Lahore International Book Fair 2009 | PU MSc, MA results

Lahore International Book Fair 2009: 40,000 book-lovers in three days
Lahore, Feb 17: As many as 40,000 people have visited various bookstalls in three days, especially those selling children's books, at the Lahore International Book Fair (LIBF) on Monday, which has successfully catered to the reading needs of all segments of the society.

A large number of children, accompanied by their parents, took a keen interest in drawing and entertainment books for children.

Bolti Kitabain: Bolti Kitabain (speaking books) remained the centre of attention at the book fair. These books have been especially designed for children of grade three and below. The compact discs (CDs) that come with these books contain animated objects to promote audio-visual learning among children. Afzal, an employee of the publishing company of Bolti Kitabain said the books had gained immense popularity among the people. He said the company had earlier published books for pre-school children, but after such a large number of sales, it had decided to publish books for children of grade five and below. He said over 100 schools in the city had benefited from these books.

Foreign authors: A sizeable number of visitors were interested in books written by foreign authors. Professors and librarians of various universities and colleges remained busy in the purchasing of books. Women were especially interested in cooking and beautician books.

Urdu Science Board spokesman Zulfiqar said holding the book fair was a good step from all respects. It allows publishers to introduce themselves to the people while people also get a good opportunity to buy quality books in low prices, he said. Two students, Shehla and Fozia, said such activities should continue in the city as it would help establish a tolerant and peaceful society.

Drawing competition: A drawing competition was held for the children at the book fair. Children from various institutions participated in the competition and showed great interest. Prizes were awarded to the three best artists. The book fair, which was largely dominated by the children, also had clowns clad in colourful dresses to amuse the children. The leading publishing companies offered special discounts on the occasion to boost their sales.

Visitors said such fairs offered them an opportunity to purchase all sorts of books from one place at relatively cheaper prices. Waqar Bhutta, a customer, said there was a diverse variety of books available at the fair. He said such events would promote book reading in the province. Daily Times

Punjab University declared MSc and MA results
Lahore: Punjab University Examination Department has declared the results of MSc Environmental Sciences (Self-Supproting), Semester System, Session 2003-2005, MA Women Studies (Semester System), Session 2002-2004, MA Women Studies (Self-Supporting Programme), Semester System, Session 2002-2004 and BA Islamic Studies (2-Years), Semester System, Session 2005-2007. F.P. Report

TEVTA demands tech-education facilities
Lahore: In line with the directions of Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, TEVTA would provide more opportunities of technical education in the Southern Punjab. A number of new initiatives have been taken to spread the technical education and vocational training in the area according to the requirement of local industry. It was stated by Chairman TEVTA Mohsin Syed on the occasion of inauguration of B.Tech (Hons) in Electrical and Electronics Technology at Govt. College of Technology here yesterday. Chairman said that TEVTA will upgrade Govt. College of Technology Multan as University of Technology. More than 300 highly qualified teachers will be recruited. New workshops & Labs with latest equipment will be provided for this university.

TEVTA have fixed the target to train 10 lac students in phases across the province of the Punjab. He said that TEVTA is making its full efforts to introduce market oriented courses in its Institutes and youth is being trained in employable skills. Chairman TEVTA said that we have also developed a system for the provision of jobs to our pass outs according to the level of their learning. Maximum numbers of our pass outs are adjusted in the local industry. A handsome numbers of TEVTA trained youth are absorbed in the corp. of workforce engaged in overseas operations.

In this way TEVTA is helping poor and unskilled youth to become a useful member of society. It is being done by utilizing available facilities efficiently at existing TEVTA Institutions across the Province of the Punjab. He said that in order to cater for the skilled workforce requirements of the expanding industry, TEVTA has also undertaken an ambitious plan for launching 2 Years Higher National Diploma (HND) Program in emergent technologies at technical colleges in Punjab like Telecom Technology at Govt. College of Technology Raiwind Road and Govt. Institute of Technology, Multan, Mechanical Technology at Govt. College of Technology Railway Road Lahore, Mechatronics Technology at Swedish Pakistani Institute of Technology Gujrat, Chemical Technology at Govt. College of Technology Multan and Textile Technology at Govt. College of Technology Faisalabad. These courses are of two years duration with an intake qualification of FSc (pre engineering) or DAE in respective technologies. To ensure job placement of the trained manpower in the field of telecom sector, TEVTA has made an agreement with Telecom Industry Partners viz M/s Telenor, Siemens, Nokia Pakistan.

While explaining the details of the agreement with these multi-national companies, he said, TEVTA along with its partners will endeavor to improve and encourage joint coordination and running of HND related training courses. The launch of HND in telecommunications will not only enhance skill in the field of telecommunication but also provide opportunity to get employment, he also said. TEVTA is also launching different projects to promote this idea on a much higher scale to provide counseling and guidance to each student passing out from schools and colleges so that the young students could be provided required guidance at appropriate stage of their career planning, he concluded. Ppi

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Punjab Assembly's 11th session proceedings: Education Department's response declared 'incorrect'
Lahore: The Education Department's response to a question regarding its performance under the Education Sector Reforms Programme has been declared 'incorrect', after the opposition appreciated it as its past achievement.

Opposition Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) Dr Samia Amjad had asked the question. Following the question, opposition members beat their desks in appreciation of its past achievements. This led to the Treasury Bench saying the answer was 'incorrect'.

Dr Amjad had asked if the programme had enhanced the performance of the Education Department. She asked if the programme had made buildings better, improved furniture at schools and improved both teachers and students' attendance, adding that if the Punjab government was shelving the programme then it should state its reasons for doing so.

Punjab Education Minister Mujtaba Shaujaur Rehman addressed the department's answer on the demand of the opposition members. He said it was correct that the programme had improved the department's performance and helped improve the number of admissions in schools.

He said it had also provided funds required to provide missing facilities to students. He said under the programme, students were provided free books up to the matriculation examinations, adding that female students from class 6 to 10 were being provided with a Rs 200 scholarship for 80 percent attendance rate in 15 districts that have a lower literacy rate. He said it was also correct that under the said programme basic needs of schools like their boundary walls, buildings and furniture had been provided to them. He said it was also correct that the programme had helped improve admissions and attendance of teachers and students in the schools. He said the programme would continue, adding that steps would be taken to further improve it.

As soon as the minister had started talking the opposition had started beating the desks with their hands and shouting slogans to praise the work done by the previous government. At this, the minister said the previous government had misappropriated the Rs 500 million that had been obtained from the World Bank to improve the education sector.

Treasury Bench MPA Mian Naseer Ahmed, at a point of order, said according to a World Bank report, the amount obtained for the education sector was not used for the purpose it had been taken for. Another MPA agreed with Ahmed at this point. This resulted in the minister saying that if the MPA thought the answer was incorrect he would take action against the official responsible.

Inquiry: The education minister, talking to journalists, said the government would hold an inquiry regarding the misappropriation of the Rs 500 million.

Deputy Opposition Leader in the PA MPA Muhammad Yar Hiraj said the Punjab government should accept the good performance of the past government. Daily Times

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