May 2007
20 More
Quality Assurance Cells
in Universities
Open-access
Online Portal
for Pakistani Journals
ANOTHER
HONOUR
Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman Made Life Fellow
at Cambridge University
Table of Contents
ARTICLE
Virtual University of Pakistan....... by Dr. Naveed A. Malik
DEPARTMENT
PROFILE
Department of Business Administration, University of Sargodha
2
5
7
HEC News & Views is published every
month. No part of this publication
may be reproduced in any form
without prior written permission of the
publisher. The views expressed by
authors in the articles is their sole
responsibility and not of HEC.
HEC would like to thank all the
institutions and individuals who
contributed information and
photographs for this magazine.
Assistant Editor
Aayesha Ikram
Graphic Designer
Raja Ahmad Nadeem
Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman Made Life Fellow at Cambridge University
20 More Quality Assurance Cells in Universities
Open-access Online Portal for Pakistani Journals
Seven Projects Approved for Young Innovators Award
HEC Inks MoU with Leading Korean University
Workshop for Universities' Senior Management
Uniform Framework for Engineering Education
HEC Scholar Gets PhD Degree in Physics
HEC Gymnasts Excel in National Games
Returning PhD Scholars Being Placed in Varsities
HEC to Strengthen Nursing Workforce
14
Social Sciences Conference at IIUI
IIUI Holds 19th Cultural Festival
Hazara University Holds 1st Convocation
Greenwich University Convocation
GCU Lahore, HKBU Sign MoU
One-day Workshop at GCU, Lahore
Poverty Alleviation through Agribusiness
Intel Malaysia Selects Four GIKI Students
GIKI Holds Industrial Open House, Career Fair
Seminar on Genetic & Biomedical Engineering
NIIT Organizes Int'l Workshop on Networking
Royal College Office at UHS for MRCP Exams
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
Understanding Allergies and Asthma
Reporter
Waseem Khaliqdad
Proof Reader
Riaz-ul-Haque
Publisher: D.G. Admn.
NEWS
INTERNATIONAL
24
26
UAE Team Wins Microsoft Imagine Cup
Australia Creates $5 Billion Fund for Research
Diabetes Drug May Help Fight Breast Cancer
National Research Grant for Universities
Travel Grants for Teachers
CDWP Approved Projects
28
Virtual University of Pakistan
The Virtual University (VU),
Pakistan’s first University
completely based on modern
Information and
Communication
Technologies, was
established by the
Government in 2002 as a
public sector, not-for-profit
institution with a clear
mission to provide extremely
affordable world-class
education to aspiring
students all over the country.
Dr. Naveed A. Malik is currently
Rector of the Virtual University of
Pakistan. He obtained his Master's
degree in Physics from the University
of the Punjab, Lahore and PhD from
MIT in the field of Electrical
Engineering and Computer Science
specializing in Digital Signal
Processing. Dr. Malik established the
Spark Source Mass Spectroscopy
Laboratory at the Centre for Solid
State Physics at University of the
Punjab and later, became the founder
chairman of the Department of
Computer Science. He has been
associated with the Virtual University
project since its inception. He has
Sketch by
lectured extensively, has been an
Raja Ahmad Nadeem
active systems and software developer
and has published several papers on various technical subjects. He is a life
member of the Pakistan Institute of Physics.
Pakistan is a populous
country of nearly 160 million
people, with almost half of
this number below the age of
30. A study conducted in the
late 1990s indicated that out
of the college age cohort
(18-25 years) only about 3.5
per cent were actually enroled in tertiary education institutions; the absolute majority, i.e. over 96 per cent of this
age group were not enrolled and therefore not receiving higher education. On the other hand, the established
universities were full to the brim. Compounding the problem, the existing universities had an acute shortage of
properly qualified faculty leading to severe quality issues in the tiny segment of the population that actually
obtained access to higher education. Whereas the problem of capacity shortage could have been overcome by
providing adequate financial resources, the issue of faculty shortage was not amenable to organic solutions:
radical measures were called for.
A feasibility study organized and funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was conducted in
late 2000 to assess the possibility of utilizing technology to tackle the problem with particular reference to
developing human resources in information technology, worldwide demand for which was at its peak at that time.
Simultaneously, a public discussion and debate over the internet was organized by the Minister for Science and
Technology to develop a coherent policy for information technology in Pakistan.
Both the feasibility study as well as the public discussion, among other issues, indicated that a new university
should be established that would use information and communication technologies as force multipliers to
overcome the capacity and faculty shortage problems outlined above. The establishment of a “virtual” university
thereby became part of the action plan drawn up by the Government as part of its policy on information
technology.
A project plan was drawn up and approved by the Government of Pakistan in 2001 and initial funding for the
University was released in November of the same year. The new Virtual University of Pakistan opened its “virtual”
doors to the public in a very short time and the first batch of students was inducted in March 2002 into a four-year
BS programme in Computer Science/Information Technology. A formal Charter was granted to the new university
in September 2002, which empowered the University to establish several different faculties or schools. The
University was granted a “federal” charter that allowed it to offer its programmes throughout the country instead
2
Article
of being limited to any single province. The Virtual University has been designed to provide world-class education
at extremely affordable rates to aspiring students across the length and breadth of Pakistan. Its main focus is to
provide easy access to high-quality tertiary education, thereby supplementing the capacity of existing universities.
How Virtual University Works
The Virtual University of Pakistan delivers education through a judicious combination of broadcast television and
the Internet. By identifying and utilizing the best professors and domain experts of the country, regardless of their
institutional affiliations, the Virtual University develops and delivers meticulously designed courses to its students.
The same high quality courses are also available to students of all other universities in the country through free to
air broadcasts.
VU courses are hand-crafted in painstaking detail by acknowledged experts in the field. Lectures are then
recorded by these experts in a professional studio environment and after editing, insertion of slides, movie clips
and other material, the lectures become ready for broadcast. The same experts also prepare detailed lecture notes
and handouts for the students and these handouts become an extremely valuable resource for students.
Since the University operates in a formal semester system mode, the time-table for lectures is published at the
start of each semester on the VU web-site (http://www.vu.edu.pk). The lectures are broadcast according to this
time-table over VU’s own free-to-air television channels. They are also made available in the form of multimedia
CDs. The multiple formats allow a high degree of flexibility for students who may view the lectures at a time of
their choosing within a 24-hour period. Additionally, students can use the lecture CDs to review an entire course
before their examinations – a facility simply not available in a conventional face-to-face environment.
The Virtual University provides student-teacher interaction through a comprehensive Learning Management
System (LMS) (http://vulms.vu.edu.pk) hosted on VU Web Servers and accessible around the clock over the
Internet. All students are provided a password protected account on the LMS and this account is maintained
throughout their stay at the University. The LMS provides reading material and lecture notes in the form of webenabled content for all courses. In addition, open and moderated discussion boards are available on the LMS for
detailed discussions. The University also provides an e-mail facility to each and every student through its own mail
server for direct access to teachers and University departments.
An important feature of the LMS is a Moderated Discussion Board (MDB) whereby VU students can interact with
faculty members. The MDB provides a very efficient mechanism for students to pose their questions on subject
matter covered in the lectures and is available 24 hours. The MDB is extremely fine grained, providing separate
sessions for each lecture of each course. VU faculty monitors this board on a continuous basis and answers to
questions are provided within a short space of time. The major advantage of the MDB is that all questions asked
by students are visible to their course community, as are the answers provided by the faculty members and this
closely mimics the face-to-face question/answer experience. In addition, read-only access is made available to
previous question/answer sessions and this constitutes an extremely useful study resource for students. Of
course, this review facility does not exist in a conventional environment.
Assignments for all courses are distributed through LMS and also submitted by the students through the same
mechanism with a detailed proof-of-delivery mechanism built in by design. Since the University publishes solutions
for all its assignments, it is able to enforce a strict due-date regime. Late assignments are not accepted.
Obviously, assignments are never re-used and past assignments and solutions form another important study
resource for students. Pop-quizzes and practice tests are also conducted through the LMS.
Mid-term and Final examinations for every semester are conducted in a formal proctored environment at exam
centres designated for the purpose throughout the country. Invigilators appointed by the University conduct the
exams. The formal examination atmosphere assists in critical quality assurance of the student assessment system.
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Article
The University is based entirely on the imaginative and effective use of ICTs and, therefore, its technical divisions
are designed and equipped with a fault tolerant and redundant infrastructure. The servers deployed by the
University for its web-site, its email system, (http://mail.vu.edu.pk) and its learning management system are all
high-end state-of-the-art machines with redundant power supplies and RAID hard disks. The servers are located
on a 155Mbps fibre trunk that traverses only a few yards to get to one of Pakistan’s main routers located on the
national backbone. As such, the servers offer a high-availability environment.
The Virtual University’s television production and broadcast facilities are also state-of-the-art being completely
digital end-to-end. The University operates its own four free-to-air satellite channels and more are being added as
per the requirements of the various educational programmes. The channels utilize Pakistan’s first communications
satellite PAKSAT-I. Although technical problems do arise, the strategic placement of the servers on the national
backbone and the use of national satellite ensure that any breakdown in international links does not affect the
working of the Virtual University.
This combination of technologies and efficient utilization of national infrastructure allows the Virtual University to
offer an identical educational environment to students all over the country including far-flung areas. For the first
time, students from small towns and remote areas have access to the same highly-qualified professors that were
previously accessible to their large city brethren only. The initial results indicate that talent hidden in these regions
is now becoming visible and empowered. This has far-reaching positive implications for the socio-economic well
being of the country.
Students may study from home or at “virtual campuses” that have been established all over the country. These
virtual campuses provide an enabling electronic environment for students to receive lectures and interact with
their teachers including television equipped classrooms and Internet connected computer laboratories. A
subliminal benefit of these campuses is that they also provide the students with an opportunity to interact with
their peers in a conventional environment and form study groups. A very healthy inter-campus competition has
already developed in the young Virtual University community and this becomes a strong motivating factor for
students in their junior years while also providing an opportunity for seniors to become mentors to their junior
counterpart.
Conclusion
The Virtual University of Pakistan is one of the youngest universities in the country, the proverbial “baby” of the
higher education family. In a very short span of time, it has been able to establish its credentials as an institution
providing quality higher education. It has established over 100 “virtual campuses” in more than 60 cities of the
country and more are being established on a continuous basis. Enrolment is increasing every semester and the
current student strength stands at over 14,000 – more than many much older institutions.
The public presentation of the Virtual University’s programmes and the caliber of the people associated with them
have gone a long way in establishing a quality image for the University in a very short time. In fact, the first batch
of Virtual University graduates has been accepted by top tier institutions within the country as well as abroad in
their respective graduate schools. Virtual University graduates have also been hired at top market salaries by
extremely competitive and demanding technology companies and this acceptance by the industry has further
validated the quality of the university’s programmes and its teaching methods.
The University has so far kept itself away from offering any programmes that require the use of a physical
laboratory (other than Computer Science), but the time is fast approaching when such programmes will be
required by the market. Collaborative programmes are being designed in collaboration with other institutions that
will provide the necessary physical plant and facilities for these programmes. The Virtual University is thus poised
to play an increasingly important role in the national higher education scenario.
By Dr. Naveed A. Malik
E-mail: rector@vu.edu.pk
4
Department of Business Administration, University of Sargodha
5
Department Profile
Lt. Gen. (R) Khalid Maqbool, Governor Punjab talks to students during a visit to the Department. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akram Ch.,
VC, University of Sargodha and Dr. Maqbool H. Sial, Dean, Faculty of Management and Administrative Sciences are also present
FACULTY
Male
10
Female
02
Total
12
AREAS OF
SPECIALIZATION
Marketing
MIS
Accounting
& finance
05
01
06
STATISTICS OF DEPARTMENT
MBA
BBA
Session Enrolment Session Enrolment
2006-2010
112
2006-2008
119
2005-2009
112
2004-2008
109
2005-2007
115
2003-2007
102
6
Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman Made Life Fellow
at Cambridge University
Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, Chairman, Higher Education
Commission has been made Honourary Life Fellow at King's
College Cambridge. The latest honour was conferred on the
distinguished scientist on May 1, 2007 at the King's College
Chapel.
Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman is the first Pakistani scientist to be made
Fellow at the King's College, Cambridge for his achievements
in the field of academic research.
University of Cambridge is the second-oldest university in the
English-speaking world and has a reputation as one of the
world's most prestigious universities. Last year Dr. Atta-urRahman was elected Fellow of the prestigious Royal Society.
Dr. Rahman obtained his PhD degree from Cambridge
University in 1968 and was later honoured by the degree of
Doctor of Science by the same University. He has over 778
publications in leading international journals in several fields
of organic chemistry including over 600 research
publications, 15 patents, 93 books and has written 59
chapters in books published by major American and
European presses.
Sketch by
Raja Ahmad Nadeem
He is the first scientist from the Muslim world to have won
the UNESCO Science Prize in the 35-year history of the
award. The Government of Pakistan has conferred four civil
awards, including Tamgha-i-Imtiaz, Sitara-i-Imtiaz, Hilal-iImtiaz and the highest national civil award Nishan-i-Imtiaz in
recognition of his eminent contributions.
20 More Quality Assurance Cells in Universities
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has
established 20 more Quality Enhancement
Cells (QEC) in public sector universities of the
country. This is in addition to already existing
10 QECs in the first phase of Quality
Assurance Agency project. The purpose of
establishing these cells is to enhance the
quality of education in institutions of higher
learning and to take up the cases of plagiarism
reported in universities very vigorously and
develop policies to curb this menace.
HEC is also member of the highly prestigious international
quality assurance and accreditation networks such as
International Network of Quality Assurance in Higher
Education (INQAAHE) and Asia Pacific Quality Network
(APQN).
The HEC has benefited from the INQAAHE guidelines in an
effective and practical way of practicing and sharing
knowledge with the stakeholders. The INQAAHE guidelines
have been discussed with all the stakeholders in detail and a
strategy to consider these guidelines as a way forward for
7
quality assurance across disciplines. HEC's Quality
Assurance Division has been encouraging and
facilitating the process of quality assurance for the
implementation of various quality enhancement
programmes by providing guidelines for the
implementation of quality criteria and capacity
building through training workshops, meetings and
conferences on quality issues, on regular basis.
Pakistan Business Education Accreditation Council.
Besides, MoUs are being signed with already existing
professional councils such as Pakistan Medical and
Dental Council, Pakistan Engineering Council, Pakistan
Veterinary and Medical Council, Pharmacy Council,
Pakistan Architects and Town Planners to have
mutually agreed parameters for ensuring adherence
to the approved standards of quality.
The QECs are responsible to bring about significant
enhancement of quality in higher learning and to
attain the goals of international compatibility and
competitiveness.
A significant achievement of HEC is the development
of criteria for quality assurance in higher education.
These criteria include eligibility conditions for
appointment of faculty members in universities and
DAIs, Tenure Track System, statutes regarding
promotion to meritorious professors and emeritus
professors, MPhil and PhD education criteria, criteria
for affiliation of colleges with universities, assessment
(ranking) of universities/degree awarding institutes
and guidelines for self assessment by the universities.
For monitoring quality of education in different
disciplines, HEC has also established National
Computing Education Accreditation Council, National
Agricultural Education Accreditation Council,
Accreditation Council for Teachers Education and
Open-access Online Portal for Pakistani Journals
Under Digital Library Programme of Higher Education
Commission (HEC), an open-access online portal will
be established through which all journals published in
Pakistan will be made available for worldwide
electronic access.
"Research Ranking of Universities on the basis of
Cumulative Impact Factors based on ISI Web of
Knowledge" was also conducted and advertised in
national newspapers in April this year.
In 2006 the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan
commissioned a case study of its Digital Library by
International Network for the Availability of Scientific
Publications (INASP) that covered the content,
training, marketing, finance, monitoring and
evaluation and impact of the Digital Library. The
findings disclosed that the programme is considered
economical, with an average cost of a downloaded
article during 2005 being US$2.30.
The portal will allow international exposure of
research conducted within Pakistan, and will assist in
the international peer-review process of indigenous
publications. Once implemented, 'PJOL: Pakistan
Journals Online” will have a fully searchable web
interface similar to that of any other international
electronic journal database.
HEC's Digital Library has achieved momentous
achievements in 2006 through its various crosscutting programmes and initiatives. It provided access
to high-quality scholarly information based on
electronic delivery to the higher education institutions
in Pakistan.
Besides, a priority initiative of the Digital Library
Programme has been to introduce the Electronic
Library Information Navigator (ELIN@) system. The
HEC and the International Network for the Availability
of Scientific Publications (INASP) have linked up with
Lund Libraries, Sweden, to adapt and extend their
existing ELIN@) system so that it can be used by
universities in Pakistan.
In 2006, total downloaded articles from HEC National
Digital Library Programme were more than 2.2 Million.
Digital Library usage has gone up by over 100 per
cent from 2005 to 2006. HEC's Digital Library also
conducted two research studies in 2006. In first study
the Pakistani Universities were ranked on the basis of
their research output in those journals which are
internationally recognized and indexed by ISI Web of
Knowledge. Whereas, the second study titled
Overall, the Digital Library holds a great promise as
the Programme is being appreciated by the users
nationwide. However, the sustainability of the
programme will be dependent on researchers and
professionals who have to play an active role in
managing library and optimizing use of its resources.
8
Seven Projects Get Presidential Young Innovators Award
The Higher Education Commission has awarded the
Presidential Young Innovator (PYI) Awards to seven
research projects proposed by faculty members and
researchers based on their educational development
plans.
evaluation. Later, the proposals were forwarded to
peers in respective fields after which 16 proposals
were short listed.
The meeting of the Selection Committee, after
detailed deliberation, finally selected seven proposals
for the Award. It was decided that the remaining nine
proposals will be funded through National Research
Grants Programme for Universities (NRPU).
The PYI Programme has been designed by HEC to
encourage and support the early career development
activities of young faculty members and scholars in
public sector universities and R&D organizations who
show exceptional potential for research and are likely
to become academic leaders in the future.
These seven research proposals include 'Finding
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPS) in Cotton
Genome', 'Novel Bioactive Compounds
(Peptides/Proteins) from Potensive Medicinal Plants
under Stress Conditions', 'Production of Biodegradable
Plastic From Agricultural Waste: A Lab Scale
Optimization', 'Laser Induced Breakdown
Spectroscopy', 'Elimination of Carcinogenic Cr (Vi) by
Microorganisms in Association with Hydrophytes',
'Construction of Multiplex Biosensor for the Monitoring
of Heavy Metal Contaminants in Polluted
Environments or Industrial Effluent' and
'Biochemical/Molecular Evaluation of Grain End Use
Quality Using Glutenin Subunits in Bread Wheat'.
Proposals from scholars are considered who have a
doctoral degree and are regular employees of public
sector universities or R&D organizations. They should
have a PYI development plan relating to their career
goals and job responsibilities. The award for each
project is up to maximum of Rs. six million at the
disposal of the principal investigator over a period of
three years.
Out of 43 applications received in response to the
Scheme advertised in May 2006, 33 eligible projects
were sent to the focal points for review and
HEC Inks MoU with Leading Korean University
The delegation also met Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman,
Chairman HEC. The two sides agreed to explore the
possibility of establishing R&D centres of leading
Korean Brands like LG, Samsung and Hyundai etc, in
Pakistan. The possibility of Hanyang joining the
consortium of South Korean Universities for
establishing a UESTP was also discussed. The
University was also offered to collaborate with any
leading South Korean group for establishing an
Engineering University in Pakistan.
In the series of linkages with institutions in
technologically advanced countries, Higher Education
Commission (HEC) has signed a Memorandum of
Understanding with Hanyang University, a leading
South Korean institution that is among the top 500
universities of the world.
The Agreement was signed during the visit of a twomember delegation led by Dr. Ki-Jeong Lee, Dean,
Office of International Cooperation, Hanyang
University. Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Member Planning
and Development signed the MoU on behalf of HEC.
For encouraging linkages between Pakistani
Universities and Hanyang University, HEC organized
two meeting sessions in Islamabad and Karachi. Many
universities identified different avenues of cooperation
with Hanyang University. These include training of
Pakistani scholars and faculty members in Hanyang
University at postgraduate and postdoctoral levels,
exchange of faculty members for short and long term
visits, joint supervision of PhD programmes, joint
research, holding of joint workshops, symposia and
other such events.
It aims at a coordinated placement of HEC scholars
and provide them with industry training opportunities.
According to the MoU, HEC scholars will be offered
placement in MS (Engineering) programmes offered
at Hanyang University for the next five years.
In addition, there will be research exchange
programmes, establishment of R&D centres in
Pakistan by leading industries of South Korea.
9
Workshop for Universities' Senior Management
Participants of the Workshop with Prof. Dr. Sohail Naqvi, Prof. Dr. Riaz Qureshi, Dr. Mary Linda Armacost,
Dr. Peter Armacost and Ms Noor Amna Malik
A two-day workshop on “Leading Transformational
Change for Senior Management of Universities” was
organized by the Learning Innovation Division, Higher
Education Commission at Islamabad recently. Senior
management staff of the public sector universities of
the twin cities including Registrars, Deans,
Controllers, Treasurers, Chairpersons and Hostel
Wardens attended the Workshop.
until and unless the academic and administrative staff
of the universities coordinates smoothly with each
other, no tangible change is possible in the higher
education scenario of Pakistan. The Higher Education
Commission is trying to bring improvement in both of
these important areas.
Dr. Naqvi admitted that the university management
was long neglected by HEC adding that this workshop
was just a start. “Many more programmes for the
development and training of universities'
management are in the pipeline”, he said.
Dr. Mary Linda Armacost, Director, Queen Mary
College, Lahore was resource person for the
Workshop. Dr. Armacost has more than 40 years
working experience at senior managerial positions in
different universities abroad.
He stressed that alongside the academic staff, the
management had a very important role to play in
brining about a substantial change in the institutions
of higher learning.
The main objective of the Workshop was to help the
participants become aware of the HEC mandated
changes, to gain an understanding of the external
environment influencing the functioning of university
administration and to review the major mandates of
the HEC. The event also gave the HEC an opportunity
to hear the issues of universities that surround these
mandates.
“If we have to compete at the international level, we
need to bring change at each and every level and that
is not possible without your active support”, he told
the participants.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Dr. Riaz Hussain
Qureshi, Adviser Quality Assurance, HEC said that a
lot of misunderstandings exist between the academic
Prof. Dr. Sohail Naqvi, Executive Director HEC, who
was chief guest at the concluding ceremony, said that
10
and administrative staff. “They will have to work in
harmony with each other to make the institutions real
seats of higher learning”, he said.
She said that the Learning Innovation Department of
the HEC has devised special programmes for the uplift
of academic and administrative staff of the
universities.
He said that the HEC is working at a fast pace and it
also wanted universities to follow the same pace if we
had to compete at the global level. “But this is not
possible without good team work”, he added.
She said that similar kind of workshops will be held in
Lahore, Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar. “This process
will not stop here. This is just a start and we have a
long way to go”.
Ms Noor Amna Malik, Director General, Learning
Innovation, HEC said that the Commission was not
working in isolation. “Without active support from the
universities, the HEC will not be able to accomplish its
challenging tasks”.
She appreciated the active input of the participants
during various sessions of the Workshop. She thanked
Dr. Mary Linda Armacost for helping in designing and
execution of the Workshop.
Uniform Framework for Engineering Education
A meeting of prominent experts from various
engineering educational institutions of the country
was held under the chairmanship of Prof. Dr. Sohail H.
Naqvi, Executive Director, Higher Education
Commission at HEC Secretariat recently.
130-136 credit hours for the four-year BSc/BE
degrees and the engineering courses will be 6570 per
cent of the curricula.
Emphasis will be given to leadership and
communication skills, technical report writing and
professional ethics. Social sciences will also be an
essential component of the whole programme and the
curricula will be prepared to develop self-learning and
analytic thinking to promote research culture in the
universities.
The purpose was to develop a uniform and
standardized framework for the development of
curricula to bring the engineering programmes at par
with international standards. Ways to improve the
state of technology and meet the needs of industry
were also discussed.
The meeting ended with a vote of thanks to all
participants and special thanks to Dr. A. U. Sheikh,
Rector, Foundation University for his valuable
contribution for the development of the framework.
The experts discussed the framework and agreed that
the engineering programmes being offered at the
universities in Pakistan would consist of a total of
HEC Scholar Gets PhD Degree in Physics
Dr. Nasir Amin is the first HEC scholar who has completed his PhD under
'Indigenous 5000 PhD Fellowship Scheme' from Department of Physics,
Quaid-e-Azam University under the supervision of Prof. Dr. M. Aslam Baig,
Distinguished National Professor.
The title of his dissertation is 'Photoionization Cross sections of the Excited
States of Li, Na and K'.
The External Reviewers, from technologically advanced countries, for his
research included Prof. Dr. Massimo Inguscio, University of Florence, Italy;
Prof. Dr. Peter Zimmermann, Technische Universitat Berlin, Germany; Prof.
Dr. C. A. Mayhew, University of Birmingham, England.
Dr. Nasir Amin
11
HEC Gymnasts Excel in National Games
The Gymnastics team of Higher
Education Commission (HEC) and
Pakistan Universities Sports Board
(PUSB) won six gold medals in the
National Games held in Karachi from
April 9-14, 2007.
Ms Maryam Wazir Keerio was best
gymnast of the National Games who
clinched three gold medals. Ms
Tabasum Ilimuddin Keerio, Ms Raqoo
Ilimuddin Keerio and Ms Isran Wazir
Keerio won one gold medal each.
Pakistan universities 12 men and five
men women teams, which were
selected after a strict filtering process,
participated in the Games. Overall the
HEC/PUSB squad bagged eight gold,
three silver and eight bronze medals in
different games in the mega event.
It is pertinent to mention here that the
Sports Division of the HEC played a
Group photo of HEC/PUSB gymnasts who won six gold medals in National
Games 2007. (L to R) Ms Tabasum, Ms Maryam, Prof. Dr. Yasmeen (Manager),
Mr. Mustaqeem (Coach), Ms Isran and Ms Raqoo Keerio
significant role to plan, coordinate and organize competitions and
other sports related activities for the students and sports leaders of
the Pakistan universities under the policy guidelines of PUSB.
Honour for HEC Scholar in China
Mr. Rafiq Muhammad Choudhry, an HEC Scholar pursuing his PhD
studies under 'PhD Scholarships for Engineering Sciences, China' has
won ' New Star Award' in the Civil Engineering School at Tsinghua
University, Beijing, China for the academic year 2006-2007.
Mr. Rafiq is the first foreign student to get this prestigious award of
the University. The School of Civil Engineering comprises Departments
of Construction Engineering and Management, Structural Engineering,
Earthquake Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Hydraulics
Engineering and Geo-Technical Engineering etc.
The award was given jointly to two top researchers, one Chinese and
one Foreigner, for which 317 students and 80 Professor voted to
choose the new star of the School. The award makes eligible the
winners to get the top most scholarship for the following year in the
1st category for the two winners.
“I think the whole purpose of this exercise is to recognize, give
honour for the academic achievements and to motivate students for
excellence in their performance”, said Mr. Rafiq.
12
Mr. Rafiq Muhammad Choudhry
Returning PhD Scholars Being Placed in Varsities
The Higher Education Commission has processed the
cases of 60 fresh PhD scholars who are returning
from abroad after completing their studies for
placement in universities as well as degree awarding
institutions countrywide.
The step is a significant breakthrough in reversing the
brain drain and is providing an attractive academic
environment to the highly qualified and talented
young people to work in.
This Programme aims at providing occupation to the
scholars on their return to save them from the agony
of unemployment.
At present, 18 scholars have joined the universities
while 24 have been accepted by host institutions and
placement of 18 scholars is under process. The
Programme is open to all fields.
The universities benefiting from the first batch of
PhDs include University of Arid Agriculture,
Rawalpindi, PIEAS, Islamabad, COMSATS, Abbotabad,
Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, International
Islamic University, Islamabad, NWFP Agricultural
University, Peshawar, Government College University,
Lahore, University of Karachi, Karachi, University of
Education, Lahore, Rawalpindi Medical College,
Rawalpindi, and University of Peshawar, Peshawar.
It is expected that most of these young scientists,
engineers, and medical professionals will make career
in the academia once they are comfortably placed in
the national universities.
So far all the placements made are of non-HEC
scholars as the Placement of Fresh PhD Scholars
Returning from Abroad Programme is open for HEC as
well as non-HEC scholars.
HEC to Strengthen Nursing Workforce
The Higher Education Commission has decided to
create facilities for innovative and exciting recruitment
and retention programmes for nursing work force in
Pakistan.
should also posses the capability to work as a role
model for future developmental programmes.
The meeting also discussed faculty development
programmes for the discipline through training and
quality assurance.
“HEC will develop programmes for recruiting and
retaining new nurses, experienced nurses and nursing
students”. This was stated by Prof. Dr. Sohail. H.
Naqvi, Executive Director HEC while chairing 6th Task
Force Committee meeting on Nursing Education held
at HEC secretariat recently.
It was also decided that a countrywide survey should
also be conducted to know various problems being
faced by the discipline and to point out strategies for
the development of skill enhancement in the nursing
profession.
It was decided in the meeting that all the educational
institutions of medical disciplines should be involved
in developing nursing curriculum keeping in view the
needs and environment of the country.
Dr. Naqvi asked the participants to develop a project
proposal (PC-I) with mutual consultation. “For this
purpose HEC will provide all the financial assistance”,
he said.
In this regard three sub-committees were constituted
to develop a comprehensive report with reference to
existing nursing curriculum.
The meeting was attended by the representatives of
all the educational institutions of medical disciplines
from across the country including Aga Khan University
Karachi, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences,
Islamabad, Shifa International Islamabad, AINC
Lahore and JPNC Karachi etc.
The report will consist of suggestions and strategies
to formulate a uniform curriculum which should not
only be acceptable to all medical institutions but
13
Social Sciences Conference at IIUI
Dr. Ishrat for Leading Role of Social Scientists
Dr. Ishrat Hussain, Chairman, HEC's Committee for Development of Social Sciences and Humanities , Dr. Anwar Hussain Siddiqui,
President, IIUI and others address concluding ceremony of the Conference
Giving a wake up call to Pakistani teachers and
students of social sciences, Dr. Ishrat Hussain,
Chairman, HEC's Committee for Development of
Social Sciences and Humanities has said that the
world is moving towards a knowledge-based economy
and Pakistan will be left behind if our teachers and
students do not come forward with empirical research
in Social Sciences.
amount is available for research, scholarship, faculty
development, infrastructure and libraries etc in the
field of social sciences. He urged teachers,
researchers and students of social sciences to come
forward and utilize the funds available in abundance
for development of social sciences.
Dr. Ishrat appealed senior faculty of universities not to
discourage junior faculty with new ideas of research
and asked to remove barriers of hierarchy, age and
seniority in accepting original ideas of young and
energetic researchers. 'Promote the culture of
questioning and encourage your students and juniors
to discuss their ideas openly and make research
proposals. I appeal to social scientists of Pakistan to
utilize the funds available at HEC and make a visible
difference in the teaching, research and working of
social scientists”, concluded Dr. Ishrat.
He was addressing the concluding ceremony of the
International Social Sciences Conference organized by
the Faculty of Social Sciences, International Islamic
University Islamabad. The theme of the conference
was 'Teaching of Social Sciences in Pakistan: The
Search of Community and Paradigm'. The Conference
was funded by the Higher Education Commission
Urging the social scientists for a more active role in
research and development, Dr. Ishat said that all
kinds of social problems existed in Pakistan that await
attention of social scientists. “Issues like gender
discrimination, poverty, balance among Islamic and
global values, extremism and a large number of other
issues deserve serious attention and practical
involvement of social scientists for empirical
research”, he stressed.
Dr. Anwar Hussain Siddiqui, President IIUI,
appreciated the concern developing in the HEC for
balancing importance of social and pure sciences and
said that solid research and significant publications in
the field of social sciences is imperative for taking the
nation out of social evils.
Earlier, Dr. Khurram Qadir, Head, Department of
History, IIUI, while elaborating the objectives of the
conference said that development of a community of
social scientists was one of the most important
motives behind holding the conference.
“There are many questions that cannot be answered
by one discipline of social sciences. Coordinated
research with interdisciplinary approach is need of the
hour to answer questions of national importance with
knowledge-based research”, he added.
He thanked the HEC for funding the event and giving
an opportunity to the social scientists of Pakistan to
re-think their role in social development of country.
Dr. Ishart said that the present government had made
historic increase in educational budget and a large
14
IIUI Holds 19th Cultural Festival
The International Islamic University,
th
Islamabad (IIUI) organized its 19
Cultural Festival at its H-10 Campus
recently. Mr. Ali Awad Al-Asiri, Saudi
Ambassador to Pakistan was chief guest
at the inauguration ceremony.
Highlighting the cordial relations
between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, Mr.
Asiri said that Pakistan has vital position
in the Islamic world and IIUI is playing
its due role in disseminating Islamic
knowledge in the societies including
South Asia, Central Asia, and even in the
Far East.
He said that IIUI was a unique institute
where the students were getting
education in all fields of knowledge and
they are equipping themselves culturally
as well in a view to present a role model
in this era.
Dr. Anwar Hussain Siddiqui, President,
IIUI said the present strength of 10,000
students at the University will reach to
about 30,000 students during next 10
years. He said that Muslim cultural
activities were held at women campus of
the university for female students
separately.
Students from 27 countries highlighted
the culture and common living of their
countries at their separate stalls. They
included stalls from Pakistan, Azad
Kashmir, Jordon, Somalia, Nigeria,
Nepal, Yemen, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan,
China, Thailand, Indonesia, Saudi
Arabia, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan.
Mr. Ali Awad Al-Asiri, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia and Dr. Anwar Siddqui,
President IIUI view a model of Masjid-e-Haraam at the cultural festival
In addition, various faculties and departments of the University also
arranged their stalls which included Iqra Centre for Technical
Education, Da'wah Academy, International Institute of Islamic
Economics, Islamic Research Institute, Shariah Academy, Faculty of
Management Sciences, Faculty of Shariah and Law, Faculty of Basic
and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Usuluddin, Faculty of Arabic,
Faculty of Language Literature and Humanities and Faculty of Social
Sciences.
A literary gathering was also held in Arabic language which was
largely attended by students from various countries. They recited
their poems in Arabic language. An Urdu Mushaira was separately
arranged as part of the cultural festival. Other activities of the
festival included calligraphic competition, debates in Arabic, English
and Urdu, Husn-e-Qirrat, Programming Competition, Teachers Race
and Tug of War, Sports, Hifz ul Quran and Hifz ul Hadith and
Interfaculty quiz competitions.
The ceremony was attended by various ambassadors and diplomats
based in Islamabad. On second day of the cultural festival, a cultural
night was held where students presented plays.
Dr. Azhar Javed, Head, Department of Law, Faculty of Shariah and Law,
International Islamic University, Islamabad died of cardiac arrest recently. He
was fifty. Dr. Azhar did his doctorate from Leeds University, UK before
serving IIUI for about two decades. He was laid to rest at his native town
near Wah Cantt. His Namaz-e-Janaza was attended by a large number
of people including IIU faculty members, students and staff
members. Dr Anwar Hussain Siddiqui, President IIUI paid rich
tributes to Dr. Azhar for his services to the University.
15
Hazara University Holds 1st Convocation
Lt. Gen. (R) Ali Muhammad Jan Aurakzai, Governor NWFP and Prof. Dr. Ihsan Ali, Vice Chancellor, Hazara University
speak during the 1st convocation of the University
The first convocation of Hazara University was held
on March 22, 2007. Lt. Gen. (R) Ali Muhammad Jan
Aurakzai, Governor, NWFP, who is also Chancellor
of the University, was the chief guest.
their respective fields. “You have embarked upon a
new journey in your lives. Education and training
are the tools that will help you to face the
challenges of life”, he said.
Speaking at the occasion, the Governor said that
the youth should step forward to herald dawn of a
new era of peaceful co-existence and enlightened
moderation. He appreciated the achievements of
Hazara University despite the devastating
earthquake of October 2005.
In his welcome address, Prof. Dr. Ihsan Ali, Vice
Chancellor, Hazara University talked about the
challenges faced by the University. He, however,
vowed to make the University a prime seat of learning
and research.
In the end, the Governor awarded degrees and
medals to the graduates. In all, 553 MSc, MBA, MA,
BBA, BSc (Hons) graduates received their degrees,
while 57 graduates were awarded gold medals.
While addressing the students, he said that
learning was a continuous process. He advised the
graduates to achieve professional excellence in
NEWS
in Picture
Prof. Dr. S. Sohail H. Naqvi, Executive Director, Higher
Education Commission (HEC), inaugurates the new
website (www.iba-suk.edu.pk) of the Institute of
Business Administration, Sukkur during his recent visit
to the Institute. Mr. Nisar Ahmed Siddiqui, Director
IBA, briefed him about the vision of the Institute. Dr.
Naqvi appreciated the efforts of the Director and
faculty members of IBA for providing merit based
quality education to the students. He assured full
support from HEC for uplift of the Institute.
16
Greenwich University Holds 4th Convocation
Ms Seema Mughal, Vice Chancellor, Greenwich University confers Honourary Doctorate degree on
Mr. Hameed Haroon, CEO, Dawn Group of Newspapers
“In this age of globalization, the role of education
cannot be over emphasized. All stakeholders have to
realize that Pakistan will never be able to get out of
the quagmire of socio-economic backwardness
without bringing about qualitative and quantitative
improvements in our education system," said
President Musharraf, in his message on the 4th
convocation of Greenwich University.
to classrooms, laboratories, and libraries. Greenwich
has a more innovative, dynamic and more
comprehensive approach to education”, she added.
Ms Mughal said that the graduates of Greenwich
University are exposed to a variety of formal and
informal learning situations, where they are trained to
cope with all kinds of stressful situations, without
losing their equanimity.
At the Convocation, held on March 24, 2007, degrees
in different disciplines at Masters, Bachelors, and
Baccalaureates levels were conferred on a total of 362
students, while gold medals were awarded to twelve
students who had excelled in various disciplines.
The most outstanding aspect of Convocation 2007,
however, was the conferment of Honorary Doctorate
degrees on Mr. Hameed Haroon, CEO, Dawn Group of
Newspapers and Prof. Dr. M. Riad H. Ismat, Syrian
Ambassador to Pakistan.
In her address, Ms Seema Mughal, Vice Chancellor,
Greenwich University said, “A Convocation represents
a landmark in the academic life of a graduating
student. It marks the end of one journey and
beginning of another. It is a day not only of rejoicing
but also of thanksgiving, both for the graduating
students and their proud parents".
The degrees were conferred on the two distinguished
personalities for their contributions to Print Media and
Drama, respectively.
'Greenwich Alumnus Excellence Award' went to Ms.
Farah Agha, Chief Executive Officer of the largest
open end spinning mill in the country.
"We at Greenwich have discarded the obsolete
approaches to education which had confined learning
17
GCU Lahore, HKBU Sign MoU
A delegation from Hong Kong Baptist
University (HKBU) led by its VicePresident Prof. Y. K. Fan visited
Government College University, Lahore
recently.
A Memorandum of Understanding was
signed to collaborate and establish links
between the two universities. The MoU
stipulates the faculty and student
exchange programmes.
On the occasion, Prof. Fan informed the
hosts about different disciplines and
research being carried out at the
HKBU. He also proposed setting up of
Pakistan Chair at his University as a
step forward towards establishing
relationship in Academic Exchange
Programmes.
Prof. Dr. Khalid Aftab, Vice Chancellor,
GCU, Lahore apprised the delegation
about growth and progress of his
Institution and various disciplines in
emerging fields being offered to the
students.
The guests also visited the Sustainable
Development Study Centre,
Department of Economics and
Postgraduate Library.
Vice Chancellor, GCU Lahore and Vice President HKBU sign the Agreement
Meanwhile, another MoU was signed with the Hong Kong University
on academic links and collaboration in research and development
programme during a visit of Prof. John A. Spinks, Senior Adviser to
Vice Chancellor of Hong Kong University.
According to this Agreement, HKU will offer undergraduate
scholarships to the students of GCU and this will be reciprocated by
GCU on same terms and conditions. Both the universities also
committed to provide assistance to the students for visa facilitation
and the other support with respect to boarding and lodging.
Application of Strategic Management Process for Entrepreneurs
One-day Workshop at GCU, Lahore
A one-day workshop titled 'Enterprise
Growth Skills: Application of Strategic
Management Process for
Entrepreneurs' was arranged under the
auspices of GC University, LahoreCranfield Joint Higher Education Link
Programme in the Department of
Economics, GCU, Lahore on April 24,
2007.
The link has been established under
HEC-British Council Joint Link
Programme. The Workshop, which was
part of the activities planned for the third year of this link, focused
on developing the enterprise growth skills for entrepreneurs. Mr.
Abdul Hamid Malik, Management Consultant and visiting faculty
member at the Department of Economics, GCU was the resource
person.
Prof. Dr. Khalid Aftab, Vice Chancellor, GC University Lahore, while
inaugurating the workshop, welcomed the participants and
encouraged them to learn new management skills for achieving the
competitive advantage in the increasingly competitive global
business environment.
Mr. Abdul Hamid Malik, the resource person, explained the
18
entrepreneurial process and various steps involved in
the strategic management process to the participants.
He described the industry life cycle and asserted the
role of innovation and creativity in attaining and
maintaining the sustained competitive advantage.
to innovate and remain a leader in their respective
industries. After his presentation, the entrepreneurs
were asked to categorize their companies according
to their market shares and growth rates and
formulate a strategy to remain at the top among their
competitions.
He classified the various organizations as cash cows,
star, question mark and dog companies, according to
their performance with reference to market share and
anticipated growth rates. He also explained the
strategies which could be adopted by entrepreneurs
The entrepreneurs were assisted by few
representative students, teachers, and bankers
community in this process. The entrepreneurs then
gave presentations about their organizations.
NEWS
in Picture
The Fine Arts Department of Government College University, Lahore organized a three-day exhibition and
competition of Fine Arts. More than 12 colleges and universities participated in the competition. Dr. Shaukat
Mehmood (Maxim cartoonist), who was chief guest on the occasion, inaugurated the Exhibition. Dr. Khalid Aftab,
Vice Chancellor, GCU Lahore and Mr. Erfan Ullah Babar, Chairman, Department of Fine Arts were also present.
More than 60 paintings were displayed at Salam Hall, GC University. Dr. Shaukat appreciated the creative work
done by the students. In the competition, Queen Mary College, Lahore; Lahore College for Women University,
Lahore and Govt. College for Women, Gulberg got first, second and third positions respectively.
19
'Poverty Alleviation through Agribusiness’
An inter-university seminar on “Poverty Alleviation
through Agribusiness” was conducted by Economics
Department of the Lahore College for Women
University (LCWU), Lahore recently.
An introduction to the topic was given by Ms. Tallat
Yazdani, Associate Professor of Economics at LCWU.
She highlighted the significance and core relationship
between two major issues i.e. poverty alleviation and
an improvement cum advancement of agriculture in
Pakistan.
In her presentation, Prof. Ms Riffat Saqlain, Dean of
Social Sciences, LCWU gave a detailed and
comprehensive analysis of both the issues
accompanied with several suggestions for improving
the quality and expanding the size of agribusiness
activities.
(L to R) Dr. Sohail Zafar Cheema, Punjab Minister for
Commerce and Investment, Prof. Dr. Bushra Mateen, VC,
LCWU and Prof. Ms. Riffat Saqlain pose for a photograph
Prof. Dr. Zakir Hussain, Chairman, Economics
Department, University of Sargodha discussed at
length the inverse relationship between the level of
agricultural productivity and extent of poverty
prevailing in different regions of Pakistan. It was
accompanied with presentation of data from different
regions and different crops and fruits.
She provided a detailed analysis of the various steps
being taken by the Government of Punjab for tackling
the concerned issues. She also gave a report on the
project of Punjab Government being executed in
twelve districts of the Province.
Dr. Sohail Zafar Cheema, Minister for Commerce and
Investment Department, Government of Punjab, was
chief guest on the occasion. He highlighted various
measures being taken by the Punjab Government for
tackling the issue.
Prof. Dr. Khalid Mustafa, Chairman, Department of
Marketing and Agribusiness, University of Agriculture,
Faisalabad presented an elaborate and technical
analysis of the problems of agriculture like water
availability, quality of seeds, types of fertilizer and
marketing of product.
In her address, Prof. Dr. Bushra Mateen, Vice
Chancellor, LCWU emphasized the quality and
standardization aspects for increasing the extent of
market for agricultural products at home and abroad.
The final presentation was made by Ms Saima
Ghafoor, District Project Officer, DCO Office, Gujrat.
Prof. Dr. Said Khan Khalil, Vice Chancellor, NWFP Agriculture University,
Peshawar attended a two-day consultation workshop at International Centre
for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) Kathmandu, Nepal. The
title of the Workshop was Postgraduate Fellowship and Consortium
Development with Universities in the Greater Himalayan Region:
With Initial Focus on Capacity Building of Kabul University. The
meeting was attended by vice chancellors and other
representatives from Afghanistan, China, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and other relevant regional and European
organizations. The two-day deliberations mainly focused on the forging of a strong alliance of teaching, research,
training and policy advocacy, especially on ways of supporting the development of Kabul University. The
consultation workshop ended with the recommendations to create a broad-based consortium of universities and
institutions embedded in the region to be called “Himalayan University Consortium (HUC), develop curriculum,
knowledge networking, policy advocacy, and promoting the concept, practice of sustainable mountain development
and map the academic and fellowship resources available in the member universities and institutions.
20
Design, Build and Flying Contest Held
Design, Build and Flying Contest was held at
GIK Institute recently. Air Marshal Khalid
Chaudhry, Chairman, Pakistan Aeronautical
Complex, Kamra was chief guest on the
occasion.
In his address, Mr. Khalid said that the Contest
had proved that our youth could excel even in
the limited resources available to them. “The
21st century is extremely competitive but the
habit of reading and desire to excel can lead
our youth to attain their goal”, he said.
The PAC Chairman said that it was
encouraging and appreciable to see the
excellent design, build and flying efforts made
by the young engineers. “The level of
professionalism and design is really attractive,”
he added.
The experts from PAC Kamra could visit the
GIK Institute to guide our students,” said
Rector, Dr. Abdullah Sadiq.
Dr. Muhammad Abid, Coordinator of the
Contest, said, “The contest is aimed to provide
a platform to the undergraduate engineering
students from all over Pakistan to participate
in a multi-disciplinary field of aero-modelling,
with a view to increase awareness, promote
Aero Modelling display at GIKI
creativity, learn practical implementation of designs and
improve presentation skills”.
Meanwhile, a three-day All Pakistan Mechanical Engineering
Competition was also held at GIK Institute. The competition
was organised by American Society of Mechanical
Engineering, GIKI chapter.
The students belonging to engineering varsities from all over
the country participated in the competition. The contest
encouraged the students to design models that demonstrate
creativity and technical feasibility. The engineers competed in
speed modelling and design using pro-E software. Technical
papers related to the field of mechanical engineering were
also presented.
Intel Malaysia Selects Four GIKI Students
Intel Malaysia has selected four students of
GIK Institute for Summer Internships. This
was stated by Mr. Hoo Tan, Manager Intel
Cyberjaya and Edwin Lae, Innovation Centre
Manager Intel Malaysia at the concluding
ceremony of their four-day visit to the GIK
Institute.
Intel officials interviewed 11 students short
listed from the Faculty of Computer Science
and Engineering and the Faculty of Electronic
Engineering. However, four students were
finally selected to go to Malaysia for their summer
internships.
The visitors held talks with the GIKI academic staff to explore
ways of mutual collaboration. They discussed various options,
including launching of joint research projects.
“The GIKI-Intel strong relations will continue to grow more in
future. We were very impressed by the quality of education,
world-class curriculum and talented faculty as well as GIK
Institute students”, Mr. Hoo Tan said.
21
GIKI Holds Industrial Open House, Career Fair
Forty-one multinational and national companies
participated in the GIK Institute 'Industrial Open
House and Career Fair' held from April 11-12, 2007.
The main purpose was to provide a meeting place to
the students and their prospective employers.
Speaking on the occasion, he said every project was
outstanding which showed that the educational
standard and confidence among the GIKI students
was remarkable.
Dr. Abdullah Sadiq, Rector GIKI said that the Institute
was striving to contribute to the rapid technoindustrial transformation of the country and region by
producing professionals of the highest caliber.
During the Industrial Open House, a poster
presentation session was held in which the students
presented their final year projects in the form of
posters and other demonstrations. The event
provided an opportunity to professionals from the
industries and research organizations to meet the
faculty and students and discuss linkages between
academia and entrepreneurs.
“GIKI is a partner of the Asia-Link Programme of the
European Union comprising seven universities from
six countries. It has also successfully competed for
the newly launched Pak-US Project and is perhaps the
first Pakistani University to get research grants of the
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air
Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the Islamic
Development Bank”, he said.
Mr. William Toh, Managing Director and CEO, Pakistan
Tobacco Company, was chief guest at the concluding
ceremony. He visited projects of the students and
highly appreciated their work and skill.
Seminar on Genetic & Biomedical Engineering
Dr. Nasir Jamali, Dr. A.Q.K. Rajput, Dr. Aijaz Patoli and Dr. B. S. Chowdhry address participants of the Seminar
Dr. Nasir. Z. Jamali, Research Associate, Sunny
Downstate Hospital, New York, USA delivered a
lecture during a seminar on “Importance of Basic
Research in Genetic and Biomedical Engineering” at
Mehran University of Engineering and Technology
recently.
choices among the multitude of biomedical research
fields and to establish productive national and
international contacts. Every aspect of health and
disease, from the molecular mechanisms of gene
action to population studies of global illnesses
contributes to improve understanding of the cause of
diseases and better treatment and prevention of
many disorders. Researcher, educators, and clinicians
can help each other to reach the common goals of
improving people's health and alleviate suffering from
disease”, he said.
In his presentation Dr. Jamali pointed out that a
successful basic science research programme needs
an environment that encourages free and open
inquiry, which provides supportive services for
academic achievement, scholarship, and creativity.
“When you are heading for a research education you
will get the deeper knowledge about research and
development, increasing possibilities to make active
Dr. AQK Rajput, Vice Chancellor, MUET and Prof. Dr. B.
S. Chowdhry, Chairman, Department of Biomedical
Engineering also spoke at the occasion.
22
NIIT Organizes Int'l Workshop on Networking
NUST Institute of Information Technology (NIIT)
organized a one-day international workshop on
"Connection-Oriented Networks, MPLS, GMPLS and
Optical Networks" on April 26, 2007.
developments in the relevant fields. Dr. Harry Perros
delivered a series of talks at different intervals in the
second session. His main themes included areas like
Wavelength Routing Networks, Protection schemes,
and WDM rings; Multi-protocol Label Switching;
Optical Burst Switching; Next Generation Networks
(NGN).
Dr. Harry G. Perros, an expert in Optical Networking,
was keynote speaker from USA besides local experts.
Dr. Perros is credited with four books on networksrelated subjects. He is a Professor of Computer
Science, an Alumni Distinguished Graduate Professor,
and the Programme Coordinator of the Master of
Science degree in Computer Networks at NC State
University, USA.
In his presentation, Dr. S. M. H. Zaidi focused on
Broadband Access Technology Evolution Patters:
Strategy and Recommendations for the Asian Region.
Later, he presented the architecture, simulation set-up
and results of his team's proposed NUST-Hybrid
Passive Optical Network.
In his opening address Dr. S. M. H. Zaidi, Dean, NIIT
underscored the importance of the workshop as a
means of stimulating young researchers' interest in
new research areas.
Air Vice Marshal Khalid Masood Rajpoot, Deputy Chief
of the Air Staff (Engineering), Pakistan Air Force was
chief guest at the concluding session along with the
Guest of Honour Admiral Mohammad Mushtaq, ProRector National University of Sciences and
Technology.
Dr. Muhammad Yasin, Technical Member, termed the
current boom of information and communication
technology a welcome opportunity for multi million
dollar investments in optical networks, radio
frequency identification and nano technologies.
Mr. Masood praised NllT's efforts in disseminating
vitally needed technological awareness through
international workshops and seminars. He indicated
PAF's interest in benefiting from NUST's expertise in
high-speed access network.
During the second session, faculty and students from
NIIT also presented their research findings and
Royal College Office at UHS for MRCP Exams
The Federation of Royal College of Physicians, UK, has
announced establishment of its office at the
University of Health Sciences (UHS), Lahore for
holding first MRCP examinations in Pakistan from
2008. The University has received intimation in this
regard from the College.
the decision, saying it shows the Royal College's
confidence in the varsity's examination system.
He said now the Pakistani medical graduates would
not face difficulties in getting British visa for postdoctoral studies, and they would also not have to go
to Cyprus, India or China for getting the degree any
more.
The Royal College has appointed Prof. Dr. M. Akbar
Chaudhry as chairman of the examination committee
and has asked him to convene a meeting of Fellows
of Royal Colleges to plan for the clinical examination
from 2008.
The decision to set up its central office in UHS came
after the visit of Royal College's Academic VicePresident Prof. Parveen Kumar and Medical Director
Dr. Neil Dewhurst to the University.
The Royal College of Physicians, London, will also
conduct training courses for educators and examiners
at the UHS. The courses will be conducted by a
special team, headed by Prof. Parveen Kumar. Prof.
Mubbashar Malik, UHS Vice Chancellor has welcomed
MRCP, a postgraduate examination, is usually taken
during the period of general professional training in
medicine, which follows registration with General
Medical Council of the UK.
23
r
r
ESEARCH
ESEARCH
Understanding Allergies and Asthma
Allergic diseases and asthma have created havoc around the globe. They are prevalent in various parts of the
world and it is believed that their incidence is escalating at an alarming rate. They affect the people of all ages
and are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in all age groups, especially children. World Health
Organization (WHO) has documented 300 million asthma sufferers and has reported 2,55,000 deaths due to
asthma in 2005.
Asthma and allergy remain a continuous cause of the loss of precious school and working hours and lack of
productivity among the general masses. They bring about enormous financial burden on the society and cast a
major impression on a nation's economy in terms of medications, hospitalization, lost working hours and reduced
work output.
We belong to a developing country and unfortunately
our population suffers at the hands of allergies and
asthma as much as those of the developed countries. A
place where quality basic medical care is available to a
few, the sufferings of the poor are made worse not only
because of the inaccessibility to the medical care, but
also due to the lack of awareness about health and
hygiene. They suffer both at the hands of disease and
mismanagement because proper treatment requires
understanding of asthma and allergic disorders in a
broader perspective, which is usually deficient in our
population.
Most of the developed and many developing countries
are running programmes on Allergy and Asthma
research, but we are lagging far behind. It is the irony
of fate that we do not even have the true
epidemiological picture of our environment to depict the
actual scenario, we also lack the information about the
possible allergens present in our ambience. This data is
much needed to comprehend the situation in its actual colours because we need to assess the damage already
done and problems which are coming forth, because if a solid strategy is not devised to control these diseases,
our population will continue to suffer from diseases which are easily manageable.
Dr. Muhammad Anwar Waqar (left) is a Distinguished
National Professor and Senior teacher of Cell and
Molecular Biology at Dr. Panjwani Centre for Molecular
Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD), University of
Karachi. Mr. Yahya Noori (right) is a PhD scholar at
PCMD, University of Karachi.
Allergic diseases and asthma have a very well defined modus operandi. They are hypersensitivity disorders, which
mean that they are a result of our body's excessive response to minor offenders, generally not supposed to incite
such a response of great magnitude. These offenders are called allergens. These allergens are present both in our
indoor or outdoor surroundings. Outdoor allergens can be pollen from grasses, trees, weeds or fungal spores,
while indoor allergens can be fecal material from cockroaches, dust mites, cat or dog dander, fungal spores and
many other objects. When they interact with our body, they sensitize us and are capable of throwing us into the
frenzy of coughing, sneezing, urticaria and lachrymation, making us useless for many hours.
To understand asthma and allergic disorders, it is very important to be aware of the events which take place at
the cellular and molecular level. It is a type-I hypersensitivity response, which is mainly meant to protect the body
against parasitic infections. In allergic patients, this response is misdirected and causes damage to the body itself.
Type-I hypersensitivity response is mediated by IgE antibodies secreted by plasma cells in response to antigenspecific TH2 helper T cells. These antibodies bind to tissue mast cells and basophils and make them sensitized.
Subsequent exposure leads to cross linking of these IgE antibodies, which causes degranulation of mast cells and
24
Research Research
basophils with the release of vasoactive molecules like histamine, heparin, prostaglandins, and cytokines that
cause increased vascular permeability, mucous secretion, contraction of bronchial smooth muscle and other effects
that lead to the symptoms of asthma and allergy. This does not occur in all individuals, but is specific for some
people called atopic. This atopicity shows strong familial predisposition and the affected people are said to have
some immune dysfunction, which leads to the hyper-reactivity of the immune system, that is otherwise not
supposed to happen. These days, the treatment employed for these disorders is symptomatic rather than curative,
and people are treated with antihistamines or immunosuppressants, that do not cure but rather alleviate the
condition of the patient.
Another possible treatment, which is now increasingly being used to treat allergies and asthma, is the
immunotherapy. The concept is not very new but dates back to early twentieth century when Noon and Freeman
tried to perform inoculation against hay fever. The antigens are isolated, treated and purified to be used as
desensitizers that decrease the hyper-reactivity of the immune system. They shift the immune response from a
predominant TH2-IgE to TH1 that does not lead to the formation of IgE antibodies and thus prevents the patients
from effects of hypersensitivity leading to allergies and asthma. Immunotherapy is performed by either sublingual
or subcutaneous route. It is generally safe, and studies have shown that they are efficient in decreasing the
hyper-responsiveness of the immune system of the atopic individuals.
In Pakistan, allergy and asthma have been a hot topic due to suffering of the people of the Federal Capital. For
long, Paper Mulberry has been known as the culprit and all efforts have been made to eradicate it from
Islamabad. But in spite of all the efforts, yet allergy remains a major problem for citizens that haunt them more
than before. This signifies that Mulberry was only used as scapegoat, and an excuse for chopping off thousands of
trees. Allergy is still there, and is still a problem for the people of Islamabad. As a matter of fact, the mulberry
myth should ring some bells that it might not be the sole agent responsible for all the mayhem in Islamabad,
there may be other factors, such as fungal spores, which could be a cause of the problems of the Federal Capital.
It is high time that we should stop believing in myths, and start thinking scientifically and take pragmatic steps
towards allergy research in Pakistan. This would not only help the ailing masses of our country but would also be
a great service to the humanity.
There is a problem with the allergy vaccines that they have to be prepared locally and they must contain extracts
from local allergens because allergens are specific for specific areas and they also vary from season to season. As
a first step in the basic Allergy Research, we at Dr. Panjwani Centre for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research
(PCMD) have shouldered the responsibility to create a database of aerobiological agents present in the
atmosphere of Pakistan. PCMD works under the umbrella of International Centre for Chemical and Biological
Sciences, located at the University of Karachi.
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has generously provided the funding for this project. We have already
initiated our work at Karachi and Islamabad and have started collection of pollen and spore samples in these
cities. Epidemiological studies are also being carried out to find out the pattern of symptoms in the general
population. This database will be used to find out the actual culprits in the causation of allergies and preparation
of local allergy calendar for the masses. This allergy calendar can be used to forecast about the allergens and
warn the sensitized individuals to take precautionary measures. The identified offenders would be used in the
preparation of allergy vaccines in Pakistan, which could be used to desensitize the allergy patients.
This project is being run in collaboration with King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) in
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as the Director of Allergy and Aerobiology Unit, KFSHRC, Dr. Syed M. Hasnain has a vast
experience in conducting Allergy Research. This allergy calendar can be used to forecast allergens and warn the
sensitized individuals to take precautionary measures and prevent themselves from illness and loss of working and
school-hours.
25
UAE University Team Wins Microsoft Imagine Cup
The winning team to compete in the world
championships in Seoul, Korea in August 2007
The United Arab Emirates University Team was recently
announced as winner of the Microsoft Imagine Cup 2007 in
Dubai, after competing head to head against three other
teams.
Microsoft Gulf, in partnership with Centre of Excellence for
Applied Research and Training (CERT), i-mate and Emirates
Integrated Telecommunication Company, opened registration
to Imagine Cup 2007 last November for students from the
UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait at an event held in
Abu Dhabi, in conjunction with the global launch of the
competition.
Two hundred and twenty students from universities across
the region entered the competition, and nine project
proposals were short listed. The panel of judges chose the
best four entries submitted to be presented in finals in Dubai.
"Imagine Cup, the world's premiere student technology
competition, represents the next generation of technology
and business leaders," said Charbel Fakhoury, General
Manager, Microsoft Gulf. "Microsoft is proud to announce the
inclusion of the Gulf countries in this competition, as we
believe that these students have a lot to contribute in terms
of both innovation and technology to really make a difference
in peoples' everyday lives", he said.
Dubai sets an ideal environment for fostering innovation and
enabling people to realize their full potential. The technology
available for students coupled with state-of-the-art university
facilities enables students to expand on their knowledge, and
see their innovative and creative ideas materialize into
inventions that can help improve people's lives.
More than 65,000 students from 100 countries competed in
Microsoft Corp.'s Imagine Cup 2006 competition, using their
technology skills and talent to create new technologies that
can benefit mankind. The theme for the Imagine Cup 2007
revolves around education, and it asked the brilliant minds of
the future to "imagine a world where technology enables a
better education for all."
Now in its fifth year, Imagine Cup challenges students to
bring their ideas to life in a multifaceted competition that
comprises nine categories, each catering to a different
technological or artistic affinity. Students' work reflected
valuable, real world solutions, while giving them the
26
Imagine cup winners
opportunity to compete for cash prizes. When
coupled with the power of technology, the
potential of young people is unlimited and the
ideas they develop for the Imagine Cup could
significantly improve the lives of millions of
people around the world.
Students competed in nine categories
spanning from software design and short film
to challenges involving algorithms and
programming. Students' work reflected
valuable, real-world solutions that addressed
the pressing global issue of education while
giving them the opportunity to compete for
generous cash prizes.
The United Arab Emirates University Team's
project entitled 'Mobile Learning - A
Specification of SMS Quiz Engine' was
developed by four young students Eiman Al
Mansoori, Hifa Ahmed Jarah, Fatema Al
Mansoori, and Ghalyah Ali, and was able to
succeed in winning the Microsoft Imagine Cup
2007.
The young students will travel to Seoul, Korea
where they will compete in the world
championships in August 2007, to present
their entries to a panel of judges from
academia and the technology industry.
The finalists will be selected, and a worldwide
winner from each category will be announced.
Prizes for Imagine Cup 2007 will total more
than US $170,000 across the nine categories.
Courtesy: www.zawya.com
Australia Creates $5 Billion Fund for Varsity Research
Australia will create a A$5 billion ($4.1 billion) fund
for universities and will spend more money on schools
and teachers, Treasurer Peter Costello said.
The A$5 billion endowment fund, to be created from
the 2006-07 budget surplus, will earn dividends of
between A$300 million to A$400 million a year. The
income will be allocated to universities. Costello said
money from future cash surpluses would be added to
the fund.
The fund will be used to pay for research and repairs
to crumbling buildings and other works at universities
and colleges. The government will also spend A$3.5
billion to increase numeracy and literacy among
school children, providing vouchers for private
tutoring and summer schools for teachers to train.
The Australian government forecast a A$10.6 billion
surplus in the year ending June 30, 2008, and A$12.9
billion the following year.
“This is a bold and innovative fund that will invest in
our future,'' Costello told reporters in Canberra as he
released the 2007-08 budget. “It is the greatest
educational endowment that will set Australia up for
generations.''
“We will add to the fund out of the next financial year
and in the years after that,'' Costello said. “We have
the aim of building a perpetual fund, which will create
first-class institutions”.
Courtesy: Bloomberg.com
Diabetes Drug May Help Fight Breast Cancer
Drugs developed to tackle obesity and diabetes may
also fight breast cancer, scientists have found. They
believe they work by blocking an enzyme behind two
out of five cases of the cancer.
"The excitement is we are not going to have to wait
for seven years of research. The compound has
already been developed in many cases.
"Clinical trials for diabetes have shown that the drug
has very low toxicity in comparison to other anticancer treatments, so the side effects are minimal,
especially when it's administered for a very short
period.
The drugs have already been tested for safety in
clinical trials for their original use. That means they
could be fast-tracked into trials on breast cancer
patients, and reach the market much more quickly. A
brand new drug would take many years to research
and develop. The scientists, from McGill University in
Montreal, looked at the role an enzyme called PTP1B
plays in breast cancer.
"Today, we are starting to look at the role of PTP1B in
other types of cancer, like ovarian cancer and certain
deadly kinds of adult leukaemia. We hope to start
those studies in the months ahead."
It is already known to be an important factor in
diabetes and obesity, but it is also found in high levels
in around 40 per cent of breast cancer patients.
Dr. Philip Branton, of the Canadian Institute of Cancer
Research, said: "This is already halfway or more than
halfway down the pipeline.
Using mice genetically engineered to be prone to
breast cancer, the researchers found that blocking
production of the enzyme significantly slowed tumour
development - and in some cases stopped tumours
from forming altogether. Cutting off the supply of the
enzyme also stopped the cancer from spreading to
the lungs.
The mice involved were genetically engineered to
make a rogue protein that fuels the growth of up to a
quarter of breast cancers in women. The best
treatment for this type, which grows and spreads
particularly quickly, is the drug Herceptin.
Dr. Tremblay said that combining the new drugs with
Herceptin could provide 'a two-way kill'.
Researcher Dr. Michel Tremblay, whose findings are
reported in the journal Nature Genetics, described the
find as "very important and surprising".
Courtesy: Daily Mail
27
National Research Grant for Universities
Under Research Grant Project of Higher Education Commission, creative researchers of the country working in
various fields of science and technology as well as social sciences are awarded research grants to enable them to
conduct R&D in priority areas of science and technology, relevant to national needs.
Twenty projects are being included in this issue. The other project proposals will continue to be published in the
forthcoming issue of the magazine.
Principal Investigator
Subject
Institution
Amount
Rs.
Period
Dr. Hamidullah Shah
Mycotoxins in cereal crops as a risk NWFP Agricultural
factor for food safety in Pakistan
University, Peshawar
1,901,117 3 Years
Dr. Nasir Ahmad Saeed
Molecular genetic study of NBS-LRR Quaid-i-Azam University,
super-family of resistance (R)
Islamabad
genes for developing leaf rust
disease resistance in wheat (T.
aestivum)
1,968,600 3 Years
Dr. Abdul Hakeem Shaikh
Ecology, dynamics and potential of Federal Urdu University of
some micro-organisms on
Arts, Sciences &
population health of Karachi
Technology, Karachi
district
1,974,995
3 Years
Dr. Raheel Qamar
Mapping the genes responsible for
autosomal recessive retinitis
Pigmentosa
COMSATS Institute of
Information Technology,
Islamabad
5,964,450
3 Years
Dr. Abdur Rab
Evaluation of heat treatment
methods for the posthaevest
quality and storage life of citrus
(sweet orange) fruit
NWFP Agriculture
University, Peshawar
1,032,240 2 Years
Dr. Hidayat -ur-Rahman
Production of modified double cross NWFP Agriculture
maize hybrids as source of low cost University, Peshawar
seed
1,705,170
3 Years
Dr. Shahla Siddiqui
An assessment of expectations of The Aga Khan University,
families of patients admitted in the Karachi
intensive care unit
56,304
3 Months
Dr. Dileep Kumar Rohra
Quantification of cell free foetal
The Aga Khan University,
mRNA in maternal plasma: An
Karachi
approach towards the development
of a predictive biochemical marker
for preeclampsia
3,105,900 2 Years
Dr. Asifa Ahmed
Differential proteomic analysis of
human ocular fluids
1,099,050 2 Years
28
COMSATS Institute of
Information Technology,
Islamabad
Principal Investigator
Subject
Institution
Dr. Tahira Nasreen Arshed Postgraduate “Diploma in Physics
Education”- Training physics
graduates for the teaching
profession using research -Based
interactive techniques in quality
Education
Amount
Period
Rs.
Federal Urdu University of
Arts, Science and
Technology, Karachi
3,723,500
2 Years
Dr. Zahid Mahmood
Parent – child relationship :
attachment styles, parental – rearing
and children behavioural problems
GC University, Lahore
2,099,645
3 Years
Dr. Yasin Raashid
The release trial: a randomised trail
of umbilical vein oxytocin versus
placebo for the treatment of retained
placenta
King Edward Medical
University, Lahore
829,770
3 Years
Dr. Farooq Latif
Strain improvement of humicola
specie/s for over production of
cellulase and application in the
finishing of garments
Quaid-i-Azam University,
Islamabad
3,704,640
3 Years
University of Karachi,
Karachi
1,899,451
3 Years
Dr. Sumayya Saied
Evaluation of disinfection by- products University of Karachi,
(DBPs) and mutagen level and their Karachi
formation potential associated health
risk in the various sources of drinking
water of Karachi
1,948,000
2 Years
Dr. Majid Mumtaz
Evaluation of heavy metals pollution
in the edible fishes of Arabian sea
along the Karachi coastal region
University of Karachi,
Karachi
764,000
1 Year
Dr. Muhammd Afzal
Ghauri
Biotechnological applications of
microorganisms in bioleaching and
bioremediation of metals
Quaid-i-Azam University,
Islamabad
3,598,927
3 Years
Dr. Tahira Iqbal
Molecular heterogeneity of
University of Agriculture,
acetylation of different probe drugs in Faisalabad
local populations
4,384,470
2 Years
Dr. Sheikh Abdul Saeed
Effect of chronic treatment with the
constituent s of nigella sativa seeds
extract on reproductive parameters
in male rat
The Aga Khan University,
Karachi
972,391
3 Years
Dr. Nasrullah Khan
Minimum ignition energy study of
combustible fuel gases
Federal Urdu University of
Arts, Science &
Technology, Islamabad
9,477,735
3 Years
Dr. Muhammad Raza Shah Synthesis of nanotubes and ring
polymers from realm of scientific
curiosoty to reality
29
Travel Grants to Teachers
Following travel grants, for the faculty members of public sector universities, were sanctioned in February 2007:
Name & Address of applicant
Prof. Dr. Ahmad Saeed, D/o
Chemistry, Gomal University
D. I. Khan
Ms. Asma Saeed, Lecturer, D/o
Biological Science, Gomal University,
D. I. Khan
Mr. Abdul Raziq, PhD Scholar, D/o
Livestock Management, U/o
Agriculture, Faisalabad
Dr. Muhammad Younas, Professor,
D/o Livestock Management, U/o
Agriculture, Faisalabad
Mr. Kashif Altaf, Lecturer, D/o
Electrical Engineering, CIIT, Islamabad
Dr. Muhammad Zafar Iqbal,
Professor, Dean, D/o Teacher
Education, AIOU, Islamabad
Dr. Mulazim Hussain Bukhari, Asst.
Prof., D/o Pathology, King Edward
Medical University, Lahore
Mr. Muhammad Ishfaq Khan,
Lecturer/PhD Scholar, D/o Weed Sc.
NWFP Agri. University, Peshawar
Mr. Abrar Ahmad, Associate Prof.,
D/o Management Science, Iqra
University, Islamabad
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Ch., Dir
(Acting), HEJ Research Institute, U/o
Karachi.
Ms. Imrana Muzammil Sial, PhD
Scholar,Marine Reference Collection
& Resource Centre, U/o Karachi
Ms Fariha Muniza, PhD Scholar,
Marine Reference Collection &
Resource Centre, U/o Karachi
Ms Farhana Shafiq Ghory, PhD
Scholar, D/o Zoology, U/o Karachi
Ms Hala Bano, PhD Scholar, D/o
Zoology, U/o Karachi
Dr. Faisal Manzoor Arain, Asst. Prof.,
D/o Management, IBA, Karachi
Mr. Sh. Muhammad Nawaz, Asst.
Prof., D/o Fibre Technology, U/o
Agriculture Faisalabad
Mr. Saif Ullah Khan, PhD Scholar,
D/o Geography, U/o Peshawar.
Ms. Farah Naz, Research Associate,
National Centre of Excellence, U/o
Sindh, Jamshoro
Dr. Altaf Ali Siyal, Associate Prof,
D/o Land and water Management,
SAU, Tandojam
Title of Conference
9th Int’l Symposium on
Protein Structure
Karachi
Date(s) of
Conference
11-14.01.2007
9th Int’l Symposium on
Protein Structure
Karachi
11-14.01.2007
18,180
India
16-17.02.2007
51,680
India
16-17.02.2007
50,000
Greece
16-19.02.2007
125,615
Int’l Camel Conference on
Recent Trend s in Cameild
Research
Int’l Camel Conference on
Recent Trends in Cameild
Research
WSEAS Int’l Conference on
signal Processing
th
19 Annual at -Risk Youth
National Forum
Venue
Recommended
grant in PKR
19,555
USA
17-21.02.2007
149,500
Int’l Conference Recent
Advances in Clinical Oncology
UAE
19-22.2.2007
95,200
International Conference on
Environment Survival and
Sustainability
9th South Asian Management
Forum Conference
Cyprus
19-24.02.2007
95,500
Bangladesh
24-25.02.2007
75,810
India
24-26.02.2007
43,750
Multan
27 Feb. to 01
March 2007
14,770
27th Pakistan Congress of
Zoology
Multan
27 Feb. to 01
March 2007
14,770
27th Pakistan Congress of
Zoology
27th Pakistan Congress of
Zoology
5th Int’l Conference on
Construction
Textile Institute 85th World
Conference, 2007
Multan
27 Feb. to 01
March 2007
27 Feb. to 01
March 2007
1-2.03.2007
14,770
Colombo,
Sri Lanka
1-3.03.2007
109,900
Hanoi,
Vietnam
Greece
05-08.03.2007
74,750
9-11.03.2007
93,580
Bangladesh
12-14.03.2007
55,800
th
11 ISCB Conference (Int’l
Conference on Advance in
Drug
27th Pakistan Congress of
Zoology
International Conference
by USEPAM
5th Int’l Congress on Food
Technology
Int’l Conference on Water &
Flood Management
30
Multan
Singapore
14,770
98,350
Name & Address of applicant
Syed Hameed Qaiser, PhD Scholar,
D/o Computer Engg. (CASE), UET
Taxila
Ms. Maria Mahar Shaikh, MS
Student, D/o Computer Science,
PAF-Karachi Institute of Eco & Tech,
Karachi
Mr. Ayaz ul Hassan Khan, Asst. Prof.,
D/o Computer Sc., MAJU, Karachi
Mr. Muhammad Mahrrof Khan, Asst.
Prof., F/o Administrative Sciences AJK
University
Prof. Dr. Shahida Hasnain, Dean, F/o
Life Sciences, U/o the Punjab,
Lahore
Mr. Imran Raza, Lecturer, D/o
Computer Science, CIIT, Lahore
Mr. Arshad Ali, Chairma n, D/o
Management Sciences, U/o
Malakand
Dr. Fahim Uddin, Professor &
Chairman, D/o Chemistry, U/o
Karachi
Mr. Ghulam Murtaza Arain, Ph.D
Scholar, D/o High-Tech Central
Resource Laboratory, U/o Sindh
Jamshoro
Ms Amber Rehana Solangi,
Research Officer/Lecturer, NCE in
Analytical Chemistry, U/o Sindh
Jamshoro
Ms Arfana Mallah, Lecturer, I/o
Chemistry, U/o Sindh, Jamshoro
Ms Sobia Baig, PhD Scholar, F/o
Electronic Engg., GIKI, Topi,
Mr. Shakeel Ahmad, Asst. Prof., I/o
Computing & IT, Gomal University,
D. I. Khan
Dr. Dileep K. Rohra, Assoct Prof.,
D/o Biological & Biomedical
Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi
Mr. Zaheer Abbas, Ph D Scholar, D/o
Business Administration, MAJU,
Islamabad
Dr. Waseem Akram, Associate Prof.,
D/o Agri-Entomology, U/o
Agriculture, Faisalabad
Mr. Zeeshan Alam Nayyar, Lecturer,
D/o Applied Physics, U/o Karachi
Prof. Dr. Nasrullah Khan, D/o
Electrical Engg., CIIT, Islamabad
Title of Conference
Morocco
Date(s) of
Conference
14-16.03.2007
Recommended
grant in PKR
97,750
France
14-16.03.2007
119,340
Cairo
15-18.03.2007
96,210
London
16-17.03.2007
82,930
Egypt
18-20.03.2007
80,000
Hong Kong
21-23.03.2007
122,025
USA
25-28.03.2007
165,700
7 Int’l Conference &
Exhibition on Chemistry and
Industry
7th Int’l Conference &
Exhibition on Chemistry and
Industry
Bahrain
26-28.03.2007
72,090
Bahrain
26-28.03.2007
67,400
7th Int’l Conference &
Exhibition on Chemistry and
Industry
Bahrain
26-28.03.2007
72,400
7th Int’l Conference &
Exhibition on Chemistry and
Industry
IEEE Int’l. Symposium on
Power Line
Asia Modeling Symposium
2007
Bahrain
26-28.03.2007
73,000
Italy
26-28.03.2007
107,180
Thailand
27-30..03.2007
101,900
Turkey
29-31.03.2007
120,710
Australia
1-4.04.2007
162,400
USA
1-5.04.2007
181,240
Thailand
2-4.04.2007
103,460
Thailand
2-4.04.2007
109,400
1st Int’l Conference on
Physics & Technology of
Rectors
Int’l Conference on Internet
& Multimedia System
3rd Int’l Conference on
Intelligent Computing and
Information System
Representation of 9/11
Conference
12th Conference on
Microbiology
Int’l Multi Conference of
Engineers and Computer
Scientists 2007
SAM International Busines
Conference
th
4th Int’l Symposium on
Diabetes and Pregnancy
th
14 Global Finance
Conference
73rd American Mosquito
Control Association Annual
Meeting
3rd Int’l Conference on
Energy and Power System
IASTED Asian Conference:
Asia PES 2007
31
Venue
Name & Address of applicant
Mr. Muhammad Saleem, PhD
Scholar, Centre for Advanced Studies
in Engg., U/o Engg. & Technology,
Taxila
Dr. Shaukat Iqbal Malik, Asso. Prof.
D/o Biotech. & Informatics, BUITMS,
Quetta
Ms Syedah Zahra Atiq, Research
Associate, D/o Computer Science,
Lahore University of Management
Sciences, Lahore
Ms Adila Rani, Scientific Officer,
Materials Science Research Centre
Mr. Nisar Ahmad Jamil, Associate
Professor, D/o Fibre Technology,
University of Agriculture, Faisalabad
Dr. S. M. Saqlain Naqvi, Associate
Prof. Biochemistry, Arid Agriculture
Univ.Rawalpindi
Title of Conference
Evo 2007
Venue
Spain
2007 APQN Conference & AGM
Malaysia
UKCBR 2006 + AL-2006
UK
To persue PhD Studies
Australia
2nd International Conference
of Applied Research on
Textile
International Symposium
2006
Tunisia
Date(s) of
Conference
11-13.04.2007
Recommended
grant in PKR
113,750
4-7.02.2007
101,200
11-13.12.2006
125,005
40,000
30 Nov2.12.2006
Sri Lanka
12,000
12,655
GRANTS TO ORGANIZE SEMINARS
Name & Address of applicant
Dr. Nadeem ul Haque, Director
Pakistan Development Economics
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zafarullah,
Director, I/o Management Sciences,
BZU, Multan
Prof. Dr. Mira Phailbus, Principal,
Kinnairad College for Women,
Lahore
Mr. Zahir Ali, Chairman, D/o
Biotechnology, U/o Malakand
Title of Conference
Venue
22nd Annual General Meeting
and Conference of Pakistan
Society Development
Economists
Semester System of
Education: Challenges &
Prospects
Wiscomp Women Insecurity
Conflict Management & Peace
1st National Symposium on
Biotechnology: Recent
Advances
Ms Samra M. Khan, Director,
Folk and Traditional Sources:
D/o Theatre, National College of Arts, Towards Contemporary
Rawalpindi
Pakistani Theatre
Dr. Anjum Halai, Head, Research &
Teacher Status
Policy Studies Unit, AKU-IED, Aga
Khan Univ. Karachi
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Sarwar,
Int’l Nutrition Conference Director, I/o Animal Nutrition & Feed
2007
Technology, U/o Agriculture,
Faisalabad
3rd Annual Symposium of
Prof. Zaman Shaikh, Chairman
Organizing Committee, Dow
Dow University of Health
University of Health Sciences,
Sciences
Karachi
th
27 Pakistan Congress of
Prof. Dr. Abdul Rauf Shakoori,
President ZSP, School of Biological
Zoology (International)
Sc. U/o the Punjab, Lahore
Prof. Dr. Parveen Shah, Director, I/o
Legal Status of Women
Women Development Studies, U/o
(International Women's Day)
Sindh, Jamshoro
32
Lahore
Date(s) of
Conference
19-1.12.2006
Recommended
grant in PKR
450,000
Multan
24-25.1.2007
125,000
Lahore
15-9.02.2007
100,000
Malakand
20-23.2.2007
300,000
Rawalpindi
21-4.02.2007
390,000
Karachi
22-23.2.2007
260,000
Faisalabad
23-24.2.2007
450,000
Karachi
23-6.02.2007
888,000
Multan
27 Feb. to 1
March, 2007
500,000
Jamshoro
08.03.2007
150,000
Name & Address of applicant
Prof. Dr. Abdul Hameed, Professor,
D/o Microbiology, QAU, Islamabad
Dr. Mian Aftab Ahmad, Chairman,
D/o Psychology & Applied
Psychology, U/o the Punjab, Lahore
Dr. Mian Aftab Ahmad, Chairman,
D/o Psychology & Applied
Psychology, U/o the Punjab, Lahore
Title of Conference
Venue
Date(s) of
Conference
18-1.03.2007
Recommended
grant in PKR
1,197,500
6th Intel Biennial Conference
of Pakistan Society for
Microbiology
New Trends in Psychological
Research
Islamabad
Lahore
6-7.4.2007
0
International Conference on
Psychosocial Factors
Affecting Extemism.
Lahore
6-8.12.2007
0
CDWP Approved Projects
Following projects were approved in the recent meeting of Central Development Working Party (CDWP) held in
April, 2007:
Project: Post Earthquake Development
Plan for Hazara University
Capital Cost: Rs. 340.337 million
Project: Dairy Training and Development at University of
Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore
Capital Cost: Rs. 109.815 million
Project: Strengthening of Library Facilities
at Islamia University, Bahawalpur
Capital Cost: Rs. 99.430 million
Project: Strengthening and Up-gradation of the Institute of Food
Sciences and Technology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad
Capital Cost: Rs. 169.850 million
Project: Establishment of BZU College of
Textile Engineering
Capital Cost: Rs. 248.965 million
Project: External Development of Land (356 Acres) in Sector H12 at Islamabad for NUST (Phase-IV)
Capital Cost: Rs. 299.365 million
A group of senior students from the College of Agriculture and Marine Sciences of the Sultan Qaboos University
(SQU) gave a detailed presentation of their recent study tour of Pakistan at Faculty Club of the University in
Muscat. Mr. Javed Hafiz, Pakistan's Ambassador was the chief guest. He was accompanied by Dr. Ali Al Bimani,
Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the SQU and other leading officials of the university management.
Apart from getting first-hand experience of Pakistan's agricultural successes, the students had also met some top
officials including Governor of Punjab Lt. Gen. (R) Khalid Maqbool. They also visited the offices of Pak-Oman
Development Bank in Karachi.
33
Higher Education Commission
Universities of Engineering, Sciences and Technology
of Pakistan-Technology Park
Appointment of Project Coordinators
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) is establishing universities in collaboration with foreign partners
under the UESTP-Tech Park Programme. Work on three universities has started and is expected to begin
shortly on the others. Classes are expected to start by 2009 on the main campus sites.
The HEC is looking for four or more Project Coordinators for implementation of these Mega Projects. These
will be senior management positions reporting directly to the Executive Director/Chairman, Higher
Education Commission.
The position holders will be responsible and accountable for:
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Developing and leading a project development team
Tendering, contractor selection, award, and commissioning of the project; Liaison/coordination with
relevant government organizations to get all approvals/consents
Coordination, implementation and monitoring of all contract agreements; General project planning
and management in Pakistan in consultation with foreign partner universities
Candidate's Profile:
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Should have a university degree in a branch of Engineering and/or Masters in Business
Administration or similar qualification from a reputable University
Managerial experience in large projects
Knowledge of technical, operational, commercial and contractual aspects of project implementation
and modern computer assisted management techniques
Should have strong interpersonal and communication skills and be motivated and focused on
project details
Age limit is 60 years, relaxable subject to physical fitness
HEC is an equal opportunity employer and offers a conducive work environment, average salary of
Rs. 200,000/- per month plus fringe benefits.
Interested candidates should send their detailed resume along with a recent passport size photograph
latest by June 5, 2007. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Apply to:
Ahmer Rafi
Senior Project Manager
Higher Education Commission
UEST Programme, 368-D, Street No. 26
Sector 1-8/2, Islamabad
Phone: 051-9235443; Fax: 051-9259047
E-mail: arafi@hec.gov.pk
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Announcements
Foreign Scholarships from UNESCO-L'Oreal
For Short-term PhD Research Network in Life Sciences
Higher Education Commission invites applications from bright Pakistani/AJK nationals, possessing very good
standing/grades, for award of UNESCO-L'OreaL scholarships.
Eligibility Criteria:
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Only Female Candidates
born after 01-01-1973
Enrolment n PhD programmes in local HEC recognized institutions (programmes may be HEC sponsored or
through any other funding source)
PhD course work should be completed (proof is required)
PhD research proposal must be approved by the authorized forum of their existing university (proof is
required)
GRE International (obtained after 30-06-2005) OR NTS-HEC scholarship test score (equal to or above
50), obtained after 30-06-2006
a placement in world renowned university/laboratory, preferably in an advanced country (proof of host
institution's letter of acceptance is required where PhD research work will be carried out)
Proposed Field of Study:
Life Sciences (Biology, Bio-Chemistry, Bio- Technology and Physiology)
Number of Scholarships: Four (04)
Duration of Scholarship:
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Phase-I: 12 months (starting from 1st March, 2008 to 1st March, 2009)
Phase-II: 12 months (optional)
General Instructions:
Kindly visit our website.
www.hec.gov.pk/unesco to get information on:
A.
b.
c.
d.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Eligibility Criteria set by funding agency
Download Application Form (4* UNESCO- L'Oreal, application forms and 1* HEC application form)
How to send your Application Form
Documents to be attached with the application form
Attach an original Bank Draft of Rs. 200/- (nonrefundable, as processing fee), drawn in favour of DG
(Finance), HEC, along with your application form (mandatory)
Applicants will have to give undertaking to HEC, that after completion of their studies they will serve in
Pakistan for a period equivalent to their sponsored duration of studies abroad
Incomplete application forms will summarily be rejected
Completely filled application form should reach the HEC on or before 30-06-2007 on the address given below:
Rezwana Siddiqui
Project Director (FFSP/UNESCO)
E-mail: ffsp@hec.gov.pk
Higher Education Commission
Sector H-9, Islamabad
35
Announcements
Scholarships for General Medicine Studies
in Cuba for Session 2007 (Batch-II)
Who can apply?
All Pakistani/AJK nationals- attaining age between 17-25 year as on closing date of the advertisement -who have
obtained at least 60 per cent marks in FSc/A-level (Pre-Medical), are eligible to apply.
Scholarship Details
Language
All students will be required to learn Spanish language and undergo one-year language training programme in Cuba
Programme
Regular Graduate Programmes in General Comprehensive Medicine (equivalent to MBBS), spread over a period of
five years, subject to successful completion of Spanish language course
Funding
Programme is fully funded by the Republic of Cuba and the Government of Pakistan
How to apply
1. Download application form available at HEC website (www.hec.gov.pk/cuba)
2. Type or fill the application form using black ink and CAPITAL LETTERS
3. Attach attested photocopies of following documents with your application form:
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SSC/O-level certificate(Science Group)
FSc/A-level certificate (Pre-Medical)
Computerized NIC or B-Form, whichever is applicable
Domicile Certificate
Father's computerized national identity card and domicile certificate
Four attested passport size recent photographs
Original Pay Order /Bank Draft or Postal Order for Rs. 200/- (non refundable, as processing fee), drawn in favour
of DG (Finance), Higher Education Commission, Islamabad (Photocopy of the pay order will not be acceptable)
Closing Date of Advertisement
Send the filled application form duly completed in all respect along with attested copies of all testimonials and
original bank draft/postal order on or before Saturday, 9th June 2007 during office hours to the address given below.
Important Note
? Selection will be based on merit, using the following merit formula and observing regional quota as prescribed by
the Government of Pakistan
Merit Formula = 0.3 * % in SSC + 0.7 *% in HSC
? Quota seats will be filled on the basis of domicile
? O-level/A-level applicants have to provide equivalence and proof of grades/percentage from IBCC (Mandatory)
? Those who have previously applied for Batch-I under the scheme mentioned are required to apply again
? List of selected candidates will be declared on HEC website: www.hec.gov.pk/cuba
Closing Date
Saturday, June 9, 2007 (during office hours)
Project Director
HRD Division
E-mail: cuba@hec.gov.pk
Phone: 051-9080252, 9080266
Higher Education Commission
Sector H-9, Islamabad
36