on the basic umpiring rules, regulations and laws of the game.

The courses were conducted by PCB’s Elite and Supplementary Panels of Match Referees which also included a question and answers session.

In the second phase, the participants will now undergo written tests, interviews and fitness tests in due course.

The successful candidates will be told to supervise club, school and other matches in their respective City Cricket Associations.

The PCB is committed to providing employment opportunities for former cricketers through such courses and will continue to provide more opportunities in the coming months.

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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Shadab Khan upbeat about Pakistan living up to its potential in England series

Derby, June 28, 2021 (PPI-OT): Pakistan men’s national cricket team have commenced seven-day preparations for their white-ball UK tour with the first training session of the tour at the Incora Derby Cricket Ground after spending first three days in room isolation.

Pakistan will play England in three ODIs and as many T20Is. The ODIs are part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League and currently the two teams are tied on 40 points, with England on the second spot because of a better net run-rate and Pakistan at the third. This is Pakistan’s fifth tour of the UK in the last six years. Overall, they have visited here 11 times for bilateral contests.

Shadab Khan, the national men’s side’s white-ball vice-captain, is excited about the latest tour as he believes the current squad has done well in the last one year and has the desired momentum to beat the world champions. While speaking to www.pcb.com.pk, Shadab Khan made his intentions clear that Pakistan are in England to win.

“Surely, England are the ODI world champions, but we come into the series after playing some good cricket against them in the past.”

“The passion and love of these guys for the game is evident by the energy they have put in in the practice session today. It is great to be reunited as a team after competing against each other in the successful HBL Pakistan Super League 6.

“Of course, English conditions are different from UAE but HBL PSL 6 has given us momentum and rhythm and we would like to keep this momentum going by playing some exciting and competitive cricket.

“If you look at our squad, Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq have played extraordinary innings in South Africa. Fakhar has scored two centuries in three matches, while Imam scored two half-centuries which show our opening pair is settled in this format.

“Our middle-order is strong too with Babar Azam – who needs no introduction – and Mohammad Rizwan, who is fresh from winning the HBL PSL 6. Haris Sohail is back in the side having scored over 50 runs per innings in the UK.

“Our bowling department is beefed up by Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali, who are match winners. So we are very confident and hopeful of showing our full potential in the upcoming games.”

Tour itinerary:

25 June – Departure for Derby

6 July – Arrival in Cardiff

8 July – 1st ODI, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff

10 July – 2nd ODI, Lord’s, London

13 July – 3rd ODI, Edgbaston, Birmingham

16 July – 1st T20I, Trent Bridge, Nottingham

18 July – 2nd T20I, Headingley, Leeds

20 July – 3rd T20I, Old Trafford, Manchester

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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Four UVAS development projects okayed in Punjab ADP 2021-22

Lahore, June 28, 2021 (PPI-OT): The Punjab government in its Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2021-22 has approved four development schemes of the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore (UVAS) Lahore. The projects are “Provision of Urgently Needed Male and Female Hostel Facilities at UVAS Ravi Campus Pattoki” of Rs of 187 million, “Establishment of a New UVAS Sub-Campus at Chichawatni” of Rs of 2.85 billion, “Strengthen of Capacity Building Facilities at Para Veterinary Institute Karor Lal Eason Layyah of Rs 123.650 and “Capacity Building of Dairy Farmers and Industry Stakeholders on Milk Value Chain” of Rs 75 million.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Nasim Ahmad thanked the Punjab government for inclusion of the UVAS development projects in (ADP). He said that livestock sector having enormous potential for economic growth is a real source of livelihood of the poor livestock farming community. About the new sub campus at Chichawatni, Prof Nasim said that Chichawatni is one of the major livestock holding territories in Punjab and the new campus will contribute to uplift the poor farming community in Punjab.

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

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NUSTians win CureMD Young Inventor Program 2021

Islamabad, June 28, 2021 (PPI-OT): Courtesy brilliance and inventiveness of its pool of highly talented students and faculty, NUST continues to be on a winning streak since dawn of the year 2021 – latest of these meritorious accomplishments being a comprehensive even dazzling triumph of students of NUST School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (SEECS) at CureMD Young Inventor Program (YIP 2021) held from January to April 2021. The committee of judges unanimously endorsed three Nustians out of seven finalists for the competition, wherein as many as 900 students from across Pakistan pitched their innovative potential. The excelling SEECS students claiming the top three slots include Alina Irfan, Shahzeb Naeem and Ayman Tanveer.

In addition to the above-mentioned students, six other SEECS students also qualified for CureMD Grit Plus Award and CureMD Grit Award. Momina Gul, Talha Masood and Hamza lqbal were awarded Grit Plus Award, whereas Amna ljaz, Usama Saghir and M Abdur Rehman were conferred the Grit Award.

NUST family congratulates them on this tremendous achievement!

For more information, contact:
Director Press and Media Release
National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST)
NUST Campus, H-12, Islamabad, Pakistan
UAN: +92-51-111-11-6878
Tel: +92-51-90851381
Fax: +92-51-90851382
Email: prnust@gmail.com
Website: www.nust.edu.pk

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Launch of E-Courses on two important HEC’s Policies

Lahore, June 28, 2021 (PPI-OT): The Higher Education Commission of Pakistan has co-designed courses on two important HEC Policies in collaboration with the National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and UN Women been supported by funding from the Australian High Commission.

The e-courses are as follows:

E-course on Protection Against Sexual Harassment Policy

The policy outlines how Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Pakistan can roll the policy out at their institution and details the provisions and support available to anybody associated with the HEI reporting incidence of sexual harassment course is self-paced and uses plain language and illustrations to keep audiences engaged. Students, faculty, and administration of universities are expected to take this course. Once the course is complete, participants can take the online quiz. An 80% or more mark on the quiz will allow printing a personalised certificate of course completion. Participants are welcome to take the quiz various times if they do not get the required mark to print the certificate on the first attempt.

E-course on Policy for Students with Disabilities at Higher Education Institutions in Pakistan

This e-course is based on the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan’s policy for Students with Disabilities at Higher Education Institutions in Pakistan. The policy outlines how Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Pakistan can roll the policy out at their institution and details the provisions and support available to existing and potential students with Disabilities at Higher Education Institutions in Pakistan.

The course is self-paced, uses plain language and illustrations to keep audiences engaged. Students, faculty, and administration of universities are expected to take this course. Once the course is complete, participants can take the online quiz. An 80% or more mark on the quiz will allow printing a personalised certificate of course completion. Participants are welcome to take the quiz various times if they do not get the required mark to print the certificate on the first attempt.

Online Registration

This course is available through NAHE’s learning management system, Moodle. For your account to be created on Moodle by NAHE, please register by clicking here (https://forms.gle/GKz2BKBMSCZa131F9). Please make sure that there are no typing errors in your email address. Once registered, an account will be created within 2-weeks, and a unique participant ID will be shared with you via email. Without entering the correct participant ID, you will not be able to begin the course.

Step 1: Fill the registration form for your account creation on NAHE’s LMS, Moodle.

Step 2: Wait for an email (up to 2 weeks) containing your credentials. Check spam/junk and inbox

Step 3: Reset your password on Moodle and enrol in the course

Step 4: Enter your participant ID and start the course. Upon successful completion, the certificate will be downloadable

Step 5: If you get a low quiz score, retake the course (step 4)

For any technical issues regarding registration, please email at courses-nahe@hec.gov.pk.

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/