Punjab Universisty mosque | Molecular biology symposium

Work on Punjab University mosque begins
Lahore, Mar 19: Punjab University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran performed groundbreaking of a mosque at Allama Iqbal (Old) Campus on Wednesday.

According to a press release here on Wednesday, the vice-chancellor, while speaking on the occasion, said a mosque has central importance in Islam and our mosques should play pivotal role for establishing peace in the country. He said the construction of mosque would facilitate students and employees of the varsity.

Project Director Sheikh Muhammad Ali briefed on the occasion that the mosque has been designed in line with the ancient Islamic civilization and it would be constructed in such a way that it would give a look like a part of the Old Campus.

Chairman Mosques Department Hafiz Abdullah, Prof Dr Harris Rasheed, Prof Dr Bashir Ahmad, Prof Dr Aurangzeb Alamgir, Prof Dr Mazhar Moeen and other faculty members were also present on the occasion.

Later, the vice-chancellor visited the Khalid Bin Waleed Hostel of the campus and talked to the student there.

Hostel Warden Prof Dr Jamshed Ali, Superintendent Dr Qamar Ali Zaidi, Principal Oriental College Prof Dr Mazhar Moeen, Additional Registrar Prof Dr Aurangzeb Alamgir, Resident Officer-I Prof Dr Bashir Ahmad and other faculty members were also present.

The double-storey mosque will be constructed over 4,200 square feet. More than 500 faithful would offer prayers at a time in this mosque. The residence of the prayer leader will also be constructed at the upper storey of the mosque.

Students showed satisfaction on the hostel management, however, on a complaint regarding substandard edibles at canteen by a student, the vice-chancellor directed the concerned officials that the provision of standard edibles be ensured at the canteen.

BA (Hons) results announced
Lahore: The Punjab University Examination Department has declared the results of BA (Hons), Social Science (4-Year Programme), Semester System, Session 2004-2008. A total of 58 candidates appeared in the exam and 20 were declared successful while the results of 12 candidates were late. Detailed result is also available on PU website www.pu.edu.pk.

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Symposium on molecular biology from 25th
Lahore: The Punjab University Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB) in collaboration with the Centre for Applied Molecular Biology (CAMB) will organise a 4-day International Symposium on "Future Trends in Molecular Biological Research and Its Applications in Agriculture and Health" from March 25-28.

According to a press release here on Wednesday, the inaugural ceremony of the symposium would be held on Wednesday (March 25) at 11am at the centre.

Vice-Chancellor Dr Mujahid Kamran would preside over the inaugural ceremony while former and present members of the Board of Governors, vice-chancellor Arid Agriculture University, vice-chancellor Agriculture University, member Planning Commission, representatives of other universities and educational institutions and professionals would attend the session.

The symposium will serve as a forum for life scientists to exchange views in a background of recent findings in genetics, molecular biology and its commercial applications.

The overall aim of the symposium is to guide researchers in the fields of plant and medical molecular biology to address national problems of agriculture and health sectors.

The symposium would also include workshops on uses of genetically modified organisms, applications of bioinformatics in the fields of agriculture and health and forensic uses of DNA typing.

Workshop on controversy over stem cells
Lahore: The Punjab University Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB) will organise a workshop on "Ethical Issues Related to Work on Stem Cells" on Friday at 3pm.

According to a press release here on Wednesday, the eminent molecular biologists, gynecologists/embryologists and religious scholars would attend the workshop to debate the issue.

Dr Israr Ahmad, founder of the Tanzeem-e-Islami, Quran Academy, Lahore, will deliver a lecture on "When Life Begins-Islamic Perspective?" The workshop will also focus specifically on the following issues:

When does life begin (is it at the stage fertilization, insulation or birth of the baby)? Is killing a five day fertilised egg considered as killing a new life? If so, is the killing of a new life justifiable to save people already existing on this planet? Ethical issues in connection with obtaining biological materials for stem cell research. The workshop would be telecast through video conference system at the Karachi University, the Peshawar University, the Balochistan University, COMSTECH, HEC and other places. The News

BZUs Dera sub campus visiting staff on strike
Multan: The visiting teaching staff of the Bahauddin Zakariya University's (BZU's) Dera Ghazi Khan sub-campus has refused to perform duty in protest against the acceptance of 'forced' resignation of Project Director Dr Najeeb Haider.

BZU Vice-Chancellor Dr Zafarullah has appointed Dr Malik Saeed Shakir acting director of the sub-campus. He says only two visiting teachers refused to continue their services.

Those who boycotted the classes on Tuesday are: Prof Saeed Akhtar, Prof Naseem Chandia, Muhammad Anwar, Ejaz Ahmed, Muhammad Abid, Dr Nassarullah, Tehreem Sardar, Prof Muhammad Khan, Khalil Akbar Niazi, Mirza Alamgir, Prof Maqsood Ahmed Rizvi and Sabir Jarwar.

"We have decided not to provide our services for university's sub-campus as the administration wants to close the sub-campus," Prof Akhtar said on telephone.

"The forced resignation of Dr Haider is the first step towards the closure of sub-campus."
Dr Shakir, however, said that only two visiting teachers -- Prof Saeed Akhtar and Prof Muhammad Khan -- had refused to continue their services.

He said the university could hire other staff if the visiting teaching staff refused to continue their services and "it is not a big problem".

Prof Chandia said that he and Dr Anwar had assured the acting director to continue their work only if Dr Haidar was reappointed.

On Feb 17, the VC appointed Dr Hayat Awan as acting director of BZU's DG Khan sub-campus after accepting the resignation of Dr Haider.

Dr Haider had again assumed the charge of director on Feb 24 after the VC allowed him to continue his duty till March 15.

Dr Haider alleges that he had submitted his resignation after he was pressured by the administration through Dr Awan to include the post-graduate block of the Government College, DG Khan, in the BZU sub-campus.

However, he had refused to take over the block on the ground that the federal hostel and a portion of boys' hostel of the college were already being used for the sub-campus. He contended the college would lose its independent status after losing its post-graduate block.

Dr Haider was appointed as sub-campus director after syndicate's approval on Aug 28, 2008, on a two-year deputation. Before joining the BZU, he was the principal of the Government College, DG Khan. Dawn

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Inter-varsity Qirat and Naat competition
Lahore: The Qirat and Naat Society of the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore arranged an Inter-university Qirat and Naat competition on Wednesday.

Students from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Punjab University, Lahore, FC College, Lahore, GC University, Lahore and the UVAS participated in the competition.

In Qirat contest, Hafiz Abaidullah from the GC University Lahore won the first position, Hafiz Irfan Siddique from the University of Agriculture Faisalabad second and Qari Muzamail Shah from the International Islamic University Islamabad third position.

In Naat competition, Saad Farooq from the GC University got first position, Zara Tahir from the International Islamic University Islamabad second and Beenish Malik from the Punjab University Lahore third position.

The team trophy was awarded to the GC University Lahore for best performance in the contests.

Workshop stresses prevention of cruelty to animals
Lahore: Speakers at a workshop in the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore stressed the need for creating public awareness about the welfare of and prevention of cruelty to animals.

The Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals arranged the workshop titled "Amendments in Draft Laws of SPCA" at the UVAS on Wednesday. Livestock and Dairy Development secretary Muhammad Jahanzeb Khan was chief guest at the opening ceremony of the workshop while Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Nawaz, civil society activist Shaheen Atiqur Rehman, Faryal Gohar, SPCA Honorary Secretary Prof Dr Zafar Iqbal Chaudhry, UVAS faculty members, Livestock and Dairy Development Department Punjab officials and WWF Pakistan and civil society representatives were also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, the livestock secretary said that animals were part of this world and they had to work for their welfare. He said that cruelty to animals could not be prevented only through policing but they had to create awareness among each segment of society about the animal welfare. He said that the efforts of the SPCA were commendable but they had to do more by involving volunteers in this cause. He said that they also needed legal backing and the support of the media and civil society in these efforts. He lauded the role of the UVAS in animal welfare and asked the SPCA to prepare a work plan for the year and follow it to prevent cruelty to animals.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Nawaz said that the prevention of physical cruelty to animals was not enough but they had to look into other forms of cruelties also. He said that cruelty to animals was forbidden in our religion and they had to sensitize the society about the cruel treatment of animals and work collectively for their welfare.

Prof Dr Zafar Iqbal Chaudhry spoke about the working of the SPCA and its laws, which he said needed amendments to cover all aspects of cruelty to animals and all species of animals. He said that the society's name should be changed to 'Society for Welfare of Animals' from its existing name "Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals". He said that SPCA centres were working in 17 districts of the Punjab and their scope was limited to the prevention of cruelty to animals, especially the donkeys and horses. He also spoke about the limitations of the SPCA i.e. lack of funding and resources.

Shaheen Atique Rehman and Faryal Gohar also spoke on the occasion. Later, the workshop participants were divided into four sub-groups. They held detailed discussions on existing laws of the SPCA and finalized suggestions for draft amendments to these laws. The News

LCWU students put artwork on display
Lahore: An art exhibition by the Lahore College For Women University (LCWU) students opened at the LCWU Fine Arts Department on Wednesday.

The artwork exhibited included paintings, ceramics, calligraphy and miniatures.

Iranian Culture Centre Director General (DG) Abbas Faamoori, along with LCWU Vice Chancellor (VC) Dr Bushra Mateen inaugurated the exhibition. Faamoori said the students had explored their aesthetic capabilities in a creative way. He said the artwork displayed was of a high quality. The Iranian Culture Center DG said such exhibitions should be organised more frequently.

LCWU Fine Arts Department head Mehmooda Khalid said such exhibitions were organised to explore new dimensions in the field and to enhance the skills of the students. Mehmooda added that the students had embellished their canvases with their inner thoughts.

The miniatures and the ceramic pieces were the highlight of the exhibition. LCWU Mass Communication Department Chairwoman Dr Anjum Zia said the students had successfully explored both modern and traditional techniques. Separately, Mehmooda inaugurated the Miniature Section in the Fine Arts Department, which would facilitate the students of miniature to raise their creativity level. Deans, heads of the department and other faculty members were present on the occasion. Daily Times

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