NUML lecturer mistreatment
Mistreatment of lecturer sparks unrest in Numl
Islamabad, Feb 05: Students and teachers of the National University of
Modern Languages (Numl) on Thursday seized the campus and blocked
traffic on the 9th Avenue after a senior university official allegedly
beat up a lecturer. Police succeeded in clearing the
thoroughfare in less than an hour but some 200 protesters kept
themselves locked inside the campus till 9pm and came out only when
they were assured that action would be taken against Numl Registrar
Brig (retired) Ranjha for attacking lecturer Tahir Malik.
Witnesses said the ugly incident was sparked by an altercation between
Brig Ranjha and Mr Malik in the office of the head of Department of
International Relations (IR), where the registrar came to raise
objection over inviting TV anchor Asma Sherazi as chief guest in a
function for welcoming new students. During the exchange of
arguments over the issue, Mr Malik questioned not only the wisdom of
Brig Ranjha's objection but also his suitability to his high office.
The witnesses quoted Mr Malik as saying that "you (Brig Ranjha) were
not appointed on merit and your hiring was made in violation of rule
and regulations." The comments drove the retired brigadier into anger,
and he replied: "I am more qualified than you are." Though
faculty members present in the office cooled down the two over lunch,
the registrar felt so humiliated that about half an hour he returned
with two security guards and pounced on the lecturer, abusing, kicking
and punching him all over. The ugly incident took place in a
corridor and was witnessed by dozens of students and some teachers.
According to eyewitnesses, the lecturer did not react and started
crying. He was rescued by the onlookers. Later, the registrar
reached the office of Numl Rector Brig (retired) Aziz and alleged that
the lecturer said "something about the army", eyewitnesses said, adding
that he also admitted that he attacked the lecturer. The
incident made the students burst into anger, and they boycotted their
classes and staged a protest against the humiliation of their lecturer.
They sealed the university by locking its main gates and did
not allow students and teachers to leave. Later they poured out on the
nearby 9th Avenue in the evening and blocked it for over half an hour.
They also blocked the service road. The students were
demanding action against the registrar. They said Brig Ranjha should be
sacked and booked on criminal charges. Shortly after ending
the protest, over 100 students and teachers along with Mr Malik reached
the Industrial Area police station to lodge a complaint against the
registrar. The police received the complaint and advised the
complainant to fulfil the requirement for the FIR and undergo a medical
examination. Head of international relations department Dr
Sohail, when contacted, confirmed the incident. "A faculty member of
the IR department was victimised and they (students and teachers) asked
the rector to do justice," he said. Despite several attempts, the
rector was not available for comments. Dawn
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Dr Yasinzai appointed QAU VC
Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday appointed Prof Dr
Muhammad Masoom Yasinzai as Vice Chancellor Quaid-i-Azam University
(QAU), Islamabad. The president has made the appointment on the recommendations of search
committee of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) as laid down in the
procedure for appointment of vice chancellors. Prof Dr Muhammad
Masoom Yasinzai has done his Post-Doctorate and PhD from Perugia
Medical School, Italy, and University of Hull, UK, respectively besides
MSc in Bio-Organic Chemistry and B.S in Biology and Chemistry. He
has also to his credit 100 research publications in national and
international journals. The newly-appointed Vice Chancellor of
Quaid-i-Azam University Prof Dr Muhammad Masoom Yasinzai is currently
Vice Chancellor of University of Balochistan. He has also worked as
Dean Research, Director Institute of Biotechnology, and professor of
Biotechnology, University of Balochistan. The search committee
of the Higher Education Commission for appointment of Vice Chancellors
comprised Dr Javaid R. Laghari, Chairman HEC, Abdur Rauf Chaudhry,
Secretary Education, Shahnaz Wazir Ali, SAPM on Social Sector, Dr
Ishrat Hussain, Chairman, Pay & Pension Committee, Dr Khadija Haq,
Chairperson of Human Development Foundation, A. Razzak Dawood,
ex-minister for commerce & Industries and Dr Sohail Naqvi,
Executive Director, HEC. The president has welcomed the appointment of
a senior academician from Balochistan as vice chancellor of the
country's premier university.
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Intel National Science Fair
Islamabad: As many as five brilliant students from all over Pakistan were declared
winners of the Intel National Science Fair, held earlier, at a lively
event organised at the National Library of Pakistan here on Thursday. The
National Science Fair is affiliated with the Intel International
Science & Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF), which is one of the
World's largest pre-college science competitions. The National Fair had
showcased 117 science projects, submitted by young scientists from all
across the country, who qualified for a place in the Fair after
rigorous competitions at district and provincial levels. The award
winning students included Sheraz Munir of Pak-Turk International School
& College, Khairpur for his project titled 'Usage of Lolium sp. and
Paspalum sp. to Decrease Lead Content Against Air Pollution', Zain
Shami of Headstart School, A-Level Branch, Islamabad for his project
titled 'Preparation of Black Ink from Fruit Arils of Pomegranate' and a
group comprising Amir Shahzad, Mohammad Sohail and Asad Shaheen from DA
Degree College, Karachi for their project titled 'Dyeing of Wool and
Polyamide Substrates with Extracts of Natural Sources'. The
projects displayed at the National Science Fair were assessed by a
panel of renowned judges for further selection in the upcoming Intel
ISEF 2010 to be held in Reno in Nevada, USA. Intel ISEF
enables more than 1,500 young scientists from all across the globe to
gather at a single platform to exchange ideas and knowledge, showcase
cutting edge science, and compete for over US$4 million in awards and
scholarships. Minister of State for Education Ghulam Farid
Kathia said the government is determined to improve the quality of
education by promoting initiatives in areas of science and technology,
and encourage easy access to computers by our youth in collaboration
with leading organisations such as Intel Pakistan. "Every year,
students are selected from Pakistan to participate in the Intel ISEF,
which is held in the US, where hundreds of students from across the
globe compete for scholarships and awards," he said.
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Beaconhouse Sports Week ends
Rawalpindi: The Sports Week concluded at the Beaconhouse School
System, Senior Girls Branch, Peshawar Road, on Thursday. A
'Sports Day' was held on the last day of the week for which the
ambiance was rightly set, as all sports activities commenced with
drumbeat. Students of all sections of classes 6, 7 and
8 participated in relay race, sack race, book race and frog race. Students
were thrilled to see their classmates compete and cheerleaders waved
colourful pompoms to buck up their respective classes. The
most interesting event was the game of 'Musical Chairs' in which
teachers participated. Students were thrilled to see their teachers in
a light mood. For one whole week, students participated in
various activities, such as singing, crazy hair and salad, sandwich and
cocktail making. The winners of these competitions were given prizes
and certificates. Headmistress Shazia
Amjad said that students love extra-curricular activities, as they get
an opportunity to engage in healthy competition. Senior
Mistress Erum Jan-e-Alam said that the 'Crazy Hair Day' was a fashion
day activity in which girls took part in a show, sporting fancy jackets
and crazy hairstyles. "These extra-curricular activities not only groom
students but also bring out the best talent in them. These activities
also give them a break from regular lectures and classes," she said.
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Malaysian HC visits IIU
Islamabad: Malaysian High Commissioner Dato Ahmad Anwar Adnan visited the International
Islamic University (IIU) here on Thursday and exchanged views with its
president Dr. Anwar Hussain Siddiqui on matters of mutual interest. The
high commissioner showed keen interest in IIU's educational programmes
and assured full support of his country to further strengthen
cooperation between the IIU and Malaysian academic institutions.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Siddiqui said that the IIU is spreading
largely needed education among young people keeping in view trends and
requirements of the modern day. The news
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