National University of Modern Languages registrar removal

NUML Students, teachers protest till registrar removal
Islamabad, Feb 10: The protest of National University of Modern Languages (NUML) students against alleged thrashing of the university professor, Tahir Malik, by Registrar Brig (r) Obaidullah Ranjha entered the 6th day on Tuesday.

The NUML students and faculty members said the protest would continue till the dismissal of registrar from the service.

The students of International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU) and other colleges also joined the protest on the NUML premises despite the closure of the university. Keeping in view the volatile situation, The NUML administration on Monday had announced closure of the university till February 14.

The protestors were chanting slogans against the registrar and security in charge, Ranjha. They were also carrying placards inscribed with slogans against him.

The students said thrashing of the university professor was terrorism and violation of the rules and regulations by the influential. The students and faculty members demanded that Ranjha should be dismissed and the university rector should apologise to Malik.

Students, educationists and faculty members of different educational institutions of the federal capital gave their comments on the incident and as to how such incidents could be prevented. Most of them condemned the incident. They said the registrar's action was indicative of the falling standards of discipline and tolerance in the educational institutions.

The NUML students said recognition of the basic rights of an individual and civilised behaviour were essence of the education, but the incident was surely an act of immaturity by the registrar.

A student of NUML International Relations Department said the incident was unfortunate and an eye opener for the university administration to sort out the things and maintain discipline. "May be it was because of lobbies of civilian and retired army faculty members, but it is the right time to get NUML out of this vicious circle," he said. He said dismissal of the registrar was the only solution to the present crisis.

The NUML faculty members said that they had decided to meet the President, who was also chancellor of the university, to inform him about the alleged irregularities, corruption and illegal appointments in the university.

A senior faculty member said National Institute of Modern Languages was set up in 1970 under the control of QAU. Later, it also remained under the control of Allama Iqbal Open University for some time and later the institute was given the status of university.

A faculty member of NUML English Language Department, while requesting not to be named, said retired army officers were heading most of the departments, which was discriminatory. "Retired army officers are hired on contractual basis and they are offered better salary packages as compared to the regular civilian faculty members," he said, adding, the number of retied army officers is also higher than the civilian faculty members.

A professor of QAU said staff members and students of higher education centres the world over were expected to display exemplary level of self-restraint. "In Pakistan, however, standards have been allowed to fall. Most of the teachers are unqualified and unable to impart values of tolerance to their students," he said.

He said societal values had also changed and now power was considered the domain of those who appropriate it. "These issues must be addressed, otherwise the frequency of NUML like unsavory incidents will continue to rise," he added.

Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) has also demanded immediate removal of Ranjha from the university. FAPUASA President Prof Kaleemullah Barheech, Vice-President Dr Abdul Quddus Sohaib and General Secretary Badar Soomro condemned the NUML incident.

"FAPUASA had already demanded appointment of serving professors as vice chancellors in the universities but Higher Education Commission (HEC) has not yet accepted their demand," they regretted.

They demanded removal ex-army officers and retired bureaucrats from the top positions including administrative ones in all universities of the country.

QAU Academic Staff Association President has also condemned the incident and demanded immediate dismissal of Ranjha from the service. "If the NUML registrar was not removed, the association would soon formulate a course of action," he said. Dawn

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Rawalpindi Board employees threaten pen down strike
Rawalpindi: In pursuance of the protest schedule given by Punjab Boards Federation in its meeting held at Bahawalpur on 2nd Feb, the employees of Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education Rawalpindi will observe complete pen down strike from tomorrow (10th Feb) in case their demands are not met, says a press release.

This was decided in a meeting of the Employees Welfare Association of Rawalpindi Board held with Raja Sajjad Akbar in the chair.

In a resolution unanimously adopted at the meeting, grave concern was expressed over the decision to abolish examination fee, registration fee, and sports fee of SSC students. It was regretted that the alternate proposals given to the government by the Punjab Boards Federation were ignored and verbal and written agreements were flouted without any prick of conscience. The callous and stubborn attitude of the authorities has sent a wave of concern as they face non-payment of their salaries if the scheme is implemented.

The meeting decided that as the first step of the protest, all the employees will observe complete pen-down strike from 10th of February. It was resolved to follow other forms of protest as given by Punjab Boards Federation.

Mehr Mohammad Akbar, general secretary of the Association said that it was also decided to press for other demands relating to service structure and allowances.

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ICU budget approved
Peshawar: The Senate of Islamia College University (ICU) in its first meeting Tuesday approved budget for the previous and current academic years besides taking a number of decisions pertaining to academic and administrative matters of the varsity.

The meeting at Governor's House with NWFP Governor Owais Ahmad Ghani in the chair, discussed in detail the repair and renovation work on the historic building of the college. The meeting was informed that the repair and preservation work on the building was going on in full swing. It was told that repair work on the main portion of the building had almost completed while the other sections of the building were being renovated.

Besides vice-chancellor of the university Ajmal Khan, the meeting was attended by Secretary to Governor Sikandar Qayyum, secretary higher education department Attaur Rehman Lodhi, secretary establishment Rashid Ahmed, former chief secretary Azam Khan, former vice-chancellor, University of Peshawar Prof. Dr. Muhammad Anwar Khan, Begum Mairaj Humayun, Qari Roohullah and others.

Ajmal Khan informed the meeting that 4,000 kanals of land at Hund in district Swabi acquired for the university could be utilised for various purposes. The meeting discussed various possibilities for utilisation of the land and ensuring efficient completion of the infrastructural development projects.

The senate was informed that four new disciplines were being launched shortly in the university enabling it to enter into a new phase of development in less than 18 months since its establishment. Enrolment of the university has already reached to 2,647 including 700 in BSc and 291 in postgraduate programmes.

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Roots 2009 high achievers
Islamabad: Strong educational foundations should be laid for all children, so that wholesome personalities could emerge to steer the reins of Pakistan.

This was stated by Senator Waqar Ahmad Khan while sharing his views at the Student Recognition Day and High Achievers Ceremony of Roots School System (RSS), Satellite Town Campus here at Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) Auditorium.

"Every child has a hidden potential within him/her and it is the opportunity that provides him/her with a platform to exhibit his potential talent," he said adding that growing socially and morally has never been very easy for mankind and urged the students to endeavour to become good human beings. "Enjoy doing good to others rather than receiving favours and have a deep sense of commitment to your family, institution, community and country," Senator Waqar said.

During the ceremony, over 110 Roots students were awarded shields on their academic achievements in the final examinations of 2009, with 50 students nominated from O Level/IGCSE/A Level from Roots College International (RCI) and 60 students from junior/preparatory school Satellite Town Campus.

This year, Roots senior students created a record by securing 28 distinctions in O Level/IGCSE/A Level Examinations of Cambridge and Ed-Excel International Examinations 2009. The O & A Level RSS students of Satellite Town Campus produced brilliant results.

Umer Saeed scored five As in A Level, Kamran Arshad Satti five As in A Level and straight eight As in O Level, Zain Shahid five As in A Level and straight eight As in O Levels, Syed Abbas three As in A Level, Nimra Raheel four As in A Level and straight eight As in O Level, Eman Waheed three As in A Level and seven As in O Level, Farwa Waheed three As in A Level and seven As in O Level, Durab Tahir three As in A Level and six As in O Level, and Usama Hassan scored three As in A Level and seven As in O Level. Saad Ali Kiyani, who got four As in A Level, graduated from Roots College International in 2009 and is currently studying Electrical Engineering at the University of Nottingham, Malaysia.

Senator Waqar Ahmad Khan appreciated the outstanding results of the Roots students and extended his heartiest congratulations to the students and staff of RSS on their result.

Founder Director Roots School System Mrs Riffat Mushtaq, and Directors RSS Col Mushtaq Rasul Chaudhry, Walid Mushtaq, Mrs Khadija Omair and Chaudhry Faisal Mushtaq were also present on the occasion.

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Teachers role model
Islamabad: The role of teachers, being role model, is pivotal in promoting the sense of responsibility among the students.

Minister for Environment Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi expressed these views on Tuesday while addressing teachers at a certificate distributions ceremony of the "Three days workshop on teachers training on environment" organised by Ministry of Environment through Environmental Education Project here.

This workshop provides an opportunity to the teachers to learn techniques and methods to have better understanding and create awareness regarding environmental issues. The minister appreciated the efforts of Project in promoting environmental awareness among students and youth through a well conceived programme for the establishment of Green Club in all public and private schools of Islamabad.

He said that the basic aim of this project was to create awareness about environmental degradation among teachers and students and protection and preservation of environment as well as to inculcate the importance of cleanliness, conservation of resources and greenery in them.

The ministry has conducted this workshop to enable the teachers to know about their responsibility to cope with the critical environmental problems we are facing these days, he added.

The Minister said environmental problems were critical and there was a need to engage general public particularly young generation.

He hoped that the Ministry with the participation of all stakeholders would be able to improve the living conditions of people both in urban and rural areas.

He also hoped that after this training, participants of the workshop would inspire the students to engage more actively in different environmental initiatives.

Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi said on this occasion that through this workshop good results would come out and this project would be expended in the whole country.

He urged the teachers to play their due role to save our future generation from the menaces like scarcity of water, energy and food for making a healthy Pakistan. He ensured cooperation and coordination at every level in this regard. It is important to mention here that so far 120 Environmental Clubs have been established. With the passing out of 120 teacher in-charges the total number environmental clubs have increased to 220 within 2 years.

At the end of ceremony teachers were given certificates by the Federal Minister for Environment. Kamran Qureshi, additional secretary and Javed Ali Khan, director general (Environment) were also present at the occasion.

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Disabled youth facilities
Islamabad: Disabled youth are facing hardships while using roads and pathways in the twin cities due to non-availability of specific facilities for them.

"The Ministry of Youth Affairs (MoYA) should ensure necessary facilities on roads and pathways through out the country so young people with disabilities can move in a safe and convenient manner", said a social worker Yaqub Khan. "Absence of the required facilities is dangerous and in some cases impossible for youth who use wheelchairs, scooters, and other mobility aids", he remarked.

He said ramps should be built on streets and roads from where disabled persons can enter them. Resurfacing of a street or sidewalk may need some alteration but filling of potholes would require no changes. He said on the existing roads and sidewalks alterations cannot be carried out. However, curb ramps may be constructed at places where a pedestrian walkway intersects a road or sidewalk.

When contacted Secretary Ministry of Youth Affairs said that special and handicapped youth may be given same quota in all youth activities as has been approved by the government in respect of Special Education and Rehabilitation of disabled persons.

"Chair accesses and special toilets for the disabled would be made compulsory in construction of buildings in future," he said. He said that special quota and opportunity to the disabled for studying in all educational institutions including those for higher education would be given both at home and abroad. The news

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