UET corruption | GCU merit list
UET again in the limelight over 'corruption'
Lahore, Aug 16: One of the prestigious engineering institutes of the country, the University of Engineering
& Technology (UET), which was recently in the limelight after leak of its
entrance test, has once again emerged on the scene, this time for alleged
rampant embezzlement and administrative issues at its budding business
institute. The new scandal surfaced following some incumbent as well as
former faculty members of the UET's Institute of Business and Management
(IB&M) presented a "White Paper" to the chief justice of Pakistan, Punjab
chief minister and governor/chancellor and other high-ups, containing
allegations and seeking action against those responsible. It is pertinent
to mention here that the Punjab chief minister had formed a three-member
committee on July 28, 2011 to thoroughly inquire the matter and submit its
recommendations within 15 days in this regard. However, sources privy to the
developments disclosed that the committee had yet to formally take up the issue.
They said the committee would meet in a couple of days and decide how to proceed
further as the "White Paper" consisted of more than 200 pages. The chief
minister's committee comprises Punjab University's Institute of Business
Administration (IBA) Director Prof Dr Muhammad Ehsan Malik, Additional Secretary
(Academics) Higher Education Department Punjab Zarak Mirza and Anti-Corruption
Establishment (ACE) Punjab Director Mr Irfan. The sources while sharing
details of the "White Paper" further disclosed that it was about the alleged
embezzlement of funds, irregularities in procurement, violation of audit
requirement, nepotism in hiring and payment of visiting faculty, manipulation of
students to victimise faculty and failure in control of exams, etc. They further
said the "White Paper" was submitted to the UET VC Lt Gen (r) Muhammad Akram
Khan and even to the university's syndicate on July 11 to take up the matter in
its July 16 meeting but to no avail which led the faculty members to submit the
paper to the high ups. It is interesting to note that in a UET press
release, issued on August 11, a meeting of the Management Committee of Institute
of Business and Management was held in which the institute's director stated
that the UET had been running its Business Program offering MBA and BBA programs
since May 2009. "Since then there has been a phenomenal and record growth
witnessed up till now; an estimated over 50 times in coming fall 2011, thus
total number of students will be 1,000 and it will be the biggest department of
UET Lahore," reads the press release, adding that "The UET vice-chancellor
appreciated IB&M for the progress made within two years." It is
quite obvious that the "White Paper" was not even discussed in the meeting,
otherwise, the university administration would have mentioned the same in its
press release. However, UET VC Lt Gen (r) Muhammad Akram Khan termed the
whole episode "a personal rivalry" of the faculty against the institute's
director. The whole issue had been blown out of proportion otherwise there was
nothing serious in it, he went on to say. He also claimed, "We have put
the house in order and tighten control over the institute ensuring that its
autonomy might not be compromised." He also claimed that the chief minister's
committee had also visited the university in connection with its investigations.
He also termed the whole episode as an effort to malign the university.
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Distinction
Lahore: Muhammad Fasih Ullah, a student of Crescent Model
Higher Secondary School, Shadman, got 7 A's and 3 B's in O-levels exam,
June-2011 session.
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GCU merit list
Lahore: The Government College University (GCU) on Monday displayed its first merit list for admissions
to the intermediate (first year) classes. The merit for admissions to
pre-engineering was closed at 977 marks, pre-medical 971 marks, intermediate in
computer science (ICS) 926 marks, general science 858 marks, intermediate in
commerce (ICom) 872 marks while minimum merit for admission to intermediate in
Arts was 824 marks. The news
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GCU produces PhD in Urdu
Lahore: The Government College University Lahore has produced a doctor of
philosophy (PhD) in the field of Urdu. Hamid Iqbal Butt completed
his research on the topic of "Critical Analysis of Criticism on Progressive
Writers Movement" under the supervision of GCU Urdu Department faculty member Dr
Muhammad Khan Ashraf. GCU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Khaleeq-ur-Rahman and
Dean Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Prof Dr Khalid Perviaz congratulated
Hamid Butt on completion of his PhD programme. The Vice Chancellor also
appreciated the selection of topic by Hamid Butt. The nation
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Teachers, students unhappy with schools reopening
Lahore: After a three-month summer vacation, public schools and various private
schools reopened across the metropolis on Monday. However, the teachers as well
as students and their parents seemed extremely unhappy with the decision.
As per usual, low attendance of students and teachers was seen on the
first working day, both in private and public sector schools. Earlier,
there were rumours about holidays' extension, as the students, teachers and
parents were demanding that the schools be reopened after Eid. Parents,
students and teachers alike were seen unhappy with the decision, saying it was
difficult for them to mange such a hectic routine during Ramazan. An additional
duty of pick-and-drop would be added to the list of chores, whereas mothers'
household work would also increase due to schools' reopening, the parents said,
adding that managing all this during the month of Ramazan would be a challenge
for them. Separately, the teachers said they would be unable to teach
the children with a similar zeal and enthusiasm like in the normal days, since
their performance was likely to be affected when they were fasting. Moreover,
the children too would not be able to study with concentration, they said,
adding that the attendance rate would also remain very low during
Ramazan. "It is very sad that the Punjab government did not accept their
demand for holiday extension," the teachers said, pointing out that last year
the vacations were extended till Eid and yet the teachers were able to complete
the syllabus within time. Similarly, the students too complained about
the schools' reopening, saying it was difficult for them to study during
Ramazan. They too pointed out that there would be plenty of time left to
complete the syllabus even if schools reopened after Eid. Meanwhile,
Punjab Secretary School Aslam Kamboh opposed the extension in vacations, asking
the CM not to extend the holidays. "According to the academic calendar announced
by Schools Education Department, every school should complete its 210 days of
study," he said, adding that in case the vacations were extended the schools
might not get the required time to complete the syllabus. Daily times
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2 PU teachers awarded
Lahore: President Asif Ali Zardari on the eve of 65th Independence Day of the country announced
"Presidential Award for Pride of Performance" for Punjab University Professor
Emeritus Dr Khawaja Muhammad Zakriya and PU Principal College of Art &
Design Prof Dr Rahat Naveed Masud in recognition of their meritorious services
in the field of Literature and Fine Arts, respectively. The nation
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Pakistani students shine in maths contest
Lahore: Fifty-four per cent of
young Pakistani students who appeared in an international mathematical contest
in March have performed better than the world average. The Pakistan Kangaroo Commission announced this while declaring the results
of the contest in which about 42,000 Pakistani students of grade III to XII from
more than 500 schools and colleges participated.
Pakistan also won 12 national top positions. The results declared by the
Mathematiques sans Frontiers (Mathematics without Borders) for about 6.3 million
students from 46 countries on Monday showed that Pakistani students were among
the top four per cent at the world level.
This was Pakistan's seventh year of participation in the international
mathematical contest starting from 2005 with about 8,000 students. Their number
has risen five times over the past six years.
In 2004, Pakistan was admitted as a member of the international
association.
Pakistan Kangaroo Commission President Dr A.D. Raza Chaudhry said in a
statement that the results showed that more and more Pakistani students were
progressing in mathematics every year and a majority of them demonstrated that
they had the talent to compete with rest of the world.
He said a special feature of the contest was that it encouraged students to
excel in mathematics and in Pakistan it ignited a much needed enthusiasm for the
subject among schoolchildren and their teachers.
"The contest gives students confidence and they feel that their competence is
recognised at the world level. It also makes them part of the international
community," he added.
He said students achieving the highest level of performance at the world
level would be awarded medals, certificates, cash prizes and fully paid
participation in international training camps abroad.
Following students have achieved the highest level of performance in the
contest: Khadeeja Mashhood (Roots School, Civil Lines, Rawalpindi), Ali Nawaz
(Garrison Junior Academy, Lahore Cantonment), Rehan Sheraz (Roots School, Harley
Street, Rawalpindi), Shameer Ahmed (Siddiq Public School, Satellite Town,
Rawalpindi), Usama Arif (Engro Grammar School, Ghotki), Ahsan Muhammad
(Beaconhouse School System, PECHS, Karachi), Muhammad Osama Kayani (Pakturk
International School and College, Clifton, Karachi), Amaar Asif (Foundation
Public School, Defence, Phase-II, Karachi), Omar Farooq (Roots School, DHA,
Phase-1, Islamabad), Waqas Akmal Butt (City School, Capital Campus, Islamabad),
Dilsher Ahmed (International School of Chouefat, Johar Town, Lahore) and
Muhammad Ahmad Malik (Sadiq Public School, Bahawalpur).
The principals of Bahria College, Naval Campus, Islamabad; Bai Virbaiji
Soparivala Parsi High School, Karachi and Beaconhouse School System, Faisalabad
won the "Principal of the Year" award for preparing their students for the
contest. Azhar Majeed Khan, principal of Bahria College, Islamabad will receive
the award for the third time. The news
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