HEC Rs14 billion budget for 2011-12

HEC gets Rs14 billion
Islamabad, May 14: With the minimal allocation of Rs589.319 million for new projects and a total allocation of Rs14 billion, the budget 2011-12 for the Higher Education Commission (HEC) was approved by the Annual Plan Coordination Committee (APCC) here on Friday.

The approved budget would be presented to National Economic Council (NEC) for the final approval. The budget prepared by Planning Commission allocated Rs14 billion budget for HEC that include Rs589.319 million for the new projects and Rs13.4 billion for the ongoing projects.

The allocation of the fiscal year of 2011-12 includes Rs111.167 million foreign loans and Rs13.9 billion is the government support. The HEC demand for the PSDP budget allocation for the new projects was Rs614.809 million while the demand for the overall budget that includes both the ongoing projects and foreign projects was Rs15.8 billion.

The total budgetary allocation for the financial year 2010-11 was Rs15.8 billion where the expenditure up to June 2010 was Rs56 billion and the throw forward was Rs93.9 billion. However, the expenditure up to June 2011 is Rs63 billion, which is higher than the previous year while the throw forward is Rs73.4 billion.

The new projects mentioned in the budget document are devoid of any national or international scholarship programmes. Only 17 new projects have been included in the budget document for the year 2011-12.

One of the major projects that have been mentioned in the budget document is 'strengthening and development of SBK Women University, Quetta' where Rs108.017 million has been allocated. The estimated cost for the project is Rs808.757 million that also include Rs213.914 million foreign loans.

Strengthening of Labs faculty of C and P at Lasbela University of Agriculture Water and Marine Sciences Uthal is another big project with the allocation of Rs100 million. The estimated cost of the project is Rs385.421 million.

The third major project is the establishment of grid station at the Sector H-12, Islamabad, for National University of Science and Technology (NUST) for which Rs79 million has been allocated. The estimated cost for the project is Rs408.970 million. An amount of Rs95 million has been allocated for the establishment of Air University Campus in Multan. The estimated cost for the project is Rs200 million.

The other few major projects include the establishment of physical laboratories at Balochistan University of Information Technology and Management Sciences in Quetta with the allocation of Rs38.970 million, construction of boundary wall at International Islamic University (IIUI) with the allocation of Rs30.391 million, establishment of business incubation centre at Comsats Institute of Information Technology with the allocation of Rs32 million, Strengthening of Environmental Engineering department of NED University with the cost of Rs22.065 million.

What could be termed as the most significant ongoing project is the PhD fellowship for 5,000 scholars for which an allocation of Rs600 million has been made against the HEC demand of Rs650 million. Meanwhile the project regarding foreign faculty hiring received an allocation of Rs375 million.

An allocation of Rs200 million has been made for the provision of higher education opportunities for the students of Balochistan and Fata where the estimated cost for the project is Rs200 million. The project regarding the overseas scholarship for MS/MPhil leading to PhD has received an allocation of Rs1.8 billion.

An allocation of Rs350 million has been made for strengthening of NED University of Engineering and Technology Karachi where its estimated amount is Rs2.2 billion with the foreign loan of Rs1.4 billion. The project to strengthen the University of Engineering and Technology has received an allocation of Rs500 million against the estimated cost of Rs5.9 million with the foreign loan of Rs1.9 billion.

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French envoy fetes Pakistani scholars
Islamabad: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the French Embassy in Pakistan, with the aim to help the development of cooperation between French and Pakistani scientific organisations, engaged in resource and development programmes of all the scientific and technology fields, have launched a joint programme for research mobility.

This fellowship programme is intended for highly qualified Pakistani doctoral and post-doctoral scientists and offers them an excellent opportunity to do research in France for six to nine months.

To wish bon voyage to Pakistani scholars leaving for different universities in France, the ambassador of France and Mrs Jouanneau hosted a reception at their residence, which was attended by members of the academic world, including the lively Vice Chancellor, Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur, Professor Dr Nilofer Shaikh; members of the French embassy including the motivated incharge of the programme, attache for Science and Technology, Engineer Sandie Favier and of-course, the lucky recipients of the scholarships.

The Minister for Science and Technology, Changez Khan Jamali made a brief appearance.

Addressing the gathering Ambassador Jouanneau said it was a pleasure for the French Embassy to co-finance this programme with the Higher Education Commission in order to increase the number of laureates. "Indeed, in 2010, 8 scientists were able to join some of the best French research laboratories and it was a great success with already more than 6 joint-publications," he said. "Today, we are together to express our congratulation to the 17 new laureates of this fellowship programme, both 'split-PhD' and post-doctorate who will leave for France beginning of June 2011 to join French universities. These young scientists are true representatives of Pakistan as they come from different universities of the country and work in quite different fields. I am sure that they will take advantage of their stay in France to deepen their scientific knowledge and tie strong links with the research laboratories, which will host them. After the day of preparation that they have had today, they know that now, they are the ambassadors of Pakistan in France and that we count on them, on their work and their dedication to make a strong impression and to attract their future French colleagues in Pakistan to develop new collaborations."

He went on to say that France's cooperation with Pakistan in higher education and scientific domains increases every year and he was happy to say that together with the HEC, France will carry on this programme of research fellowships in 2012 as well. The HEC and the French Embassy in Pakistan have invited applications for 'split-PhD' scholarships and Post Doctoral Fellowships, the details and application forms of which can be downloaded from the URL: www.hec.gov.pk, www.ambafrance-pk.org or obtained from the Campus France desks in Alliance Francaise at Islamabad, Lahore, Faisalabad or Karachi. Last date for submission of application form is July 31st, 2011.

After his formal address the ambassador said France was a hospitable country with the freedom to practise religion as one wants as long as it was within the ambient of French laws. He cited the example of scholars who had returned with glowing accounts of their stay in France and said this positive attitude would go a long way in promoting the bilateral relations between the two countries, something, which was already a reality.

He concluded by wishing the scholars a safe journey; a happy stay and a fruitful addition to their knowledge.

Adviser (HRD) HEC Professor Dr. Riaz Hussain Qureshi thanked the ambassador for his hospitality and also for his unstinting support of the HEC and its projects saying a very positive feedback had come from returning scholars and the HEC looked forward to further collaboration in the field of higher education.

Those leaving for France and very excited at the prospect, are Mohammed Saleem (Government College University, Lahore), Imran Shahzad (Mohammad Ali Jinnah University Islamabad), Muhammad Sohail Afzal (NUST Islamabad), Mohammed Umer (National Institute of Biology and Genetic Engineering, Faisalabad), Sehrish Fatima (Karachi Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering), Mubbashir Hussain (Kohat University of Science and Technology), Safia Hassan (Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Islamabad), Dr. Humayun Ajaz (UET Lahore), Dr. Ibrar Hussain (NUST Islamabad). Dr. Kashif Riaz (University of Arid Agriculture Rawalpindi). Dr. Ghulam Mohammed Kundi (Gomal University), Dr, Ali Asghar (University of Agriculture (Faisalabad), Dr. Mujeeb Ahmad (IIU Islamabad), Dr. Muhammad Imran Malik (Institute of Communication Technologies Islamabad), Dr. Qaiser Jabeen (Islamia University Bahawalpur), Dr. Muhammad Ashraf Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology Faisalabad) and Dr. Mohammaed Aslam (Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan).

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'Open House' at Bahria University
Islamabad: The Engineering Departments of Bahria University jointly organised its 2nd Open House session on here Thursday, says a press release.

The well organised mega event lasting some seven hours was largely attended. On hand were 66 projects, while 100 students remained very closely associated for several months from their initial planning, till completion of each. Representatives of several leading manufacturers and or companies showed keen interest in the numerous proto-type products on display at stalls specially setup for the show. Judged from any angle, every product reflected the highly innovative and creative concept the students had come out with.

Local industries engaged in the manufacture of modern day security equipment & devices could stand to highly benefit from the products prepared by the young minds of Bahria University after a great hard work and toil. At the culmination of the show, Rector of the Bahria University Vice Admiral (r) Mohammad Haroon distributed shields and cash awards to respective teams, while group E-19 was adjudged as No 1 in best hardware project, group G-6 best software project, group E-33 best pane-flex project and group E-27 best brochure design.

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Japanese language speech contest held
Islamabad: Japanese Language Department of National University of Modern Languages (NUML) held Japanese language speech contest on Friday in which 11 students from interpretation, diploma and certificate courses in Japanese Department delivered their speeches on variety of topics.

The topics of the speeches included 'Similar Words in Urdu and Japanese', 'Tourist Resorts of Pakistan', 'Life of Japanese Students at NUML' and 'Hobbies of Japanese People'.

Muhammad Shafeeq Ahmed, Sana Zubairi and Amir Azam Khan were adjudged first, second, third respectively. Before the prize distribution, the students sang a Japanese song. The panel of judges comprised Mayumi Tsubakimoto 3rd Secretary of Embassy of Japan, and Shigeko Tanaka faculty member, Japanese Language Department, NUML.

First Secretary Embassy of Japan Madam Kuniko Nakamura, on the occasion said that students of NUML have shown their devotion in efforts of donation for Japan earthquake crisis that strengthened Pak-Japan relations.

She appreciated the language skills and the performance of the contestants. Arranging such events make students aware with culture, language and social norms and involves students in lingual activities with learning opportunities, she further said.

Speaking on the occasion NUML Rector Professor Dr Aziz Ahmad Khan said that Japanese Department has polished the language skills of its students with great efforts in a shorter time span although Japanese Language is one of the difficult languages of the world.

He said that Pakistan and Japan are tied in various similar cultural aspects and to understand these social aspects the language is the best tool. While appreciating efforts of the Japanese Department, he said arranging such speech contests help motivate the students' enthusiasm for learning Japanese Language.

The event aimed at promoting language interests among students and teachers and to present Pak-Japan Friendship and cultural similarities between the two countries.

The event was sponsored by Ministry of Foreign Affair of Japan in collaboration with NUML and Embassy of Japan, Islamabad. In the end, participants and winner were awarded with certificates and prizes by DG NUML Brig Azam Jamal. The news

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Students, teacher booked
Peshawar: The University of Peshawar has lodged FIR against six students and a teacher of the Department of Economics for cheating in the examination, sources said.

"About six students of Department of Economics were busy in solving their papers from books on the rooftop of the department's building, when they were spotted by the security officials", sources said.

On Friday, the matter was reported to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Azmat Hayat Khan, who ordered registration of FIRs after initial inquiry into the matter against a teacher and the students. Dawn

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