Higher Education Commission - Pakistan

July-August 2018

22nd VCs Committee Meeting Hails Dr. Banuri as New HEC Chairperson P - 2

Chairman HEC kicks off Tree Plantation Drive P - 14 nd Table of Contents 22 VCs Committee Meeting Hails Dr. 2 Tariq Banuri as New 5 HEC, NBP Launches Online Scholarship HEC Chairperson Disbursement Mechanism

6 HEC to Invest in Students

7 Chairman HEC Meets President Mamnoon Hussain Chairman HEC Emphasises 9 US Assistant Secretary on Educational, 4 Protecting Rights of Cultural Affairs Calls on Chairperson Students 9 HEC to Strengthen Academic Linkages with Mauritius: Chairman HEC

Workshop on BS Programme Structure, HEC Deliberates on 11 Semester Examination System Collaboration in Agricultural 8 Sensitising Universities on Environmental Research 13 Sustainability

HEC Encourages Universities to Plant Trees, 14 Contribute for Dams News & Views is published after every two months. No part of this 15 HEC Chairman Stresses Strengthening of publication may be reproduced in Academic, Research Alliances any form without prior written HEC Consultative Meeting on Improving permission of the publisher. 16 permission of the publisher. Academic Governance

The views expressed by authors in HEC Urges Varsities to Uphold Academic 17 the articles are their sole Standards responsibility and not of HEC. The Commission would like to thank all 18 Chairman HEC for Market Study to Identify the institutions and individuals Required, Obsolete Academic Programmes who contributed information and photographs for this Magazine. 22 HEC, TDF Awareness Seminars in HEIs

Editor Aayesha Ikram Graphic Designer Raja Ahmad Nadeem Publisher: Reporter Higher Education Syed Muhammad Ittifaq Commission, Pakistan Declaration for Uplift of Higher Education 22nd VCs Committee Meeting Hails Dr. Banuri as New HEC Chairperson

The 22nd meeting of Vice Chancellors Committee was research, service, university leadership, HEC’s recently held in which 130 VCs and representatives internal processes, universities autonomy, and of provincial higher education departments funding to universities need to be focused. He said participated. that we have to support our students in becoming whatever they want to become. He emphasised that The meeting, chaired by Dr. Masoom Yasinzai, the academia must be a guardian of the rights of Chairman, VCs Committee, welcomed Prof. Dr. Tariq students. He underlined the significance of quality of Banuri on joining the Higher Education Commission teaching and proposed revival of National Academy (HEC) as its Chairperson. of Higher Education (NAHE) to conduct trainings for in-service and new faculty members. Extending his gratitude to the university heads, Dr. Banuri thanked the selection committee for He urged the VCs to consider devising Recruitment, reposing confidence in him. “I will do my best to live Promotion and Tenure (RPT) System to develop the up to the Government’s expectations,” he stated. criteria for faculty development. He emphasised the need for taking steps to improve quality of research He appreciated his predecessors, Dr. Atta-ur- produced by universities across Pakistan. He urged Rehman, Dr. Javed Laghari, and Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed the VCs to contemplate over revival of disciplinary for their contributions to the higher education learned societies in order to strengthen the research sector. “I want to build up on the achievements of culture in the country. He expressed his views on the my predecessors,” he said. He thanked the VCs need for measures to avoid academic leadership Committee for organising the meeting and said, “My gaps and suggested chalking out a succession purpose to meet you is to reflect on five objectives system to train potential university leaders. i.e. having a detailed interaction with you; starting to work together; sharing my own vision; developing Referring to universities autonomy, he revealed that national consensus on initiatives for development of HEC is committed to autonomy of universities, high education sector; and, solving the problems however, we need to evolve milestones which facing the sector collaboratively.” He stated that, it is universities will pass through and earn autonomous our responsibility to address the problems that status. He said autonomy needs to be extended history has thrown into our lap. step-by-step, adding that autonomy must be supplemented by accountability. He observed that He shared his plan for the development of higher HEC, Pakistan and provincial HECs are on the same education, strengthening universities and pursuing page with regard to autonomy of universities. the HEC objectives including focus on access, quality and relevance. He stressed the need for evolving a He underlined that at least 10 or 12 universities must ‘right order of priorities’ to move forward. He initially earn autonomy and guide other universities affirmed that issues pertaining to students, faculty, to fulfil the requirements. Dr. Banuri said efforts are

2 needed to ensure gender parity in faculty enhancing research quality; enhancing the quality development and student enrolment. He also and employment prospects of Pakistani PhDs; emphasised on promotion of entrepreneurship and capacity building of university faculty, leadership increasing investment for human resource and managerial staff; government financing of development. Highlighting the importance of higher education, protecting the students’ rights; progress in Information Technology, he said IT has and, enhancing quality and currency of educational brought novel solutions to issues of almost all material published in national languages. spheres of life.

Concluding his remarks, he underscored that, “we The VCs shared their input and agreed upon the have to confront prevailing problems, finding following declaration: solutions to them by thinking collectively”. Ÿ We welcome the appointment of Dr. Tariq Banuri He announced establishing a steering committee, as Chairman Higher Education Commission and headed by Dr. Ishrat Hussain, to ponder upon the resolve to work together for promotion of recommendations made by the 22nd VCs Committee higher education under his leadership. Meeting and propose solutions to the problems Ÿ Students are the primary stakeholders for higher facing the higher education sector. He said the education and we all must protect the right to Council of Common Interest has clarified the status quality education for all students. of HEC, Pakistan and provincial HECs. Ÿ Good quality faculty is essential for imparting quality education, and helping our students Answering the questions of VCs at the end, he compete at global level. Efforts are needed to stressed the need for strengthening accreditation ensure availability of quality faculty for public bodies, evolving a system to promote translation of and private sector universities. literature, promoting extra-curricular activities, Ÿ The government must allocate four per cent of coming up with an agenda on resource sharing, GDP for education with at least one per cent for improving quality of private universities, higher education to increase the access to strengthening systematic award of scholarships, and university education, enhance its quality, and ensuring effective resource management. ensure wider socio-economic impact on society. Ÿ More responsible autonomous universities with In his welcome address, Dr. Yasinzai said universities monitorable, reportable and verifiable system of play important role in socio-economic development governance is essential. of a country. He added that VCs welcome the new Ÿ We demand that there should be no external Chairperson HEC to become part of academic interference in university affairs. fraternity. He maintained that VCs acknowledge the Ÿ HEC must conduct trainings leading to services of Dr. Ahmed, former Chairman HEC, i m p r o v e d g o v e r n a n c e a n d fi n a n c i a l pledging that they will carry forward his mission. management in universities. “Strengthening universities is a common cause and Ÿ Evolve a transparent higher education system we all are together for this cause,” he concluded. by utilising information technology for good governance and quality education delivery. The VCs stressed the need for increased budgetary Ÿ Ensure gender parity in faculty, student allocation to education, especially the higher enrolment and appointment of university education sector. The VCs were divided into various leaders. groups to discuss themes including review of TTS; Ÿ HEC should support the development of learned enhancing university autonomy; harnessing IT; societies in all fields, including Humanities, Basic improving HEC processes; gender policy; enhancing and Social Sciences, so that country can produce efficiency in university operations; financial scholars of international eminence. sustainability of universities; student and alumni Ÿ We request HEC to review and streamline its relationships; enhancing quality and value of distant operating procedures in order to enhance learning programmes; enhancing teaching quality; service delivery.

3 Chairman HEC Emphasises Protecting Rights of Students The rights of students must be protected, as they are the primary stakeholders of higher education sector.

Prof. Dr. Tariq Banuri, Chairman, HEC stated this while addressing a press conference at the Commission Secretariat. He emphasised on steps to protect student rights in order to cater to the needs of next generations and enable students to become successful in life.

He maintained that a number of measures need to be taken in this regard e.g. ensuring quality of education and research, capacity building of faculty action,” he clarified, as HEC gives minimum and imparting practical knowledge to students. standards which universities must abide by.

He underlined that the faculty capacity building The Chairman stressed the importance of programmes need to be reviewed for further Information Technology to bring efficiency in improvement. Training programmes are being teaching, research, university governance and planned for university administrative as well as leadership as well as financial affairs. administration so that issues like governance, He said that a transparent financial management, system is to be evolved to h u m a n r e s o u r c e consolidate educational d e v e l o p m e n t , a n d database, adding that the a d d i t i o n a l r e s o u r c e universities’ financial g e n e r a t i o n c a n b e management systems need efficiently addressed, he to be made transparent. He added. said that deliberations on developing a job portal to Dr. Banuri termed quality of facilitate qualified students education and research a i n s e c u r i n g j o b s a r e fundamental goal. Vice underway. Chancellors should ensure students’ right to quality education wherein they Quality of education has a strong link with economic may have interaction opportunities, he added. “It uplift, he observed. He said HEC will set a pathway to must be ensured that students are not cheated or increase universities’s autonomy. defrauded in any way,” he emphasised. Only those universities which ensure transparency in He explained that substandard and low quality their operations, show capability of taking academic programmes initiated by universities in independent decisions, and ensure financial violation of HEC guidelines are also tantamount to transparency will be given autonomy, he revealed. cheating students. He said the institutions issuing He hinted at a social contract with the government fake degrees are not only endangering the students’ to end interference in universities’ affairs. future but also committing injustice to the society. “Universities will eventually be made autonomous “Exploiting education invites strong regulatory for the country’s real development,” he stated.

4 Alleviating Students’ Difficulties HEC, NBP Launches Online Scholarship Disbursement Mechanism

The Higher Education Commission (HEC), United In his remarks, Mr. Saeed Ahmad, President, NBP States Agency for International Development lauded the efforts of HEC for adopting the online (USAID) and National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) banking system replacing conventional procedures recently celebrated launch of new online method to disburse funds in speedy manner. He said that for scholarship disbursement mechanism of the scholarship funds means a lot to the students and USAID-funded Merit and Needs-Based Scholarship we are pleased that NBP through its Asaan Account (MNBSP) in 30 partner universities across Pakistan has given the facility to the scholarship awardees of during signing of a Memorandum of Understanding this programme to open their accounts anywhere in between HEC and NBP. Pakistan. “No doubt it will be a huge relief for the students,” he added. This online system is part of USAID’s multi-year $ 36 million Merit and Needs-Based Scholarship On the occasion, Erica Rounsefell, Acting Director, Programme and is the first programme at HEC to Office of Education, USAID Pakistan lauded HEC for adopt an online disbursement mechanism. Under partnering with USAID throughout the programme. this programme, students will be issued ATM cards “This is a remarkable achievement that brings not so as to facilitate them in withdrawal of funds for only efficiency but also greater security and both tuition payments and living expenses. transparency to the scholarship payment process. We look forward to continue to work with HEC to In this connection, NBP accounts have been opened assist student access to higher education,” she for 1,470 awardees at 30 partner universities emphasised. throughout Pakistan. First payments using the new system will be made during next week.

Addressing the ceremony, Dr. Arshad Ali, Executive Director, HEC said, “The conventional methods of stipend disbursement involved lengthy procedures at the partner universities, which frequently delayed stipend release to the scholarship recipients. Now, through the new online stipend disbursement mechanism, students will receive payments directly into their bank accounts, ensuring maximum efficiency.”

5 Chairperson HEC Outlines Future Vision HEC to Invest in Students

Prof. Dr. Tariq Banuri, Chairperson, Higher Education least 10 universities fully autonomous at the end of Commission (HEC) has recently stated that the my term, as this will be a start to the process of purpose of HEC is to invest in students and help giving autonomy to higher education institutions,” them attain success, while addressing gender he said. He announced to make National Academy disparity. of Higher Education (NAHE) operational, which will organise various courses and conduct trainings for He said this while addressing faculty and students of university faculty. Refresher courses will be Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU), organised for in-service teachers, he added. Rawalpindi recently. Addressing the female students, he said, “Whatever you want to become, He maintained that new faculty members will be HEC is here to support you.” trained to improve their pedagogical skills. He said his targets include ensuring that a growing number Outlining his future vision for the uplift of higher o f Pa k i s t a n i f a c u l t y m e m b e r s b e c o m e education sector, he said he will follow the policy internationally recognised. He further said that devised by the Steering Committee on Higher other initiatives to be taken in his term include Education, which led to the inception of HEC, and devising a transparent system using Information pursued by his predecessors. Technology, pursuing gender parity in faculty as well as student enrolment, and revival of learned “There is no policy change, as from the day one HEC societies. has a clear set of objectives including focus on access, quality and relevance,” he explained, adding Appreciating his predecessors, he said, that my that HEC will however evaluate the outcomes of predecessors have invested a lot in a large number programmes initiated by HEC in order to assess of areas and my task is to build upon their deficiencies and fix the gaps. achievements. He felt, however, that the area of quality has suffered and it needs to be given due The Chairperson outlined the targets he has attention. “This is a national crisis that needs to be specified in his vision statement. “I want to see at addressed urgently,” he stated.

6 He also stressed the need for increased budgetary great importance, but equal importance has to be allocation for education, especially higher given to Social Sciences and Humanities. He said the education. He said 0.1 per cent of GDP used to be focus is on development of human capital. “Pakistan allocated to education needs scholars of great which was raised to 0.3 per stature in all spheres of life,” cent. he emphasised.

He added educationists Answering questions from believe that four per cent of media persons, he said that the GDP should be allocated a u t o n o m y c a n n o t b e to education sector and one attained with a single stroke p e r c e n t t o h i g h e r of pen, as milestones will be education. set for universities to go through a process and T h e C h a i r p e r s o n s a i d acquire fully autonomous trainings will be held for status. potential academic leaders as well. He added HEC will invest in the capacity He revealed HEC will mobilise funds for promoting building of university faculty and staff in addition to higher education in backward areas. He added that taking steps for improved governance of investment will be made to develop programmes universities. Being the first Chairperson who is a leading to gender parity, apart from investment in Social Scientist, he said Science, Technology, governance and Information Technology and Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects have revival of learned societies.

Chairman HEC Meets President Mamnoon Hussain

Mr. Mamnoon Hussain, President, Islamic Republic of Pakistan has stressed the need for special focus on improving financial governance of universities and taking practical steps to ensure transparency.

The President met Dr. Tariq Banuri on assuming charge as the Chairperson, Higher Education Commission (HEC) at the Presidency. He appreciated the role of HEC in expanding access to higher education in the country. In addition to this HEC needs to focus on improving efficiency through resource development as well as the socio- better financial management and administrative economic development of Pakistan and to take transparency. He directed the HEC to assisting and concrete steps to overcome tendencies to implementing double entry systems and ensuring intolerance among youth. automation in financial management systems. The President felicitated Dr. Banuri on joining HEC He directed the Chairman HEC to pay special as Chairperson and expressed a hope that he will attention to adherence to standards, as it will help utilise his exposure, experience and faculties to our students compete at international level. He bring the country’s higher education system at par urged the universities to play their role in human with the world.

7 HEC Deliberates on Collaboration in Agricultural Research

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) recently facilitating higher education institutions in fostering held a meeting on Collaboration in Agricultural quality and relevance of research. The Executive Research to discuss prevailing scenario, challenges Director said agriculture is the backbone of and future opportunities in the agricultural Pakistan’s economy and HEC is promoting universities of the country and provincial agriculture agricultural research activities in the country’s departments. The meeting was chaired by Dr. agricultural universities. He stressed the need for Arshad Ali, Executive Director, HEC. inter-provincial collaboration to foster the agricultural research in the country. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Arshad Ali said that Research and Development (R&D) is one of the core He maintained that agriculture research board strategic aims of HEC. Since its establishment in should also be established in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 2002, HEC has initiated, devised and implemented Balochistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir like numerous programmes to cultivate a culture of Punjab and Sindh. He offered funding to all quality and relevant research in the higher provincial agriculture departments through education institutions. universities in different projects.

He observed that magnitude and quality of research Moreover, he assured to provide digital library has gradually increased, which has been widely access to provincial agricultural departments on acknowledged nationally as well as internationally. fulfilment of legal formalities. He also assured his “However, this is just a beginning and we not only full support to formulate and finalise a roadmap for have to sustain this trajectory, but also to agricultural research projects. contemplate and ensure that R&D activities constructively impact life of people of Pakistan Dr. Muhammad Latif, Adviser (R&D), HEC, all through academic, economic and social provincial Agriculture Secretaries along with a contributions,” he underlined. number of Director Generals and Vice Chancellors of agriculture universities attended the meeting He maintained that HEC has been at the forefront of through video conference.

8 US Assistant Secretary on Educational, Cultural Affairs Calls on Chairperson Visit Highlights American Education and Exchange Opportunities

Marie Royce, Assistant Secretary for Educational The Fulbright is the American government’s and Cultural Affairs recently visited the Higher flagship academic exchange programme, and, Education Commission (HEC) to highlight the wide owing to contributions by both the American and range of State Department education and exchange Pakistani governments, Pakistan’s programme is opportunities that the US Embassy offers to one of the largest in the world. The United States Pakistani citizens. Educational Foundation administers the Fulbright Programme in Pakistan, and Royce also met with Royce met with Dr. Tariq Banuri, Chairperson, HEC Rita Akhtar, Executive Director, USEFP. and discussed with him the continuing educational partnership between the American and Pakistani The Assistant Secretary also spoke to 156 Pakistanis governments, including the Fulbright Programme. preparing to depart for the US, where they will pursue advanced studies and research in the Dr. Banuri shared with the visiting delegation HEC Fulbright’s Master’s, PhD and Fulbright Language plans to create a culture of quality in Pakistani Teaching Assistant programmes. She gave opening higher education sector through scholarly remarks to 210 alumni of US exchange programmes interaction among US and Pakistani faculty and at the Pakistan-US Alumni Network international administrators. conference, which included eight Afghani alumni. HEC to Strengthen Academic Linkages with Mauritius: Chairman HEC The Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan He said the HEC, Mauritius has been structured on will do its best to further strengthen cordial the model of HEC, Pakistan. relations with Mauritius through enhanced academic linkages. Mauritius is an island State and in its 50 years of independence, it has 100 per cent literacy rate. He This was stated by Dr. Tariq Banuri, Chairman, HEC said that Mauritius offers free education from while talking to Mr. Soobadar Rashidally, High primary to university levels and spends eight to 10 Commissioner of Mauritius in Pakistan who visited per cent of GDP on education. He added that the the Commission Secretariat. country is also a member of the Middle Income Club. He expressed his desire for expanding Mr. Rashidally acknowledged HEC’s advice in the collaboration with HEC and sought further support establishment of Higher Education Commission, in areas of Information Technology and medical Mauritius which will be made operational by 2019. postgraduate studies.

9 Dr. Tariq Banuri informed the High Commissioner that HEC, Pakistan is funding centres of excellence in advanced technologies and these centres provide assistance to partner countries.

He said that HEC will support postgraduate studies for medical students. He also mentioned Pakistan’s expertise in marine sciences which could be of value to Mauritius, given its strategic focus on the Blue Economy. He said that HEC looks forward towards strong cooperation and sharing of expertise after the Higher Education Commission, Mauritius is made operational. The High Commissioner expressed his appreciation for HEC, Pakistan and Pakistan’s support in strengthening its tertiary said that Mauritius is looking forward towards HEC, education structure.

Yemeni Ambassador Calls on Chairman HEC Director, HEC also joined the meeting. Talking to the Chairperson, the Ambassador admired the progress made in the higher education sector in Pakistan and took keen interest in the initiatives taken by HEC for promotion of higher education.

He also expressed a desire to send Yemeni students to acquire education in Pakistani universities.

The Chairperson shared the achievements made by Mr. Mohammed Motahar Alashabi, Ambassador of HEC since its inception in 2002. He assured the Yemen to Pakistan visited the Higher Education Ambassador of full cooperation in facilitating Commission (HEC), Pakistan and called on Dr. Tariq Yemeni students to come to Pakistan and acquire Banuri, Chairperson, HEC. Dr. Arshad Ali, Executive education in higher education institutions.

Chairman HEC Terms University Professors, Faculty His ‘Primary Constituency’ The Higher Education Commission (HEC) is Terming university professors and faculty his committed to facilitating the higher education ‘primary constituency’, the Chairman stated that his institutions and safeguarding the rights of students, doors are open to all stakeholders of higher as they are the primary stakeholders of higher education sector as his fundamental responsibility education sector. as Chairman of HEC is to protect the students’ rights with the help of faculty and other stakeholders. “We Prof. Dr. Tariq Banuri said this during a meeting with need to work as a team for the uplift of higher a large number of faculty members of different education sector and that aim can be achieved with universities from across the country at the faculty that excels in their respective fields,” he Commission Secretariat on Wednesday. emphasised.

10 The faculty made a brief presentation on agenda maintained. He said that declaring universities items of the meeting including senate resolutions autonomous will be a step-wise process wherein the regarding tax rebate of 75 per cent for university universities which ensure transparency in their teachers and enhancement of university teachers’ operations, show capability of taking independent retirement age to 65 years; quality of research decisions, and exhibit financial transparency will be journals; university autonomy and academic given autonomy. He revealed that the issue of freedom; university acts; appointment of Vice uniformity in University Acts needs to be taken up Chancellors and university governance; Tenure with government. Track System (TTS) issues; and a variety of other issues. He said that HEC supports the faculty’s call for transparent recruitment of Vice Chancellors. He The Chairman said HEC is supportive of tax rebate stated that a transparent competency-based and enhancement of teachers’ retirement age and system is necessary for appointment of Vice will put up these issues with the government. He Chancellors. He also highlighted the importance of reiterated the HEC’s commitment to investing in the a succession plan to avoid university leadership gap. quality of research journals especially Social He noted that Vice Chancellors must be adept in Sciences and Humanities journals. He said HEC will dealing with administrative, financial as well as put tangible efforts to restore the prestige of Social academic matters. He informed the faculty that TTS Sciences and Humanities. He informed the faculty system will be reviewed to address the grievances members that HEC plans to revive the concept of against it. establishing learned societies. “We will be not be party to any development that lowers the standard The Chairman said that creation of positions for of journals,” he clarified. faculty is linked to enrolment of students. “We have witnessed 8 to 10 per cent annual increase in Referring to university autonomy and academic student enrolment, so the faculty induction must be freedom, he said HEC believes in gradually proportionate to this increase,” he stressed. In increasing university autonomy. “We have received addition, he said, with the rising access, at least one various proposals on how to ensure university per cent of GDP is required for the higher education autonomy, which are being deliberated upon,” he sector.

Workshop on BS Programme Structure, Semester Examination System The Learning Innovation (LI) Division, Higher which is going to be implemented by 2020 Education Commission (HEC) recently organised a replacing two-year BA/ BSc programmes. five-day workshop on four-year BS Programme Structure and Semester Examination System in Resource persons from various universities have collaboration with Federal Directorate of Education been engaged to conduct different sessions on HEC (FDE). Semester System Guidelines and BS curriculum structure. The workshop emphasised the need for The workshop was attended by 25 faculty members centralised Semester Examination Cell to monitor o f I s l a m a b a d M o d e l C o l l e g e f o r G i r l s and support examination in all affiliated colleges. (Postgraduate), F-7/2. It was aimed to equip the existing faculty members of affiliated colleges with An important aspect of workshop was to apprise basic skill set in order to begin four-year BS participants of the preparation of course file and programme. It was an effort to update college lesson plan, designing of question paper and course faculty regarding semester system guidelines and curriculum. The participants displayed a gesture of structure of four-year Bachelors programme (BS) satisfaction that this workshop has not only made

11 them aware about the semester system guidelines BA/ BSc promgammes from the academic year 2020 and its effective implementation but also provided in all affiliated colleges of the country. In order to them with a platform to address their queries. They c r e a t e c o m p a t i b i l i t y w i t h i n t e r n a t i o n a l stressed the need for organising such workshops qualifications and equip college faculty with unified time to time to acquaint the faculty with latest semester system guidelines designed by HEC, trends in education system. workshops are being held in every affiliated college of the country. The first series of these workshops The HEC, as per its policy, has planned to implement will be conducted in all Islamabad Model Colleges, four-year BS programmes and phased out two-year while the series will be continued in provinces. Workshop on MT-FPD Programme Restructuring

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) Learning building programmes. It intends to establish a Innovation Division (LI) Division recently organised faculty training academy which will serve as a hub Pilot Testing Workshop on Restructuring of Master for professional development of pre-service, in- Trainers Faculty Professional Development service and senior faculty members of higher Programme (MT-FPDP). Renowned academicians, education institutions. The HEC is determined to resource persons and FPDP alumni from various focus on developing and empowering human universities participated in the workshop. The prime resource as this is the most important factor for the objectives of the workshop were to review the development of the universities. revised training contents/modules, methodologies, assessment techniques and implementation modus The revised FPDP aims to enable teachers to use operandi. innovative teaching strategies and improve pedagogical and research skills required for The HEC aims to empower the higher education effective teaching, research and communication institutions’ faculty through in-service capacity skills.

12 Workshop on GreenMetric Ranking Sensitising Universities on Environmental Sustainability

Universities must prepare their students for a world universities, including Vice Chancellors, Rectors, in which they will have to face threats from climate Registrars, and faculty members attended the event. change, water and energy scarcity, food insecurity, and waste accumulation. This was stated by Dr. Tariq Prof. Riri Fitri Sari presented an overview of the Banuri, Chairman, Higher Education Commission, ranking system, which was the only international while addressing a National Workshop on ranking on sustainability in universities. In 2017, 619 GreenMetric Ranking. He said that universities must universities from 76 countries were ranked. The ensure that sustainability is fully incorporated in ranking results are compiled on the basis of a their teaching and research as well as campus number of sustainability indicators, including operations. infrastructure (15%), energy consumption (21%), waste generation (18%), water consumption (10%), The GreenMetric World University Ranking is an transport us (18%), and educational programs initiative of Universitas Indonesia, and has been (18%). adopted in several Asian universities. The current year's ranking is focused on the Sustainable Mr. Junaidi provided additional details about the UI Development Goals (SDGs). GreenMetric Indicators as well as the data submission process. This was followed by The purpose of the National Workshop was to presentations by university representatives on their sensitise representatives of the Higher Education major sustainability initiatives. I n s t i t u t e s o f Pa k i s t a n a b o u t e m e r g i n g environmental challenges and introduce them to In his welcome note, Dr. Ali observed that Pakistan is the GreenMetric Ranking. The workshop was also facing acute water scarcity, which will intensify in the addressed by Prof. Riri Fitri Sari, Chairperson, UI coming years. He said that the HEC senior GreenMetric, Mr. Junaidi, S.S., M.A. Expert Member, management has a consensus on the need to UI GreenMetric, and Dr. Arshad Ali, Executive sensitise university leaders about the emerging Director, HEC. Representatives of over 90 threats. “There is no better platform than

13 universities to start this campaign, as by focusing on Universitas Indonesia initiated a world university universities we can sensitise youth,” he underlined. ranking in 2010, later known as UI GreenMetric World University Rankings, to measure campus He said the presence of a large number of university sustainability efforts. It was intended to create an representatives show their understanding of the online survey to portray sustainability policies in sensitivity of this issue. He informed the audience universities around the world. For details, the link: that six Pakistani universities participated in the UI [email protected] can be visited to get an GreenMetric World University Ranking 2017. invitation letter and access to the system.

HEC Encourages Universities to Plant Trees, Contribute for Dams

The Higher Education Commission has directed effort.” It advises that every plant should be tagged Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to participate in with the name of student or staff member who Tree Plantation Campaign and contribute in Diamer planted it and they should take care of plant till Bhasha and Mohmand Dam Fund being established eight weeks. by Supreme Court of Pakistan to combat on-going water crisis and environmental degradation. “This will ensure better survival of the trees planted and inculcate a sense of responsibility in those who In a recently issued letter to Vice Chancellors, will spend a few minutes of their day to nurture it,” Rectors and Leaders of all public and private sector the letter explains. universities, the HEC directed HEIs to be an active part of greener Pakistan movement by initiating Universities should allocate proper place for each Tree Plantation Campaign in their respective department for plantation, keeping in mind that campuses. One of the primary reasons of plants would not be damaged during construction instructing universities is to play their part in HEC’s activities, advises the letter. resolve to involve universities in fight against socio- economic issues including water crisis and Referring to Diamer Bhasha and Mohmand Dam environmental degradation. being established by Supreme Court of Pakistan, HEC says that each and every HEI should ensure that The letter reads, “Every student and member of the a minimum of one day salary be contributed to the university should plant one tree to contribute to this fund. HEC staff will also contribute to the fund. Chairman HEC kicks off Tree Plantation Drive Prof. Dr. Tariq Banuri, Chairman, Higher Education Commission kicks off Tree Plantation Drive by planting a sapling in HEC premises.

All the Senior Management Committee members also planted saplings during the campaign.

The Higher Education Commission has directed Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to participate in Tree Plantation Campaign.

14 Session on Pakistan CERN-SESAME Collaborations HEC Chairman Stresses Strengthening of Academic, Research Alliances

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) is said that the pursuit of excellence in science committed to capacity building of universities and subjects was a national agenda of the highest building centres of excellence in all fields of national importance. importance. In his remarks, Dr. Arshad Ali said that This was stated by Dr. Tariq Banuri, Chairperson, HEC multidisciplinary collaboration is required for at a consultative meeting of HEC and the Pakistan excellence in science disciplines. He said that certain Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) on CERN- areas must be identified for joint collaboration and SESAME collaboration. He called for active a timeframe must be defined for completion of collaboration between universities and other collaborative projects. He said clusters need to be national institutions in order to build national created to work on a certain programme under pre- capacity and strengthen each department and agreed milestones. He emphasised that institution through increased involvement of opportunities offered under these programmes Pakistani universities in such international must be publicly available. He revealed that endeavours as CERN (Conseil Européen pour la meetings will be held for consultation on other Recherche Nucléaire), and SESAME (Synchrotron- science subjects as well. light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East). Dr. Hafeez Hoorani, Dr. Muhammad Latif and representatives of universities also expressed their The meeting was also attended by Dr. Hafeez views on the occasion. Hoorani, Director General, National Centre for Physics, Dr. S. M. Javed Akhtar, Member (CAC), It was decided that NCP, PAEC and National PAEC, Dr. Sohail Ahmad Janjua, Director, (CSC), University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) will PAEC, heads of different departments from various develop a website for public access to information universities, and the Executive Director and Director about High Energy Physics so that relevant people Generals of HEC. may benefit from the initiatives.

Participants stressed the need to promote High It was further decided that for development of a Energy Physics through collaboration and primary framework, a group of five Physics experts networking among subject experts, clear will develop a proposal in the coming week and delineation of the role of each institution, e.g., come up with a complete plan of action. through the revival of learned societies, and the Furthermore in near future, groups for other fields development of a consensus programme. Dr. Banuri like biology, chemistry etc. will be constituted.

15 HEC Consultative Meeting on Improving Academic Governance

Producing human capital to meet national and (STEM) subjects but also in Social Sciences and international market demands is a need of the hour Humanities. He said that teaching universities must and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) is also conduct research on their own, however, they committed to developing such human resource may benefit from the research conducted by the capital through universities. research university. He said the research universities should have national laboratories accessible to Dr. Tariq Banuri, Chairperson, Higher Education other institutions. Commission (HEC) said this while chairing a roundtable consultative meeting on academic The Senator observed that the biggest challenge governance at the Commission Secretariat. facing the higher education sector in Pakistan is the dearth of a research culture. He proposed that The meeting was attended by Senator Dr. Musadik university advisory councils should be initiated for Malik, Dr. Adil Najam, a senior academician, integration of universities. He maintained that internationally reputed leaders of higher universities should serve as data centres and data educational institutions and other notable observatories to facilitate researchers eager to academicians from Pakistani universities. The key produce authentic data-driven results. themes discussed included international linkages for faculty development, post-docs placement, US- In his keynote address, Dr. Najam stressed the need Pakistan research programme, and mentoring for providing trainings to Vice Chancellors while arrangements for improving the quality of competency-based interviews need to be governance. conducted to identify areas for trainings. He said the trainings of Vice Chancellors should be a Dr. Muhammad Safeer Awan, Dean, National continuous process covering basic and advanced University of Modern Languages (NUML), Dr. Nasir levels. “We should also motivate Vice Chancellors to Mahmood, Chairman, Early Childhood Education hold frequent meetings with one another to discuss and Elementary Teacher Education Department, academic issues,” he emphasised. Allama Iqbal Open University, (AIOU), Islamabad, Dr. Azra Yasmin, Dean, Fatima Jinnah Women He urged the universities to devise retreat University (FJWU), Rawalpindi, and other notable programmes for university leadership, faculty and academicians and educationists were also present. non-academic staff. He added that the retreat programme will also bring positive change and will On this occasion, Senator Musadik Malik said broaden the vision of university leadership. These Pakistani students and researchers, awarded foreign university staff retreats will also bring change in scholarships should build international linkages and behaviours and attitudes of staff, he noted. He said fetch exposure and experience to the country. He that close observation of foreign universities’ stressed the need for setting up research operations is also a beneficial practice that may universities which may not only focus on research in strengthen academic liaison of Pakistani academics Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics with educationists of other countries.

16 Dr. Najam also shed light on issues relating to entrepreneurial opportunities. He also raised the external interference in university affairs. He said the issue of trust deficit between universities and Vice Chancellors should establish merit review industry. committees for recruitment, selection, retention and promotion of academic and non-academic staff Concluding the discussion, the Chairman HEC said in order to minimise external interference. He HEC will keep on interacting with eminent underlined that universities should focus on educationists to get their insight into issues devising University Management System to pertaining to higher education. He said knowing the automate their operations. He said that Alumni problems facing the universities at present is a Portals should be established to build relationship major task that HEC will work to resolve the among alumni to create employment and universities management issues.

HEC Urges Varsities to Uphold Academic Standards The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has Referring to financial regulations, the HEC has recently directed the higher education institutions further advised universities to maintain proper and to uphold academic standards in order to ensure dedicated bank accounts for fee transactions of quality education and fulfilment of all requisite students. Universities have been urged to ensure all criteria in quantitative and qualitative terms. fee transactions through official bank accounts instead of collecting fee in cash or through any In a letter issued to Vice Chancellors, Rectors and other method. Directors of all public and private universities, the HEC has expressed its serious concern that certain Many universities have been issuing academic universities announce admissions and admit transcripts to students from its principal seat students three-to-four times a year and even enrol without mentioning the actual place of study from fresh students in summer programmes. where the students have completed their educational progress in actual. The letter reads, “As per policy, any educational institute can admit students’ maximum twice in one The letter emphasises that due diligence must be academic year i.e. Spring and Fall sessions.” The excercised in issuance of degrees and transcripts letter explains, “it is neither allowed as per policy nor and HEC-prescribed semester guidelines be administratively and physically viable to run more complied with in letter and spirit before issuing any than two academic sessions in one year.” It advises transcript or Detailed Marks Certificate to students. all the universities to refrain from enroling students “All transcripts must reflect the actual place of study more than twice in an academic year, rather of the students accurately to save the students from advertise and enrol students in Spring and Fall inconvenience during their degree verification sessions as per HEC semester system guidelines. process,” the letter underlines.

17 Chairman HEC for Market Study to Identify Required, Obsolete Academic Programmes

Universities should conduct a market study to Dr. Banuri said that Pakistani universities need to identify areas which may be launched or abandoned come up with their achievements and share them in view of the country’s socio-economic with the key stakeholders so as to expand their requirements. scope.

This was stated by Dr. Tariq Banuri, Chairman, Emphasising on strong academic-industry linkages, Higher Education Commission (HEC) during he stressed the need for deliberation on ways to interactive sessions with academicians from create job opportunities for graduates. In this University of Utah, USA and University of Nevada, connection, he underlined the need for conducting USA. studies to find out ways towards linking academics with both the market and social needs. The delegation comprised Steven J. Burian, Associate Professor, Civil & Environmental Referring to relevance of curricula to national Engineering, University of Utah, Mercedes Marie demands, Dr. Banuri said, “It is my duty to protect Ward, Post-doctoral Research Associate, University the rights of students.” He emphasised on making of Utah, Muhammad Aslam Chaudhry, Research reforms to substandard curricula in order to bring Professor, Department of Economics, University of them at par with international standards. Utah, and Sajjad Ahmad, Department Chair, Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction, He highlighted the importance of an integrated University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Senior HEC education programme and de-centralised system management, representatives of both public and of curricula. He urged the academic fraternity to private sector universities and other key beware of risk management strategies, as funding stakeholders also attended the sessions. fluctuates on regular intervals.

The main themes of interactive sessions He maintained that mentoring sessions and in- encompassed Engineering Education, RPT house trainings for faculty and non-academic staff (Recruitment, Promotion & Tenure), capacity are fruitful in developing performance based building of university faculty and administration, evaluation criteria. He underscored the significance and utility of Information Technology. of spending resources on faculty training

18 programmes leading to engage students by methodology, learning assessment, capacity arranging internship opportunities and providing building programmes and recruitment, selection scholarships to study abroad. He also highlighted and promotion of faculty members on Basic Pay the importance of sports activities for students. Scale (BPS) and Tenure Track System (TTS) were also brought under consideration during the sessions. With regard to improvement in quality of accreditation, the Chairman said that HEC seeks The participants stressed the importance of Modern concrete proposals from Pakistan Engineering Engineering Development Team. They discussed Council (PEC) and National Technology Council performance evaluation criteria, employing IT in (NTC) to suggest how engineering and technical academic governance, research, communications, programmes can be operationalised in universities. student relations, teaching and mentoring, faculty The participants brought under consideration evaluation, and employee matters. progress on various scholarship programmes launched by HEC. The participants also shed light on the need for a more automated and information based system. To Various other academic issues including curriculum this, Dr. Banuri laid emphasis on scaling up the revi ew, content devel opm ent, teachi ng system in accordance with international standard.

Uplift of Higher Education is My Aim: Dr. Banuri

The universities must internally resolve their aggravated situation in QAU where the core values problems, while the role of Higher Education of civilised discourse have been compromised. Commission (HEC) and other external entities may be sought as a last resort. My doors are open to all He said QAU has been a reputable institution and it who aspire to work for uplift of the higher education still has the potential to become a premier sector. institution. He underlined that HEC wants to see QAU taking autonomous decisions and becoming a This was stated by Dr. Tariq Banuri, Chairperson, HEC world-class learning institution. while talking to a delegation of Academic Staff Association, Qauid-e-Azam University (QAU), The university must improve quality of academic Islamabad. programmes and its governance structure needs to be improved to deal with issues, he said. He added The delegation called on Dr. Banuri and shared with that protection of students’ rights must be a priority. him a number of problems facing the QAU faculty and the university as a whole including The Chairperson said HEC is committed to making administrative governance, lack of infrastructure, QAU one of the country’s top universities. This lack of facilities for faculty, Tenure Track System (TTS) requires support and cooperation from faculty as challenges, lack of international collaboration, and well as administrative staff, he stressed. QAU funding. Referring to the issues related to TTS, he said HEC Prof. Dr. Tariq Banuri gave a patient hearing to the will put efforts to refine the system making it Academic Staff Association delegation and advised productive. He said HEC urges universities to follow it to submit a position paper which should contain academic standards, improve their internal financial the problems as well as solutions to the challenges. m a n a g e m e n t s y s t e m s a n d s t r e n g t h e n He however expressed his disappointment at the administrative governance.

19 Scholars Set to Attend Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany

Scholars, preparing to leave for the 68th Lindau Germany. The project is being funded by HEC out of Nobel Laureate (NL) Meeting in Germany under its recurring funds for the promotion of higher Interaction of Young Pakistani Scientists with Nobel education and human resource development in Laureates Programme met with Dr. Tariq Banuri, Pakistan. This project provides a unique opportunity Chairman, Higher Education Commission (HEC) and to talented graduates and young researchers of the Dr. Arshad Ali, Executive Director, HEC at the country to interact with 30 to 40 Nobel Laureates Commission Secretariat. and more than 600 fellow participants from over 75 countries at Lindau, Germany. Fifteen teams of Talking to the scholars, Dr. Banuri said HEC is young scholars from Pakistan have already committed to supporting talented professionals participated in the past fourteen annual meetings and human resource development, research since 2003. funding, facilitation of university-industry linkages, enhancement of quality education, investment in This year, the Lindau Council in Germany has physical and technology infrastructure, and selected five candidates who left for Germany to international collaboration. attend the meeting. Under a Memorandum of Understanding signed between PIEAS and the Interaction of Young Pakistani Scientists with Nobel Lindau Council in June 2016, up to 10 scholars can Laureates is a joint programme of HEC, PIEAS, and participate each year in Lindau Nobel Laureate the Council for Nobel Laureate Meetings in Lindau, Meetings.

Video Conferencing through Event Registration Portal The Higher Education Commission, (HEC) Pakistan However, the user is required to provide relevant has recently initiated video conferencing of online information about video conferencing session so courses, lectures, workshops and seminars of that HEC video conferencing team can make universities through its Event Registration Portal. necessary arrangements. Moreover, these video The Event Registration Portal was previously conferencing sessions can be accessed by 160 launched in which information about ongoing and universities which have video conferencing upcoming events was provided. system.

20 HEC, Microsoft Organise Big Data Workshop The Higher Education Commission, Pakistan, Microsoft and Inseyab recently organised Big Data Workshop for 20 IT professionals who are working with various big data sources in different divisions and sections of HEC.

Mr. Sajid Banday, Sr. Consultant, Inseyab was the key resource person. He briefed the participants discussed Machine Learning (ML) processes with a about Big Data, different identifiers involved in Big brief introduction to Predictive Analysis and Data, attributes associated with Big Data, hadoop Machine Learning models, including a few tools and hadoop ecosystem. Also, the resource person such as Azure ML and Spark ML.

Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme HEC to Enhance Scope of Research and Quality Education The Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme under Prime launched simultaneously under which 200,000 Minister’s Youth Programme was assigned to the laptops have to be distributed among meritorious Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan for students of Universities and Colleges. developing mechanism, criteria, modalities and a road map for procurement and distribution of Under Phase-IV 50,000+ laptops have been laptops. distributed among various Universities and Colleges. Another batch of 100,000 laptops under One of the objectives of this scheme was to enhance Phase-V will be delivered by Haier in the coming scope of research and quality of education in the months which would also be distributed. country and to increase access to information technology. The project covers distribution of Moreover, under the PM Laptop Scheme, Microsoft laptops, carrying backpacks, mobile broad band is offering 400,000 Microsoft Office Specialist devices to access 10,000+ e-books and thousands (MOS) vouchers to the students. Out of 400,000 of research articles from the HEC Digital Library. vouchers 200,000 have to be awarded to those students who get laptops and the remaining The Laptop distribution in Phase-IV and Phase-V are 200,000 vouchers are for those who are not laptop underway as both phase-IV and Phase-V were awardees. Capacity Building Workshop in Nematology Foundation (ECOSF) has recently organised 5th International workshop for Capacity Building in Nematology.

A total of 42 participants of Economic Cooperation The Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Organisation (ECO) countries attended the Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) in collaboration workshop in which Dr. G. Raza Bhatti, Member with National Nematological Research Centre Operations and Planning HEC, and Dr. Muhammad (NNRC) University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan Ajmal Khan, Vice Chancellor, University of Karachi Society of Nematologists and ECO Science were also present.

21 NCEAC holds 24th Meeting of ASC and 29th General Council Meeting The 24th meeting of Accreditation Standard General Council Members attended the Meetings. Committee (ASC) and 29th General Council Meeting A report on 24 recently evaluated programmes was of National Computing Education Accreditation presented, along with recommendations of the 24th Council (NCEAC) was recently held in Lecture Hall of ASC Meeting. the Higher Education Commission, Secretariat. All recommendations of the ASC about award of Dr. M. Ayub Alvi, Chairperson, NCEAC presides over category and batches of the computing the meeting whereas Dr. Shoab A. Khan, Vice programmes inspected by programme evaluators Chairman, NCEAC, ASC Committee Members and were approved by the General Council.

HEC, TDF Awareness Seminars in HEIs

The Technology Development Fund (TDF) is one of the flagship projects of Higher Education Commission, (HEC). The TDF has recently completed its annual series of awareness seminars for enhancing industry academia joint ventures in leading universities and higher education institutions of all provincial and regional headquarters including HEC Secretariat.

The TDF seminars unfold secrets of successful proposals which not only mobilise academicians (industrial and academia) with business and but also industrialists to partner for funding research plan along with well linked budget and key opportunities for industrial scale R&D and later on performance indicators (KPIs). The 1st awareness commercialisation. seminar of the series was held in University of Baluchistan and the last seminar was held in HEC The TDF seminars were conducted with focus on Secretariat in which twin city universities’ faculty TDF application guidelines; to write joint proposal members and industrialists were invited.

Centre for Risk Reduction Established in Thatta The University of Sindh (SU) Thatta Campus in resource at local level to offset impending disaster- collaboration with Malteser International recently borne threats to entire coastal belt falling within established Disaster Risk Reduction Resource jurisdiction of Thatta district. Centre (DRRC). The Vice Chancellor informed that SU Thatta During the inauguration ceremony, Dr. Muhammad Campus is situated close to the coast and offers rich Barfat, Vice Chancellor SU said that DRRC is space for conducting indigenous research aimed at established with an aim to serve as a platform to buffering catastrophes, shielding loss of life and scientifically examine causes and consequences of property, managing disasters and examining and natural calamities, banking necessary empirical data alleviating causes and consequences of climate and producing trained and qualified human claws.

22 Federal Minister for Climate Change Kicks-off Plantation Drive Mr. Muhammad Yousif Shaikh, Federal Minister for Climate Change along with Dr. Fateh Muhammad Burfat, Vice Chancellor, University of Sindh, Jamshoro recently planted saplings to kick-off plantation drive.

On this occasion, Mr. Muhammad Yousif Shaikh said, “We have initiated this drive under the slogan ‘Green Pakistan-Prosperous Pakistan’.” “We must own the planet we inherit, we must care for it and we must also play our part in its protection and promotion,” the Federal Minister stressed.

Dr. Fateh Muhammad Burfat said that unchecked industrialisation, deforestation, lack of public ownership and absence of political patronage were among many causes behind environmental deterioration.

“We must realise our role, plant more and more effectively legislate to safeguard environment. This trees and impress upon law and policy-makers to way alone we can preserve our planet,” he urged.

AKU Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Bioethics Group The Aga Khan University (AKU) Bioethics Group (BG) Washington DC. After her working paper on the recently organised a symposium to commemorate proposed BG was discussed and approved in the its 20th anniversary. The AKU BG was formed to bring Dean’s Forum, Department Chairs were invited to the education and practice of bioethics into the nominate one member from their respective clinical settings by involving clinicians and residents. departments in order to form the group.

The BG was formed in 1997 under the supervision of She said that four physicians, two nursing Dr. Farhat Moazam, the then Associate Dean, professionals, a clinical psychologist and social Postgraduate Medical Education, AKU. Bioethics scientist participated in the first BG meeting. had been taught to medical students since 1986 Besides discussing terms of reference and the through the efforts of Dr. Jack Bryant, Chair, working paper, members were enthusiastic in Department of Community Health Sciences. educating themselves; consequently, all meetings included discussion of published papers on clinical/ Sharing the background of AKU BG, Dr. Moazam research ethics. gave credit to Dr. James Barlett, Dean of Faculty of Health Sciences, for generating her interest in The BG continues in AKU and focuses on revisions, bioethics. She recalled him handing her a ‘Hastings expansions and methodologies best suited to Centre Report’ and later sponsouring her for five teaching bioethics in their undergraduate and post days workshop at the Kennedy Institute of Ethics in graduate curriculum.

23 Educational Ventures NDU Hosts FEFA, Girls Cadet College Mardan

A delegation of 50 female lecturers of Provincial Another delegation headed by Brig. Javid Sarwar Higher Education Department headed by Mr. Faisal (Retd.) along with 70 female students and 10 faculty Ibrahim Khan, Acting Managing Director, Frontier members of Girls Cadet College Mardan also visited Education Foundation Academy (FEFA) recently NDU. The university outlined a day long visited National Defence University (NDU). The programme, which included detailed briefing about purpose of this visit was to aware educators about education and facilities at NDU, followed by a tour Higher Education Institutions. to various departments.

IST holds Space Summer School

Institute of Space Technology (IST), Islamabad Atmosphere, Aviation, Rocketry, Astronomy, recently organised Space Summer School (SSS) Satellite Technology, Space life, Space for Society, under theme of Space Technology Education and Space Agencies and our contributions. It also Popularisation (STEP). The SSS hosted over 100 hosted special webinars with Dr. Nozair Khawaja on students of 60 schools and colleges of Pakistan in a Hunt for life in Space and Dr. Aquib Moin on UAE two week activity based 50 interactive sessions in 10 Mars Mission. exploration tracks for students in two levels as abecedarian and virtuoso. The participants were provided with an opportunity to explore Planetarium and Aircraft Technology Dr. Najam Abbas, Director Student Affairs and along with Astrolabe and Telescopy. The students Programme Head SSS outlined the theme of SSS at were trained through hands-on workshops related the inaugural ceremony. He also emphasised the with CanSat development, water rocket, Quad- importance of Space Technology for Pakistan. The copter Design, UAV design and Fabrication. The SSS SSS covered interactive lectures in the domain of participants also got a chance to visit space related ten exploration tracks namely; the Earth, laboratories at IST.

24 PAF-KIET Holds Conference on Computing

Pakistan Air Force Karachi Institute of Economics & More than 15 universities from across the country Technology (PAF-KIET) recently held its Second two- participated in the conference. In the two-day day International Conference on Computing and conference, 73 abstracts of research papers were Information Sciences (ICCIS-2018). The aim was to submitted whereas only 24 research papers on provide a forum to present new research and recent different subjects were selected for the final results of emerging technologies in the field of presentation. computing and information sciences. In his opening address, Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Mr. Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Minister for Transport Tubrez Asif, President PAF-KIET welcomed all guests and Mass Transit, Labour, Human Resource and and participants whereas Mr. Ovais Habib Khan, Information was the chief guest of the opening Chief Operating Officer, TPS Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd. also ceremony. shared his views during the closing ceremony.

Scientists Demonstrate Direct Method to Measure Cyclotron Radius During the recent longest manifestation of lunar Postdoctoral Academia, Dr. Ashraf Ch., eclipse, an academic and scientific contribution for representative, Royal Society of Chemistry England the advancement of space sciences and and Dr. Khalida M. Khan, former UNESCO chair at cosmological studies has been made by a group of University of Punjab. scientists from Pakistan. “Besides the HCR measurements, during the course The inter-disciplinary researchers have of celestial observations and cosmological findings, demonstrated the 1st direct method of measuring the phenomenon of Magneto-Hydro-Tropism Cyclotron Radius in the Milieu-circumstance of (MHT) was clearly and affirmably evidenced as per Hydrogen, which has been termed as Hydro- the scientific parameters,” stated the scientists. Cyclotron Radius (HCR) by the cross-disciplinary scientists’ team carrying out the experimentation on T h e p a n e l o b s e r v e d t h a t t h e fi r s t e v e r corresponding connections and causal relationship demonstration of measuring the ‘Hydro-cyclotron in lunar magnetic flux can have on the hydrogen Radius’, and evidential endorsement of the element. The cross-disciplinary panel of Pakistani phenomenon of MHT would broaden the prospects scientists comprises Dr. Zafar Saeed Saify, former for achieving results to enhance the cosmological Vice Chancellor, University of Karachi, Dr. Umar understandings as well as exploring the far- Farooq, former Vice Chancellor, Dow University of impacting avenues that would mark paradigm shifts Health Sciences, Dr. Qazi Aurangzeb Al Hafi, SAARC in academic perspectives and scientific contexts.

25 Training Session on Basic Clinical and Diagnostic Skills

The Pet Centre of the University of Veterinary and various campuses of UVAS were also present on the Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore conducted 5-day occasion. training session on Basic Clinical and Diagnostic Skills in Small Animal Practice under the project Dr Asim Khalid discussed various aspects related to entitled In-service Training Facility of Advance small animal hospital design, mandatory minimum Ve t e r i n a r y E d u c a t i o n a n d P r o f e s s i o n a l equipment required, prescription writing and Development for Veterinary Professionals. documentation, Pre-exam of patient by the staff, exam by the veterinary doctor, treatment, Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha, Vice Chancellor, UVAS admission, client counseling, interpretation of presided over the concluding session while Dr. Asim diagnostic tests, blood work, X-rays, ultrasound, Khalid, Associate Professor, Dr. Hafsa Zaneb, vaccination and deworming of pets and tick control. Associate Professor and training participants from National Incubation Centre Inaugurates in NED University Ex-Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has recently inaugurated the National Incubation Centre (NIC) Karachi at NED University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi.

The NIC Karachi would provide incubation services for over 200 next-generation businesses in 1st five years and empower aspiring Sindh-based entrepreneurs to create high-growth and sustainable businesses. promising startups with mentors, investors and new business opportunities. It would focus on In addition, it would also provide quality incubation identifying and nurturing promising startups by programmes, access to mentor and investor running various programmes that would range networks and technical resources. The incubator from two-day boot camps to year-long acceleration would also connect budding entrepreneurs and programmes.

26 Training for Effective Research Grant Proposals The Office of the Research Innovation and facilitated the workshop. Dr. Nek Muhammad Commercialisation (ORIC), University of Sindh, (SU) Shaikh, Director ORIC, SU presented welcome note Jamshoro recently organised one-day training and briefed about aims of the workshop. workshop on how to write effective research grant proposals to win Technology Development Fund Expressing views on the occasion, Dr. Sarfraz (TDF). The objective of the event was to build Hussain Solangi, Focal Person, SU, Thatta campus capacity of faculty members and researchers to said that ORIC had organised workshop on a very write effective funding proposals. The workshop s i g n i fi c a n t t h e m e . H e a l s o a p p r e c i a t e d helped researchers to utilise their research skills for exhaustiveness and depth of content of the training development of community. session, adding that the events like one in question greatly assisted towards development of research Dr. Owais Khatri, faculty and proposals grant expert, activity, professional output and University- Mehran University of Engineering and Technology industry linkages.

SUCCESS STORY PIFD Student Participates in Design Workshop in Paris Mr. Azeem Hamid, a student of MPhil in Art and interests in design and research. The workshop Design Education from Pakistan Institute of Fashion offered young designers from across the globe to and Design (PIFD), Lahore participated in an work in teams on subjects linked to living museum. international workshop entitled, Together: at the Centre Pompidou, which was held at Centre Mr. Azeem was the only international student from Georges Pompidou, museum in Paris. Asia who was selected for this workshop along with 40 other participants from various design schools in The workshop was part of The Cumulus Conference Europe. He collaborated with three students from 2018, To Get There: Designing Together, which design schools on the topic of re-scripting adopted a cross-curricular interdisciplinary interpretative texts, a study on the space of the approach to highlight collective and collaborative museum and arrangements of the artworks.

PIFD Students Display Final Year Projects The students of all seven departments of Pakistan students from Department of Textile Design Institute of Fashion Design (PIFD) have recently incorporated different textile techniques like displayed their final year projects for public. waving, knitting, printing and embroidery to develop their final product. The projects were diverse in nature and were prepared by keeping consumers and industry The hand crafted collection of Jewellery, intact. The students prepared a collection of Accessories and Footwear, Ceramics Design and garments based on individual themes while the Glassware Collection was also displayed.

2827 Award of Allama Iqbal Shield 2018 1st Round of Declamation Contest at Isra University

Isra University Debating Society, Isra University competitive skills among them. So, Universities recently organised 1st round of 20th All Pakistan Inter- should organise such events. The debate University Declamation Contest for award of Allama competition took place in both Urdu and English Iqbal Shield 2018. languages. Khair-un-Nisa Noonari stood 1st while Muniba Arain and Sadaf Shaikh secured 2nd and 3rd Dr. Feroz Memon, Associate Dean, Faculty of positions in Urdu language competition. Medical Sciences, Isra University, was the chief guest of this occasion. Samiullah Saifullah secured 1st position, Shayan Baloch got 2nd position whereas Kiran Siddiqui got While speaking on the occasion he said that such 3rd position in English language competition. The activities are very important to enhance confidence winners of both languages qualified for the 2nd and knowledge among the students which helps round of 20thAll Pakistan Declamation Contest on them to boost their capabilities. Besides, he said, regional level for the award of Allama Iqbal Shield these competitions motivate youth and develop 2018. Purdue University, UoP Join Hands for Research A delegation from Purdue University, USA recently time evidence to stimulate and guide discussions visited University of Peshawar (UoP), Peshawar as during technical and policy review meetings. part of Pakistan-US Science and Technology Cooperation Programme to sample River Swat and The project is also evaluating aquatic ecosystem River Kabul under the collaborative project entitled, health and assessing local communities’ Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Kabul and Swat perceptions of water quality and river ecosystem Rivers and their Impact on Fish Populations and health, their lives and livelihoods, and their Rural Community Livelihoods. willingness to engage in conservation practices.

The research visit helped to promote mutual Overall, the project team aims to provide learning, enhance understanding of the sector’s recommendations to reduce the impact of operational realities and promote a network of endocrine disrupting chemicals on river health for supportive supervision. Also, it provided an use by policymakers, researchers and regulatory opportunity for reality checks and building of real- agencies.

28 ILLEGAL CAMPUSES / INSTITUTIONS

It has been observed that a number of universities/institutions/campuses/affiliated colleges/foreign collaborative arrangements are operating illegally in Pakistan without permission of the Higher Education Commission (HEC). All such institutions are hereby CAUTIONED to immediately stop their operations, which are functioning.

Without prior approval/ NOC of HEC OR Have opened illegal campuses OR Offering foreign collaborative degree programmes without HEC NOC If such institutions fail to comply, their operations shall be shut down with the assistance of Law enforcement agencies and provincial governments as per rules. Students and their parents are also warned that degrees from such non-recognised and fake institutions/illegal campuses will not be verified by HEC.

Director General (Accreditation & Attestation) Higher Education Commission, Sector H-9, Islamabad.

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