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'HEC poking its nose in every affair'
Islamabad, Nov 19, 2007: The annual dinner of Academic Staff Association, Quaid-e-Azam University, was a memorable evening at the newly developed lawn for such functions adjacent to the Department of Earth Sciences.
The participant appreciated the food and cosy atmosphere in this "gulabi" winter. In addition to Dr Qasim Jan, the vice-chancellor and the chief guest, and outgoing President of ASA Dr Zulfiqar Ahmad Butt, newly elected office-bearers Masood Akhtar (President) Dr Qaiser Abbas Naqvi(Vice-President), Dr Zahid Asghar (Secretary), Amanat Ali (Joint Secretary) and Bushra Almas (Treasurer) were also on the stage.
All office holders belonged to the group headed by Dr Eatzaz Ahmad. Four of its candidates were elected unopposed. The audience lauded this smooth transfer of power in this primary seat of highest learning and research which, as announced from the stage, did not involve any emergency, PCO or deposing of superior judiciary. It is an example for the rest of the country to emulate, said the ASA secretary who conducted the proceedings.
A senior professor while talking over a cup of tea held that Higher Education Commission, which tries to poke its nose in every affair of universities though its job is to act as a post office and disburse funds, threatens the autonomy of universities.
Addressing the gathering, Masood Akhtar, who won the seat of President defeating Dr Wiqar Ali Shah with the widest margin in the recent ASA history, in his usual upright style said that there will be no compromise on merit, principles, rules and regulations. He assured the Vice-Chancellor of full ASA cooperation for the betterment of the university.
Dr Qasim Jan, the Vice-Chancellor, speaking as chief guest apprised the audience of different projects the university is about to launch in near future including the establishment of a botanical garden in the south-eastern corner of the sprawling campus.
Prof Zulfiqar Butt, the outgoing President of the association informed the participants of the progress in the housing scheme at G-14 where work on providing water and electricity is going on and the allotees are getting possession of the land.
He said that university will soon get underground power connection from G-5 grid and appreciated the services of the outgoing ASA secretary in getting the demand note from IESCO. He also referred to the promise of the VC to seek approval of the Syndicate to increase extra-teaching allowance to Rs 1000 per hour with effect from September last.
He said that second phase of the housing scheme and construction of new houses at the campus are the tasks the new office-bearers who took over the charge on Friday will have to carry forward.
Masood Akhtar said that he would hold open forums with the faculty every month to analyse the situation and functioning of the administration "which is being marred by some incompetent officials."
HEC calls for participation in research awards
Islamabad: Higher Education Commission (HEC) has introduced a new programme for promoting research in various fields.
Under the programme, the achievements of Pakistani scholars will be recognised in their respective fields of specialisation through a series of annual awards, said an official source here Sunday.
He said that these awards will be given for the following categories, Best Research Paper Rs.50,000, Best Young Research Scholar,Rs.100,000, Best Innovator Rs.150,000, Best Book Publication Rs.300,000, Lifetime Academic Achievement Award 500,000.
Further, he said the awards will be given for the following disciplines, Bio science, Management sciences, Engineering and Technology, Social sciences, Basic and applied sciences, Humanities.
The eligibility for these awards that, applicants must be resident citizens of Pakistan and criteria will be that, submissions must be based on original work in applicant's fields of specialisation, research work must have been initiated in Pakistan and at least 80 per cent be done in the country, for best book and best research paper the material must have been published in 2005, 2006.
November 30th 2007 is the last date for the submission of application form. He said that further details of the programme provided on the HEC website. The News
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