SARGODHA UNIVERSITY Quarterly NEWSLETTER JULY-SEPTEMBER 2020 | VOL 14, NO 3 Y R O SARGODHA UNIVERSITY RANKS T ND R S E 2 IN TEACHING V O AMONG PAKISTANI VARSITIES C BUDGET 2020-21 P-2 SYNDICATE ENDORSES LANDMARK DECISIONS THE UNIVERSITY HEC'S INSTITUTIONAL P-12 COMMEMORATES PERFORMANCE EVALUATION P-5 REPORT LAUDS THE PAKISTAN'S EFFORTS UNDERWAY YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE A VIRTUAL SESSION ON 21ST CENTURY P-7 EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS AND INFORMATION LITERACY SYNDICATE SYNDICATE APPROVES BUDGET 2020-21 The Syndicate approved Rs 3.788 billion surplus budget for the fiscal year 2020-21. Vice Chancellor is presiding over the Syndicate meeting held on July 27, 2020 he allocations are aimed at imparting quality e d u c a t i o n , i n t ro d u c i n g i n n ova t i o n s , Tpromoting applied research, facilitating UNIVERSITY SYNDICATE ENDORSES students through scholarships, fee waivers, and development projects. Foreseeing the financial crunch and pressure in the LANDMARK DECISIONS prevailing COVID-19 situation, the Syndicate mid the pandemic, the University of Despite the financial burden on the institution due to meeting, presided over by Vice Chancellor Dr Ishtiaq Sargodha in its first syndicate meeting of the the lockdown, the syndicate unanimously gave the Ahmad, decided neither to increase the fee of on- Ayear 2020, endorsed significant decisions verdict for the allocation of surplus budget for the campus students nor to create any post. after thorough deliberations in the presence of the fiscal year 2020-21 without incurring financial The Syndicate members were briefed on the chair Vice Chancellor Dr Ishtiaq Ahmad and other burden on students; approved the online education financial health of the university on which they syndicate members on July 27. policy adopted by the academic council; endorsed the expressed satisfaction. The University expected a The house was briefed about the sustainable decisions of Selection Boards for the appointment of total grant of Rs 1.050 billion from the Higher measures approved by the academic council for the teaching and non-teaching staff to improve quality Education Commission (HEC), which is 29.46 percent smooth transition of online education while ensuring teaching and service delivery; granted the status of of the total budget, while the University would quality and transparency intact during the Emeritus Professor to Retd Prof Dr Nawaz Tahir in generate the rest of 70.54 percent f rom own challenging times of academic closure. recognition of his services to the higher education, resources. and approved 'Endowment Fund Rules 2020' for broadening the horizon of knowledge and research. The syndicate made a major increase in research funding from Rs 26 million to Rs 60 million to increase University's international ranking and socio- economic impact research, as it was a policy of the SYNDICATE CONFIRMS SYNDICATE ACCLAIMS THE administration to promote research culture. The ENDOWMENT FUND STATUS OF PROFESSOR EMERITUS varsity also allocated Rs 11 million for participation in RULES-2020 TO RETD PROF DR NAWAZ TAHIR national and international conferences. o meet the growing perpetual financial needs n recognition of the scholarly The Syndicate also approved the allocation of of the University and to supplement its c o n t r i b u t i o n i n h i g h e r Rs 11.450 million for the Office of the Research revenues for advancement in educational and Ieducation, the syndicate Innovations and Commercialisation (ORIC) and the T granted the status of Professor Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC). research activities, the Syndicate considered the Emeritus to Dr Muhammad 'Endowment Fund Rules-2020' that were formulated Moreover, the body accorded Rs 70 million budget to Nawaz Tahir, the retired professor during the meeting of Finance and Planning waive off tuition fee of Hafiz-e-Quran, orphans and in the Department of Physics. Committee. other deserving students while HEC's scholarships Dr Tahir is an eminent scientist, a renowned scholar, Amid the financial crunch due to soaring rise in worth Rs 75 million and Punjab Educational and a distinguished researcher. His research inflation, uncertain income from the student fee, and Endowment Fund (PEEF) scholarships will also be proficiencies were acknowledged at all the highest unexpected cuts in government grants, the provided to students. The University has also forums, and he was awarded Tamgha-e-Imtiaz in University, through endowment funds would be able allocated an amount of Rs 36.941 million and Rs 35 2011. With almost 750 publications at his disposal, he to strengthen its existing programs and research million in lieu of subsidy on transport and internet was conferred upon the Research Productivity Award activities required to expand its institutional and facilities respectively. by the Pakistan Council for Science & Technology academic prof ile according to the rules and during the years 2011 to 2015. The meeting also approved Rs 69.950 million for new regulations enunciated in Endowment Fund Rules- development projects from its own sources and Dr Tahir rendered his services at various levels and led 2020. Rs 95.395 million for ongoing works to be completed. different committees and councils during his stay at The meeting also agreed to institute an Endowment The Funds would be utilized to provide support for Sargodha University since 2004. He has expertise in Fund with Rs 1 billion from its sources to strengthen the smooth running of the affairs of the Institute and t h e m o n o t o n o u s a n d c o m p l e x a r e n a o f the research culture at Sargodha University. promote the educational and research objectives. Crystallography/Material Sciences. 2 3 SARGODHA UNIVERSITY RANKS SECOND IN HEC'S INSTITUTIONAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION TEACHING AMONG PAKISTANI VARSITIES REPORT LAUDS THE EFFORTS UNDERWAY The University of Sargodha has the potential of becoming one of the premium n terms of teaching, Sargodha University clinched the second position in Pakistan according to the universities of Pakistan, states the IPE Report 2020 ITimes Higher Education World University Rankings 2021, while in terms of overall performance against the calibrated performance indicators, the University retained its global rank at 1001+. More than 1,500 universities from 93 countries and regions qualified for THE World University Rankings 2021. Only 17 universities of Pakistan fulfilled the eligibility criteria set for the ranking in Times Higher Educa t i o n. T h e c ri te ria were based on 13 performance indicators grouped into five areas: of teachers' sheer dedication and sincerity Teaching (the learning environment); Research towards their profession. The ranking would (volume, income, and reputation); Citations (research enable the students to make an informed influence); International Outlook (staff, students, and decision while selecting a university for their The University's administration is briefing the Review Panel about the institutional performance of Sargodha University research); and Industry Income (knowledge transfer). desired degree program. According to the performance indicators, Sargodha or the promotion of good governance and to launching a facilitation center, empathized and Dr Ishtiaq Ahmad University ranked at number 2 in teaching, 5 in enhance quality education and research in ethical conduct of highly qualified faculty, updated industry income, and 8 in international outlook In recent years, Sargodha University has undergone Fhigher education institutions, the Quality knowledge structure of students, signif icant among the 17 other ranked universities of Pakistan. major institutional and academic reforms to Assurance Agency (QAA) of the Higher Education improvement in impact factor publications, active Globally, Sargodha University ranked at 706 for its enhance its global profile. Consequently, in 2020, it is Commission, Islamabad, has issued a report based participation of students in professional club activities, and ample safety and security Teaching standard, 806 for International Outlook, ranked by the Times Higher Education as 401+ Young on the findings during the three-day visit of the Review Panel for Institutional Performance management in the campus. 1087 for Industry Income, 1313 for Citations, and 1375 University in the world, 401+ University in Asia, 500+ Evaluation (IPE) of Sargodha University on February for Research. University in Emerging Economies, and 600+ The panel, while sharing the general observations, 18-20, 2020. University in terms of its Impact on SGDs. The suggested improvement in the peer review To get ranked as the second leading university University was also ranked 401-450 Asian University To examine the institutional level performance mechanism of classroom-teaching to improve of Pakistan for teaching by the world's in the QS World University Rankings for 2019 and against eleven IPE standards, a Review Panel of teaching standards; formulate structured policy to prestigious ranking institute is the testament 2020. professors from COMSATS, Islamabad, University of develop linkage with local industry for the promotion Agriculture, Peshawar, and the University of Sindh, of research, innovation, and commercialization; Jamshoro, examined the infrastructural facilities, establish project management unit, and launch acquainted itself with the institutional resources, and continued professional development program for Features held discussion with the faculty members, faculty and staff. administrative officials and students during