PU registration, admission fees increased

PU increases BA/BSc registration, admission fees
Lahore, July 05: The Punjab University (PU) has increased admission and registration fee for off-campus students appearing in the varsity's BA/BSc examinations. The registration fee has been increased from Rs 1,600 to Rs 1,850 while the admission fee reached from Rs 2,150 to Rs 2,450. Meanwhile, different student organisations, including the Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba (IJT) and the Insaf Students Federation (ISF), condemned the abrupt increase in the fees, terming it an anti-student and anti-education move and demanding of the university to withdraw the same. They warned that if the decision to increase the fees was not withdrawn, a protest campaign would be launched.

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Let's learn the learning disability
Learning disability is a general term that describes specific kind of learning problems. The skills most often affected are: reading, writing, learning spellings, listening, speaking, reasoning, and doing math. It is sometimes linked to perceptual or memory problems. The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined learning disabilities as a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind.

In the field of education the term learning disability basically means that the child or adult has difficulty in picking up new skills, both intellectually and socially.

Learning disabilities are the major cause of repetition of classes by the school going students in Pakistan. The overall repetition rate among the primary school students is very high, (33%), which results in the high drop-out rate.

Learning disabilities vary from person to person. One person may have trouble with reading and writing. Another person may have problems with understanding math. Still another person may have trouble in each of these areas, as well as in understanding what people are saying.

However, this is very important to know that the learning disabilities do not include the learning problems that are primarily the result of visual, hearing, or motor disabilities, of mental retardation, of emotional disturbance, or of environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage.

There is no single sign that shows a person has a learning disability. Experts look for a noticeable difference between how well a child does in school and how well he or she could do. There are certain clues that may show a child has a learning disability.

When a child has a learning disability, he may have trouble learning the alphabet, rhyming words, or connecting letters to their sounds; mistakes when reading aloud, repeats and pauses often; not understand what he or she reads; has real trouble with spelling; messy handwriting or holds a pencil awkwardly, learns language late and have a limited vocabulary; not be able to recall a story in order.

Children with learning disabilities are often very good at a variety of other things. Find out what your child really enjoys doing, playing cricket, fixing toys or working with computers. Give your child plenty of opportunities to pursue his or her potentials and talents.

Research has shown that there are a number of factors leading to learning disabilities such as - the role of genes, problems in brain development (both before and after birth). Low birth weight, lack of oxygen, maternal drugs or premature birth, malnutrition, as well as poor prenatal care may be behind the development of learning disabilities.

Young children who sustain head injuries may also be at risk of developing a learning disorder. The developing fetus, infants, and young children are especially vulnerable to the damage caused by the environmental toxins. Some toxins implicated include certain food additives and preservatives may also cause learning disabilities later in life.

The day-to-day lives of people with a learning disability and their families have always been affected by the way they are perceived and treated by the communities they live in. The history of public and private attitudes over the last three centuries is one of intolerance and lack of understanding.

Children who are diagnosed in their early age can often completely overcome their problems with remedial help. Children's brains are more flexible than adults; they can often learn new strategies and are able to re-train their minds to think in more constructive ways. Because this brain elasticity decreases with age, it is important to seek help as early as possible.

We have treated, by the grace of Allah, hundreds of sufferers from various kinds of learning disabilities through homeopathy and achieved marvellous results. I would recommend the parents of children with any form of learning disability to try homeopathy that may change their lives. - By Dr. Asghar Ali Shah, Homeopathic Physician, dr_asghar_shah@yahoo.com (The news)

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UHS board approves budget
Lahore: The University of Health Sciences (UHS) board of governors on Saturday approved a Rs306.190 million budget for the financial year 2010-11.

The BoG's 22nd meeting chaired by Senator Ishaq Dar was attended by former finance minister Sartaj Aziz, Justice Amer Raza Khan (retired), Prof Amer Aziz, UHS Vice-Chancellor Prof MH Mubashar and the additional secretary finance.

According to a press release, the budget estimates say a sum of Rs111.590 million has been earmarked for administrative expenses, Rs52.19 million for operating expenses that includes utilities (Rs18.8 million), repair and maintenance (Rs7.9 million), communications (Rs6.015 million), printing and stationery (Rs14 million), advertisement and publicity (Rs1 million), books and periodicals (Rs2 million) and law charges (Rs1.5 million).

The university has reserved Rs14.5 million for scholarships and the financial award scheme, which also include cash awards for brilliant students.

An amount of Rs40.8 million will be spent on research activities. Of this amount, Rs10 million have been allocated for the purchase of chemicals and reagents and Rs0.3 million for the maintenance of experimental animal research lab. The varsity also established a fund with an amount of Rs1 million for undertaking research of special nature.

A sum of Rs60 million has been earmarked for civil works which also include funds for the development of new university campus at Kala Shah Kaku.

The university will also spend Rs40 million on the conduct of examinations and Rs2 million on continued professional development of the medical faculty of the province. A sum of Rs2 million has been allocated for international linkages and Rs2 million for the introduction of new academic programmes during 2010-11.

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UHS Entrance Test
Lahore: The UHS is organising a series of orientation seminars for students on entrance test for admission to medical and dental institutions.

First seminar of this series will be held at Alhamra Hall on Monday (tomorrow) at 10am. UHS VC Prof Mubashar will conduct the seminar.

The rest of the seminars will be held in all major cities of the province according to the following schedule: University of Sargodha July 6; Punjab Medical College Faisalabad July 7; Shaikh Zayed Public School, Rahim Yar Khan, July 7; Government Degree College (Boys), Sahiwal, July 8; Quaid-i-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur, July 8; University of Gujrat, July 9; Nishtar Medical College, Multan, July 9; Rawalpindi Medical College July 10; Punjab University Gujranwala sub-campus July 10; and Dera Ghazi Khan Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education July 10. Dawn

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UHS seminars for aspiring medical students
Lahore: The University of Health Sciences will hold seminars in various cities from July 5-10 for the candidates aspiring to appear in the entry test for admission to medical colleges.

The entry test in Punjab will be held simultaneously in 12 cities of the province on July 20.

According to the UHS schedule, the first seminar will be held on July 5 at Al-Hamra Hall No 1. Similarly, seminars will be held at the University of Sargodha, Punjab Medical College Faisalabad and Sheikh Zayed Public School Rahim Yar Khan on July 7, at Government Degree College Sahiwal and Quaid-i-Azam Medical College Bahawalpur on July 8, at University of Gujrat and Nishtar Medical College Multan on July 9.

On July 10, seminars will be held at Rawalpindi Medical College, University of Punjab Gujranwala Campus and Dera Ghazi Khan Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education Examination Hall.

The UHS is finalising arrangements for holding entry test at Lahore, Rawalpindi, Hassan Abdal, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Multan, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, DG Khan and RY Khan. App

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Governor rejects CM's approval for VC
Lahore: Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, who is also chancellor of all public universities of the province, has termed the recommendation of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif for appointment of vice-chancellor of the Islamia University, Bahawalpur, a move against the policy decision of the Chancellors' Committee, aimed at "limiting his powers."

While commenting over the recent recommendation of the chief minister, the governor observed that only one person was recommended for appointment as VC of the university which was against the policy. He asked the CM to resubmit his recommendations.

He observed that in the second meeting of the Chancellors' Committee, held on May 11, 2006 under the chairmanship of the president of Pakistan, it was, inter alia, decided that vice-chancellors of all provincial public universities should be appointed after advertisement through a search committee process. He said the search committee would be required to put up a panel of three names for approval of the chancellor from whom the VC might be selected.

"However, in the instant case the chief minister has recommended the name of only one person for appointment as vice-chancellor Islamia University, Bahawalpur, which is not only against the abovementioned policy decision of the Chancellors' Committee but also limits the powers of the Governor/ Chancellor/Appointing Authority, conferred upon him under Section 14 (1) of the Islamia University of Bahawalpur Act, 1975, to appoint the vice-chancellor," reads the governor's response over the summary moved for appointment of IUB VC through the chief minister.

It has also been pointed out that writ petition No.639/2010 filed by Professor Dr Saleem Tariq Khan, dean IUB's Faculty of Islamic Learning was still pending in the Lahore High Court, Bahawalpur Bench.

"Although a stay order, granted by the court in favour of the petitioner on 02.03.2010, has been withdrawn by a subsequent order of the court dated 19.05.2010, yet the final outcome of the writ petition was still awaited."

The governor observed that the eligibility criteria/ qualification published in the national press for inviting applications for the position of vice-chancellor IUB was different from the eligibility criteria/guidelines formulated by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) for the VCs of public sector universities.

"Moreover, the said criteria/qualification was published without approval of the competent authority, i.e. governor/chancellor. In the instant case, the eligibility criteria is the same as published by the Higher Education Department in respect of the position of the VC of the Government College University (GCU), Faisalabad, for which he (Governor/Chancellor) has already directed the Higher Education Department to withdraw the said advertisement and publish a fresh advertisement giving the criteria/guidelines evolved by the HEC."

The Governor's Secretariat also pointed out that GCU, Faisalabad, Acting VC Prof Dr Shahid Mehboob Rana and UET, Taxila, Acting VC Prof Dr Muhammad Akram Javed had filed ICAs No 243/2010, 244/2010 and 245/2010 against the dismissal of their writ petitions, on which the Lahore High Court had passed the following orders on 29.04.2010. "Subject to the notice for 12.5.2010, the operation of the impugned judgment shall remain suspended till the next date of hearing." "Thus, inter alia, the matter of eligibility criteria/qualification for the post of vice chancellor, advertised by the Higher Education Department contradictory to that prescribed by the Higher Education Commission is sub judice," read the governor's observations.

It further reads, "In view of the foregoing, the appointment of a regular vice chancellor of the Islamia University of Bahawalpur at this stage will not only be unjustified/uncalled for but will also be against the verdict of the Lahore High Court, given in the ICAs No 243/2010 & 244/2010 filed by Professor Dr Shahid Mehboob Rana and Professor Dr Muhammad Akram Javed."

It is learnt the panel finalised by the Search Committee, from which anyone will be appointed as VC IUB, includes Prof Dr Muhammad Mukhtar, Prof Dr Hayat Awan and Prof Dr Jamil Anwar.

When contacted, a senior official of the Punjab Higher Education Department said a detailed reply had been prepared by the department and had been forwarded to Governor through the Chief Minister Punjab.

He said as per decision of 2nd meeting of Chancellors' Committee, appointment of VCs included two major steps, namely advertisement in the national press and Search Committee process, claiming both the steps were duly followed in the case of appointment of the IUB's VC.

The official said minor changes were made in the eligibility criteria while claiming that the conditions incorporated in the advertisement for IUB were in line with the HEC's criteria. He said the eligibility remained the same and just a preference was mentioned in the advertisement.

"No candidate with local PhD in any discipline was barred from applying for the post," he maintained.

The HEC official said the chief minister had advised for appointment of a candidate at serial No. 1 out of panel of three candidates, claiming that it was strictly in accordance with merit and in the CM's powers under Section 11 (8) of the Islamia University Bahawalpur Act 1975.

He further explained that the power of the chancellor, under Section 14 (1), had to be read with Section 11 (8) of the Islamia University Bahawalpur Act 1975 whereby Chancellor was bound to act on the advice of the chief minister.

He further said stay order granted to Prof Dr Saleem Tariq Khan, Dean Islamic Learning, IUB by the Honourable Lahore High Court, Bahawalpur Bench in Writ Petition No 639/2010 had been vacated by the Honourable Court on 19.05.2010 adding there was no bar by the Court to appoint VC in IUB.

The official said in case of the Islamia University, Bahawalpur, the petitioner was also considered by the Search Committee but he could not be short listed. He claimed that a comprehensive reply had been submitted to the Governor's Secretariat so far as direction of governor on another summary to withdraw the advertisement in respect to position of vice-chancellor GCU Faisalabad and publishing a fresh advertisement were concerned.

The chief minister twice advised Governor/Chancellor on the issue and thus the issue had attained finality so far as views of government and chancellor were concerned," he concluded. The news

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UVAS planning leather study programmes
Lahore: The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) seeks the help of University of Northampton, UK, to launch a joint master degree programme in leather technology to develop a high potential leather technology industry in Pakistan.

In a visit to the Northampton University, UVAS Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Dr Muhammad Nawaz discussed with his hosts about the possibility of launching master degree programmes from September in waste management and environmental sciences, and business management of leather.

According to a handout issued by the UVAS, Dr Nawaz told Northampton University's International Office Director Delia Heneghan that the UVAS needed professionals for its Department of Leather Technology.

Also, at a meeting with teachers and researchers of the British School of Leather Technology, led by Dr Mark Wilkinson, Prof Nawaz said that of 60 million buffaloes and 80 million sheep of Pakistan, a large number of cattle heads were poor producers. He said that he had proposed a culling programme with 20 million bottom producers to be sent to slaughter houses. This means, he said, Pakistan in the near future would have a large number of skins and hides for processing.

In the absence of trained human resources in this area, Prof Nawaz said, a number of shortcomings and anomalies existed in Pakistan due to which an estimated 40 per cent of reduction was reported in the value of the finished leather products.

"The flaws reducing finished leather products includes damage by untrained butchers because no one knows about the scientific protocols of skinning the animals, lack of methods of preservation; delays in processing; lack of knowledge in leather science; anomalies in the tanning industry and the absence of the art of leather fashion and design for value addition," he said.

About 90 per cent of the leather production in Pakistan is being done by traditional methods, says the handout.

He said the UVAS was establishing a modern slaughterhouse and a leather unit. He said the varsity was also negotiating collaboration with the National Institute of Leather Technology, Karachi, to produce trained manpower and develop the leather technology industry in Pakistan.

Northampton University International Office Director Heneghan suggested a UVAS-NU leather alumni meeting in September. Prof Nawaz said he would be able to pull the representatives of the leather industry to make it a tripartite gathering in which strategic decisions could be taken regarding the future of leather technology research and education and industry development. Prof Nawaz dispelled hosts' concerns about security in Pakistan, saying that there were only a few areas witnessing security problems. The UVAS hosted last year the 6th Asian Buffalo Congress in Lahore, which was attended by delegates from 24 countries, he said.

MOU: Prof Nawaz also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Northampton University VC Dr Ann Tate to work together for academic and research collaboration, technology transfer, and skill development to help the students, faculty and industry for synergy and socio-economic growth.

The MoU, which will be operative for five years, also calls for cooperation in the theoretical and technological fundamentals of leather manufacture and other fields. It calls for exchange of information, management knowledge, and technical expertise, besides arranging joint academic and research studies to strengthen the industrial sector, especially leather in processing, testing, quality control and finishing.

The Northampton University will also assist the UVAS in institutional management and technical knowledge for technology upgrade, especially in the leather sector, as well as curriculum development, quality assurance, teaching and learning modules. The foreign university will also help UVAS students and faculty in academic, skill development and research projects, provide cooperation in joint research programmes, as well as supervise or co-supervise UVAS postgraduate research thesis.

UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL: Prof Nawaz visited the Langford School of Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, and met Meat Science and Technology Programme Director Prof Dr Peter Sheard.

UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN: Prof Nawaz also met Dr Hans Henrik, head of faculty of life sciences (former Royal Veterinary and Agriculture University) now with University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Prof Nawaz requested Prof Henrik, who has 15 years of experience of evaluating veterinary institutions in the European Union, to evaluate the UVAS. Prof Henrik agreed to visit the UVAS. Dawn

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Punjab govt expands degree verification drive
Islamabad: The Punjab government on Sunday directed all district coordination officers (DCOs) to verify the degrees of officials hired in education, health and police departments in the last decade, a private TV channel reported.

According to the channel, the Punjab government has issued a circular to the DCOs, asking them to get the degrees "checked". The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has dispatched letters to 70 universities, asking them to set up a special Degree Verification Cell, the sources added. app

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Autonomy to 26 colleges: minister
Lahore: Punjab Minister for Education Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman has said the government will never privatise any college, adding only financial and administrative autonomy is being awarded to 26 colleges where a four-year bachelor degree programme is being introduced.

He expressed these views while meeting a delegation of Muslim League workers on Sunday.

He said these steps had been taken to bridge the gap between the universities and the colleges.

He further said the board of governors would not be authorised to increase any fee, as additional expenditure would be borne by the Punjab government which would provide Rs 500 millions additional grant to these colleges annually for providing quality education to the students. The news

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