Pakistan Institute of Development Economics degree status
PIDE gets status to award degrees
Islamabad, Apr 13: President Asif Ali Zardari signed a bill on Monday
giving the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) a
degree-awarding status in major fields of economics and business. The Pakistan Institute of Development Economics Bill, 2010, was
approved by the National Assembly on January 1 and the Senate on March
24. Speaking at a ceremony held to mark the occasion,
President Zardari said signing the bill into law was recognition of the
role played by PIDE in education sector and its capacity to produce
competent economists. He said there was a need to strengthen
the human resources of the country with highly trained economists in
the public and private sectors. The bill that would enable the
institute to award PhDs, MPhils and masters in economics and business
would help meet this requirement, the president said. Dawn
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Preston university's 'spring splash 2010'
Islamabad: Students of different universities expressed a strong
urge of peace, spirituality and liberation through a variety of symbols
and mediums used in a sketching and painting competition held at
Preston University here on Monday. The competition was a part
of the weeklong festivities titled 'Spring Splash 2010' organised by
the Preston University at its main campus. A colourful and energetic
environment combined with happy faces marked the first day of the
festivities that started with the inter-university cricket tournament. The
sketching and painting competition among 10 universities was the second
event on the list. Students enthusiastically participated in the event
and made inspiring sketches and paintings in a limited time of only
three hours. Students used symbols of spirituality from eastern as well
as western literature on the topic 'Splashes of Spiritual Life'. The
symbol of spirituality used by majority of the participants was the
Turkish whirling saints. Some gave space to all forms of spirituality
symbols that exist in the world whereas others portrayed shrines as the
source of spirituality for the common man in this region. One painting
depicted the Holy Quran as the centre of spirituality for the whole
world. The judges' panel for the event included eminent
artists such as Director Jharoka Naheed Raza, Riffatullah Khan and
Ahmed Habib. Universities that participated in the event included
Federal Urdu University, National University of Modern Languages
(NUML), FAST, Institute of Space Technology, Iqra and International
Islamic University. Hunerkada Chairman Jamal Shah was the chief guest
on the occasion. Interestingly, almost all universities that
took part in the event do not have a visual or performing arts
department on their campuses but the depth of message and skilful use
of mediums by each student clearly depicted their maturity level and
grasp over the use of oil and watercolours in a harmonious and artistic
way. In the painting category, Nousheen Butt of Iqra
University won the trophy for first position whereas Huziafa Arshed of
Institute of Space Technology and Hamid Afzal of Preston University
stood second and third respectively. For the sketching competition,
Haider Ali of Institute of Space Technology won the first prize,
followed by Imran Hassan of FAST and Awais Saeed of IIU for second and
third positions. On the occasion, Jamal Shah said that art is
the most affective, accessible and least dangerous way to communicate,
adding that science has gone in the wrong hands and brought destruction
to society through its twisted ways. He was of the opinion that art
provides a medium to voice these concerns and promotes peace and
harmony. He said every human being possesses an artistic sense but the
manifestation is different. "Anyone who has the desire to engage
creativity with life is an artist, be it a soldier, a cobbler or a
shopkeeper." Jamal Shah said Pakistan is fortunate to have 65
per cent of its population falling in the category of youth. "I hope
and pray that decision-makers become wise enough to invest all
resources in youth, so they can play a responsible role tomorrow and
change the country forever." Speaking on the occasion,
Chancellor Preston University Dr. Abdul Basit said the competition was
aimed at promoting peace, love and harmony among the young generation,
adding that other activities planned during the 'Spring Splash 2010'
include badminton, table tennis, dramatics, bilingual debate, bridal
dress and singing competitions. "In the end, the participating
universities will hold a comedy 'mushaira'," he said. Highlighting
the history of Preston University, he said established in 1984, it was
the first-ever private higher education institution in the country.
"Currently, the university has the largest network of any private
institution in the country and also has its campuses in United Arab
Emirates and China. Preston University has also been granted the
highest category A by the Higher Education Commission (HEC)," he
pointed out. He said the journey has not ended here, as the university
is planning to expand its scope by including newer departments to link
its students and the country with latest technological developments and
industrial trends. In the end, shields and trophies were
distributed among the winners and judges of the painting and sketching
competition.Later, the Preston University organised an auspicious roll
of honour award ceremony for the students of BBA and BS-IT of fall
semester 2009. Registrar Preston University AW Baloch was the chief
guest at the event, attended by a large number of students and parents.
On this occasion, the chancellor urged the students to focus on
their studies and utilise their energies in positive activities. He
said their target should be to achieve success at every stage of their
life and bring laurels for their country. "This roll of honour should
not be the end but the start of your journey of success," he said.
Rs21 million allocated for sports events in universities
Islamabad: A five-day inter-university sports extravaganza
organised by the Preston University as part of its 'Spring Splash 2010'
started here on Monday with students showing great zeal and enthusiasm
to earn victories in their respective competitions. On the
first day, the students competed in four categories, including Twenty20
cricket, badminton, table tennis and painting and sketching contests,
which were held at different venues. Speaking on the occasion,
Talat Khurshid, director general (sports) at the Higher Education
Commission (HEC), said that an amount of Rs21 million has been
allocated for organising sports events in universities operating across
the country. He said that more than 13,600 students of different
universities would compete in 40 events this year that would itself be
a record participation in sports activities during the calendar year. "It
is very encouraging that three female students have been selected for
the national women's cricket team and two male students are
participating in the Cricket Patron Trophy (Grade I and II)," he said. Talat
Khurshid said victories in the field of sports would certainly help
build a soft image of Pakistan in the comity of nations, so there is a
need to ignite the spirit of sports at all levels in educational
institutions. Dr. Abdul Basit, chancellor of the Preston
University, said sports activities make students learn about rising
after facing defeat and maintaining a momentum when success comes their
way. "The main purpose of organising sports events is to focus on
personality development of students, who will be our future leaders and
architects of the country's development process," he said.
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Black day observed, FAPUASA demands removal of NUML rector
Islamabad: Academicians in the public sector universities in all the provinces of Pakistan,
Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan observed Black Day at the call of
Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Associations
(FAPUASA) on Monday to protest against the apathy of authorities over
the recurring incidents of violence against teachers. Talking to
this scribe, Dr Mahr Saeed Akhtar, President of FAPUASA, who is also
President of Punjab University teachers body, said that black flags and
banners were hoisted in the campuses to mark the day and teachers wore
black armbands and black gowns in classes. He said that so far
the show-cause notice against Prof Tahir Malik of National University
of Modern Languages had not been withdrawn, so FAPUASA demands removal
of Brigadier (r) Aziz Khan, the Rector of NUML who is heading that
institution for more than last 10 years. The teachers of
universities in the federal metropolis including Quaid-i-Azam
University, Allama Iqbal University and National University of Modern
Languages wore black armbands throughout the day as a mark of protest
against the torture perpetrated by some elements in the universities.
AIOU had already displayed Black Day banners in the university to show
solidarity with the teaching community in universities. Prof.
Kaleemullah Breech, General-Secretary of FAPUASA, talking to this
scribe from Quetta urged the government to seriously pursue the case of
kidnapped VC of Kohat University. He said that if the government cannot
provide protection to the teaching community, FAPUASA would chalk out
its strategy and future course of action in consultation with FAPUASA
members. He congratulated the teachers for observing a successful Black
Day. In a statement, Badar Soomro, President of Sindh University
Teachers Association, fully endorsing the resolutions passed by FAPUASA
in its general body meeting held at AIOU last week, asked Federal and
NWFP governments to immediately recover Prof. Lutfullah Khan Kakakhel,
Vice-Chancellor of Kohat University, who was kidnapped six months ago.
He also asked the Punjab University authorities to take action against
the activists of a outfit of a politico-religious party who thrashed
Prof. Iftikhar Baloch. Prof Soomro also asked for removal of
retired army officers and bureaucrats from the posts of
vice-chancellors. He asked for arresting those who attacked Prof. Nasim
Abbas Abbasi in University of Sindh and AJK University and withdrawal
of cases against Dr Mehtab Ali Shah and others for exercising their
right of freedom of expression. He also demanded removal of the
acting Vice Chancellor of Government College University, Faisalabad,
for his revengeful activities against the elected representatives of
Academic Staff of the university. The news
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'Fake degree' issue: LHC summons MPA, CEC
Rawalpindi: The Rawalpindi bench of Lahore High Court on
Monday issued notices to Chief Election Commissioner and the provincial
assembly member from PP-240, asking them to respond by the end of this
month to a petition challenging the MPA's qualification. Justice Asad Munir of the LHC's Rawalpindi bench, while taking up the
petition of two voters from Taunsa Sharif tehsil of Dera Ghazi Khan
district, directed the CEC and the MPA to respond to the petition,
alleging that the legislator's degree was not genuine. Citing
Election Commission, MPA Meer Badshah Qaisrani and University of Sindh
Jamshoro as respondents, petitioners Sardar Imam Qaisrani and Khizar
Hayat Qaisrani through their lawyer Malik Qamar Afzal has maintained
that the PML-N's MPA had a fake bachelor degree. They claimed that the
University of Sindh had confirmed the degree as fake. The
petitioners said the returning officer of the constituency rejected the
nomination papers of Meer Badshah in 2002 general election after the
university had said that no degree had been issued to him. They said Mr Badshah later got himself qualified from the high court
where he submitted another fake document showing fake university
confirmation report on his degree. The petitioners said the university later publicised through media that no degree was issued to Meer Badsha.
Separately, Justice Asad Munir withheld his decision about an office
objection on the application of Rana Faqir Hussain seeking acquittal in
the case of twin suicide attacks on former President Pervez Musharraf. Office of the LHC objected that for acquittal a complete petition
should be moved instead of a mere application but advocate Mohammad
Akram Awan representing the appellant said that under section 561-A of
CrPC the high court entertained his application.
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Islamic heritage showcased at IIUI
Islamabad: A landmark Islamic heritage exhibition opened at
Faisal Mosque campus of International Islamic University Islamabad
(IIUI) on Monday. The exhibition was inaugurated by Palestinian Ambassador Hazim Hussein Abu Shanab. Female
students set up 36 stalls representing several countries including
Afghanistan, Algeria, China, Kenya, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Malaysia,
Palestine, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Korea, Qatar and
Uzbekistan. Pakistan was well represented. Students from Balochistan, Punjab, Sindh and the NWFP set up separate stalls. Students
from Gilgit-Baltistan also set up an exclusive stall to portray their
region. Besides, a stall also represented Chitral. All stalls
displayed uniform pattern of exhibits such as traditional ladies
garments, knick-knacks, food items and musical instruments. However,
the Chinese stall displayed Arabic calligraphy. There was a
novelty in the Italian stall which presented girls dressed as gypsies.
The stall from Rajasthan, India, took the cake for its quaint dresses
and plastic bangles which reached right up to the shoulder level. Here
we found Bagga (from Bahawalnagar) playing on the single stringed
instrument, Iktara. At the Iraqi stall, a lady, Zahra, named
her country's tasty dishes and said Iraqi dates had no parallel in the
world. The Palestinian stall was crowded with all sorts of visitors.
The prize for the best stall will be announced on Tuesday. IIUI
president Anwar Hussain Siddqui, vice-president Parveen Qadir Agha,
female student adviser Qaisarah Ali and exhibition coordinator Rubina
Siddiqui took the Palestinian ambassador around the stalls. The
ambassador presented a plaque with an image of Al-Aqsa Mosque to the
IIU president. The envoy appreciated the efforts of the organisers. Dawn
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