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HEC confirms Monticello University is fake
HEC confirms Monticello University is not an accredited university in the US
| Islamabad, Nov 17: The Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, the prime regulatory
body for higher education in the country, has formally confirmed that the Monticello University, which had issued a doctorate degree to PPP
Minister Babar Awan, is not an accredited university in the US. |
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It was
never listed amongst the accredited institutions of post-secondary education in
the US since 1994-95, the HEC said when asked to comment on the degree of Awan.
Babar Awan, however, is of the firm opinion that he has a valid Ph.D degree and
that he would continue using the title of "Dr" with him name.
Earlier,
the United States Educational Foundation had clearly stated that the university
was never accredited to offer any degree program. After the publication of The
News story last Wednesday, which raised doubts about the minister's doctorate
degree, Awan said on Friday last, while showing his Monticello degree to a
staffer of this newspaper, that according to the report the said university
was closed in 2000 while he got his degree in 1997.
To a question, the
HEC said, "As per information contained in various editions of the Directory of
Accredited Institutions of Post Secondary Education published by the American
Council on Education after 1994-95, the said university is not
listed."
To another question whether a Ph.D degree from the Monticello
University was recognised by the HEC, the government authority said, "The Higher
Education Commission, Islamabad, recognizes Ph.D degrees awarded by
accredited/chartered universities in the USA."
The minister, who admits
to have done his Ph.D from the University of Monticello, USA, in 1997-98 through
its distant learning program, however, while talking to this correspondent last
week insisted that his Ph.D was valid.
But the United States Educational
Foundation in Pakistan is of the view that the "fraud" university was closed
down in 2000 and was also fined US$1.7 million for fooling innumerable
international aspirants of different degree programmes. The News
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Age limit for CSS may not be raised
Islamabad: The government appears reluctant to accept a
recommendation of the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat to
increase the upper age-limit of candidates applying for Central Superior
Services (CSS) from 28 to 30 years.
In April this year, the committee
headed by Senator Abdul Ghaffar Qureshi asked the Federal Public Service
Commission (FPSC) to extend the age limit because thousands of people could not
appear in the competitive examination due the age bar.
However, according
to sources in the establishment division, there is no possibility of age
relaxation, at least for the CSS-2009.
The upper-age limit for the CSS
used to be 30 years, but it was reduced to 28 years by the Musharraf
government.
Candidates from rural areas have been demanding the increase
in the upper age-limit from 30 to 32 years, arguing that by the time they
complete their education it is difficult for them to prepare adequately for the
competitive examination.
The FPSC is also facing shortage of suitable
candidates for the superior services jobs. In 2007, the Establishment Division
reported 299 vacancies in various occupational groups, but the commission could
only find 189 suitable candidates, and 110 seats remained vacant to be filled
this year. Dawn
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Graduation ceremony of three courses held at PAF Academy
Risalpur: The graduation ceremony of three courses 38 A and SD, 94 Accts and 101 Non GD was
held at PAF Academy Risalpur on Saturday, said a PAF press release Air Marshal
Hifazat Ullah Khan, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Personnel), Pakistan Air
Force was the chief guest on the occasion. In his address the Chief Guest
felicitated all graduating cadets for achieving this milestone in their lives
and commended Academy Staff for their efforts in imparting quality training to
the cadets.
He said "I would also advise you
to persevere in your endeavours to channel your energies of mind and heart to
improve your efficiency and skills and consequently make significant
contribution towards the operational preparedness of Pakistan Air Force.
The PAF demands nothing less than
excellence and eminence from each one of you. The tremendous pace of
development in military technology makes it obligatory on you to excel in your
profession. You must not leave any stone unturned in order to keep pace with the
modern technologies.
Remember there are no shortcuts to
professional excellence. It can be achieved only through extensive studies and
appropriate application of what you have learnt. It is only through your
dedicated efforts and commitment that you can excel and prosper in your
profession".
The ceremony included the award of
branch insignia to the graduating cadets and trophies to the winners.
They also took a pledge of honour
on this occasion that they would perform their duties with utmost dedication and
sincerity.
Trophy for Overall Best
Performance in 101th Non GD course was awarded to Officer Cadet Khawar Hayyat
where as in 38th A and SD Short Course Aviation Cadet Sarfraz Ahmed
won the trophy.
Earlier, on his arrival, Air Vice
Marshal M. Safdar Khan, Air Officer Commanding PAF Academy Risalpur, received
the Chief Guest. Besides high ranking civil and military officials, parents of
graduating cadets attended the ceremony. App
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Torture of GCUF guard:12 booked
Faisalabad: Police on Saturday registered a case against a dozen
boys, including two students of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF),
who tortured a Government College University security guard during their
demonstration for reinstatement of an official.
Nearly two-dozen
'outsiders' led by Mudassar, believed to be the office-bearer of Inqlabi Council
of UAF, held a demonstration outside the university and demanded reinstatement
of the sacked director (projects & campus development), Muhammad Latif. A
few of them tried to enter the premises by force. Security guard Muhammad Riaz
intercepted them and asked for their identification.
The query led to an
exchange of hot words and protesters thrashed Riaz. They dispersed after some
security officials came to rescue their colleague.
A few students of the
GCUF intermediate section were also conspicuous in the protest arranged by
outsiders.
GCUF vice-chancellor Dr Arif Ali Zaidi following the
recommendation of a committee had terminated the services of Mr Latif, director
(finance) Safdar Mian, and senior audit officer M Yaqoob on Nov 11.
All
three were shown the door when the inquiry team found the officials guilty of
millions of rupees embezzlement and recommended their termination. It is
pertinent to mention here that Academic Staff Association president Mudassar
Ahmed addressing a meeting of the action committee alleged that the principal
(intermediate section) and a physical education lecturer had threatened the VC
with dire consequences. Following the life threats, the VC tendered his
resignation a couple of days ago.
University sources said the sacked
officials fielded `outsiders', some of them from the UAF, to sabotage peace of
the academia. However, they said the immediate action by the security force
foiled their bid.
They said some students from the intermediate section
could be nominated in the case.
Following the incident, the university
administration submitted an application with the Gulberg police station for
registration of a case.
Police said a case had been registered against 12
`troublemakers', including two nominated accused Mudassar and
Iftikhar.
Gulberg circle supervisory police officer DSP Aamir Mushtaq
said two accused had been arrested and investigation was under way to arrest the
remaining troublemakers. Dawn
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Student groups flex muscles for MAO 'control'
Lahore: The forces, which had turned Government Mohammedan Anglo Oriental
(MAO) College a hotbed of student violence for years are once again flexing
their muscles to damage the "somewhat remaining" peaceful academic environment
of this historic institution.
The college had remained a stronghold of
various student organisations in past but unfortunately, instead of uplifting
its image and indulging in pro-student and pro-education activities, these
groups left no stone unturned to plunder its peaceful academic environment.
Before the February 2008 elections the MAO College was "possessed" by
Muslim Students Federation (MSF-Q); however, the student organisation fled as
soon as the PML-N came into power in the province. Though incidents of violence
remained quite few in the MSF-Q "regime" in the college, corrupt mafia touched
its peak. A number of incidents regarding illegal admissions, especially, in
ICom and BCom classes were reported according to which fines were also imposed
on the college by the Punjab University (PU) for admitting more students than
allowed.
Soon after the departure of MSF-Q from MAO College, some
unwanted elements became active to get "control" over the institution once again
for their vested interests. In this connection, an attempt was made in April
this year when dozens of armed men entered the college and created panic among
the students, teachers and employees by resorting to aerial firing. They,
however, succeeded to vanish from the scene as soon as police
arrived.
Last week, another incident of violence took place at MAO
College in which some students clashed with each other leaving many injured.
Students belonging to different organisations started fighting while they were
discussing future "plan of action" regarding control over the college. It is
further learnt that some outsiders were also involved in the incident.
The college teachers and students believe that the government should not
let any student organisation to rule the institution. They said if the
government was committed to implement its decision about restoration of student
unions, it should allow any organisation to remain in the college only after
elections of the student unions. A senior faculty member of the college said
history of student politics had never been encouraging at the MAO College,
adding that activists of various student organisations had always proved
themselves to be "parasites".
He further said there was no dearth of
talent in the college, adding it only needed focused attention of the government
to get rid of outsider, unwanted and political elements. It is worth mentioning
here that Asif Raza of the MAO College had secured third position with 904 marks
in the Commerce group (among boys) in Intermediate Annual Examination 2008 held
under the Board of Intermediate & Secondary Education (BISE) Lahore.
For many years, the college's Psychology Department students achieved
top positions in postgraduate level exams held under the Punjab
University.
The performance of its students in sports also merits a
mention since the college has produced many cricketers and hockey players who
either played or are still playing for national teams.
Academic circles
are also very critical of the developments taking place at the MAO College in
connection with control of student organisations, saying such incidents should
be an eye-opener for the authorities concerned.
They have urged the
government to take measures for ensuring peaceful academic campus for the
college students. They believe peaceful academic environment is the right of
every student, saying innocent learners should not be deprived of this right at
any cost. The News
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Education News| Updated: 09 Jan, 2009 |
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