HEC gets Rs2.8bn grant | deserted classrooms on V day

HEC gets Rs2.8bn grant to support scholars
Islamabad, Feb 16: The finance ministry has released Rs2.819 billion to the Higher Education Commission (HEC) as Human Resource Development component of the third quarterly instalment of development grant.

The funds would be distributed to clear immediate liabilities as well as support scholars studying abroad.

At present the HEC has over 4,000 MS and PhD scholars studying abroad and over 900 MBBS students in Cuba.

The released funds will be utilised to ease immediate requirements of these scholars on priority basis.

As far as the remaining liabilities of the third quarter of the current financial year is concerned, the finance ministry is considering releasing immediate liabilities of salary and civil work component of the development funds during the current quarter. App

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Full attendance, deserted classrooms
Islamabad: Though classrooms of different colleges and universities gave a deserted look, the educational campuses across the twin cities glinted with colours, thanks to Valentine's Day. We witnessed that numerous educational institutions comprising colleges and universities, mostly co-educational, had unusual attendances of the students on February 14. The well-dressed youngsters had thronged the universities and colleges, not for educational endeavours but for the pursuit of 'extra curricular activities.' The students of some campuses had also set-up minor stalls containing red roses to be offered to "Valentinos." "These flowers are not for sale, we are offering them for free," stated a student in a campus in sector H-9. "We have arranged this small event for the purpose of fun and amusement," he added.

The students had arranged parties and functions on their own, without the consent of the managements of their respective institutions. "The administration doesn't know that we have lobbied to bunk the classes to enjoy the event," students mentioned at a private college at Nazim-ud-Din Road.

The pre-dominated attribute of the day was the striking red colour, which most of the females were dressed in. The gifts, bouquets and flower of all the same colour were frequently exchanged. The debate whether to celebrate Valentine's Day evoked the mixed yet amusing responses of the students. The students had shared interesting views for and against the cerebrations of the day, with this correspondent. Sidra opined bunking classes to celebrate Valentines Day is against the interests of students. "Students are spoiling their careers by indulge themselves in unhealthy activities," she stated. Another student Nayyar argued that spending money on Valentine's celebrations was the wastage of the precious time and money of the students. However, others observed that arranging such festivities once in a while was a healthy phenomenon.

"Unfortunately, our campuses don't arrange any extra-curricular events or cultural festivals. So we have to arrange such gatherings on our own. Even our teachers don't mind our bunking the classes on this particular day," stated Hamza.

In addition, some institutions had their weekly holiday on Saturday, thus "inflicting" a "great setback" to their students. "Some of us were very unlucky as they had weekly holiday and couldn't find any justified 'bahana' to leave their homes. Our sympathies are with them!" students mentioned while offering their "heart felt sympathies" to their friends. The Nation

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Admissions at AIOU to close on March 10
Islamabad: Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) will close its admissions for Spring 2009 semester on March 10 that started from February 6 throughout Pakistan and in Middle Eastern countries.

Admissions were offered in BA, intermediate, matriculation and Al-Lisaan-ul Arabi programme only.

In Pakistan, admissions were also offered in PhD and MS or MPhil leading to PhD in Education and Statistics (with three different specialisations). AIOU also offered a four-year degree programme in Microbiology of international standard.

The admissions in Spring 2009 semester have already started in various disciplines i.e. MS/MPhil, MSc Honours, MS Computer Science, MSc, MBA, MPA (Executive), MA, MEd, Post-graduate diploma courses, Bachelor's Programme, Teachers Training Programme (PTC, ATTC), Intermediate, Matric, Dars-e-Nizami, technical and agricultural courses, open tech courses and short term educational programmes.

Admission forms along with the prescribed fee may be submitted in all branches of

Habib Bank, Alfalah Bank, First Women Bank and Allied Bank, while only nominated branches of National Bank of Pakistan will receive admission forms and fees. The News

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