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HEC Magazine JanFeb 2015 PDF
HEC Magazine JanFeb 2015 PDF
Accreditation
Matters !
Higher Education
Commission &
Accreditation
p-
6 Chairman HEC Calls on CM KPK
Councils Agree
p- Symposium on Curriculum to Enhance
7
Development in Higher Education
nd
Coordination
p- 2 NBEAC p-
9 Deans & Directors Conference 4
Table of Contents
Prize distribution
7 Curriculum
Development in
Higher Education
8 HEC & IST Sign MoU for Promoting
Entrepreneurship among Youth
11 Investment in
Research for
Higher Education
16 Promotion of Social Sciences Research
among HEC's Top Priorities: Chairman HEC
News & Views is published every HEC Scholar holds Solo Painting Exhibition
month. No part of this publication 19
in France
may be reproduced in any form
without prior written permission of NCRC Reviews Curricula of Agricultural
the publisher. 20
Chemistry & Plant Protection
Editor
Aayesha Ikram
Graphic Designer
Raja Ahmad Nadeem
Publisher:
Reporter Higher Education
Waseem Khaliqdad Commission, Pakistan
News & Views
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he urged them to continue writing and use their analytical ability of the students but it also
pen to bring the much desired change in the inculcates deeper knowledge of the socio-
Pakistani society. economic and political issues of the country. You
also need to show to the world that our nation
He appreciated the role of Higher Education especially youth is full of potential and is united to
Commission for undertaking initiatives and face challenges faced by this country.
providing excellent platform to youth for
enhancing their skills and developing a strong He elaborated different initiatives of HEC for
human resource in the country. He reiterated the human resource development as well as
Government's resolve to develop the education strengthening physical and technological
sector and make quality education available infrastructure of the higher learning institutions.
across the country. He shared with the audience how successfully
HEC, with the support of the Government, has
Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed said that such been executing two important components of the
competitions are helpful not only for enhancing Prime Minister Youth Scheme including Laptop
the writing skills, language proficiency and Scheme and the Fee Reimbursement Scheme.
Position holders of National Essay Competition 2014 along Mrs. Farah Hamid, Secretary ST&IT,
with Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, Provincial Minister for Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Education & Literacy, and Dr. Mansoor Akbar Kundi, distributed prizes among winners at a
Executive Director HEC. ceremony held in Peshawar.
Dr. Faizullah
Abbasi, Vice
Chancellor,
Dawood University
of Engineering and
Technology
(DUET), Karachi
Mr. Ghulam Muhamamd Sabir, Secretary, was chief guest at
Higher and Technical Education, Government prize distribution ceremony held in Karachi. Dr. Jaffar
of Balochsitan, was chief guest in the prize Ahmad, Director, Pakistan Study Centre, University of
distribution ceremony held at Quetta. Karachi was the guest of honor at the occasion.
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at gathering all the conferences, publishing the impact of zero visits upon
accreditation councils of the programme accreditation institutional and programme
country under one roof and reports on Councils' websites, accreditation.
discuss challenges faced by publicity of QAA's and Councils'
HEC and these councils as well policies for parents/students It was emphasized that zero
as formulate a joint strategy to alerts. visits should not be taken as a
ensure accreditation process in go-ahead signal for launching
a more effective manner, and All the accreditation councils any Programme but will be
align their objectives with the showed full confidence in the considered as Gap Analysis
Government's Vision 2025, policies of HEC for ensuring visit.
which has put special emphasis quality at all levels in the
on ensuring quality of higher higher education sector. It was
Any University/Degree
education through Programme decided that meeting of heads
Awarding Institution will be
as well as Institutional of all accreditation councils will
allowed to launch a
accreditation. be held at least once a year
Programme only after meeting
while the Sub-Committee will
all the requirements. HEC will
Speaking to the extend full support
participants, the to all Councils in
Chairman HEC Accreditation Councils are developing their
appreciated role of responsible for Programme Programme
all the accreditation Evaluators capacity
councils for their Accreditation at undergraduate level by providing them
efforts to streamline across the country in the respective relevant trainings
programmes in the and capacity
respective fields. He subjects with complete autonomy in building workshops
hoped that close terms of implementation under policy on a regular basis.
coordination among
these councils and guidelines of HEC, whereas HEC is It was also agreed
HEC will ensure responsible for Institutional that each
quality at all levels accreditation council
of the higher Accreditation as per its Act. will hold national as
education sector. well as international
meet twice a year to discuss conferences in their respective
On first day of the meeting, progress on the agreed issues areas to bring stakeholders on
each Council presented its and further strengthen one platform as well as learn
functions and future plans and coordination between HEC and from international practices.
shared their good practices. the accreditation councils.
Another important decision
The second day focused on Most of these accreditation was holding of national
agenda items like councils have already signed conference by HEC to be
standardization of MoUs with HEC for revamping attended by all the
accreditation process, and strengthening process of accreditation councils and
implementation of effective accreditation of programmes in Quality Enhancement Cells
communication strategy the respective disciplines, (QECs) of the country, bring all
between HEC, Councils and while the remaining councils stakeholders, responsible for
universities/ Degree Awarding agreed to sign MoUs on quality of higher education, on
Institutions (DAIs), significance priority. one platform so that they align
of MoU, training for evaluators their objectives and work in
of the Councils, organization of Another important issue close coordination.
national and international discussed in the meeting was
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Dr. Mansoor Akbar Kundi, Director, HEC Regional Centre, of his Government for
Executive Director, HEC, Peshawar were also present. retaining HEC as a Federal
Secretary, Technical Education body. The Chairman HEC also
KPK, Additional Secretary, The Chief Minister shared HEC's plans to
Higher Education KPK, Mr. appreciated the achievements establish a university or its
Awais Ahmed, DG (A&C) HEC of HEC during the last decade campus in every district of the
and Mr. Zaheer Ahmed Awan, and assured complete support country.
Plagiarism Cases
Turnitin Usage in Pakistan's Universities
Results in Phenomenal Decrease
A recent report issued by the bought the Turnitin License in documents checked for
iParadigms, a leading June 2009. HEC has been making originality went up to over
international provider of cloud- effort to prevent plagiarism 6,00,000 while level of
based educational technologies through Implementation of unoriginal writing has
to prevent plagiarism, verify Plagiarism Policy and use of decreased to 18. 7 %, which is
content, and evaluate written Turnitin at universities. Initially, a phenomenal decline.
work, shows that increase in 60 public sector universities
usage of Turnitin has were given access in 2009 while Using Turnitin for originality
considerably decreased the at present 112 higher education checking is a proven method
level of plagiarized research in institutions are availing this for reducing unoriginal
Pakistan's higher education facility. research work. A recent study
institutions. shows that institutions
In 2009-10, the level of worldwide, using Turnitin for
Turnitin software was created unoriginal writing in Pakistani originality, reduce unoriginal
and launched by iParadigms in universities was 34.5 % among writing by 33 per cent with
1997. It is an Internet-based 42,000 documents including some institutions seeing
plagiarism-prevention service research papers, thesis, reduction of up to 85 per cent.
to check the unoriginal work. assignments at undergraduate, The more broadly the Turnitin
The Higher Education graduate as well as doctoral level is used, the greater the
Commission (HEC) of Pakistan while in 2013-14, the number of reduction.
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Two days long national symposium on symposium was aimed at placing higher education
Curriculum Development in Higher Education in its local milieu from the international context
was held at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), that is kept in view when transplanting
Islamabad. The symposium, organized by the educational practices, identifying and filling the
Academics Division of Higher Education gaps that currently exist in higher education
Commission (HEC), was aimed at brainstorming curriculum planning, responding to needs of the
the most suitable procedure to be adopted as a society and related industries, fulfilling the
guideline for undertaking curriculum revision and curriculum development needs with regards to
development at undergraduate and graduate coordination and alignment, improving horizontal
levels. Theme of the symposium was Today's and vertical relationship in curriculum, and
Curriculum Tomorrow's Nation. revising the curriculum on regular bases for
continuous improvement.
Engr. Mian Muhammad Baligh ur Rehman,
Minister of State for Federal Education and Speaking at the occasion, the Minister said that
Professional Training was the chief guest in the curriculum is one of the most important
inauguration ceremony. Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, components of the education system and
Chairman HEC, Dr. Shahid Siddiqui, Vice appreciated the Higher Education Commission for
Chancellor AIOU, Dr. Mansoor Akbar Kundi, taking well-timed initiative to review the process
Executive Director HEC, Dr. Mahmood-ul-Hassan of curriculum development and revision. He said
Butt, former VC of AIOU as a keynote speaker as that timely revision of curriculum was imperative
well as Vice Chancellors of different local for assuring quality of education and setting high
universities were also present. standards for the education sector. He shared
with the audience the establishment of National
The experts, invited from relevant fields in Curriculum Council, which has representation of
academia as well as industry, reviewed current all regions of the country and is aimed at setting
practices of curriculum development in higher minimum criteria for curricula from KG to Grade-
education and had focus group discussions to 12. He also added that an Inter-Provincial
recommend strategies for improving the current Education Ministers Conference was held recently
practices of curriculum development. The in Islamabad which was attended by education
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ministers and secretaries from all provinces, FATA, ensure that curricula taught at higher learning
AJK and Gilgit Baltistan. "The response from all institutions fulfills the requirement of our society,
regions of the country was very positive and the industry as well as government's policy making;
participants discussed performance of the and to make national curricula at par with
education sector and discussed future plan of international standards Dr. Mukhtar said.
action for the promotion of the education sector."
In concluding session of the symposium, after
The Chairman HEC elaborated the role of group presentations, Mr. Fida Hussain, Director
erstwhile University Grants Commission and HEC, General Academics, HEC briefed the audience
since its inception in 2002, for curriculum revision. about the group recommendations and said that a
He said that though HEC's Curriculum Revision comprehensive report comprising solid
Committees in different disciplines have been recommendations of the groups, for revamping
meeting regularly to review curricula of respective the present curriculum development and review
subjects but a need was felt to gather experts and process at HEC, will be finalized soon and
evaluate the review process itself. The basic implemented at the national level. He also
concept of holding this symposium is to revamp appreciated the efforts made by group members,
the curriculum review process and seek guidance group mediators and the officers/officials of
from experts on how current practices of Curriculum/Academics Division in making the
curriculum review may be further improved and event successful.
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Applications, Internet of steering committee members SUPARCO Maj. Gen (R) Ahmed
Things: From R&D to Startups, are from Tech developed Bilal was the Chief Guest. In
Operational Excellence in countries. Initially there were his address, he highlighted the
Clean Power Generation at more than 400 submissions significance of University-
Minimum Cost and Utmost through EasyChair Conference Industry interaction by
Reliable Through Fuel Cell system. fostering a problem-solving
System at Small Foot Print of approach that encourages
Installation and so on. Dr. On the occasion of concluding researchers to work together
Faisal Karim Shaikh, Chair TPC ceremony on the third day of across departments, fields, and
informed that all the IMTIC the conference, Chairman industries.
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The Higher Education It was agreed that the shared with the participants
Commission is stepping up Consortium would share the plan to establish Social
efforts for advancement of resources, exchange students Sciences Research Council,
Social Sciences research with and scholars, conduct joint Pakistan and preparations
special focus on impact on research projects and develop were afoot to promote and
society. This was discussed in and enhance faculty strength achieve excellence by
detail during a meeting of Dr. through exchange as adjunct encouraging scholarly
Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman, faculty. cooperation and collaboration
Higher Education Commission in the Social Sciences sector.
(HEC) with members of the It will also help develop
Inter University Consortium on linkages with national and The aim would include to
Social Sciences. international organizations and identify indigenous needs and
host joint seminars and priorities to address issues of
Heads of universities from conferences. There was national importance, enhance
members of the Consortium consensus on the dire need to interdisciplinary research and
who attended the meeting revitalize Social Sciences link social sciences for
include, Dr. Shahid Siddiqui, research and end duplication providing solutions to issues
Vice Chancellor Allama Iqbal of work that was visible in that face us. Its ultimate aim
Open University, Dr. working of various committees. would be to advice the
Mohammad Ali, Vice A national conference on Social Government on National
Chancellor Government Sciences is planned for May by Social Policy for more
College University Faisalabad, University of Peshawar in a link concerted work in the field.
Dr. Qaiser Mushtaq, Vice to revive waning interest in the
Chancellor, Islamia University, sector. The member vice chancellors
Bahahwalpur, Dr. Javed Iqbal, expressed their resolve to
Vice Chancellor, University of Chairman HEC revealed that work for the renaissance of
Balochistan, Dr. Zia Qayyum, Pakistan had gained the Social Science discipline
Vice Chancellor, University of membership of the Asian Social and agreed to apply involving
Gujrat, Dr. Mohsin Khan, Sciences Association (ASSA) in students in community work
Director, Institute of November 2014 and Pakistan for the uplift of the adjoining
Management Sciences would host the Association's as suggest by Chairman HEC.
Peshawar and Dr. Aliya Khan, first meeting in October this The next meeting will be held
Dean, Faculty of Social year. A Social Sciences at Allama Iqbal Open
Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam conference will also be held at University at the end of the
University. the same time. He further month.
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The Higher Education defined the development and be protect and the importance
Commission hosted a lecture later creations of community of respecting the other's point
to 43 university sites via its colleges, teaching colleges and of view and hence the need to
video conference facility which research universities. He also be politically correct.
was also attended by vice shared in detail the most
chancellors and their important component of a He praised the progress
representatives of Rawalpindi successful system, being Pakistan has made in the last
and Islamabad. HEC senior quality and various check and decade and encouraged the
management also attended. balances that have been university leaders to have faith
created to uphold the quality in themselves and experiment
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman of teaching. with new solutions. He said his
HEC presided over the session. observations were based on
He introduced the guest He highlighted the importance multiple visits to Pakistan and
speaker Prof. Rodger A. Randel, of the President/Rector of a study of the system.
who is two time Mayor, and university which in the US
former President of University system is executive driven. He He said Pakistan possesses
of Oklahoma. He is Director, stressed that the head of the great skill and potential for
OU Centre for Studies in university is answerable to the new possibilities and
Democracy and Culture and a Board of Governors and also innovations. He said he
Professor at Department of responsible for guidance and witnessed exceptional
Human Relations. being responsible for providing commitment and quality in
the leadership and the ability Pakistan which can steer the
Prof. Randel presented a to guide through transitions. country to success. He said if
comprehensive overview of this skill was honed effectively,
the American higher education Prof. Randel also mentioned he foresaw Pakistan as a global
system. Outlining the evolution the need to maintain academic leader in the field of higher
of the higher education he freedom and ways that could education.
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TESP Activities
2nd Steering Committee Meeting held at HEC
The second steering committee
meeting of Tertiary Education
Support Programme (TESP) was
held at Higher Education
Commission (HEC) Islamabad. The
meeting was chaired by Dr.
Mansoor Akbar Kundi, Executive
Director HEC.
TESP Steering Committee strongly proposed that the case for reallocation of the cancelled amount of
US$77.82 million may be taken up with the World Bank and the HEC, for extension of the Project beyond
December 31, 2015.
In the opening session Mr. Asad Khan, Programme Coordinator TESP, presented the progress on DLIs, legal
covenants, trainings and procurement. Mr. Irfan Ullah, Deputy Director (M&E) briefed about the
Environmental and Social Management Plan. He said that ESMP defines the role and responsibilities of
stakeholders and presents a set of environmental mitigation measures, which focus at avoiding and
preventing the adverse environmental and social impacts of the projects. He said that ESMP also suggests
institutional setup for ensuring smooth implementation, compliance and monitoring and reporting of the
stakeholders. Mr. Saadat Ali consultant ESMP briefed the participants about role and responsibilities
regarding ESMP. He also sensitized the participants on the environmental and social impacts associated
with the ESMP.
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Dr. Mujahid Kamran, Vice Chancellor, University of because of concentration of wealth while around
the Punjab, Lahore has said that teachers must 1.5 billion Muslims of the world had almost no
study unbiased and original history besides share in creation of new knowledge. He advised
mastering their subjects so that they have proper the faculty members to perform their duties in a
understanding of national and international affairs. responsible manner and give maximum time to
the students.
He was addressing a session of Assistant Professors
of Punjab University who completed indigenous Dr. Zakria Zakir said that the training provided an
on-campus training programme jointly organized opportunity to the teachers to interact with
by HEC and University of the Punjab. The teachers of the other disciplines. He said that
Programme's Convener and Dean, Faculty of teachers had not only obtained knowledge of
Behavioral and Social Sciences, Dr. Zakria Zakir, various rules and regulations but their
Registrar Dr. Liaqat Ali, and a large number of administrative skills had also improved.
Assistant Professors were present on the occasion.
He said that teachers must make all-out efforts to
The Vice Chancellor said that the great nations promote culture of research on campus and
were under the control of world's financial elite respond to intellectual needs of the society.
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Prof. Anwar-ul-Hassan
Awarded Dr. Z. A. Hashmi
R&D Gold Medal
Prof. Anwar-ul-Hassan Gilani, HEC Distinguished
National Professor and Director, Natural Products
Research Programme at the Aga Khan University has
been awarded Dr. Z. A. Hashmi R&D Gold Medal by
the Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) for being the
most outstanding and productive Principal Investigator The Medal was awarded in a ceremony held
of Pakistan Science Foundation funded projects in 10 at PSF Islamabad on the occasion of World
years (2001-2011). Science Day for Peace and Development.
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Prof. Gilani, who holds multiple honours and Achievements Award by the HEC, has also been
awards including two civil awards (Pride of conferred the prestigious Fellowship of TWAS-
Performance and Sitara-i-Imtiaz), Salam Prize in The World Academy of Sciences for the
Biology by TWAS, Boehringer International Advancement of Science in Developing
Research Award and Life-Time Academic Countries.
UoK Symposium on
Molecular Medicine and Drug Research
The four-day 5th International Symposium-Cum- increasing number of research papers annually,
Training Course on Molecular Medicine and Drug quality of education and international ranking of
Research (MMDR-5) was recently held at the institutions reveal that the country owns
International Centre for Chemical and Biological essentially positive activities.
Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi (UoK). Over
350 scientists, including 60 scientists from 28 Dr. Muhammad Qaiser said that PCMD was
countries attended the event, organised by Dr. playing a pivotal role in the field of molecular
Panjwani Centre for Molecular Medicine and Drug medicine and drug research. This is highly
Research (PCMD), UoK. encouraging that a galaxy of scientists has come
to the University from abroad despite country's
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman HEC was the chief bad law and order situation. This was an
guest in the inaugural ceremony. Dr. Muhammad extraordinary opportunity for young scientists to
Qaiser, Vice Chancellor UoK, Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, learn from vast experience of these scientists, he
former Chairman HEC, Dr. Syed Abid Azhar, Dean maintained.
Faculty of Science and Dr. Muhammad Iqbal
Choudhary, Director ICCBS were also present. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman said that progress of any
country depended on positive polices and
Speaking at the occasion, the Chairman said that priorities of the government. He reminded the
Pakistani universities have made their mark at audience about the initiatives in the field of
international level and some of our universities higher education taken by HEC, adding that
are among top 300 Asian universities. He said that Pakistan had only 57 universities in 2001, and
HEC is trying to improve quality of higher now this figure is 163. He said that about 0.25
education in the country and help institutions million students were enrolled in the varsities
improve their rankings. when HEC had started its journey but now that
numbers has crossed 1.3 million.
Although Pakistan was passing through a crucial
time, scientific activities were continuing in the Senator Abul Haseeb Khan, Chancellor Hamdard
country, adding that many international University, Ms. Sadia Rashid, Managing Trustee
delegates come to Pakistan with negative image Muhammad Hussain Panjwani Memorial Trust,
of the country but when they go back their Ms. Nadira Punjwani, Dr. Asmat Saleem and other
perspective is totally changed. He said that dignitaries also attended the event.
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th
BNU holds 9 Convocation
The ninth convocation of
Beaconhouse National
University (BNU) was held
recently where 362 graduates
received their degrees of
undergraduate and
postgraduate programmes
offered at the University.
N
e
w
sF
la
s
h
The Department of Food Science and Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU), Multan is organizing
a two-day international conference on "Malnutrition in South Asia: The Peril Persists" from February 23-24,
2015. Detail of the conference are available at www.icmsa2015.foodsciencebzu.com/index.php
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The fifth convocation of Indus Mr. Khalid Amin, Chancellor Engineering, Science and
University, Karachi was held Indus University emphasized Technology, Faculty of Business
recently. on developing entrepreneurial Administration and Commerce,
skills among the students as it Faculty of Art and Design and
The chief guest, Mr. Nisar is need of the hour. Faculty of Social Sciences.
Ahmed Khuhro, Senior Minister
for Education and Literacy, Muhammad Ahmed Amin, Vice A documentary produced by
applauded the journey of Indus Chancellor, Indus University the founder of Indus University
University since its inception. shed light on the milestones Civil Society (IUCS), Huzaifa
He said that that the role of achieved in the last two years. Abbasi was also screened
Indus University has been reflecting memorable
instrumental in strengthening The University awarded moments of higher
the education sector of degrees to undergraduates and management and faculty along
Pakistan. graduates in the Faculty of with the students.
ANNOUNCEMENT
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Pakistan Space and Upper further by collaborating with The three-day conference
Atmosphere Research IST, Pakistan's premiere space connected space
Commission (SUPARCO) in technology institute. The professionals, decision-
collaboration with Institute of Conference also helped makers, academicians,
Space Technology (IST) SUPARCO identify focus areas researchers and scientists as
recently organized the for development of closer and well as students of space
International Conference on more meaningful sciences and technologies to
Space (ICS-2014) at collaboration with the showcase their achievements,
COMSTECH Secretariat, academia. and share latest development
Islamabad. in space technology and
The theme of ICS-2014 was applications.
The Inter-Islamic Network on Space for Development. The
Space Sciences and focus was on how emerging During three days, the
Technology (ISNET) co- space-faring nations can Conference covered 18
sponsored the Conference. effectively apply space- parallel technical sessions on
derived techniques and different topics of five
Sequel to the first Space solutions to solve complex thematic areas mentioned
Conference held in September development issues. above.
2012, International
Conference on Space ICS-2014 Papers were invited on five In addition, five panel
is an initiative of SUPARCO to thematic areas of the discussion sessions on
connect various entities Conference, including Space themes of the conference
related to Space for sharing Technology, Space were held. A total of 104
latest developments in space Applications, Space Sciences, papers and posters were
science technologies and their Space Law, Policy and presented, four tutorials were
applications. This year, Regulatory Issues, and Space held and a poster
SUPARCO took ICS one step and Youth. competition was organized.
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10 Convocation of MAJU Islamabad
The 10th Convocation of Mohammad Ali Jinnah occasion as the Chief Guest while Main Amer
University (MAJU), Islamabad was held recently, Mahmood, Chancellor MAJU, was also present.
where over 550 graduates of different disciplines
were awarded degrees. Seven PhD scholars Dr. M. Mansoor Ahmed, Executive Vice President
received their doctoral degrees. Renowned welcomed the guests and hoped that graduates
nuclear scientist Dr. Samar Mubarakmand graced will contribute towards scientific and
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The Department of Computer cities who participated in the Mohammad Ali Jinnah
Science, Mohammad Ali expert panel. Students were University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Jinnah University, Islamabad asked to submit their PhD
recently organized a PhD extended abstract. Students presented their
symposium, to help PhD research work to the expert
scholars working in a The abstracts were received panel, subsequently, the expert
specialized area to give them from different universities of panel provided guidance and
feedback on their problem twin cities. Among them nine direction to their future work.
statement, methodology, and abstracts were shortlisted for The review on the research
issues related to their the one-day activity. idea, its feasibility,
research. applications, significance,
The session was chaired by Prof. methodology, and possible
There were 16 professors from Dr. M. Abdul Qadir, Dean, future directions were
different universities of twin Faculty of Computing at discussed.
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th
PIDE hosts 30 AGM and Conference of PSDE
The 30th Annual General Meeting and Conference Hussain from FC College University, Lahore. Dr.
of the Pakistan Society of Development Alkire argued in favour of using the
Economists (PSDE) was held at the Pak-China Multidimensional poverty index to replace
Friendship Centre, Islamabad recently. The conventional measures of poverty, Dr. Gordon
conference, hosted by the Pakistan Institute of talked about child poverty and Dr. Akmal Hussain
Development Economics (PIDE) was the largest dilated upon how poor quality of institutions in
AGM in many years with a broad based Pakistan is contributing to poverty.
participation from students, academia and
policymakers. One of the sessions at the conference was
devoted to the launch of World Bank's flagship
In his opening remarks, Dr. Asad Zaman, President report on Inequality in South Asia. Dr. Martin
PSDE and Vice Chancellor, PIDE stressed that Rama, Chief Economist, South Asian Region World
poverty is a combination of thousands of small Bank, the lead author of the report, delved upon
problems and change in social norms is the key to the salient features of the report. The session was
poverty alleviation. He asserted that new agenda chaired by Dr. Rachid Benmessaoud, Country
for poverty alleviation should focus on software Director of the World Bank in Pakistan.
instead of hardware of development. Dr. Zaman
emphasized on the need for reversal of traditional The panel discussion on Political Economy of
thinking about development process; improve the Inequality, chaired by Dr. Nadeem Ul Haque,
lives of the poor, give them lives of dignity, and former Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission
they will actually create the development that we and Chancellor of PIDE, drew appreciation from
desire. the participants, for his deft moderation that
brought out the best from the panelists. The
The inaugural address was delivered by Mr. Sartaj panelists included Mr. Shahid Kardar, Dr. Aasim
Aziz, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Security Sajjad Akhtar, Dr. Ali Cheema, Dr. Karamat Ali and
Issues and Foreign Affairs. Mr. Aziz said that to Dr. Imran Ali.
combat poverty skewed distribution of land
ownership needs to be addressed through land The panel discussion on Ending Extreme
reforms. Other factors, according to Mr. Aziz, that Poverty:Results and Realities in Graduating the
will help alleviate poverty include sharing power Poorest was chaired by Mr. Richard Montgomery,
with poor, resolving tribal, ethnic, and religious the country head of DFID Pakistan. The panelists
polarization in the country, providing budgetary included Dr. Syed Hashemi and Dr. Mahaboob
resource for the social sector and addressing the Hossain from Brac Bangladesh, Mr. Qazi Isa, CEO,
bias of the macroeconomic policy in favour of Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund and Dr. Nuzhat
industry at the expense of agriculture. Ahmad, Senior Research Fellow at the
International Food Policy Research Institute. The
Of special interest to the participants were the panel discussion on Issues in Measurement of
two lectures, via video link, by the professors from Poverty, chaired by Dr. G.M. Arif, Joint Director
MIT and Harvard University. Prof. Daron Acemoglu PIDE, brought to fore the salient issues that
and Prof. James Robinson, the authors of the constrain the accurate measurement of poverty,
bestseller 'Why Nations Fail', lectured on two in Pakistan. The panelists included Dr. Sabina
successive evenings from MIT and Harvard. The Alkire, Dr. Sohail Jehangir Malik, Dr. Ghazala
crux of their talks was that inclusive institutions Mansuri and Dr. Talat Anwar. The panel discussion
hold the key to economic growth. on Progressive Reform Agenda for Inclusive
Growth was chaired by Dr. Waqar Masood,
Other keynote speakers at the conference Secretary, Ministry of Finance. Panelists included
included Dr. Sabina Alkire from Oxford, Dr. David Dr. Pervaiz Tahir, Mr. Saqib Sherani and Dr. Idrees
Gordon from Bristol University and Dr. Akmal Khawaja.
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Though the conference was largely academic with Chancellor PIDE and the Panelists included Dr.
more focus on technical issues, one of the panel Abdul Bari, Mr. Amjad Saqib, and Sayeda Ghulam
discussions was organized solely to look at the Fatima. The conference was organized by PIDE
practical approaches for poverty alleviation being and sponsored by the Higher Education
followed in our country at non-governmental level Commission (HEC), Friedrich-Eibert-Stiftung,
in education, health and labor sector. The panel UNDP, BRAC, WWF-CCAP-EU, International
discussion on Alternate Strategies of Poverty Growth Centre, PPAF, PSSP-USAID-IFPRI, and the
Alleviation was chaired by Dr. Asad Zaman, Vice World Bank.
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News & Views
35
News & Views
National Consultation on
Livestock Development at UVAS
A two-day National
Consultation on Livestock
Development in Pakistan Way
Forward was recently
organised by the University of
Veterinary and Animal
Sciences (UVAS), Lahore in
collaboration with the Pasha, Animal Husbandry ways to exploit potential of
Ministry of National Food Commissioner, Dr. Qurban Ali livestock sector to meet
Security and Research, and a large number of domestic requirements,
Islamabad. stakeholders and experts from improve rural livelihood and
public and private sector were generate surplus for export.
Federal Secretary for National present on the occasion.
Food Security and Research Mr. Nasim Sadiq said that with
Mr. Seerat Asghar chaired the Mr. Seerat Asghar said that the help of local resources and
concluding session while many issues were being faced trained manpower and
Secretary Livestock and Dairy by livestock sector in meat, collective effort of Provincial
Development Department dairy and poultry sub sectors. and Federal Government
Punjab, Mr. Nasim Sadiq, Vice The national consultation is a Livestock sector is working
Chancellor Dr. Talat Naseer step forward in exploring the progressively.
th
SZABIST hosts 4 International Research Conference
Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science
and Technology (SZABIST) hosted the 4th
International Research Conference at its Karachi
Campus. This year's conference theme was A step
in the future, in which 77 papers were presented.
The chief guest for the inaugural session was Dr.
Sajid Mirza, Member Space and Technology,
SUPARCO and the Session Chair was Dr. Altaf
Mukati, Dean of Computing and Engineering
Sciences, SZABIST. centres with proper research and technical
management offering the opportunity of
Dr. Mukati, in his welcome address elaborated on collaborative research.
how each revolution in human history adds to the
knowledge and development of mankind and how Ms. Shahnaz Wazir Ali, Acting President, SZABIST,
technology has changed communication. said that when Niel Armstrong took his first step
on the moon, mankind experienced a revolution
Dr. Sajid Mirza shared his views on how academics and that revolution has continued and added on
in Pakistan can take a step into the future. He said to improve the possibilities and opportunities
that Pakistani graduates are well educated and around us. She said that SZABIST provides a good
have been performing well nationally and opportunity for students and researchers, and
internationally. He suggested that universities accepted Dr. Mirza's suggestion on collaborative
should take the initiative of opening research research.
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NEWS & VIEWS