HEC four-year BSc (Hons) in Forestry programme

HEC updating Forestry curriculum
Islamabad, May 22: A three-day meeting of the National Curriculum Revision Committee started at Higher Education Commission (HEC) on Friday to finalise the curriculum of four-year BSc (Hons) in Forestry programme keeping in view the template of agriculture disciplines, developed by experts in October 2009.

The experts from all agriculture universities, research and development (R&D) organisations like WWF and Pakistani Forest Institute Director General attended the meeting. A detailed discussion was held on current and important issues of Forestry.

The participants agreed that all universities and institutions that are imparting forestry education at graduation level should have common, comprehensive and updated curriculum.

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US invests $20m in Pakistani children's education
Islamabad: The United States (US) on Friday awarded $20 million (Rs 1.7 billion) to the Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop (RPTW) to support a four-year educational outreach programme for children in Pakistan. In collaboration with the ministries of education and information and broadcasting, the RPTW will develop a multi-media programme designed to build language, problem-solving and analytical thinking skills. "Through this initiative, Pakistani education and communication experts will have a vehicle to develop and provide educational content for Pakistani children," US Agency for International Development (USAID) Acting Mission Director Lawrence Hardy said after the agreement signing. "The messages will promote learning while reflecting Pakistani culture and values, based on the country's education curriculum," he added.

The four-year programme will feature puppet-based television broadcasts, complementary radio programming using the same characters and a dynamic website where children could interact with their favourite puppets. The project will also reach remote rural areas, including conflict-affected districts, through live shows staged from vehicles set up as theatres. Thirty "district ambassadors" will also be trained to show pre-recorded puppet programmes on laptop computers. "A project of this magnitude is a great opportunity for the children of Pakistan," said Faizaan Peerzada of RPTW. The RPTW has been involved in television and radio programming, puppetry, theatre, and the arts with schools and communities across Pakistan for 35 years. They will receive production and design assistance from the Sesame Workshop. Daily times

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Ex-RMC principal questioned
Rawalpindi: A three-member inquiry committee looking into suspected financial and departmental irregularities at the Rawalpindi Medical College (RMC) and three allied hospitals recorded on Friday the statement of former RMC principal Dr Musadaq Khan, it has been learnt.

The committee, comprising the Punjab Auqaf secretary, higher education secretary and director general health, continued the probe for the second day into alleged irregularities in the affairs of the Holy Family Hospital, the District Headquarters Hospital and Benazir Bhutto Hospital.

According to officials privy to the developments, Dr Musadaq Khan was questioned about alleged issuance of a fake house job completion certificate to his son, Dr Bilal Khan. The former RMC principal told the committee that the matter had been resolved by the Lahore High Court. The committee also recorded the statement of Dr Bilal Khan.

On Thursday, the committee was informed about an alleged financial misappropriation relating to the installation of an elevator in the Benazir Bhutto Hospital for patients. The elevator is not functioning for the last one year.

It was learnt that the initially plan was to install an elevator for people at a cost of Rs1.4 million but later a luggage elevator was purchased at the cost of Rs1.8 million.

Other matters taken up by the inquiry committee were relating to regularisation of certain doctors who had never worked as contractual employees in the three teaching hospitals, and appointment of some people as doctors having fake MBBS degrees.

It may be recalled that the committee initiated its probe on April 20 on the orders of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. The officials have to submit their reports within 45 days. Dawn

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Graduation, award ceremony held at GSR
Rawalpindi: Students of Grammar School Rawalpindi presented a lively show at the graduation and annual award ceremony, says a press release.

Ms. Sajida Nasreen Assistant, Secretary General PNCU, was the chief guest on the occasion.

The theme of the show was 'Child Rights'. GSR Rah-e-Aman is partnered with UK based St. Cedd's primary school through DGSP. Both schools have accomplished numerous projects successfully and now they have taken up 'Child Rights' as their latest project.

All the dialogues, skits, poems and songs gave the message of well-being of the child.

The top models of Montessori Section did a ramp walk confidently and elegantly. They also informed the audience about healthy eating and responsibilities of children.

The item on special children was highly appreciated. This is one of the theme GSR will be engaged in with its partner school. Audience was delighted to see that each child was given opportunity to participate. The joyful participation by the students was an absolutely delightful.

The songs 'Hum Dekhay Gay, Hum Bolain Mohabbat Ke Zuban' Kalam-e-Faiz were just seemed to be most unusual sung by grade V, VI, and VII under the guidance of Mr. Saleem Khan.

Sajida Nasreen congratulated the parents, students and faculty on the organisation of a brilliant programme. She hoped that GSR would continue to participate actively in Unesco ASP Net programmes and win laurels for the school and Pakistan.

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Mehfil-e-Milad at Beaconhouse
Islamabad: Students and faculty members of Beaconhouse All Girls 'A' Level hosted Mehfil-e-Milad to pay homage to the Holy Prophet (PBUH).Dr. Naveed Butt, a parent, working in the Federal Government Services Hospital as a child specialist, graced the occasion as the honorary guest. The students decorated the stage and backdrop beautifully with floral arrangements and fairy lights. These decorations and illuminations along with the soft recital of 'durood' and 'salam' created a soothing environment leaving the audience spiritually awakened.The participants and audience were dressed in pastel colours provided the right ambiance for the occasion.

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Dr Haleema awarded PhD
Nowshera: The University of Peshawar has awarded PhD degree to Haleema Sadia who successfully defended her doctorate thesis after four years of continuous studies including six-month research work under the International Research Support Initiative of the Higher Education Commission in George Town University in Washington DC, the United States.

Dr Haleema Sadia was the first and only student of the Institute of the Islamic and Arabic Studies who received both national and international scholarships to complete her doctorate on the comparative study of the Holy Quran and the Bible.

Dr Haleema completed her PhD research under the supervision of John L Esposito of the George Town University US, Dr Anwarul Haq, senior professor Institute of the Islamic and Arabic Studies and Professor Dr Qibla Ayaz.

She was awarded the PhD degree after she successfully defended her thesis on the selected topic in the presence of an external examiner, Principal Oriental College Punjab University Dr Mazhar Hussain.

Dr Haleema belongs to a spiritual and educated family of Kakakhel in the Ziarat Kaka Sahib. She received her early education from the University Model School and Jinnah College, UoP. She did her master's in Arabic and Islamiat from the UoP besides securing first class degrees in BEd and MEd from Institute of Education and Research, UoP. She is serving the Education Department as a lecturer in Islamiat in Nowshera district. The news

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