Higher Education Commission - Pakistan

November-December 2017

P-10

Workshop for Editors of Agricultural Sciences Journals P- 8 HEC, IPO and Varsities Sign Agreement to Protect Intellectual Property Rights P- 9 International Trans- Table of Contents Eurasia Information 5 Network Annual 2 HEC Achieves New Milestones in 2017 NOC Workshop HEC, Somalia Sign DoU to Promote Bilateral 6 Collaboration

7 HEC Organises Blockchain Workshop Six Pakistani Students to Take Part High Commissioner of Mauritius Meets in Huawei Middle 7 Chairman HEC 6 East Final Competition 9 HEC, IPO and Varsities Sign Agreement to Protect Intellectual Property Rights

3rd National Symposium on Thematic 10 Research in Social Sciences Workshop for Editors

of Agricultural 11 National Conference on Persian Language 8 Sciences Journals 13 HEC Organises Awareness Seminars in Provincial Capitals

News & Views is published after 13 HEC, University of Balochistan Organise every two months. No part of this Workshop on Writing Research Proposals publication may be reproduced in 14 HEC, NUML to Expand Scope of NLP any form without prior written Workshop to National Level permission of the publisher. 16 VU Conferences on Food Science, The views expressed by authors in Biotechnology and Bio-Engineering the articles is their sole responsibility and not of HEC. The Commission 17 University of Baltistan Inaugurated in Skardu w o u l d l i k e t o t h a n k a l l t h e institutions and individuals who 18 15 Years of HEC & NUST contributed information and photographs for this Magazine.

Editor Aayesha Ikram Graphic Designer Raja Ahmad Nadeem Publisher: Reporter Higher Education Syed Muhammad Ittifaq Commission, Pakistan HEC Achieves New Milestones in 2017 Sets up New Universities and Campuses, Awards Scholarships and Research Grants, Enhances Focus on Quality & Good Governance, Launches Convenient Online Attestation and Approves 22 Development Projects worth 48 Billion Rupees Demonstrating perseverance in its endeavours programme in Transportation Engineering at towards holistic development of higher education Southeast University China consecutively for two sector, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has academic years. The scholarship will be fully funded marked pivotal milestones to promote higher and cover tuition, accommodation, return airfare education, research culture and technological and living stipend for all the awardees. advancement with focus on human resource development, local and foreign collaboration, and As a whole, HEC approved 22 Development projects improved tertiary education access rate. In the long worth Rs. 48 billion for universities in the year. list of HEC’s activities and achievements, a few have Moreover, HEC launched Phase IV & V of Prime been shared here. Minister’s Laptop Scheme (PMNLS) So far, 300000 students have benefited under three phases of the During the year 2017, HEC awarded 395 overseas scheme executed by HEC. With the efforts of HEC, scholarships and 1068 indigenous scholarships in the laptops assembly plant has been installed in various disciplines. Under International Research Pakistan and students are now able to get made-in- Support Initiative Programme, 412 PhD scholars Pakistan laptops along with Evo devices under the proceeded for research abroad, each for a period of scheme. six months. While under bilateral agreement for Hungaricum Scholarships, 157 students proceeded The quality of engineering education in Pakistan to Hungary for PhD, MS and BS studies. improved further due to initiatives and efforts of Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) and HEC. It was Besides embarking upon the execution of US- in June 2017 that Pakistan was declared as Full Pakistan Knowledge Corridor, HEC launched Allama Signatory of the Washington Accord. Engineers Muhammad Iqbal Scholarship Programme for registered with PEC will now be considered at par as Afghan National Students under which 3000 world class competent professionals and will not be scholarships will be awarded. HEC also signed a evaluated for any migrational assessment for their Memorandum of Understanding with Turkey to degrees. avail scholarships for Pakistani youth to study in Turkish universities. HEC held deliberative sessions In the ICT sphere, HEC launched Online Attestation to discuss the modalities of Pakistan-UK System by developing an e-portal for registration Knowledge Gateway. and processing of degree attestation cases. This initiative has made the degree attestation process HEC also launched the 'Provision of Higher for candidates easier, as they register online, get Education Opportunities for Students of their degrees scrutinised and schedule Balochistan and FATA, Phase-II' under which a total appointment for documents attestation. HEC set up of 3900 students from Balochistan and Federally Call Centre to facilitate parents, students, faculty Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) will be extended and researchers across Pakistan in case of any query financial support for higher education. regarding HEC programmes. Moreover, HEC also inaugurated the Smart and Safe Campuses Project In 2017, HEC and China Road and Bridge as well as Pakistan’s first R&D Centre in 2017. HEC Corporation (CRBC), a state-owned company of the also launched Event Registration Portal, which will People's Republic of China, signed a Document of serve as an academic calendar to register events Understanding under which the latter will sponsor apart from providing information on events, 30 Pakistani students for Master’s degree trainings and online courses.

2 In 2017, Pakistan’s first Internet Exchange Point 3G Awards are presented to government (PKIX) was also inaugurated at HEC under the organisations, corporations and non-governmental headship of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority organisations (NGOs) for excellence in (PTA) and support of HEC as well as Internet Service transparency, good governance and social Providers (ISPs). The primary purpose of PKIX is to responsibility. HEC bagged the award for second allow networks to interconnect directly, via the consecutive year. exchange, rather than through one or more third- party networks. HEC played a significant role in For infrastructure development and expansion of making the Huawei ICT Skill Competition 2017 a universities and sub-campuses, sub-campuses of success. Six Pakistani students have won the Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University, competition at national level and they will Lasbela University and University of take part in Huawei Middle East Final Poonch were made operational in Competition soon. Naushki, Wadh and Forward Kahuta, respectively. HEC also announced HEC also established Education establishment of University of Testing Council (ETC) in 2017 to Khushab for students of the district ensure free-of-cost, standardised and adjoining areas. It also entry tests for admission in public announced establishment of two and private institutions. ETC university colleges in Balochistan, conducted its first entry tests for Fall one each in Zhob and Dera Murad 2017 admissions. Jamali. The University College Zhob will be a constituent college As a part of National Qualifications of Balochistan University of Framework (NQF), HEC launched I n f o r m a t i o n Te c h n o l o g y , Pakistan Qualification Register Engineering and Management (PQR) in order to enable the Sciences (BUITEMS), Quetta. The students and their parents to make second university college will be informed decisions. The e-portal established in Dera Murad Jamali system helps stakeholders of HEC to and will be a constituent college of view online the programmes of Lasbela University of Agriculture, Pakistani universities that have been Water and Marine Sciences, Uthal. approved by HEC. It is aimed to provide clearly defined levels of knowledge, skills However, HEC stopped four universities from and competencies to be acquired by every admitting students in any degree programme, graduate. HEC also plans to launch Higher o w i n g t o a c a d e m i c i r r e g u l a r i t i e s a n d Education Information Management System mismanagement and after non-compliance despite (HEIMS) soon. constant reminders from HEC to fulfill the deficiencies. The Ministry of Interior and HEC also launched Young Peace and Development Corps (YPDC), The Commission has so far closed down around comprising a number of students from 20 Pakistani 450 MS and PhD programmes of different universities, in 2017. The platform of YPDC will play universities, as they failed to fulfil the HEC criteria. a vital role in promoting culture of tolerance and To create awareness among parents and students healthy argumentation while discouraging about the status of universities, their campuses and violence. programmes, HEC continued its series of publishing Parent and Student Alerts in national dailies in 2017 In 2017, HEC won the Global Good Governance (3G) too. Award of Cambridge IF Analytica, an international organisation based in Cambridge, UK. The award In order to improve the quality of education, many distribution ceremony was held in Dubai, UAE. The other steps were taken including the improved

3 qualification of university faculty. In 2017, HEC economic development of Pakistan. Under the directed the universities and degree awarding programme, 529 research proposals were institutions to ensure implementation of the approved in 2017. In this lieu, an amount of Rs. Commission’s decision to raise minimum 1303.62 million was utilised during this period. qualification for appointment of Lecturers to 18 years of education. Moreover, 59 projects worth Rs. 178 million were completed. Hence, the number of projects Seven Pakistani universities won representation in underway till December 2017 was 1908. Under 300 best universities of Asia in the Times Higher Interim Placement of Fresh PhDs Programme Education’s 2017 ranking announced in March launched by HEC, 3016 PhD holders have been 2017. Only two universities were enlisted in the offered jobs as Assistant Professors at TTS salary ranking in 2016, but the number reached seven in package in Pakistani HEIs with conditions that 2017 with the addition of five more universities during a one-year serving period, their host from Pakistan. institutions will announce respective positions to provide the inducted PhDs with equal opportunity Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman HEC and Vice to compete. Chancellors of various universities represented Pakistan in Going Global Conference in the United By 2017, HEC has awarded over 2,51,000 Kingdom in 2017. This year, theme of the scholarships to Pakistani students including, 8,700 conference was “Global Cities: indigenous, 9,550 overseas, Connecting Talent, Driving HEC has so far closed a n d 9 , 5 0 0 n e e d - b a s e d Change.” The conference drew down around 450 MS and scholarships. a record number of 900 delegates from 77 countries. PhD programmes of As many as 200,700 students of different universities, as 114 districts have benefited H E C l a u n c h e d C P E C they failed to fulfil the from Prime Minister’s Fee Consortium of Business Schools Reimbursement Scheme for in 2017 as a step forward HEC criteria. Less Developed Areas. HEC towards successful execution of started its journey with only 59 China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The universities in the country, 2.6 per cent gross Consortium of the two countries will focus on issues enrolment, 800 publications, and 3,110 PhDs, of economics and management. The business however the number of higher education schools will be assigned projects to assist the two institutions has now reached 188 with 9 per cent governments in the development and operation of gross enrolment, 12,000 publications, and 11,960 CPEC. As a testimony to its commitment to PhDs. Female enrolment has reached 48 per cent, technological advancement, HEC awarded 31 as HEC is promoting equal higher education projects under Technology Development Fund to opportunities to maintain gender equity. PhD scholars who have returned from abroad after completion of their PhD in order to develop new As a whole, 41 per cent of HEC funding goes to technologies relevant to country’s socio-economic human resource development, 33 per cent to needs. ensuring equitable access, 23 per cent to ICT development and the rest of four per cent to other HEC launched HEC Vision 2025 in line with the necessities. HEC has so far allocated funds for Government of Pakistan Vision 2025 and held construction of 505 academic blocks in multiple consultative sessions for deliberation on universities, out of which 357 blocks have been future plans for higher education sector and completed and 148 blocks are under-construction. discuss further improvement in the reform process. HEC eyes ensuring establishment of at least one Under National Research Programme for university or its sub-campus in each district by Universities (NRPU), HEC honoured researchers 2019 without any compromise on quality of working in different areas crucial to the socio- education.

4 HEC Event Registration Portal Launched International Trans-Eurasia Information Network Annual NOC Workshop The Higher Education Commission (HEC) recently organised the five-day International Trans-Eurasia Information Network Annual NOC Workshop 2017 in collaboration with Trans-Eurasia Information Newtork (TEIN). The inaugural ceremony marked the launch of HEC Event Registration Portal and signing of a Document of Understanding (DoU) to technologically promote telemedicine.

Mr. Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Interior Minister was chief guest of the ceremony, while Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ahsan Iqbal observed Chairman HEC, Dr. Nimal Ratnayake, Secretariat that the world is standing on the threshold of fourth Director Asia Pacific Advanced Network (APAN) and industrial revolution being driven by digital Vice Chancellors of different universities were also technology. “The way we are living today will be present. The workshop was attended by delegates transformed through this revolution, as the new from Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Sri digital paradigms are setting new haves and have- Lanka, and Bangladesh. nots,” he added. He stressed the need for embracing the new revolution to keep pace with the The HEC Event Registration Portal was formally world. Pointing out the major challenge being faced inaugurated jointly by Mr. Ahsan Iqbal, Dr. Mukhtar by the world in form of rising inequality, he urged Ahmed and Dr. Nimal Ratnayake. The portal will the need for preparations to adopt new serve as an academic calendar to register events technologies to cope with this menace. He apart from providing information on events, maintained that the new developments will create a trainings and online courses. This will also provide plethora of opportunities for researchers. opportunity to national and international academic community to collaborate as well. In his welcome remarks, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed said that the higher education sector of Pakistan has The DoU was signed between Dr. Masroor Ikram witnessed remarkable development in the last 15 from Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied years, adding that now Pakistan has one of the best Sciences (PIEAS) and Dr. Iqbal Chaudhary from ICT set-ups of the region. He said HEC has realised Hussain Ebrahim Jamal (HEJ) Research Institute of the dream of connecting university through fast and Chemistry, for executing this programme effective technologies by launching PERN-III. He under Virtual Education Project Pakistan. HEC has informed the audience about the plans to set up provided video conferencing facility to connect Centres of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence, Big PIEAS teaching under TESP. Data and Cyber Security.

5 Six Pakistani Students to Take Part in Huawei Middle East Final Competition

The Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad; and Huawei Technologies held the closing Muhammad Shahid, Lahore Garrison University; ceremony of HEC-Huawei ICT Skill Competition Shamim Iqbal, Virtual University; Zubair Malik, 2017 here at the Commission Secretariat. The UET, Lahore; and Fatima Rashid, UET, Lahore won ceremony marked the announcement of winners the national competition. The winners have of the national round of competition. qualified for Final Huawei Middle East ICT Competition to be held in China. As many as 7000 students from around 50 Pakistani universities registered themselves for Mr. Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Interior Minister was chief the competition, however 3000 students guest and Mr. Yao Jiang, Ambassador-Designate participated in the first round. One hundred and of China to Pakistan was the guest of honour on fifty students appeared in the national round. Six the occasion. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman HEC, Pakistani students including Ayaz Ahmed, Mr. Xua Man, Vice President Huawei Middle East, University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Vice Chancellors, faculty members and a large Lahore; Malik Noor Muhammad, National number of students were also present. HEC, Somalia Sign DoU to Promote Bilateral Collaboration The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has recently signed a Document of Understanding with the Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education, Somalia to promote bilateral academic collaboration and develop cooperation in higher education and other fields of common interest. The DoU was signed by Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman HEC and Mr. Abdi Dahir Osman, Somalian Minister for Education, Culture and Higher Education. strengthening and capacity building of higher Under the DoU, the two sides agreed to describe the education of Somalia, technical assistance in guidelines for future agreements on specific establishment of higher education body in Somalia, activities by the institutions involved. Areas of and assistance in establishment of quality assurance c o o p e r a t i o n w i l l i n c l u d e d e v e l o p m e n t , standards in academia in Somalia.

6 HEC Organises Blockchain Workshop

The Higher Education Commission, (HEC) Pakistan The topics covered under the workshop are recently organised Blockchain Workshop at its introduction to Blockchain, the ethereum, the Secretariat. The workshop was chaired by Dr. Arshad internet of things, and decentralisation. Ali, Executive Director HEC. Dr. Masoom Alam, Director Cybersec Lab COMSATS Institute of Resource persons were of the view that Blockchain Information Technology, (CIIT) Islamabad, Ms has the potential to change the way we buy and sell, Yumna Ghazi, Co-founder of Block 360, Islamabad, interact with government and verify the authenticity Mr. Bilal Arif, Founder of Block 360 CIIT, Islamabad, of everything from property titles to organic and Mr. Umair Sarfaraz, Blockchain Researcher, CIIT vegetables. It combines openness of the internet Islamabad were the key resource persons of the with the security of cryptography to give everyone workshop. faster, safer way to verify key information.

High Commissioner of Mauritius Meets Chairman HEC

Mr. Rashid Soobadar, High Commissioner of Mauritius in Pakistan recently visited Higher Education Commission (HEC) Secretariat and called on Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman HEC to discuss issues pertaining to higher education.

Welcoming the Ambassador, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed briefly shared initiatives and achievements of HEC since its inception in 2002. He said HEC has taken tangible steps to promote a research culture in Pakistan by establishing Offices of Research, Innovation and Commercialisation (ORICs) in universities. He said Business Incubation Centres, set up by HEC in various universities, are actively playing their part in thriving entrepreneurship and startups. Appreciating HEC for its measures for growth of The Chairman assured the High Commissioner of full higher education in Pakistan, Mr. Rashid Soobadar cooperation in joint collaborative projects. He said hoped that the two countries will develop HEC can facilitate Mauritius for short and long-term collaboration and plan joint academic activities, training of scholars and faculty. HEC will support which will further strengthen the bilateral relations. Mauritius in any joint venture like establishment of The High Commissioner said Mauritius hails a great R&D organisations and ICT infrastructure, he number of tourists from across the world, adding assured. He maintained that HEC has one of the best that the country’s textile sector and other fields are ICT infrastructures of South Asia. very strong.

7 Workshop for Editors of Agricultural Sciences Journals

The Quality Assurance Division of Higher Education Faisalabad. Dr. Alamgir Khan, Professor of Commission (HEC) recently organised a one-day Physiology and Head of IT Department at National workshop for Editors of Agricultural Sciences University of Medical Sciences Islamabad facilitated Journals at its Secretariat. the second session and dwelled upon ‘How to review statistical data of articles of the journals’. The Editors of 14 relevant journals attended the topic of Open Journal System was covered in the workshop, which aimed to enhance the quality of third session conducted by Dr. Muhammad Sajid journals by training editors as to how common Mirza, Principal Librarian at Islamic International shortcomings of the journals can be improved and University, Islamabad. prepared to get enlisted in Thomson Reuters Web of Science. Dr. G. Raza Bhatti, Member Operations and Planning HEC was chief guest in the closing session. He Dr. Arshad Ali, Executive Director HEC welcomed the thanked the resource persons for sharing their workshop participants and elaborated aims of the valuable knowledge and expertise with the workshop. He stressed on maintenance and workshop participants. He hoped that participants improvement of quality of the journals and advised would use the acquired knowledge for upgrading of the participants to upgrade quality of journal by their journals for recognition at international level. learning and adopting good practices. He distributed certificates among the participants.

The workshop was spilt into three sessions. The first The workshop ended with note of thanks by Mr. session comprised methods to improve the journals, Muhammad Ismail, Consultant Quality Assurance getting journals enlisted into Thomson Reuters and Division. He appreciated the participants of the meeting minimum quality criteria set by HEC. The workshop for sparing their precious time and resource person for this session was Dr. Ahrar Khan, advised them to make best use of the information Dean Veterinary Sciences, University of Agriculture, shared by resource persons.

8 An Initiative under WIPO Development Agenda HEC, IPO and Varsities Sign Agreement to Protect Intellectual Property Rights

The signing ceremony of institutional agreements promotion of higher education is among top among the Higher Education Commission (HEC), priorities of the government. He said that the Intellectual Property Organisation (IPO) and host government funded Rs. 40 billion in 2012 to institutions for establishment of Technology and universities through HEC, adding that the funding Innovation Support Centre (TISC) Network in for higher education has now been increased to Rs. Pakistan with the support of World Intellectual 100 billion. Property Organisation (WIPO) was recently organised at the Commission Secretariat. He further said that nations cannot progress without acknowledging the efforts of their researchers, During the signing ceremony, 27 institutional adding that this ceremony is an effort to encourage agreements were signed between different youngsters to bring forward their innovative ideas universities and R&D organisations. Mr. for socio-economic development of the country. He Muhammad Naseer, Executive Director, IPO, Dr. said that the establishment of TISC will protect the Muhammad Latif, Adviser (R&D) HEC were the main innovative ideas and promote creativity and signatories whereas Vice Chancellors and commercialisation. representatives from respective ORICs signed the institutional agreements. Dr. Arshad Ali, Executive Director, HEC said that this is a landmark in the history of Pakistan as we are Engr. Muhammad Baligh Ur Rehman, Minister for taking initiative for safeguarding intellectual Federal Education and Professional Training was property rights of our thinkers, researchers, chief guest of the ceremony. Mr. Salim Ranjha, academicians and innovators. He maintained that Executive Director, IPR Enforcement (Pakistan respecting and protecting intellectual property Customs), representatives of Chamber of rights is one of the aspects of the initiative but taking Commerce and Vice Chancellors of various advantage of the initiative is the real benefit. universities were also present. Mr. Irfan Tarar, Director General, IPO expressed his Engr. Baligh-ur-Rehman congratulated all the views and said that since its inception, IPO is stakeholders on achieving the milestone. The facilitating the public and is striving for the minister stressed that we need to lead our development of digitisation and atomisation youngsters in the right direction. He assured that sectors.

9 3rd National Symposium on Thematic Research in Social Sciences Scholars Showcase 10 Research Projects under Various Subjects The Higher Education Commission (HEC) recently organised 3rd National Symposium on Thematic Research in Social Sciences to provide scholars of various Social Sciences disciplines a platform to showcase their research at the Commission Secretariat. As many as 10 scholars presented their research.

Engr. Baligh-ur-Rehman, Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training, was chief guest on the occasion.

Addressing the audience, Engr. Baligh-ur-Rehman stressed the need for promoting applied research in Sciences is linked to the uplift of society. He said that Social Sciences in the country. “Research is an the annual funding for Research Support imperative obligation to pursue if we want to make Programme, which used to be only Rs. 40 million in progress,” he said, adding that research not only the start, has reached Rs. 3.5 billion now. Shedding verifies old facts but also brings about new realities light on the significance of Social Sciences, the to the surface. Chairman remarked that it is responsibility of academia to ponder upon solutions to the social He said HEC, with the support of government, is issues of Pakistan and present their proposals to the actively developing academia-industry and policymakers. academia-government linkages, adding that universities are now receiving phenomenally Earlier, Mr. Raza Chohan elaborated objectives of enhanced funding. the Symposium and told the participants that HEC has so far awarded 140 research grants. He said the Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman, HEC said that HEC Symposium aimed at giving an open space for a gives equal importance to Social Sciences in any dialogue among researchers and nurture a research research grant, as the development of Social culture in difference areas of Social Sciences.

Discover Your Potential Training Session for HEC Employees The Higher Education Commission (HEC) recently Senior Management to highlight the importance organised a training session entitled “Discover of MBTI and its implications in education sector Your Potential and Understand Others” using both by the teachers and managers to understand Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Instrument for personality types and align tasks to the specific HEC Officers working in BPS-17 to enhance their type that would result in excellent performance. self-understanding, motivations, natural strengths, and potential areas for improving Dr. Muhammad Qamar-ul-Hassan was the personal and professional life. Resource Person. He is among leading experts on Personality Type and Personality Type Based A discussion session was also arranged for HEC Performance Improvement Solutions.

10 National Conference on Persian Language

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) recently perspectives, adding that the language preserves a organised a two-day National Conference on huge treasure of knowledge and wisdom. He said Persian Language: Challenges and Future Prospects Pakistan accords great importance to its relations at the Commission Secretariat. The conference was with Iran, as the two countries enjoy historic, held in collaboration with the Cultural Consulate, religious and cultural bonds. “The bilateral relations Embassy of Iran, National University of Modern demand emphasis on promotion of Persian,” he Languages (NUML), Islamic Culture and Relations stressed. Organisation, and Iran-Pakistan Institute of Persian Studies. In his remarks, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman HEC stressed the need for reading history to know how Engr. Baligh-ur-Rehman, Minister for Federal the ancestors of Muslims spread knowledge across Education and Professional Training was chief guest the world through their research and theoretical in the closing ceremony. Mr. Mehdi Honardoost, findings. “It is high time to understand the ideology Ambassador of Iran to Pakistan, Mr. Shahaboddin of our forefathers by learning their languages which Daraei, Cultural Consular, Iranian Embassy, Mr. we have relinquished,” he stated. He maintained that Jononov Sherali, Ambassador of Tajikistan to universities’ faculty has a great role to play for Pakistan, faculty members and scholars from across encouragement of students taking interest in the country were also present. history and languages like Persian.

Addressing the conference, Engr. Baligh-ur-Rehman On this occasion, Mr. Mehdi Honardoost, Mr. said “Learning multiple languages cast positive Shahaboddin Daraei, Mr. Jononov Sherali, Mr. impact on critical and analytical thinking and enrich Iftikhar Arif and other notables also expressed their the canvas of thought”. He said Persian possesses views on the importance of Persian language. They vital status in regional as well as religious paid tribute to Allama Iqbal and Sheikh Saadi for

11 producing remarkable Persian literature which is a Persian teachers to extend their services for worthwhile source of guidance for the entire Muslim promotion of academic relations between the two Ummah. countries.

Dr. Iqbal Saqib presented the communique agreed At the end, Saadi-Iqbal Awards 2017 were upon by the conference participants. The distributed among the honourable teachers of communique emphasised joint efforts to promote Persian language who devoted their lives to the Persian language and use it as a tool to further promotion of Persian language. The awardees strengthen relations between Pakistan and Iran. It included Dr. Arif Noshahi, Dr. Mehr Noor also stressed the need for academic measures to Muhammad Khan, Ms. Zakia, Dr. Rabia Kiyani, Ms. facilitate Persian students and scholars. It urged the Bint-ul-Huda, and Dr. Hakim Dastari.

International Conference on Emerging Technologies The Capital University of Science and Technology (CUST), in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Islamabad recently organised two-day 13th International Conference on Emerging Technologies (ICET) at the Commission Secretariat.

Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman HEC was chief guest on the occasion, while Dr. Mansoor Ahmed, Vice creating knowledge and integrating it with society. Chancellor CUST, Prof. Aamer Iqbal Bhatti, General He urged the faculty to pay special attention to Chair ICET and a large number of faculty members training of students, as training is imperative for a and students were also present. peaceful society.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Sharing the background of conference, Prof. Aamer stressed the need for translating the opportunities Iqbal Bhatti said the first international conference on created by new technologies into reality while emerging technologies was held in 2005. He said ensuring positive use of advanced gadgets. He said CUST lays great emphasis on applied research and HEC is committed to facilitating universities and the 13th ICET is a testimony to that fact. He encouraging research activities. “We need to appreciated the role of HEC and IEEE Islamabad for conduct research that casts positive impact on collaboration to organise the conference. society and mitigates the miseries of humanity,” he underlined. CUST is now a Member of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) as CUST has joined 1200 He pointed out that water and food security will institutions in more than 120 countries who are become vital issues to be dealt in the near future. He working with the United Nations to promote global emphasised that solution to all social ills including priorities, including peace, human rights and terrorism, poverty and unemployment lies in sustainable development. UNAI is an initiative that promotion of education. “It is the era of knowledge aligns institutions of higher education with the economy and no nation can make progress without United Nations in actively supporting and promoting education,” he stated. He said the contributing to the realisation of UN goals and universities are responsible for imparting education, mandates.

12 Technology Development Fund HEC Organises Awareness Seminars in Provincial Capitals

The Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan Sciences, Quetta, , Karachi, has initiated a project Technology Development Mirpur University of Science and technology, AJK Fund (TDF) for joint proposals of academia and and Karakoram International University, Gilgit- industry to avail grant (up to Rs. 14 million for each Baltistan. Moreover, an informative seminar on TDF successful proposal) to convert their innovative was organised at HEC Secretariat to mobilise faculty ideas into product/services development. Under members and local industry representatives to this project public sector and approved private bridge the gap between industry and academia. sector universities’ faculty members can team up with their industrial partners to apply for TDF grant In response to TDF awareness seminars more than to develop new technologies relevant to Pakistan’s 250 proposals were received against second call for socio-economic needs. proposals from the universities.

The TDF recently started a series of TDF awareness During the awareness seminars academicians and seminars in public sector universities in provincial industrialists provided their valuable feedback. capitals starting from University of Engineering and They suggested that more awareness seminars Technology Peshawar, Peshawar followed by TDF should be conducted all across Pakistan, and efforts awareness seminar at University of the Punjab, should be made to engage more industrialists, Lahore, Balochistan University of Information chambers of commerce and associations prior to Technology, Engineering and Management next call for proposals.

HEC, University of Balochistan Organise Workshop on Writing Research Proposals A 3-day training workshop on “How to Write a Dr. Attaullah Shah from IM Sciences, Peshawar and a Research Proposal” was recently organised at the few other experts along on the subject spoke on the University of Balochistan in Quetta. occasion. Fifty students from different universities of Balochistan attended the workshop. HEC is also The purpose of this workshop was to prepare the planning to conduct similar workshop at the potential candidates for Indigenous and Overseas University of Uthal in the next phase so as to attract Scholarship Programme of Master leading to PhD more students from other parts of Balochistan in the for the students of Balochistan. near future.

13 HEC, NUML to Expand Scope of NLP Workshop to National Level

The Learning Innovation Division (LID), Higher the area of NLP which is a body of knowledge as well Education Commission (HEC), in collaboration with as skills that deals with enhancing the performance National University of Modern Languages (NUML), of human mind through practical tools and Islamabad organised a three-day workshop on techniques. Mr. Fida Hussain, Director General LID, Effective English Language Communication HEC and Brig. Muhammad Ibrahim, Director General through Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) NUML, graced the closing ceremony. Techniques for the faculty members of higher education institutions of the twin cities. Mr. Fida committed to expand the scope of this workshop to national level, where maximum faculty The workshop aimed at increasing the capacity of members of higher education institutions could be faculty members of higher education institutions in trained on NLP and its usage in the teaching.

HEC, USAID Organise Workshops at Sukkur IBA HEC and USAID-funded Merit and Needs-Based and 19 female graduates from Sukkur IBA University Scholarship programme (MNBPS) recently and SZABIST, Larkana Campus participated in talent organised two training workshops at Sukkur IBA grooming workshop while 36 USAID-MNBSP University. scholars including 20 male and 16 female students from Sukkur IBA University and SZABIST, Larkana The workshop on Talent Grooming was held for Campus participated in career counselling newly enroled students and the other on Career workshop. Counselling was held for students who are in last semesters of their degree programmes. The USAID- A certificate distribution ceremony of both funded programme which focuses on personality workshops were held at Executive Development grooming and professional skills development of Centre, of the University in which Engr. Zahid the students in addition to awarding scholarships. Hussain Khand, Registrar, University, was the chief Over 30 USAID-MNBSP scholars including 14 male guest. HEC Establishes Self-Access Centre at MUET Jamshoro The Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan English Language Development Centre, MUET and Mehran University of Engineering and Jamshoro. Technology (MUET), Jamshoro in a joint venture, established Self-Access Centre at English Language Mr. Javed Memon, Director HEC, Regional Centre Development Centre, MUET. The purpose of Karachi was the chief guest of the closing initiating Self-Access Centre is to promote ceremony. Dr. Muhammad Aslam Uqaili, Vice technology-integrated language education. Chancellor, MUET, Dr. Tauha Hussain Ali, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Dr. Abdul Sami Qureshi, Dean Faculty of In this context, Learning Innovation Division (LID), Science, Technology and Humanities, and faculty HEC organised three days training programme on members of the university were present on the Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) at occasion.

14 Workshop on Development of Science Teaching Methodology Programme The Learning Innovation Division, HEC organised 2nd two-day Consultative Workshop on the Development of Science Teaching Methodology Programme at HEC Secretariat.

The aim of conducting this Consultative Workshop is to provide training to newly hired faculty in Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) and help them understand latest techniques to share their knowledge with their students. The Programme is designed to focus on Professional Development of module development task. In the second Science faculty only with a selected group of seven Consultative Workshop Outline and Methodology academicians from the first workshop to initiate the has been designed for the Science workshops.

VC UoK Felicitates HEC on 15th Anniversary Dr. Ajmal Khan, Vice Chancellor, University of research, travel, conference and seminar grants to Karachi felicitated HEC on behalf of University higher education institutions, faculty members and Syndicate, Academic Council, faculty members and students on a regular basis. He further added that employees for its exemplary services for promotion regular training sessions are also held for of quality standards in higher education in the employees of University as part of HEC’s country for the last 15 years. commitment of capacity building of human resource. He appreciated HEC for providing grants to different departments and institutes of the “Since, its inception in 2002 through a constitutional university including Institute of Sustainable amendment preceding University Grants Halophyte Utilisation, HEJ, KIBGE, UBIT, Department Commission, HEC has facilitated development of of Mass Communication, Department of Pharmacy, higher education system in the country with main National Centre for Proteomics, etc. He further purpose of upgrading the universities to become noted that HEC is providing need-based focal point of change through higher learning of scholarship, indigenous and oversees scholarships, education, research and development,” he said.

News in Picture Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design (PIFD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National College of Arts (NCA), Virtual University (VU) of Pakistan and University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJKU) in order to establish a strong liaison and collaboration among the institutions for promotion of education in the region and capacity building of each other. The MoU signing ceremony was held at Ministry of Commerce, Islamabad.

15 VU Conferences on Food Science, Biotechnology and Bio-Engineering

The Virtual University of Pakistan in collaboration Kashmir participated in these conferences. The with Higher Education Commission, Pakistan events provided a forum where innovative Science Foundation and Punjab Agricultural developments were exchanged and discussed by all Research Board recently organised International stakeholders. Over 70 poster presentations and 50 Conferences on Agricultural and Food Science (2017 research papers were presented. ICAFS), Biotechnology and Bioengineering (7th ICBB) at its main campus in Lahore. Dr. Naveed Malik, Rector Virtual University of Pakistan inaugurated the conference. He warmly A large number of national educationists and welcomed the delegates from all over the world and delegates from USA, Canada, China, Japan, Nigeria, appreciated Faculty of Science and Technology for Sudan, Turkey, Jordan, Malaysia and Jammu and organising the events.

Virtual University Organises 4th E-Learning and Distance Education Conference The Higher Education Commission, (HEC) Pakistan participated in the event along with educationists in collaboration with Virtual University, (VU) and academicians from across the country. A total Pakistan and University of Education, Lahore of five keynote speeches and 30 technical papers organised 2-day 4th E-Learning and Distance split over in five sessions were presented in two Education Conference (ELDEC) at Lahore. days.

The theme of the conference was “E-Learning and Prof. Dr. Arshad Ali, Executive Director, HEC was the Distance Education: Envisioning the Future: chief guest in the inaugural ceremony. Dr. Naveed Rethinking, Reshaping, Redesigning Education.” Malik, Rector VU said that ELDEC is the practical Delegates from Malaysia and Indonesia realisation of this need.

16 University of Baltistan Inaugurated in Skardu

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has recently Over 5000 students from Baltistan region are inaugurated the University of Baltistan during his pursuing higher education in various part of the visit to Skardu as Higher Education Commission, country mainly due to lack of higher education (HEC) Pakistan has completed all formalities to facilities in the region. The University will offer establish the University. academic programmes in sciences and humanities in different phases. For this purpose Planning With the establishment of University of Baltistan, Commission of Pakistan has approved a project Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) will now have five higher costing RS. 1750 million this year. education institutions including two universities, one each at Gilgit and Skardu and three sub- The allocated funds will be utilised to develop new campuses of Karakorum International University at campus of the University at the 1000 kanals land Hunza, Diamer and Astore. being provided by GB Government. The project has also provision to commence professional and skill The Charter of the University had already been enhancement programmes such as tourism and approved by the Federal Government in the Cabinet hotel management, trekking and mountain meeting. The University has been established by climbing, tour guide training with English and upgrading the existing campus of the Karakorum Chinese languages, mining and gemstone cutting International University which had been working in and polishing etc. HEC has also made a provision in Skardu since 2012 with limited academic the development project of the University by programmes: computer science, management providing 18 PhD and 10 master level foreign sciences, education and English. scholars for faculty development. Islamia College Peshawar Organises Three-Day Training Programme The Learning Innovation Division, Higher Education English for Academic Purposes. Over 25 teachers Commission, Pakistan in collaboration with Training from various departments of Islamia College and Development Centre, Islamia College Peshawar Peshawar participated in the training programme. recently organised a three-day training programme on English for Academic Purposes for faculty At the closing ceremony, Dr. Habib Ahmed, Vice members at Islamia College Peshawar. Chancellor, Islamia College Peshawar was the Chief Guest. Mr. Muhammad Arshad Kamran, Director The purpose of this training programme was to General, Regional Centre HEC, Peshawar was the teach current approaches and methods in Teaching Guest of Honour.

17 NUST Organises Combined Convocation National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) organised combined convocation of 279 graduates of Bachelors, Masters and PhD degree programmes from School of Natural Sciences (SNS), Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Bio-Sciences (ASAB) and School of Art, Design and Architecture (SADA) at its main campus.

Lt. Gen. Naweed Zaman, Rector NUST graced the occasion as chief guest and awarded degrees to the graduates in the disciplines of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Architecture, Industrial Design, Healthcare Biotechnology, Industrial Biotechnology, Plant Biotechnology and Applied Biosciences. Recently, the 10th Convocation of NUST School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science In his address, the Rector extended his felicitations (SEECS) was also held at the main campus. A total of to the graduating students, their parents and faculty. 290 students received BS, BE, MS and PhD degrees in He urged the graduates to explore new vistas of the fields of Computer Science, Software knowledge and innovation, transcend themselves as Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer and professionals, and inspire the world with their Communication Security, Information Technology compassion. and Innovative Technologies in Education.

15 Years of HEC & NUST Since inception of Higher Education Commission, Research, Innovation and Commercilaisation (ORIC) (HEC) Pakistan in 2002, the development budget of while some of the essential ingredients required by National University of Sciences and Technology HEC were functional in NUST which were (NUST), Islamabad is provided by HEC. reorganised in line with HEC requirements to nurture an ecosystem of innovation centric In 2003, NUST was allotted its Central Campus in commercialisation, research and development. Islamabad as per requirements of its Charter and NUST ORIC is consistently acclaiming to be number today full-fledged campus is functioning at H-12, one since its establishment by HEC and Sector, Islamabad since 2008. In total 27 PC-1s were independent evaluators. approved at a cost of Rs. 12187.514 million and 25 PC-1s have been completed at a cost of Rs. The project entitled, “Network Performance 8788.534 million. State-of-the-art facilities have Monitoring for PERN” was the HEC funded project been established utilising funds provided by HEC completed by NUST School of Electrical Engineering during the 15-years since 2002. and Computer Science, in June 2012. The project was executed under the collaboration of NUST and NUST faculty has increased from 322 to 803 in 2017 SLAC-Stanford which resulted in uplifting NUST out of which 347 hold PhD degrees from foreign status worldwide. universities. The Faculty Development Programme being funded by HEC through a number of PC-1s In 2012 and 2017 NUST in collaboration with HEC has major contribution in it. In 15 years since HEC organised capacity building programme for the establishment, 114 patents have been filed out of staff of ORIC of 35 universities. As many as 100 which 33 have been granted. In 2011, NUST Directors and Managers from different universities received guidelines from HEC to form Office of across the country participated in both trainings.

18 CUST Holds Seminars on Wi-Fi Networks & Effective Communication Prof. Dr. Isabelle Guerin Lassous and Dr. Thomas Begin from University of Claude Bernard Lyon 1, France visited Centre of Research in Networks and Telecom at Capital University of Science and Technology (CUST).

Dr. Isabelle Guerin Lassous delivered talk on the topic, A New Approach for Association in Wi-Fi Networks and Dr. Thomas Begin shared his research work on Performance Modeling of Virtual Switching Reid, Emeritus Professor from University of Glasgow, Systems. Later, both French professors called on Dr. Scotland was the key resource in the seminar. The Muhammad Mansoor Ahmed, Vice Chancellor, scholar focused on the effectiveness of thinking in CUST and visited the university facilities. the communication skills. During his lecture, he engaged the faculty in discussion on four types of Another seminar on Thinking Skills for Effective thinking i.e. creative thinking, critical thinking, Communication was organised at CUST. Dr. Norman systems thinking and scientific thinking. UAF Launches Books Portal The Endowment Fund at University of Agriculture, of which seven books are on Agriculture and (UAF) Faisalabad feels pleasure to announce Biological Sciences, three books are for successful completion of the multi-authored book Engineering, one book is for Animal and Veterinary writing project and online launching of books Sciences, one book is for Food and Nutrition, two which was started during the year 2013. books are for IT and Physical Sciences, one book is for Communication Skills and five books are for The aim of initiating multi-authored book project Entrepreneurship (Agri-business, Economics and was to provide reference texts and to serve purpose Finance). of improving quality of teaching and learning. The series of books cover broad range of subjects from The UAF books shall also be made available in paper theoretical physics and electronic image versions for a wider reach and affordability processing to hard core agricultural subjects and whereas the on-line books can be viewed at public policy. Out of 25 books 17 are uploaded out http://onlinebooks.uaf.edu.pk PIFD Workshop on Ceramics Techniques A three-week extensive workshop on Ceramic experimentation in fabrication and finishing Techniques was recently arranged by Ceramic and techniques. Mr. Gopal taught various techniques like Glass Design Department at Pakistan Institute of Raku, Lustre firing, Black firing, Beer Firing, Fashion and Design (PIFD). Terrasigilata, Kintsugi, and mix media.

The workshop was conducted by Mr. Gopal Over 18 students of the Ceramic and Glass Design Kalapremi, from Centre for Arts and Design, department along with faculty members have Kathmandu University, Nepal. The workshop attended this workshop that generated over 200 f o c u s e d o n r e s e a r c h a n d d e v e l o p m e n t , finished pieces in various ceramic techniques.

19 Researcher Invents Herbal-based Orally Disintegrating Tablet

Dr. Muhammad Azhar, Lecturer University of drying treatments. The Scholar Agriculture, (UAF) Faisalabad invented herbal-based has publications in international orally disintegrating tablet from Moringa oleifera journals and a patent from his PhD leaves as multi-vitamin, being the cheapest natural research work. source of multi-vitamins. Dr. Muhammad Azhar did his PhD The researcher has also introduced banana powder i n F o o d E n g i n e e r i n g f r o m as natural super disintegrating agent for the first University Putra Malaysia (UPM). He started his PhD time in history and compared its results with one of in March 2014 under the supervision of Dr. Yus Aniza the most popular synthetic super disintegrant, Yusof. He completed his doctoral degree in five AcDiSol. He also succeeded to preserve maximum semesters, winning a Silver Medal in December nutrients in Moringa leaves by optimising different 2016.

Accreditation Inspection Committee Visits Arid University The National Agriculture Education Accreditation Plant Breeding and Genetics and Entomology to Council (NAEAC) recently convened its first on-site carry-out the review process. visit of second round of external evaluation and accreditation to Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture Dr. Nadeem Akhtar Abbasi, Dean, Faculty of Crop University, Rawalpindi. The objective is to improve and Food Sciences, PMAS AAU, Rawalpindi briefed standard and quality of agriculture degree the members of Committees on the recent programmes to make them globally competitive. developments in the Faculty of Crop and Food Sciences prior their visit of the respective Four accreditation inspection committees (AICs) of departments for peer review and participatory subject experts and programme evaluators were SWOT analysis. The Committees in the end had a constituted to undertake external peer-review of wrap-up meeting with Dr. Nadeem Akhtar Abbasi the degree programmes of Agronomy, Soil Science, and shared their findings and observations.

PIEAS Awards 481 Degrees in 8th Convocation Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Mr. Muhammad Naeem, Chairman, Pakistan Atomic Sciences (PIEAS) conferred degrees to the Energy Commission (PAEC) and Dr. Nasir Majid successful candidates of PhD, MS, and BS in the Mirza, Rector PIEAS felicitated the students who disciplines of Nuclear Engineering, Systems received degrees and distinction during the Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical convocation. The awardees included 35 PhDs, 284 Engineering, Nuclear Medicine, Radiation and MS and 162 BS students. The students were Medical Oncology, Medical Physics, Physics, awarded with 10 gold medals, 40 merit certificates Materials Engineering, and Process Engineering in and 28 certificates of appreciation during the the 8th Convocation. graduating ceremony.

20 IBA Seminar on Quality Culture in Higher Education Institutions The Quality Enhancement Cell of IBA, Karachi only be felt and learned while you are exposed to recently organised a seminar on Identification and different quality systems. He said that the quality in Prioritisation of Critical Issues and Challenges in education is always associated with teaching, Promoting the True Quality Culture in Higher learning and its processes so both the teaching and Education Institutions (HEIs) followed by a panel learning should be the focus for quality. discussion. Dr. Zaki recommended that as critical thinking is Dr. Mustaghis-ur-Rahman, Head of Management missing in our teaching and learning practice, there Sciences Department, Bahria University in his is need to use Socrates’ type of questioning. speech emphasised to have regenerative quality culture rather than reactive quality culture. He Dr. Muhammad Nishat, Associate Dean, Faculty of further explained that quality is a strategic issue Business Administration, IBA and Vice Chairman instead a managerial issue. He said that the top Accreditation Council, in his closing remarks, management in HEIs should take quality as a recommended that the graduate employability strategic issue. index should be taken as quality index. The seminar was attended by a large number of QECs, faculty Dr. Zaki Rashdi, Director Quality, Learning and members and management personnel from Innovation Associate Dean (Accreditation), Iqra different leading universities of Karachi, Nawabsha, University, highlighted the relative nature of the and Balochistan. Whereas, universities in concept of quality. He asserted that the quality other cities connected the session via HEC video culture is not tangible, but it is something which can conferencing and HEC web TV.

US Cultural Attache Visits Shah Abdul Latif University Mr. Anthony Dean Tranchina, Cultural Attache, US Consulate, Karachi recently visited Shah Abdul Latif University, (SALU) Khairpur to talk on 70 t h Anniversary of Pakistani Independence and Diplomatic Relations with US and Pakistan. He said that Pakistan and USA are close allies.

Mr. Anthony further appreciated the role of Pakistan on war against terrorism, “Pakistani Armed Forces are fighting against terrorism with commitment and devotion.”

Dr. Noor Ahmed Shaikh, Pro-Vice Chancellor, SALU in his welcome speech said, US-Pak relations are Ms. Zahra Hajyani, IRC Assistant, US Consulate, historical, time tested and based on mutual trust Karachi briefed about salient features of various and confidence. He further stated that USA has educational programmes offered by USA including extensively supported Pakistan for economic uplift, Fulbright Scholarships, short courses and transfer of technology, education, energy and community college programme under United States capacity building of human resource. Educational Foundation Programme.

21 19th Annual National Security Workshop at NDU

National Defense University, Islamabad organised has become a very complex and multi-faceted 19th Annual National Security Workshop with an aim undertaking. It is no longer the exclusive domain of a to acquaint the participants about strategising selected few, he added. He maintained that the national security issues. effective pursuit of national security requires developing a strategic framework which Mr. , President Islamic Republic encompasses all elements of national power. of Pakistan was the chief guest. Major General Muhammad Samrez Salik, HI (M), Acting President Selected Senators, MNAs, MPAs, and Legislative NDU dilated on the role of Institute for Strategic Assemblies of AJK, Senior officers from Armed Studies, Research and Analysis (ISSRA) in ensuring Forces and distinguished personnel from various the provision of environment to participants in segments of the society attended the workshop. desired learning process. Eminent Speakers, Renowned Experts and relevant President Mamnoon Hussain congratulated the Resource Persons shared their views on national participants of workshop on successful completion security as guest speakers. The chief guest awarded of their studies on comprehensive national security certificates to the successful participants of National regime. He highlighted that National Security today Security Workshop.

NDU Organises Students Sports Week National Defense University (NDU), Islamabad recently organised five-day long Students Sports Week. The aim was to develop true sportsmanship in the students and strengthen their minds to promote better time management skills as an essential part of their professional and personality development. Students participated in Cricket, Basket Ball, Football, Table Tennis, Squash and Badminton.

The sports week was culminated with a prize Contemporary Studies awarded shields and distribution ceremony attended by faculty and staff. certificates to winners, runners-up, participants and Dr. Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema, Dean Faculty of organisers of the event.

22 National Seminar on Pak-China Relations beyond CPEC

National Defense University (NDU), Islamabad through CPEC. While addressing the closing session, recently organised one-day national seminar on Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed stressed on Paksitan-China Relations beyond CPEC. The seminar importance of learning form developed nations for aimed at deliberating Pak-China relations amidst reinvigorating institutions of education, the phenomenal Chinese vision of One Belt, One infrastructure and human resource development in Road (OBOR) and China-Pakistan Economic Pakistan. Corridor (CPEC). Maj. Gen. Samrez Salik, DG Institute for Strategic H.E. Sun Weidong, China’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Studies, Research and Analysis (ISSRA) thanked the Chief Guest of the opening session, emphasised on participants of the sessions and rendered CPEC as a the significance of strengthening Pakistan-China success story not only for Pakistan but also for the relations amidst the economic activity generated region and beyond. SIUC Collaborates with UK Varsities for Promotion of Higher Education Sindh Inter-University Consortium (SIUC), under Collaboration Programme, recently signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with three UK universities. The MoUs have three dimensions: Mapping and Articulation of Curricula, Tuning Programme and legal status of agreements.

The Collaboration Programme aimed at developing The IBA University Sukkur, Agriculture University, mutual collaboration for promotion of higher Tando Jam, Liaquat Medical University Jamshoro, education and bringing the costs of studies abroad Mehran Engineering University, Karachi University, to the lowest. Mr. Hastings McKenzie, Dean of NED University of Engineering and Technology, Academic Partnerships, University of Northampton, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Shaheed Zulfiqar UK arrived Karachi on a seven-day tour to visit SIUC Ali Bhutto University of Law and Dr. Ziauddin member universities. Medical University are founder members of the Consortium while some other universities of the The SIUC was established by the Government of province have also applied for the membership. Sindh under the Chairmanship of Justice Rtd. Qazi Khalid Ali, Vice Chancellor, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali The In this way many students from middle and Bhutto University of Law (SZABUL) for promotion of lower classes may translate their dreams of studying higher education. in international foreign universities into reality.

23 US Consul General in Lahore Visits National College of Arts Ms. Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau, Consul General of United States called on Dr. Murtaza Jafri, National College of Arts Principal.

During her visit she was shown the exception artwork done by Dr. Ajaz Anwar, renowned water colour artist. Later, a special screening of the film ‘Lahore’ portraying the work done by John Lockwood Kipling was organised. She was also University of Texas (UT)-Austin. She met students, taken to the Department of Film and Television and who recently visited UT-Austin for the exchange briefed on their exchange programme with the programme , who shared their experiences. Scholar Authors Book on Plant Responses on Deserts Dr. Rahmatullah Qureshi, Associate Professor of are first time highlighted on global level as the book Botany, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture describes locations of deserts distributed across the University, (PMAS AAU) Rawalpindi has recently co- world, physiographic features, vegetation authored an international book from Springer composition, endangered vegetation species, Nature entitled, “Plant Responses to Hyperarid human impact and variety of plant types. Studies on Desert Environments” in collaboration with three biotic and abiotic interactions, plant biodiversity international scientists from Egypt, China and and soil-plant relationships are also covered in the Mexico. book.

The book provides a comprehensive account on The book includes many colour illustrations, and has plant responses in hyper-arid regions of Egypt, extensive and up-to-date references for further China, Mexico and Pakistan. The deserts of Pakistan reading. Scholar Presents Research Paper on Quality Management in Higher Education University of Education, Lahore recently organised jury for his research on the emerging theme of an International Conference on Education quality management in higher education with the Management in Lahore. More than 80 research application of structural equation modelling. papers were presented on the application of research in various aspects of education The researcher also contributed as a resource management by scholars and professionals in person in a national workshop on six sigma in higher different sessions of the conference. education, organised by Institute of Business Management, IoBM University. Mr. Farrukh Idrees, Manager QEC, FAST-NU presented a research paper on quality management. More than 30 delegates from over 20 universities He was awarded by certificate of appreciation by the attended the workshop.

24 Workshop on Biological Sciences at SBBU Sheringal The Higher Education Commission (HEC), in different meaning which computers cannot detect collaboration with the Department of Zoology, or correct, he added. Shaheed University (SBBU), Main Campus, Dir Upper, Sheringal Khyber Pakhtunkhwa The resource persons during the three-day has recently organised three-day International conference delivered lectures on qualities of good Capacity Building Training Workshop (ICBTW) researchers, errors in use of English in scientific entitled, “Advances in Research, Dissertation and writing, how to write a synopsis, research and Islam, Paper Writing in Biological Sciences”. ethics and regulation for dissertation examination, advance research techniques in biological sciences, Mr. Badshah Hussain, Vice Chancellor of SBBU was anti-plagiarism policy: top priority, how to do the chief guest of inaugural ceremony. In his referencing, how to acquire foreign scholarships, inaugural speech, he emphasised that teachers, time management and data analysis in biological students, scientists and researchers should focus on sciences. R&D activities. Dr. Farzana Khan Perveen, Chairperson, Department of Zoology, SBBU Mr. Muhammad Ali, Member of Provincial Assembly explained aims and objectives of ICBTW. (MPA) was the chief guest in the closing ceremony. In his speech, he said this is the age of science and Dr. Muhammad Azim Khan, Associate Professor, technology. University of Agriculture, Peshawar presented his lecture on Scientific and Technical Writing, in which He further said that those nations who are he said that skill in scientific and technical writing advancing in science and technology will rule the can be improved by reading and writing scientific world. The secrets of development of a country are papers. Many words have same pronunciation but hidden in research, he concluded.

Scholar Wins Laurels in Business Research Conference Dr. Muhammad Naveed, Associate Professor, creation of a Knowledge Economy, Dr. Naveed Faculty of Management Sciences, SZABIST brings into focus the need to shift researchers’ Islamabad has recently been awarded with Best concentration from the impact factor to impact of Paper Award at 10th European Business Research research on society to uplift social and economic Conference held at Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy. development of Pakistan.

He received this award in recognition of his seminal research contribution to Pakistan and US Non- Financial Sector. Dr. Muhammad Naveed has developed model on Dynamic and Sectorial Analysis of Firms’ Investment Behaviour: A Case of US and Pakistani Non-Financial Sector”.

He thanked to HEC for providing him opportunity of research presentation at International Conference. Keeping in view HEC’s roadmap for

25 PAF-KIET Conference on Electrical and Computing Technologies

PAF-KIET held its 1st 2-day International Conference education and the significance of research and on Latest Trends in Electrical and Computing development. Dr. Bhawani Shankar Chowdhry, Technologies (INTELLECT 2017) at its Main Campus, Chairman IEEE Karachi Chapter also addressed the PAF Base Korangi Creek in technical sponsorship of audience and congratulated PAF-KIET for holding a IEEE Karachi Chapter. successful research conference. Participants form over 20 universities all across the country The aim of this conference was to bring together participated in the conference. researchers, scientists, academicians and representatives of industry to discuss latest Air Vice Marshal Tubrez Asif, President PAF-KIET, in directions of research in engineering technologies. his welcome address said that such con¬ferences motivate students to research and polish their skills Dr. Saroush Hashmat Lodi, Vice chancellor, NED in their domain. Dr. Muhammad Amjad Saqib, University of Engineering and Technology In his Executive Director of Akhuwat was the chief guest in address emphasised the importance of higher the closing ceremony.

BNU Session on Right to Information Act

The School of Media and Mass Communication, Democracy, Canada while emphasising RTI, said Beaconhouse National University organised a the right to information is a fundamental human session on “Right to Information and its Practical right and the pillar of democracy which cannot be Benefits” to inform students about Punjab snatched away from the people at any cost. Transparency and Right to Information (RTI) Act. “Every country has its own information laws but this must never be used as an excuse to deny the The Keynote Speaker, Mr. Toby Mendel, public from their basic right to information”, he Executive Director of Centre for Law and concluded. Scholar Wins Oral Presentation Award

Dr. Zia-ur-Rahman Mashwani, Assistant Professor of Over 1300 scholars from 84 countries participated in Botany at Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, this symposium. Dr. Zia was awarded with the Best presented his research paper in the ‘VIII Oral Presentation Award for the paper Impact of International Agricultural Symposium (Agrosym Silver Nanoparticle on Agronomical and 2017) held at Jahorina mountains, Bosnia and Biochemical Profiling of Canola presented during Herzegovina. the session of Plant Production.

26 Molecular Genetics Laboratory Inaugurated at SALU The Higher Education Commission, (HEC) under its research project, entitled, National Research Programme for Universities (NRPU) funded Rs. 3.7 Million for provision of Molecular Genetics Laboratory in Department of Zoology at Shah Abdul Latif University, (SALU) Khairpur which was recently inaugurated by Dr. Parveen Shah, Vice Chancellor of the university.

While speaking on the occasion, Dr. Parveen Shah Dr. Javed Ahmed Ujjan, Principal Investigator briefed applauded the efforts of HEC for generous support on the salient features and various applications of in the establishment of first-ever genetics the laboratory including selective DNA isolation, laboratory of Department of Zoology with latest PCR amplification and qualification of DNA, medical equipment including PCR thermo cycler, Gel application, human genome detection, cancer electrophoresis, pH meter, Digital weight balance, detection and genetic testing, infectious disease Water bath, Vortex machine, Centrifuge machines, applications such as HIV, forensic application- Gel documentation system, etc. paternity and maternity and DNA finger printing. International Conference on Literature and Ecological Challenges at SALU The Higher Education Commission, (HEC) Pakistan mankind is facing serious challenges of climate in collaboration with the Department of Urdu, change and pollution. During her speech, she Faculty of Arts and Languages, Shah Abdul Latif announced to plant 2000 sapling of trees as token University, (SALU) Khairpur organised an of love with the cause of friendly environment at the International Conference on Literature and university. Many eminent scholars, researchers, Ecological Challenges (Pakistani and International educationists and environment activist spoke on Perspective). The international conference was the occasion and also presented their research inaugurated by Syed Qaim Ali Shah, former Chief papers on various themes in the Conference. Minister Sindh at Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur. Dr. Parveen Shah, Vice Chancellor, SALU, The concluding session of the conference Khairpur presided over the inaugural session. comprised musical session and poetic session to entertain the participants. During the concluding Speaking on this occasion, Syed Qaim Ali Shah said, session, Mr. Syed Waqar Hussain Shah Latifi, Literature plays a vital role in the building of social Custodian, Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai was the fabric and tolerance. He praised the intellectual and chief guest. literary work of Mirza Asad Ullah Khan Ghalib and Allama Muhammad Iqbal, adding that Sindhi Speaking on this occasion, he said that this literature is also very rich. University was named after the world renowned poet and Sufi saint Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai. Dr. Parveen Shah said that literature in the He proclaimed that Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai was the contemporary age, is a marvelous aspect which exponent of nature. “He always prefered the soil of provides awareness about beauty, human dignity Sindh, had connection with the soil and established and justice. The Vice Chancellor sustained that life is his worship place at Bhitt which means place of no more static due to industrial growth and the sand”, he added.

27 Pakistan to Send Astronauts into Space within Two Years: Air Chief Marshal The Air University (AU), Islamabad recently organised inauguration session of AirTech’17 conference at its main campus in Islamabad. Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman was chief guest of the inaugural ceremony in which Air Vice Marshal (Rtd.) Faaiz Amir Vice Chancellor of the university was also present.

Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, in his keynote address said that the purpose of education system must be to introduce latest technologies and contribute something positive for the betterment of society as a whole. He affirmed the audience that building of students. He said that every fellow Pakistan would be able to send its own astronauts in human-being deserves respect equally. “Without space in collaboration with its time tested friend, practicing good values, there is no purpose of any China. kind of success,” he advised, while adding that a role model leader must have courage to take tough Speaking on the occasion, he also urged the decisions at the time of crisis. importance of industry-academia cooperation. In this regard, he asked industry professionals to guide Air Vice Marshal (Rtd.) Faaiz Amir highlighted the universities what kind of skills are needed. No doubt, key aspects of the conference. He said that Pakistani students are talented, intelligent and hard- AirTech’17 is designed to serve as a platform where a working but to achieve success in life goals, fair and competitive environment will be provided to unconditional faith, firm commitment and tireless young students to design, build and present struggle are essential, he sustained. technical solutions and perform innovative tasks in respective fields by utilising their creative skills The Air Chief emphasised that most important blended with the scientific academic knowledge and segment of an education system must be character technical capabilities.

QEC Training at NED University The Quality Enhancement Cell of NED University journal publication, Dr. Masood Rafi discussed the organised a training programme on Journal common pitfalls during publication. He stated that Publication, Patent Writing and Commercialisation the process of scientific publication creates a for faculty members and research scholars. The aim mindset that is vital for science to progress. of this training programme was to give awareness to participants regarding importance of journal Ms. Urooj Fatima briefed the patent writing session publication, patent writing and how their research including procedure of registration process. She can provide an innovative path towards market. also discussed the problems and their solutions that can arise during registration. In the end, Dr. Syed Dr. Muhammad Masood Rafi, Editor In Chief, Journal Mahmood Hasan guided the participants regarding of Research, NED University, Ms. Urooj Fatima, how to restructure research programme for Patent Officer, IPO Pakistan and Dr. Syed Mahmood commercialisation purpose. He also highlighted on Hasan, Director ORIC, NED University conducted the researcher’s role in commercialisation and training programme. While covering the session of commercialisation options during the session.

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