Islamia College University without VC
ICU without VC for four months
Peshawar, Jan 14: The Islamia
College University (ICU) has been functioning without an administrative head for
the last five months, as the acting vice-chancellor could not be named after the
kidnapping of its Vice-Chancellor Ajmal Khan in September 2010. The lack
of administrative head is having an adverse effect on the smooth functioning of
the university, where the intermediate section was closed down for an indefinite
period after protests by students against fines and attendance rate issue. The
protesters were heavily baton-charged by the police. Suspected militants
kidnapped Vice-Chancellor Ajmal Khan from the vicinity of his house near the
University Campus on September 6, 2010. The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)
later claimed responsibility for the kidnapping and released three videos
showing him in their captivity. He is the second head of any public
sector university kidnapped by the militants. Prof Dr Lutfullah Kakakhel,
vice-chancellor of Kohat University of Science and Technology, was kidnapped
earlier. He was released after seven-month captivity reportedly after payment of
a handsome amount as ransom and swap of some hardcore militants. Another
vice-chancellor, Dr Farooq Khan, of the newly established Swat University was
assassinated in his clinic in Mardan. The kidnapping of Ajmal Khan
brought misery for his family and triggered a wave of unrest among the teaching
community. It also affected the functioning of the Islamia College University as
the chancellor failed to make an appointment for the office on temporary basis
despite the passage of four months. According to the Islamia College
University Act, if the vice-chancellor goes abroad or the office becomes vacant
due to some other reason, the chancellor would appoint the senior-most professor
as acting vice-chancellor. Sources said that the registrar sent a
list of senior professors to the chancellor of the university who is governor of
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through the Higher Education Department. "The chancellor,
instead of following the rules set by him, appointed a junior professor as
acting vice-chancellor causing serious concern among the senior professors," a
faculty member of the university said. Prof Dr Naeem Khalid,
Dean of the Faculty of Numerical Sciences, was named acting vice-chancellor
according to the sources. Naeem Khalid was way down on number 11 on the
seniority list, the sources added. Annoyed at the decision, the senior
faculty members sent their en mass resignations to the chancellor in protest,
forcing him to withdraw the decision and leave the office vacant, the sources
added. The sources said that Prof Dr Haider Shah, Dean, Faculty of
Chemical Sciences, was on top of the seniority list followed by Prof Dr Zahir
Shah, Dean, Faculty of Botanical Sciences, Professor Dr Noshad Khan, Dean,
Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof Dr Abdus Salam Khalis, Dean, Faculty of
Languages and Literature. A senior professor of the university told this
reporter that the university was facing serious administrative issues in the
absence of a head. They have to send very petty issues, particularly relating to
finance, to the chancellor for approval, he said. It takes a long time to clear
utility and medical bills, he added. "Of course it was due to the
non-availability of administrative head that the students of the university took
to the streets protesting fines and attendance shortage that forced the police
to baton-charge them. And thus the intermediate section of the university was
closed down for indefinite period," he argued. The Class-III and Class-IV
employees of the university are also on strike to press the government to
expedite efforts for the safe and early recovery of the kidnapped
vice-chancellor. The news
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BISEs fee hike irks parents, candidates
Rawalpindi: Punjab education boards' recent decision to revise the fee structure has perturbed the parents,
students and the candidates as the examination bodies have been facing acute
budget deficit over the years. The information obtained from Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education
(BISE) Rawalpindi revealed that the authorities raised different kind of fees
charged from the private students for their registration, verification of
documents and certificates, re-evaluation of the papers and inspection fee for
checking the private schools for affiliation.
The fee for verification of HSSC has been increased from Rs750 to Ra1550, for
attestation of photocopy of the certificates from Rs100 to Rs300.
"I wanted to get my HSSC verified from BISE as it is the requirement for
taking admission abroad but was surprised to learn the amount being charged by
the board," said Jaffar Ali.
The charges for verification of educational documents by the Higher Education
Commission (HEC) are Rs500 but the charges at BISE are much higher, he said.
The fee for re-evaluation of both theoretical and practical examinations has
also been enhanced many times putting extra burden on the students.
Abrar Ahmed Khan, president of the association of private school owners
criticised the increase in inspection and affiliation fee for the private
institutions.
The registration fee for private candidates has been jacked up from Rs400 to
Rs700 for annual examinations, the representative of private schools said.
The employees of the nine boards last year launched a protest campaign after
the Punjab government waived the annual registration fee for the regular
candidates in a bid to facilitate the poor students, said Mehr Akbar,
representative of the BISE employees union.
He said that the Higher Education Department, controlling authority of the
nine examination boards in Punjab ensured the protesting employees that
compensation grants would be paid to the autonomous examination bodies but no
action was taken so far.
"Punjab Boards Committee of Chairmen in the beginning of this financial year
decided to raise different fees manifolds to make the budgetary deficits caused
by waiver of registration fee of the regular students", said Abdul Sattar Ramay,
Secretary BISE.
The PBCC has the representation of all the nine boards in the Punjab and it
has decided unanimously to increase the fees as it is difficult for the
financially independent boards to meet their annual expenses, he said. Dawn
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Book on Faiz launched
Islamabad: Facing an unjust and archaic social order, Faiz Ahmad Faiz used his poetic powers and
intellectual energies against everything that was anti-human. His was the voice
of sanity, for he sought peace in a troubled world. Eminent poets and
writers expressed these feelings here on Thursday while sharing their views on
the life and works of Faiz Ahmad Faiz at the launching ceremony of a book 'Faiz
Saddy - Muntakhab Mazameen'. Marking the Centenary Celebration of Faiz,
Progressive Writers Union Islamabad Chapter in collaboration with National
Language Authority launched the first book of 2011 written on Faiz. Published by
NLA, the book is compiled by renowned poets and scholars Professor Yusuf Hasan
and Dr. Rawish Nadeem. The ceremony was presided over by Professor Fateh
Mohammad Malik, while Iftikhar Arif, Kishwar Naheed, Agha Nasir, Ashfaq Saleem
Mirza, Professor Yusuf Hasan, Dr. Salahuddin Derwaish, and Rawish Nadeem
elaborated on the contents of the book on Faiz, his poetry and personality.
Kishwar Naheed said that the person and vision of Faiz is larger than
life and cannot be contained in one book. She stressed the need to visualise
Faiz beyond poet of love and romance and try to spark people's interest in his
person, as a poet of the people and in his poetry as an inspiration to work for
a better world. Kishwar described the book an important reference material
including interviews, articles, and speeches. While deliberating on the
book, Agha Nasir commended NLA for this timely publication and termed it a big
contribution. He said that the book is an all inclusive lexicon of Faiz's work
and persona from all angles. The 667 page book with 40 articles, interviews, and
speeches covers all school of thoughts of the society, making it a collective
celebration of Faiz's Centenary as an amorphous yet synchronous event that is
democratic, inclusive and universal in its approach. Iftikhar Arif termed
Faiz, as one of the most prominent poets of 20th century, who won unparalleled
global acclaim as he symbolised all that is humane, dignified, refined, brave
and challenging and patriotic. He said that Faiz as a journalist, progressive
writer, a critic, a labour leader, a poet of the masses and an intellectual has
left a great impact on the national life of his time. Iftikhar Arif said that
Faiz became a legend in his lifetime and was recognised and respected by the
literati of the world. He remains the most translated poet of Urdu literature as
his works have been translated in many languages, Iftikhar Arif
added. Fateh Mohammad Malik said that the book comes as a significant
record of progressive literature. He said that Faiz lived in the times of
literary giants like Josh Malihabadi, Sardar Jafri, Kaifi Azmi, Majaz Lakhnawi,
Majrooh Sultanpuri, Pablo Neruda, Nazim Hikmet, Rasul Gamzatov, Ralph Russell
and many others. Faiz was their equal, and can rightfully claim a place in this
galaxy of world-renowned poets. He said that the book rightly present Faiz, as
the ambassador of the soul and feelings of the people of Pakistan by projecting
his poetry and other literary works, as well as his struggle for world peace and
prosperity. Following the symbolic central theme of the Faiz Centenary
'Aaiyey hath uthaein hum bhi, Baraey amn-e-alam aur insani khushhali' (Come, we
too should raise our hands in supplication for world peace, and for the
prosperity of its people)', the book is a tribute to the powerful poetry and
persona of Faiz and would go a long way in carrying the message of Faiz in
promoting peace and harmony amongst people of all races and nationalities,
transcending religious, ethnic and linguistic differences.
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German scholar donates for AIOU rural students
Islamabad: Professor Dr. Peter Langer, chair of Organic Chemistry of the University of Rostock (Germany),
supported the AIOU Educational Centre of Umerkot with a personal donation of
15,000 Euro. Professor Langer is the first one who supported the AIOU
educational centre at Umerkot, planned to be inaugurated in March 2011. The
donation would help Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) to provide stipends to
poor students in the region of Umerkot. The donation was announced
during a visit of the AIOU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Nazir A. Sangi, on the
invitation of Professor Langer. During the visit, an MoU was signed for the
establishment of a centre of excellence in the field of chemistry at AIOU with
the help of Professor Langer. "The concept of AIOU to support and educate poor
people in rural areas of Pakistan is excellent", Professor Langer said. "I am
very happy to support the educational centre at Umerkot, which is an excellent
project and contribution to the people of Pakistan", he said. Professor
Langer has been supporting Pakistani students for many years. In the period 2005
to 2010 about 15 Pakistan students received their Ph.D degrees under his
supervision at the University of Rostock. In the next two years, 10 more
students will complete their Ph.D under his supervision. Professor Langer
said "He likes to see his Pakistani students to return to Pakistan to serve
their country." For the graduate education of Pakistani students, Professor
Langer has been investing approx. 450,000 Euro and about 120 publications in
high-ranked international journals were published by him together with Pakistani
students accumulating more than 350 impact factor points. Several cultural
events have been organised by Professor Langer and his team to bring Pakistani
culture more close to the people of Germany.
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Annual competitions conclude at Margalla College
Islamabad: The annual competitions concluded at the Federal Government Margalla College for Women,
F-7/4, on Thursday. Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA)
Director-General Tauqeer Nasir was the chief guest on the occasion. The
function was divided into two categories. In the first half, students presented
different items based on mystic music and thought-provoking ideas of Allama
Iqbal. In the second half, students presented folk music. The presentation
enthralled and mesmerised the audience. Speaking on the occasion, Tauqir
Nasir said that Pakistan is blessed with young people possessing creative
skills. The only need is to tap their talent. He urged students to disseminate
country's rich culture and traditions. In the end, Tauqeer Nasir
distributed prizes among the winners. In Iqbal's poetry competition,
first prize went to Zainab Fatima of the Islamabad College for Girls, F-6/2,
second prize was obtained by Hifza Ahmed of the Federal Government College for
Women, F-7/2, third prize went to Bushra Hafeez of the PAF College, Chaklala,
and the consolation prize went to Ammara Akhtar of the Federal Government Degree
College. In folk singing competition, first prize went to Ayesha Bibi of
the Federal Government Postgraduate College for Women, Kashmir Road, second
prize was given to Javairia Shoaib of the Islamabad Model College for Girls,
F-10/3, third prize was obtained by Sameen Bibi of the Federal Government
College for Women, F-6/2, and consolation prize went to Maheen Tariq of the
Bahria College, E-8.
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Annual day held at BFC
Rawalpindi: Annual day function and prize distribution ceremony of Bahria Foundation College (BFC), Westridge campus, was
held here, says a press release. Vice Admiral (r) Mahmood Ahmed Khan was chief
guest on the occasion. While addressing the ceremony chief guest appreciated the
educational standard of the college and urged to students to toil hard to
achieve success in future and also to contribute in the national development.
Earlier the College Principal Commodore (r) Muhammad Younis gave his welcome
address highlighting the excellent performance of the students during the year
and apprised the audience of the standards being set for their grooming.
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Rootsians compete in 'Sports Olympiad'
Rawalpindi: The Roots School System organised an inter-branch Sports Olympiad to test students
thinking skills and their abilities to blend in team events. The
Olympiad included soccer, table tennis, badminton, cricket, volleyball and
basketball. There were separate competitions for girls and boys in all games.
The Roots School System, DHA Phase I Campus, clinched trophies in all
competitions. The winner in badminton for boys was Muntazir Mannan and
for girls Sarah Tariq. In table tennis, winners were Aizaz Khan, Sarah
Tariq and Hira Tahir. The football teams for girls and boys won under
the captaincy of Zarmina Wajahat and Osama and Salman Asghar. The
cricket team winning captain and vice captain were Shehroze Saadat and Moiz
Saggu. The basketball and volleyball winning captains were Muhammad Usman and
Saffiullah Khan. The Sports Olympiad was a major success and the overall
trophy was won by the athletes of Roots School System, DHA Phase 1
Campus. Roots School System Director Khadija Omair
said that the academic institution promotes high academic standards. "The level
of competition in sports is equally noteworthy and our students don't sit on the
sidelines and good grades and winning records go hand-in-hand," she added. The news
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