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Islamabad, July 03, 2023 (PPI-OT): NTU Road Safety Club (2022-2023) arranged a Community Drive on “Traffic Awareness” on May 02, 2023. The objective was aware the community and students of NTU about Traffic rules and regulations. Students and traffic police also distributed helmets and side mirrors to bike riders for safety purposes. Muhammad Akmal (Chief Traffic Officer Faisalabad) was the Chief Guest invited by Mr. Farooq Jamal (Assistant Professor FBS, NTU FSD) and the President of the Road Safety Club.

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: [email protected]

Website: www.nust.edu.pk

Islamabad, July 03, 2023 (PPI-OT): An Open House Project display was held at The University of Faisalabad on Saturday, June 24, 2023. Students belonging to different institutes across the country participated in the event. Final-year students from the Department of Computer Science at NTU also presented their projects at the event. Fizza Azmat, Muhammad Ikram ul Haq, and Muhammad Shavez Arif presented their project titled InNavo: Augmented Reality Based Indoor Navigation System’ and got third place in the competition, receiving a check of Rs. 10,000 as prize money.

Dr. Mudassar Ahmad (Chairman, Department of Computer Science), Dr. Rehan Ashraf (AP), Ms. Kainat Rizwan, and Ms. Sara Ishtiaq were also present at the event. The Department of Computer Science congratulates the winning group, their Supervisor and Co-supervisor, and all esteemed faculty members on their remarkable 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: [email protected]

Website: www.nust.edu.pk

Islamabad, July 03, 2023 (PPI-OT): In the light of the directions of the Worthy President International Islamic University to conduct special activities for foreign students and hostels residers of far flung areas, the Students’ Advisors and Provosts Offices (male and female) of the university arranged recreational trips separately.

The activities were held by both the offices in coordination with office of Protocol and Public Relations. The students visited Karore village in suburbs of Islamabad along with the officials of the concerned offices.

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: [email protected]

Website: www.iiu.edu.pk

Lahore, July 03, 2023 (PPI-OT): No degrees, no examinations, and no tuition fees; Government College University Lahore has announced a project called “free education for all,” opening its doors to individuals interested in acquiring knowledge. “Free education for all” will be implemented in the University’s Institute of History in the first phase as a pilot project starting in Fall 2023. It will later be extended to other departments in subsequent phases.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi stated in a press statement issued on Monday, “Individuals interested in acquiring knowledge can request permission from the University to attend classes solely for knowledge acquisition, rather than focusing on obtaining degrees and grades.” Under this new program, participants will have the opportunity to audit courses of their choice across various degree programs offered by the university. There will be no grading of assignments or exams, and no degrees will be awarded upon completion. Instead, individuals will have the chance to attend classes and gain valuable knowledge from highly qualified faculty members.

Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi, GCU’s VC, expressed enthusiasm about the initiative, emphasizing the importance of learning for the sake of knowledge itself. He emphasized that education should be accessible to all, regardless of age, race, religion, educational background, or financial situation. Applicants interested in participating in this program will be required to complete a police verification process, obtain a university card worth Rs. 200, and secure the approval of the Chairperson and the teacher of the desired program or course.

To launch this initiative, the University has initially limited the offering to three departments within the Institute of Global and Historical Studies: ‘History,’ ‘Art History,’ and ‘Archive Studies.’ However, plans are underway to extend the program to other departments starting in the Spring 2024 semester. Prof. Zaidi expressed his belief that this approach will revolutionize the learning process. The presence of participants from varied backgrounds in a single class will create an intellectually stimulating environment, fostering mature discussions, and promoting a holistic educational experience.

“The introduction of free education at GCU marks a significant step towards fostering inclusive and accessible learning opportunities in Pakistan. As this initiative expands to other departments, it has the potential to inspire similar efforts in other educational institutions across the country, promoting lifelong learning and the pursuit of knowledge for all,” said Prof. Zaidi.

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: [email protected]

Website: http://www.gcu.edu.pk

Lahore, July 03, 2023 (PPI-OT): The Professional Development Center (PDC) of the Virtual University of Pakistan successfully organized a three-day hands-on training program called “Python Essentials” for 27 female faculty members from Kinnaird College Lahore. The workshop aimed to equip the participants with essential programming skills and provide them with in-depth knowledge of Python, a versatile programming language widely used across various industries.

Throughout the workshop, the participants gained practical experience in installing Python, setting up development environments, and working with fundamental programming concepts such as data types, basic operations, decision-making structures, loops, and functions. They also learned effective manipulation of data structures like lists, tuples, and dictionaries, and explored advanced topics including the usage of the Numpy library for linear algebra operations, file handling, and data visualization using Matplotlib.

The participants expressed their gratitude for the valuable learning opportunity and praised the workshop’s content and hands-on approach. The Virtual University of Pakistan’s PDC remains committed to providing high-quality training programs, bridging skill gaps, and promoting a culture of continuous learning in the digital age.

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

Lahore, July 03, 2023 (PPI-OT): Government College University (GCU) Lahore has made a ground-breaking announcement, signalling a monumental shift in the undergraduate education system on offer at this circa 160 years old Institution of higher education. Starting from the Fall 2023 semester, the University will implement the Higher Education Commission’s (HEC) new undergraduate (UG) policy, revolutionizing the university experience and aligning it with the esteemed well-rounded education standards of top universities of the world.

One of the most exciting aspects of the new UG policy is the opportunity for GCU students to learn from General Education courses. For example, all students will need to study courses of Natural Sciences; Arts and Humanities; and Social Sciences irrespective of your subject of specialisation. They will all study ICT Applications; Entrepreneurship; Community Engagement as well as Ideology and Constitution of Pakistan within the first two years. As before, they will need to study Islamic Studies and English.

Moreover, they will be able earn an Associate Degree after just two years of study. This accelerated path not only grants them a recognized qualification but also allows for quicker entry into the job market or further studies. GCU’s UG programs will now also offer a double-major option, enabling students to pursue degrees in two different disciplines. By expanding their knowledge base and diversifying their skill set, students will enhance their career prospects and become more versatile professionals in the ever-evolving job market.

Prof. Dr Asghar Zaidi, Vice Chancellor of GCU, emphasized the transformative impact of this policy shift, emphasizing the transition can be seen to be moving away from the British system towards the US system of liberal education. He acknowledged the implementation challenges posed by the prevailing mind-set among university administrators, faculty, and potential students, who may not fully grasp the value of liberal arts education and the benefits of a holistic approach.

To ensure a seamless transition, GCU has taken proactive measures to prepare its faculty members for the changes brought about by the new UG policy. The Vice-Chancellor conducted two orientations, equipping chairpersons and faculty members with the necessary knowledge and understanding to deliver high-quality education aligned with the new policy. Department heads were also entrusted with the responsibility of training teachers within their respective departments.

Recognizing the significance of general education courses, GCU has also established the Department of Philosophy and Liberal Arts, overseeing social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, English, and technology courses. The university is committed to implementing an e-learning model to ensure uniform and exceptional teaching standards in the foundational General Education subjects.

GCU has also adjusted its admission policy to align with the new UG policy. Prospective students will now undergo a comprehensive written test, evaluating their fundamental competencies and knowledge related to their intermediate level studies. This assessment will enable students to showcase their skills and make informed decisions regarding their desired field of study.

Additionally, GCU provides comprehensive counselling services to applicants, assisting them in selecting a discipline that resonates with their interests and aptitude. Even if students are unable to secure admission in their preferred discipline, GCU offers alternative options and informs them about available seats in other disciplines, reaffirming their commitment to personalized education and student success.

Prof. Zaidi emphasized that the implementation of HEC’s new UG policy at GCU represents a significant milestone in the institution’s commitment to academic excellence and innovation. By embracing a flexible and comprehensive approach to undergraduate education, GCU is poised to provide students with a holistic learning experience that prepares them for the future. This transformative journey sets a new standard in Pakistan’s education landscape, inspiring other institutions to follow suit and contribute to a more inclusive and globally competitive education system.

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: [email protected]

Website: http://www.gcu.edu.pk