National Internship Programme graduates induction

20,000 graduates to be inducted into NIP
Islamabad, Dec 04: In order to provide valuable work experience to as many youths as possible, Ministry of Youth Affairs (MoYA) has decided to induct 20,000 more graduates in the second phase of the National Internship Programme (NIP).

Federal Minister for Youth Affairs Shahid Hussain Bhutto said keeping in mind the ratio of unemployment in the country, the ministry has decided to increase the number from 30,000 to 50,000 for the year 2009-10. "Employment is the biggest problem faced by our youth and extensive measures are required to provide relief to the deprived young population of the country," he said.

According to official statistics, over 50,000 youths every year complete 16 years of education from recognised universities/degree awarding institutions in the country. A considerable time gap between the completion of education and job availability in majority of the cases results in a sense of frustration and wastage of potential energy within the educated youth.

The rationale of NIP is to provide job experience to youth while side-by-side addressing the chronic shortage of staff in various public sector organisations. The objective is to provide temporary placement of appropriate numbers of unemployed and educated youth in relevant and matching government outfits, which could be advantageous for both the government and the unemployed youth. The internees are provided with an attractive monthly stipend of Rs10,000.

The candidates will also be awarded experience certificates on the successful completion of internship for one year in different government organisations. The federal minister said that the ministry would give priority to the youth of Malakand Division in the upcoming phase of NIP by relaxing the condition of 16 years of education to 14 years.

Bhutto said MoYA has received 70,000 applications from all parts of the country this year. "A total of 50,000 candidates will be selected from the already received applications." The last date to apply for NIP was November 30. He said the ministry is working on a comprehensive plan to train skilled youths, so as to enable them to play their role in the country's development.

NIP is the biggest project on the portfolio of MoYA for which the government has allocated Rs3.6 billion for the fiscal year 2009-10. When launched in the year 2007, the Programme quickly grabbed the attention of freshly graduated youths, who were looking for employment opportunities. In 2007, around 75,000 students applied for the Programme, among whom 26,000 qualified for the one-year internship in public sector, while in the year 2008, almost the same number - around 75,000 students - applied for the Programme, among whom 54,000 were found eligible, however, the procedure of short listing and recruitment for 2008 came to a standstill, as the Establishment Division was not provided with appropriate funds. The news

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Stopping PhD students, Respondents told to appear in court
Rawalpindi: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday directed a standing counsel for the federal government to ensure the presence of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) officials on Friday as it hears a petition filed by two PhD students, who were not allowed to proceed abroad.

Ziaduddin and Mumtaz Ahmed had moved the court after the FIA, on the request of the HEC, put their names on a watch list, stopping them from going to South Korea where they were studying on HEC scholarships.

Making HEC project manager (South Korea desk), FIA director general and Interior Ministry's immigration officer respondents, the petitioners through their lawyer, Raheela Subohi, maintained that they had completed one session of their PhD in engineering and returned to Pakistan for personal reasons.

When they decided to return to South Korea, the HEC stopped them, saying the scholars had furnished a bond with a condition that they would work in Pakistan for two years after completing their studies.

In another case, Justice Khwaja Imtiaz Ahmad of the LHC Rawalpindi bench reserved his judgment on a contempt of court petition against Murree's Lawrence College principal.

The father of a student had filed the petition, saying his son was expelled from the college illegally.

The petitioner, Adil Zeb, used to work as a dispenser at the Lawrence College and his son, Khizar Adil, was also studying in the institution. However, the college administration removed Mr Zeb from his job and also struck Khizar's name off the college roll.

Mr Zeb then moved a petition before the court, questioning the expulsion of his son. The court disposed off the petition after the college administration said that the boy would not be expelled if he showed good results. But despite the fact that he obtained 63 per cent marks in class-VI he was expelled.

The petitioner then moved a contempt of court petition and the principal, despite receiving repeated summons, did not appear before the court. Dawn

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BFC hold declamation competition
Rawalpindi: Students can excel if the essential bond between parents, students and teachers is strong, said MPA Raja Mohammad Hanif while speaking at the inter-collegiate declamation contest held at Bahria Foundation College (BFC) here on Thursday.

Raja Mohammad Hanif said that our country is blessed with intelligent youth that could do wonders if groomed and trained properly. "We must instil in them the moral values of respecting their elders, neighbours, parents and teachers, while teachers should become a role model for their students," he added.

BFC Westridge Campus in Rawalpindi Cantonment hosted the contest. Topics for Urdu declamation contest included 'Hai zindagi ka maqsad auron ke kaam aana', 'Zara num ho to ye matti bari zarkhez hai saaqi' and 'Qaumon ki hayaat un ke takhayyul pe hai mauquf'. While the topics for English contest included 'Dignity of Labour', 'Necessity is the mother of invention', and 'Internet is a blessing'.

All contesting students spoke confidently in front of a large audience. According to the judges' decision in the Urdu declamation contest, Iman Fatima and Tooba Rehan of the host institution stood first and second respectively while Maryam Arif of BFC Satellite Town Campus stood third. BFC Satellite Town Campus won the trophy for the Urdu declamation. In the English declamation contest, Mahad Malik and Nirma Irfan of BFC F-11/3 Campus stood first and second respectively while Khola Naeem of the host institution stood third. The trophy for the English declamation contest was won by BFC F-11/3 Campus.

The chief guest appreciated the oratory skills of students while distributing prizes among them. Principal Cmdr (r) Mohammad Younis speaking on the occasion said that Bahria Foundation Colleges have put in a commendable effort in the field of education and within a span of 10 years, we have 54 colleges in all the four provinces of the country.

"Our Westridge branch, established in 1999, has shown excellent results that can be judged by the fact that from the last seven years, our students are achieving 100 per cent result in the Federal Board examinations of Class 9 and 10," he said.

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ICAS organised poster exhibition
Islamabad: The Islamabad College of Arts & Sciences (ICAS) organised a poster exhibition-cum-contest here on Thursday on the prevailing law and order situation in the country.

The event, held on the topic of 'Pakistan - Growth in Togetherness,' depicted the plight of victims of terror attacks. The participating schools apart from the host institution, included Khaldunia High School, Headstart School, Fountainhead School, Beaconhouse School System and Froebel's International School. The competition was open to 'O' and 'A' level students and participants showed maturity of concept and skilful handling of the theme.

As many as 20 colourful art pieces emphasised on the need for unity in the current situation. They urged the nation to get united and forget prejudices. In today's difficult situation, such thought-provoking activities are the key to a healthier, more positive environment for our youth, and a stepping-stone to a better future.

The ICAS has been taking bold steps to counter the current atmosphere of negativity and fear, prevalent in the country. Instead of lying low, the school has chosen to come forward and discuss important issues of the day with students of all ages. With this aim in mind, three major events were organised at the school premises in November.

The first of these events was organised on the occasion of the International Tolerance Day, observed on November 16, in which students of middle and senior school performed skits, made speeches and read out poems they had written - all stressing on the need for tolerance in order to co-exist in a peaceful world. While the Universal Children's Day was also celebrated on the campus last month.

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Students painting competition
Rawalpindi: All Pakistan Painting Competition was held at the Federal Government Girls High School, Misrial Road, on Thursday, says a press release.

The wife of Brigadier Raheel Ashraf was the chief guest on the occasion. 21 male and female students from seven regions participated in the competition. In the primary level, Shabana Naz from Multan region got first position, while Hifsa Ahmed stood second and Aysha Siddiqa of Rawalpindi region bagged third position.

In the Middle level, Attiya Zulfiqar of Multan region got first position, Misbah Zahoor of Wah Cantonment stood second and Muneeba Ijaz of Kharian bagged third position.

In the high school level, Syed Mohammad Ali of Rawalpindi region got first position, Irum Majeed of Lahore got second position while Noureen Kausar of Gujranwala bagged third position.

The overall trophy was won by the Multan region. In the end, Mrs Raheel Ashraf and College Principal Parveen Mukhtar distributed prizes among the winners.

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Students visited Heritage Museum
Islamabad: A group of students from PAF Finishing School, along with faculty members, paid an educational visit to the Pakistan National Museum of Ethnology, popularly known as Heritage Museum, at Lok Virsa here on Thursday.

Students were briefed on the cultural heritage of Pakistan with special reference to the museum and the functioning of Lok Virsa to promote indigenous culture and heritage of Pakistan.

In an educational interaction with students, Khalid Javed, executive director of the Lok Virsa, said that the visit of students is in line with the mandate of Lok Virsa and its slogan of 'Harnessing Culture for Education'. Students are especially encouraged to visit the museum under the 'Museum Educational Programme' to address gaps not covered by traditional courses being taught in schools and colleges, he added.

Students took keen interest and pride in their cultural heritage displayed by Lok Virsa in a beautiful illustrative manner to provide information to visitors.

Later, students were shown around creative displays spreading over 60,000 square feet of area portraying living cultural traditions and lifestyles of the people of Pakistan. Students also took keen interest in the museum displays, especially the 'Hall of Antiquity and Continuity'. They made queries about various displays and their historical linkage to the cultural heritage of Pakistan.

The PAF Finishing School is the only institute in Pakistan where young women are practically taught about etiquettes and manners, the eastern art of hospitality. A visit to the Heritage Museum has become a major segment of their curricula. The news

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