March-April Volume - VII Issue - II www.nust.edu.pk Years 25 of Academic National University of Sciences & Technology Excellence Bi-monthly Newsletter Defining Futures: NUST at Open Silicon Valley, USA 04 17 NEC organizes “Plant a Green Hope” 20 NCSC, Streetstore Islamabad distribute clothes on Labor Day Years 25 of Academic Segments Excellence 1 IN THE SPOTLIGHT 3-8 2 VISITS 9-10 3 CONFERENCES & WORKSHOPS 11-16 4 CO-CURRICULARS 17-19 5 COMMUNITY SERVICE 20-23 NUSTNEWS is a bi-monthly publication of Publishing and Student Affairs Directorate, covering various activities from across the University. Editor Faheem Khaliqdad Download www.nust.edu.pk/downloads Graphics & Layout Kareem Muhammad Photography www.facebook.com/nustnews Ghulam Rasool Student Reporters Zoya Siddique (ASAB) Mariha Khan (SEECS) Scan this code Mar-Apr / 2016 IN THE SPOTLIGHT 3 1 IN THE SPOTLIGHT Seminar on “Role of Universities in Community Development and Empowerment” Pakistan Chapter of The Talloires Network (PCTN) held its third sem- inar titled “Role of Universities in Community Development and Em- powerment” at the main campus of National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST). Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr Mukhtar Ahmad was the chief guest at the event. Students, faculty and Vice Chancellors from different PCTN member universi- ties attended the seminar. Chief Coordinator PCTN Dr Ab- dul Ghafoor welcomed the guests to the seminar and apprised them Rector NUST Engr Muhammad Asghar presenting event souvenir to Chairman HEC of the fast-paced growth the net- Dr Mukhtar Ahmed work had made in a period less than three years. couraged further enhancement engagement program in 42 univer- Executive Director of The Tal- of the collaboration among the sities in Pakistan. He commended loires Network, Mr Robert Hol- universities of Pakistan under the Rector NUST in bringing together lister, through a video message, umbrella of PCTN. universities of Pakistan for this no- congratulated everyone on the In their talks, Vice Chancellor ble cause of serving communities. exponential growth of PCTN and University of Agriculture, Faisal- The second session of the semi- termed it a source of inspira- abad Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan and nar was a panel discussion on how tion for all the other TN chap- Vice Chancellor Veterinary and students could contribute towards ters around the world. He also Animal Sciences Dr Talat Naseer school education in Pakistan. The expressed great appreciation for Pasha talked about the contribu- esteemed panelists included Air Rector NUST Engr Muhammad As- tions of their respective universi- Commodore Shabbir A Khan (CEO ghar and acknowledged his impor- ties in the area of community en- Rashidabad City), Dr Ayesha Khan tance as the Steering Committee gagement. (CEO Research and Development member of The Talloires Network The chief guest, Dr Mukhtar Solutions), and Mrs Asma Tughral at Tufts University, USA. Ahmad, in his speech emphasized (Head Saya School, Islamabad). In his keynote address, Rector the importance of role of univer- Students and faculty present NUST Engr Muhammad Asghar sities in community development. were really inspired to know how shed light on what community He said the need of the hour was Rashidabad City was set up by development and empowerment not just exceptional students with a single person’s determination was and how universities could extraordinary grades, but well- to give back to his country. The play their part in it through civic rounded human-beings who ben- panelists urged the students and engagement activities. He main- efitted others around them. He faculty to educate the underprivi- tained that the academia must do also announced that HEC was go- leged as it was the equal responsi- research pertinent to the prob- ing to introduce mandatory ser- bility of every educated person in lems facing the community, and vice learning courses at HEIs in the country. provide every possible support Pakistan. He mentioned how HEC After the seminar the PCTN might it be financial, physical or and British Council were collabo- Steering Committee met to decide emotional. The Rector NUST en- rating successfully to run a civic the way forward. 4 IN THE SPOTLIGHT Mar-Apr / 2016 Defining Futures: NUST at Open Silicon Valley, USA NUST was awarded a 45-minute window to highlight Mr Shiraz Bashir (NTF International Alumni member), its entrepreneurial endeavors at Open Silicon Valley and Ms Ramla Qureshi (CEO Women Engineers 2016 (April 30, 2016), the largest chapter of the Pakistan), represented NUST in their alumnus and OPEN forums. OPEN is a network of entrepreneurs entrepreneurial capacities. Moreover, CEO Touch’d, and professionals who help each other via mentoring Mr Muhammad Mansoor, an incubatee business sessions, major conferences, networking events and owner at TIC, also showcased his business model and workshops. Moderated by Mr Ashar Aziz, Founder was awarded the third prize by the judges. FireEye, the event was attended by as many as 60 OPEN Silicon Valley 2016 has paved a new path for people including entrepreneurs, angel investors, full- research, innovation and commercialization for the bright scholars, and NUST alumni from United States. Pakistani economy. Moreover, with a representation Representing the university, Rector NUST Engr at the esteemed event, a more comprehensive Muhammad Asghar informed the audience of the entrepreneurial ecosystem can also be established initiatives such as entrepreneurship propagation at NUST, allowing it to write the new chapters of through Technology Incubation Centre (TIC), planned entrepreneurial development, while creating a National Science and Technology Park (NSTP), and sustainable social and economic impact. the endowment ecosystem development at NUST. UWR to support 92 UG students United We Reach (UWR) and National University UWR, respectively. UWR is a non-profit organization of Sciences and Technology (NUST) have reached a working for educational equity and consequent joint understanding by signing an MoU to further economic development, with the use of modern day the cause of education. Mr Irfan Akhtar and Ms technological resource bundling. An understanding Sabahat Rafiq signed the MoU on behalf of NUST and between the two parties has been materialized Mar-Apr / 2016 IN THE SPOTLIGHT 5 whereby, UWR has pledged USD 2 million in the aspiration of having a needs-blind policy in place, endowments and USD 0.27 million in annual fund NUST yearns to establish a model where no admitted to support 92 financially constrained undergraduate student is held back by the cost, and by working hand- students at NUST. With this initiative, 92 deserving in-hand with the qualifying students, we aim to tailor students throughout the life of NUST will have the a plan suitable to their unique circumstances. Similar opportunity of attaining world-class higher education, community support and the exploration of newer without having to worry about the financial cost. avenues shall ever be, and continually explored The initiative has taken NUST a step forward in by NUST, and consequently have its significant role the direction of being a needs-blind institution. With played in drafting a brighter future for Pakistan. ASAB Laboratory Animal House Inauguration and Green House Earth Breaking Ceremonies Animal House and Green House facilities are pivotal international standard housing and management to biological research. Advanced, cutting-edge of animals for quality research data and testing and applied research in the field of biotechnology programs in which animals are used. The facility is run cannot flourish in the absence of these facilities. by qualified staff and Dr Tehseen Alam (veterinarian) ASAB Laboratory Animal House Inauguration and under the guidance of Dr Najam-us-Sahar Sadaf Green House Earth Breaking Ceremonies took place Zaidi. The animal house is currently housing over on April 21, 2016. Rector NUST Engr Muhammad 1500 laboratory animals. Asghar unveiled the plaques. He was flanked by Pro- The green house facility is a promising venture by Rector P&R Eng. M Shahid, Pro-Rector Academics the Plant Biotechnology Department, ASAB under the Dr Asif Raza, Directors, and Principal ASAB Dr Peter leadership of Dr M Tahir. The controlled environment John. Rector NUST, while speaking on the occasion, seeks to attain the same atmosphere as that found highlighted the importance of such facilities and in the colder or warmer areas where the plants like encouraged ASAB faculty and students to keep up the cotton, wheat, tomatoes, peanut, lettuce, chilli and good work. ASAB Laboratory Animal House provides others can thrive and flourish. 6 IN THE SPOTLIGHT Mar-Apr / 2016 Success Story Striving for uplift of power sector in Pakistan through indigenous research and training Pakistan is facing an intense ener- gy crisis. Over the past few years, the energy crisis has cost Pakistan up to 4% of GDP downfall. Closure of hundreds of factories, paralyzed production and increased unem- ployment are the worst effects of the energy crisis and these factors have made energy one the most critical challenges for Pakistan. The country lacks competent and energetic workforce in this impor- tant sector, both in the industry as well as the academia. The launch of U.S.-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in En- ergy at National University of Sci- ences and Technology (USPCAS-E) shops and events hosted by the ering the cost of Fuel Cell.”, stated project by USAID in collaboration IEEE PES Chapter at ASU resulted Dr Naseem Iqbal. On the basis of with Higher Education Commis- in extraordinary capacity building these studies, a feasibility analysis sion (HEC) and Arizona State Uni- of the faculty under this exchange was conducted in collaboration versity (ASU), is an effort to fulfill program and became a true rea- with Hyundai Motors Group for this national need. son of replication of teaching and the development of novel electro- Mr Akif Zia Khan, faculty mem- experimental facilities. catalyst with ultra-low Pt loading ber at USPCAS-E, NUST visited Ari- Meanwhile, Dr Naseem Iqbal, for Fuel cell vehicles.