Academic institutions closure in twin cities

Terror spate disrupts education in Islamabad, Rawalpindi
Islamabad, Oct 22: The twin suicide blasts at the International Islamic University (IIU) on Tuesday forced the concerned authorities to close down all academic institutions in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Educational institutions in Rawalpindi Cantonment were closed down on Saturday for one week. Some private academic institutions are closed for last three days while others for a week in the Rawalpindi City. The federal government institutions in Islamabad have been closed for a week, but the Punjab government closed all institutions till further orders.

Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said that all provincial academic institutions would remain closed till improvement in law and order situation. He said that lives of students could not be put at risk in the prevailing circumstances.

Executive District Officer (EDO) Education Muhammad Ashraf Malik said that all educational institutions under the Punjab government would remain closed till further orders.

On the other hand, well-placed sources said that all educational institutions would remain closed till November 1.

The Global System of Integrated Studies (GSIS), a school in Sector H-8/1 of Islamabad, has been closed down for an indefinite period.

The Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE) has postponed the practical examinations of the Higher Secondary School Certificate Supplementary Examination scheduled to start today (October 22).

Schools have cancelled mid-term examinations of the primary and middle classes. Asma Bukhari, a mother, questioned whether the government would be able to normalise the situation in a few days? According to her, academic institutions could not be opened on Monday in the prevailing situation.

Muhammad Anwar, a father, said that his son is studying in a missionary school, which is going to open on Thursday. (today). "I would not send my son to school in this situation," he added.

According to a survey, almost all tuition centres had displayed closure notices till Monday.

The Fatima Jinnah Women University, National University of Sciences and Technology, Bahria University, Allama Iqbal Open University, Quaid-i-Azam University, Preston University and Federal Urdu University would remain closed till October 25.

Post your comments

Students residing in hostels in trouble
Islamabad: Students are facing immense difficulties as all the hostels of private and government educational institutions have been got vacated after Tuesday's suicide bombing at International Islamic University (IIU).

Majority of the students living in these hostels belong to far-flung areas of the country and it was not possible for them to move their hometown on Tuesday evening just after the twin blast incident at IIU. All the hostels of government boys and girls colleges in the city including Asghar Mall College, Gordon College, Degree College Satellite Town and Postgraduate College Satellite Town have been got vacated by the respective college administrations on Tuesday.

The students residing in these hostels have left for their hometowns while the girl students were seen waiting for their parents. Nida Aslam, a student of Arid Agriculture University said, "I am waiting for my father who is coming from Chakwal to pick me as I cannot travel alone."

The private owners also got vacated their hostels, as according to them they can't take the security risk. Sahid Mehmood, a student, after receiving notice from a private hostel in Commercial Market said, "We are in immense trouble, as the hostel administration served us notices to leave the hostels, how it come possible for us to pack up immediately and move towards our hometowns."

The students who belong to Northern Areas refused to leave these private hostels, as it is not possible for them to go homes. The news

Post your comments

300 civil defence personnel to safeguard educational institutions
Islamabad: Interior Minister A. Rehman Malik Wednesday said that as many as 300 civil defence personnel have been deployed for the security of all the educational institutions in the Federal Capital. These personnel will ensure the safety and security of the educational institutions as well as the students and teachers, Malik told media persons after a meeting with heads of all the educational institutions of the Capital held here at the Ministry of Interior.

In addition to this, he said a core committee comprising three sub committees have been formed under the head of Secretary Interior Qamar Zaman Chaudhry and Vice Chancellors to recommend how to strengthen the security of the educational institutions.These committee would give its recommendations within four days, following which it would be decided to reopen the educational institutions, he said adding that the institutions have been closed down for the security and safety of students and teachers.He Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that the closure of educational institutional is meant to strengthen their security; it is not due to the fear of terrorists.

He said there was not any security of public and private educational institutions and nobody did ever think in this regard because targeting the educational institutions was beyond the expectations.

He said previously there was only one guard at each institution and that too without any proper training and arms, however, it has now been decided in the meeting that the security staff of the educational institutional will be well trained and equipped.

Malik said the suicide attacks at IIUI were also due to security lapse at the end of university's security staff.

Post your comments

QAU to remain closed
Islamabad: In the light of prevalent security situation, Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) will remain closed till October 25.

Earlier the University announced to open on Thursday, said a press release. app

Post your comments

E-learning health facility at QPJMC
Islamabad: The French government on Wednesday introduced e-learning health facility for the masters in Critical Care Medicine at the Quaid-i-Azam Postgraduate Medical College (QPJMC).

The Ambassador of France Daniel Jouanneau inaugurated the video conferencing (e-learning) health facility.

The registrar of QPJMC, Dr Amjad Chaudhary said that the patients suffering from severe infections, neurological diseases, pregnancy related emergencies, acute respiratory failure, multiple-trauma or poisoning would get a help from the e-health facility.

Regarding the new e-health facility, he said, teaching sessions would be organised by a joint Pakistan-French faculty.

"French professors will deliver lectures through videoconferencing" he said.

The inaugural ceremony was attended through videoconferencing from Paris by Professor Offenstadt of Saint Antoine Hospital and Professor Bertrand Guidet, President of the French Society of Critical Care Medicine (SRLF).

Pims and Saint Antoine Hospital in Paris were celebrating 10 years of collaboration through a partnership funded by the French Government.

In December 2000, a medical ICU had been established at Pims with French assistance since then the facility has provided ICU care for more than 3,500 patients.

Doctors and nurses from Pims were sent to the Medical ICU of Saint Antoine Hospital for specialised training and a French consultant in critical care medicine has been working in Pims for the last six years. Dr Amjad said that Quaid–i-Azam University had approved the format and the curriculum of a Master's in Critical Care Medicine, the first teaching programme in this discipline in Pakistan aimed at service delivery and the provision of primary care to the critically ill. Dawn

Post your comments

Book signing ceremony held
Islamabad: Prominent story writers appreciated the book 'Intezar ka Akhri Pehar' by storywriter, journalist and broadcaster, Munir Ahmed, at the book signing ceremony held at Rawalpindi Arts Council here on Wednesday.

National Language Authority Chairman Iftikhar Arif was the chief guest on the occasion. Educationist Ahmed Javed appreciating the book said that since his subject was Urdu he has always taught prose with poetry with ease. The characters of the story seem to be lost in their own world. It is not so bad at all because in today's scenario one can find solace in romance. The writer has written short stories that depict a patent style. The style always reflects an era in which it is written. The first two chapters 'pehla muqalma' and 'doosra muqalma' depict love, life and story in a simple way."

Munir Ahmed while talking about his book said that the inception of his story was derived from poetry that was much appreciated by Mazhar-ul-Islam who asked him to pursue his career in story writing.

Hameed Qaiser while appreciating Munir Ahmed's book said that Munir has a passion of doing something different. "He has no dearth of imagination, which is quite obvious in his short stories. But if he wants to concentrate on story writing solely, then he has to carve a niche for himself through his creativity in this field because a lot of work has already been done in story writing."

Mohammad Hameed Shahid said that Munir has a talent of creating pictures out of words. He said that when a reader reads his stories he is totally submerged in the characters and the situations mentioned.

Iftikhar Arif said that a writer always gets inspirations from a senior writer when he starts to write. But living in his imprints for the whole life should not happen, the departure from the mentor should be felt.

"You have to create your own path in order to be felt by others otherwise you are type sized of the same school of thought and nobody notices you. Several writers like Khalida Hussain, Mumtaz Mufti, Ahmed Javed, Rasheed Amjad, Ahmed Dawood, Mazhar-ul-Islam and Akhtar Jamal who are great storywriters. A young writer cannot drift away from their style. It so happens that sometimes the improvisation becomes beautiful than the original but imitation is imitation," he said.

Post your comments

NBF delegation off to Germany
Islamabad: A delegation of National Book Foundation has left for Frankfurt, Germany, to attend an international book fair wherein booksellers and publishers from 70 countries are participating. NBF Managing Director Mazhar-ul-Islam and GTZ representative, Ejaz Ahmed Shah are part of the delegation. The objective of the participation in the aforesaid fair is to highlight the image of Pakistan on international level by introducing books on Pakistan, Allama Iqbal, Quiad-i-Azam and Fatima Jinnah. The news

Post your comments