Tag: (AU)

Islamabad, November 24, 2021 (PPI-OT):A two-day International Conference on Cyber Warfare and Security (ICCSW-2021) concluded successfully on Wednesday at Air University, Islamabad. The President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi graced the occasion as Chief Guest whereas the Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Executive Director HEC Dr. Shaista Sohail, Vice Chancellor Air University Air Marshal Javaid Ahmad (retd.) also addressed the participants, emphasizing the importance of cyber security in today’s digital world.

On the occasion, the country’s first-ever National Cyber Security Academy, established at Air University, was also inaugurated by the President in the presence of high-profile dignitaries. Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood and Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Nauman Ali attended the closing ceremony as Guests of honour.

President Dr. Arif Alvi, while addressing the ceremony, declared Cyber Security as a global threat having implications on the National Security of the country. He appreciated industry-academia collaboration, where PAF worked closely with the Air University and HEC in establishing the country’s first ever Cyber Security Academy. Terming it as a historic occasion, the President called for the pursuit of excellence in the cyber domain.

PAF Director General C4I Air Vice Marshal Abbas Ghumman, while sharing the cybervision of Pakistan Air Force, briefed about the strategic initiatives and valuable contribution of Pakistan Air Force for making the cyber space of Pakistan secure. He, on behalf of the Chief of Air Staff, also assured Air University of providing due support in its endeavours in cyber security domain. The DG further talked about various initiatives, specially the establishment of PAF’s first cyber security park and full operationalization of the PAF’s cyber command by March next year.

Executive Director HEC Dr Shaista Sohail, in her speech, highlighted that the HEC was upgrading the academic course of cyber security to BS and PhD levels. According to her, introducing it as a mandatory subject in universities is also under consideration for creating awareness among the new generation.

Vice Chancellor Air University Javaid Ahmed, lauding the active support provided by PAF officials, said that his varsity is committed to produce highly-trained and well-qualified cyber security experts to address the emerging cyber security threats being faced by every institution of the country, including armed forces, civil institutions, public and private sector organizations, FinTech, banking sector, media houses and civil society. “The academy would conduct existing and future need-based requirement analysis, in close coordination with industry and stakeholders, to provide informed recommendations to design and upgrade existing courses while also developing new ones for various academic programs starting from elementary schools,” he further stated.

Director National Centre for Cyber Security (NCCS) Dr. Kashif Kifayat, in his speech, informed that the NCCS housed at Air University Islamabad has been established by Government of Pakistan through Higher Education Commission (HEC). “It is actually a consortium of eleven (11) laboratories established in reputed Universities of Pakistan working in different fields of cyber security,” he said.

During the two-day conference, 22 research papers, 6 training workshops, and 2 panel discussions were among the key highlights whereas international delegates and researchers from the US, Turkey, Hungary, Malaysia and other countries also participated enthusiastically in order to share their rich expertise in the field of cyber security.

In the keynote and technical talks delivered throughout the conference, experts from diverse backgrounds shed light on different dimensions of cyber security highlighting the challenges faced and solutions being developed. Research paper presentations during the technical session proposed novel solutions for cyber security related problems in diverse IT fields such as cyber-physical systems, Internet of Things, digital crime forensics and social media etc. Among other highlights of the conference were workshops conducted to provide hands-on training on cyber security tools developed by various NCCS labs across the country.

The first panel discussed cyber security aspects of the FinTech sector, which is an emerging area of the IT industry focusing on providing financial services by modernizing the traditional financial model. Prominent names from the financial sector were accompanied by experts from the cyber security domain for an enlightening and thoughtful discussion on the current situation of FinTech security, and the need of the day to ensure the appropriate steps taken for provision of convenient and secure financial services to the customers. The panellists also hoped that the inauguration of NCSA will be a major step forward in strengthening the country on the cyber front by delivering highly skilled and trained professionals to serve the country’s IT infrastructure.

Another panel comprising key figures from the Government as well as private sectors focused on Pakistan’s cyber security industry, identifying the gaps where work needs to be done in order to boost the output of this industry both locally and globally. Some other interesting topics that came under-discussion were related to organizational cyber security transformation, cryptographic tools, deep learning of malware, cyber security of industrial controlled systems, DDoS attacks detection, cloud confidence, and cyber security for mobility and transport sector.

A good number of academia, industry experts, and representatives from public and private sector also visited the industry exhibition and evinced keen interest in the products including cyber forensic toolkits, secure communication framework, remote monitoring via sensors, and internet security and privacy labs. The exhibitors, expressing satisfaction on the arrangements made by Air University, also hoped that such events will be helpful in strengthening industry-academia linkages and bolstering academic and technical collaboration with technically advanced industries in the world.

For more information, contact:
Air University (AU)
PAF Complex, E-9, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9262557-9, +92-51-9261781, +92-51-2281482-4
Fax: +92-51-9260158
Email: amjad@mail.au.edu.pk
Website: https://www.au.edu.pk

Islamabad, June 27, 2021 (PPI-OT):Air University, in connection with the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (World Drug Day), has organized an awareness session to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving the goal of a world free of drug abuse. The event was opened with a highly influential documentary created by a brilliant team of Fazaia Medical College in collaboration with Air Media Club. The documentary depicted the adverse impact of drug addiction on the life of a young man and unacceptance of society for such person and eventually leading to death by suicide.

 

Dr. Uzma Masroor, the President of Pakistan Association of Clinical Psychologist, Islamabad Chapter, in her keynote address, talked on different psychological effects of drugs and how to overcome the conditions of stress and anxiety. “Each year, individuals like yourself, entire communities, and various organizations all over the world join in on this global observance, to raise awareness of the major problem that illicit drugs represent for society,” said Dr Uzma, who is also Chair Department of Humanities, Education and Psychology, Air University and a certified trainer of Hypnosis, NGH-USA and NLP, NF-NLP, USA.

 

On the occasion, Air University Thespian Society presented a powerful and impressive mime performance on the influence of drugs and how they lead to a ruined life and also how someone can cure up from this cancer. The Air University Debating Society presented a set of speakers who presented a bilingual talk on the matter. They debated on this social evil and influenced the audience to know that drugs have very disturbing long term effects.

 

The event was concluded with closing remarks by Fazaila Ali Qazi, Director Student Affairs in which she highlighted various steps for the awareness, monitoring, disciplinary procedures as well as the rehabilitative support such as psychological counselling, medical care, help line and anti-drugs team at university level being initiated through the visible commitment and support of Vice Chancellor Air University.

 

“Air University stands strong with its commitment to a drug free and smoke free university and realizes the importance of this fatal abuse,” the director said, adding that new policies are being developed for the eradication and prevention of smoke and drug usage, distribution and sales at campuses and many more, to ensure a drug and smoke free campus.

 

The event was organized by Directorate of Student Affairs, Air University, with collaboration of AU Debating Society and AU Thespian Society. Apart from the main theme it was also an effort to spread awareness about drugs and their addiction. The event also included an oath taking ceremony by the staff and students to help fight the battle and challenges of drug abuse and rehabilitation in society.

 

For more information, contact:

Air University (AU)

PAF Complex, E-9, Islamabad, Pakistan

Tel: +92-51-9262557-9, +92-51-9261781, +92-51-2281482-4

Fax: +92-51-9260158

Email: amjad@mail.au.edu.pk

Website: https://www.au.edu.pk