Government College University diploma course

GCU launched one-year diploma in forensic chemistry
Lahore, Oct 7: Department of Chemistry, Government College University (GCU) has launched one-year diploma in Forensic Chemistry from the current session 2009-10. Enrolment of students in the diploma course has started as, 20 out of total 40 seats, have since been filled by the department. The diploma would be completed in two terms of six months duration. The course has been initiated to provide forensic analysts to forensic laboratories to be opened by the government throughout the country.

It would benefit professionals attached with law, police, intelligence agencies, journalism and media. Moreover this course is different than the forensic medicine taught in the medical colleges. It is related mainly to lab work of forensic science in order to determine nature of crime. This diploma will boost the scientific investigation of crimes and crime analysis particularly the bomb blast, arson, use of explosive material, chemicals in criminal acts, which are on the rise in the country. BSc with biochemistry, botany, chemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, pharmacy and zoology are major subjects are eligible for admission.

MBBS and DVM graduates can also apply. The course comprises 800 marks including fundamental concepts, forensic materials science, chemical evidence, biological evidence, forensic analysis, laboratory exercises and forensic evidence law. The chemistry department of GCU, being a pioneer institution of chemistry in the country, has taken the lead in introducing the programme. The diploma course holders can compete the graduates in applied chemistry and chemical technology. The programme mainly focuses on lab component at its laboratory.

Head of the department of Chemistry GCU, Prof Dr Mohammad Saeed Iqbal said that investigation into the bomb blasts and chemical used in crimes, explosive toxicology, drug DNA interaction has been made easy through this course. The new course is part of the department's persistent efforts to become a centre of research excellence and to bridge the gap between academia and local industry, he added and said Pakistan is currently passing through a critical law and order situation. Recent wave of suicidal attacks and acts of terrorism necessitates strict and timely measures, employing the latest available methodologies to counter these heinous crimes against humanity.

Forensic Science offers latest techniques and technology for investigation to determine the nature of crime. The government of Pakistan has recently decided to establish Forensic Laboratories at divisional headquarters level for which trained staff will be produced by GCU.

He said there is no institution, so far which caters to the formal education in forensic chemistry although research work on forensic chemistry is being done without formal teaching. The GCU department of Chemistry has taken lead in introducing the much-needed study at its campus for the greater interest of the country. However it is need of the hour that the government should support this programme by strengthening its laboratory, as lab work is main focus of the study.

The department of chemistry has also transformed its MSc in Industrial Chemistry into MS, MPhil Pharmaceutical Chemistry to make higher education in chemistry compatible with the pharmaceutical industry and its needs as the graduates mostly are absorbed in the pharmaceutical industry.

Post your comments

Sindh students visited GCU, PU
Lahore: A group of 20 top students of Matriculation and Intermediate level along with their faculty member from the province of Sindh visited the GC University Lahore.

The visit was arranged under the initiative of the Chief Minister Punjab for promoting inter-provincial harmony. The group of students along with former Vice Chancellor Jamshoro University, Dr Rashid Ahmed Shah visited the Natural History Museum Department of Zoology, Sports Complex and Post Graduate Library of the GCU.

The delegation also met with Vice Chancellor Dr Khalid Aftab. Speaking with the top position holders of Sindh, GCU Vice Chancellor said that we have maintained the standard of GCU through hard work and commitment to quality education. He said strenuous efforts were being made for educating the students in a cultured way, which makes GCU different from all other educational institutes.

He said that GC University has got the honour of providing the nation leaders, scientists, noble laureates, sportsmen and other influential personalities from last 145 years.

Dr Khalid Aftab said that GCU graduates are respected all over the world and mentioned those great personalities who remained associated with this institution like Allama Iqbal, Dr Abdul Salam, Dr Hargobind Khorana, Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Sufi Ghulam Mustafa Tubassam. The nation

Post your comments

GCU marks China's 60 years
Lahore: The Dramatics Club and Debating Society of GC University, Lahore organised a seminar to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. The keynote speakers related their experiences as part of the Youth Ministry's 100-member student delegations that visit China annually. The speakers spoke at length about Chinese culture and history, putting into perspective its meteoric rise to the status of a world power. Speakers included former youth delegates and alumni Madiha Gul and Hassan B Zaidi. Daily times

Post your comments

Mismanagement under National Internship Programme
Khanewal: Scores of internees recruited under the National Internship Programme (NIP) have no work to do for the last four months due to lack of planning, absence of job description and proper monitoring mechanism.

A source said that in Khanewal district as many as 120 jobless youth, including more than 100 females, holding master degrees in various disciplines were inducted as internees on a monthly stipend of Rs10,000 under the NIP.

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) had initiated and funded the internship programme across the country.

He said the main objective of the NIP was to provide On-Job training (OJT), enhance administrative and technical skills, and assist the departments in performing routine office work.

An official requesting anonymity said the district administration placed the entire lot of internees in community development, health, education, works & services departments, DCO office and other departments working at tehsil level without proper planning and job description.

"The HEC is paying monthly stipend of Rs1.2 million to 120 internees in the district. It is just a wastage of funds."

He said the government had already spent billions of rupees on the programme and termed NIP a useless activity.

"I am holding masters degree in psychology and have been sent to the community development department after recruitment as internee.

I have no work to do except to sit idle, read books and study for further education," said Huma Rashid, an internee, while talking to this correspondent.

She said as per qualification she should be appointed in health department. "I don't know why they sent me to the community development department.

I have nothing to do except to remain idle as no one briefed me about the work or the job description."

Another internee Ms Ambreen said it would be better to hold training workshops for capacity building of the internees, besides organising exposure visits to enhance skills of the internees about office management and other routine works.

When contacted, deputy district officer (coordination) Malik Zafar said: "Actually we had received the appointment letters of a total of 160 internees for Khanewal district.

Of them, 120 reported to the district administration and later they were posted at various departments." He denied reports of internees having no work.

"They are working `enthusiastically' in departments. Most of the internees had been sent to the education department from where they were posted in various district schools.

Prior to their placement, the district administration had made a proper planning. Since their placement, we are properly monitoring their work," Mr Zafar said.

He admitted that there was no proper job description but claimed that internees were extending their services to departments.

"It is also the duty of the EDOs concerned to prepare their job description and further place them against seats suitable according to their qualification, Zafar said. Dawn

Post your comments