International islamic university Mou agreement
IIU signs MoU with US university
Islamabad, Aug 26: The International Islamic University (IIU) and the State University of New York
at Stony Brook, United States of America (SBU) have signed an MoU for exchange
of students, faculty and administrative staff. Both the institutions signed the
agreement in recognition of their common interests in developing bilateral
relations and cooperation between institutes of higher learning contributing to
cultural enrichment, scientific progress, and the consolidation of friendship.
Both sides decided that instructional and cultural programs, specific mechanisms
for the implementation of cooperative and collaborative activities shall be
established. The agreement shall be valid for a period of five years and at the
end of each term, this agreement will be automatically renewed by mutual
agreement for an additional term of five year. The news
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Jaswant Singh to launch his book in Karachi, Islamabad
Islamabad: Former Indian external affairs minister Jaswant Singh, whose
book on the Quaid-i-Azam is already flying off the shelves of bookstores, is
expected to reach here on Thursday to promote his book that challenges the
Quaid's vilification in India. Mr Singh would visit Karachi and
Islamabad, where besides signing copies of his book "Jinnah:
India-Partition-Independence" at bookstores, he would have some speaking
engagements. A number of book retail outlets have invited Mr Jaswant to
Pakistan. The visit is being kept in low key by his hosts because of security
concerns and only a select audience would be invited to listen to his speaking
engagements. Mr Singh will start the promotional activity from Karachi
on Thursday and will visit Islamabad on Friday before returning home over the
weekend. Mr Singh's hosts earlier in the day seemed to be pretty sure
about his visit. However, by evening they were little apprehensive, citing
last-minute hitches. "I spoke to the publisher and he has confirmed that
Mr Singh would be reaching Pakistan on Thursday, but there are some issues about
security clearance from India," Mr Muhammad Yousuf, one of the hosts said.
He had been issued a visa by Pakistan and hotel reservations had already
been made, Mr Yousuf added. A few thousand copies of the book have
already been sold in Karachi and Islamabad. Booksellers say the book has
attracted even those who are not regular book buyers. The price of the
book has not put off buyers. The book is being sold for Rs1500-2000. Dawn
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Youth involvement in art affairs to create harmony
Islamabad: The involvement of youth in the country's art scenes can create harmony in the
society through bringing new thoughts and transferring the heritage among the
new generation, said Tauqeer Nasir, newly appointed Director General of Pakistan
National Council of the arts (PNCA) on Tuesday. "The new set-up of PNCA
will utilise the young talent in its various programmes for which the
institution was making auditions for young singers and actors for introducing
innovating ideas in performing arts of the country," he said. With the objectives of creating harmony, the PNCA will focus on
fusion of traditional and contemporary arts including music, theatre and visual
arts to be presented with the blend of eastern and western traditions. Tauqeer
Nasir, who served the country as an artist for over 3 decades, termed the
recognition of artists related to performing arts as the need of hour for
projecting the true cultural face of the country at home and abroad for creating
soft image in this current turmoil. "The distortion created through
terrorism and extremism in the country's image can only be replaced through
projecting the arts and culture of the country to highlight our true ideology,"
he observed. "Pakistan is rich in culture, amalgamated with traditions
and identity of folklore, legendary masters and traditional music," Tauqeer
Nasir said, adding "This country saw the great days of cultural evolution when
the classic was partially replaced with rock and pop music. But, still the old
age classic survives." But, with the materialisation of society, the
commercialism started dominating the culture and the custodians of ancient
culture could only see the changing scenario helplessly, he
remarked. "These developments washed away the soft feelings of art to
replace them with rigidity and extremism and now the acknowledgement of the folk
artists can only bring stability to this situation," he said. To make
improvements in the performing arts, he said "There was a need to introduce
advanced technologies for which the PNCA was working for getting assistance from
China." While commenting on the new and ongoing projects of PNCA, the Director
General said that the revival of PNCA's theatre group (Repertory Theatre),
establishment of National Theatre and National Centre for Performing Arts was
the top priority for the institution. The project of National Theatre
will be a symbol of strength for the cultural heritage of Pakistan and visualise
an active and living habitat for all those who are dedicated to performing arts
in the country. It will be the realisation of the greatest dream of the
performing artists and will symbolize the achievement of the artists and the
recognition of the high status of the arts by the state. Highlighting the
importance of National Theatre, he said, "It confirms a place of pride and
honour in the comity of nations. Even more than visual arts, the recognition of
the performing arts confirm a mature, and enlightened image of the country which
adds pride in heritage and sophistication in the society". PNCA has
completed its initial planning and the PC-1 of the project has been sent to
Planning and Development Division, he added.
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Barani Uni teachers training workshop ends
Islamabad: A teacher-training workshop titled 'Professional Competency Enhancement
Programme for Teachers' spanning over 24 days ended here Tuesday at Pir Mehr Ali
Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR).
The workshop
was organised by the Women Division of Continuing Education in collaboration
with the National Academy of Higher Education, HEC. The prime purpose of
the event was to enrich the tertiary teachers to understand the psychology of
adult learning (known as andragogy), diversified modes of teaching methodology,
and the objective system of student assessment. A wide rage of objectives of the
course included the application of innovation teaching methods, strengthening
communication skills, time concept in academic planning, and awareness of the
science and skill of research, testing and evaluation. Addressing as the
chief guest at the workshop's concluding session, Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood Khan,
Vice Chancellor AAUR, said education is the nerve centre for the survival of
nations and nations swim or sink on this account. "The 21st century demands the
creation of knowledge and our youth requires creative ideas, competitive
ability, and high commitment to learning. In accepting this challenge,
university teachers have to shift from subject-centred approach to
learner-centred approach," he said. The VC said that our youths are accessible
to many modes of learning, adding that the information and computer technology -
e-textbooks, e-learning, e-research - have to match with e-teaching.
Appreciating the efforts of HEC, he said the Commission has put
institutional efforts in developing programmes for well-qualified and highly
motivated faculty as a critical institution of quality
education. Director General National Academy of Higher Education, HEC
Noor Amna Malik on the occasion appreciated the workshop organiser on providing
a platform to the learned people for sharing their knowledge. He also thanked
the resource persons and eminent scientists, who came from different parts of
the country to attend the workshop, and said that HEC would continue extending
help towards such type of training courses in future as well. Earlier, Dr
Khalid Mahmood Khan and Noor Amna Malik awarded certificates to the workshop
participants. During the workshop, the composite course comprised seven
modules in the areas of teaching profession, andragogical skills, learning
psychology, curriculum & assessment, communication skills, academic planning
and management, and research methods and skills. A special component on
microteaching, combining theory and lab work, was an additional feature of the
programme. A team of well-qualified and experienced trainers drawn from the
local and leading institutions of the country contributed to this programme.
The target group of this course was 35 teachers, working in different
universities, colleges, cantonments and garrisons, Ministries of Defence and
Education, Department of Punjab based in Rawalpindi. Several
recommendations were also presented at the workshop's concluding session in
which the participants suggested developing highly specialised programmes such
as examination reforms, developing Test Item Bank (subject wise and level wise)
mentoring research and the like. The news
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