tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60114173144866593132024-03-06T10:22:15.544+05:00.: LearningPk :. Home Of Study, Education, Knowledge And Information For Pakistani Students OnlineUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger900125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6011417314486659313.post-81252365166985476662010-04-05T18:51:00.000+05:002010-04-05T18:51:52.070+05:00Sharp Declining Standard Of Education Under BSEK<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Karachi, April: The fracas that was unleashed on March 27 on account of postponement of an SSC examination paer must be taken as the final warning bell. A whispering campaign about the sharp declining standard of education under the Board of Secondary Education Karachi's (BSEK) supervised structure is already ripe And the conduct of examination is the ultimate test for the credibility of this fast crumbling educational edifice.<br />
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Whereas damage control actions by the Governor of Sindh were useful, the full remedy desires a sustained action with professional skill and administrative acumen.<br />
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The penetration of elements belonging to scattered pressure groups and their affiliates in the educational sector cannot be ignored. The trend germinated during the 1970s and after.<br />
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The rise of populist politics and several vested interest groups under its influence; mushrooming growth of private schools with little follow up of the basic school management guidelines; landslide fall in the status, efficiency and performance of government schools; widespread de-motivation amongst school teachers apparently due to very low emoluments and benefits, low status in the society and insecurity of job tenures (for contractual or private appointments) were few of the reasons.<br />
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In the same respect, merit in the induction of teachers could not be ensured in most government-run and some private schools. The teacher, the most important building block in the system of education, either became an unwilling worker or an incompetent being. In many cases, the moral and ethical values were greatly tarnished due to the inappropriate conduct of several members of the teaching fraternity.<br />
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BSEK's performance was directly affected by this vital handicap because the teaching fraternity had a very significant role in the board's routine work. Course delivery, revision of curricula, invigilation duties, paper setting and checking, tabulation and computation of results were all assignments where the teachers had a direct role. When the rot set in, its disastrous effects eclipsed the overall performance of the primary and secondary level of education. The system of conduct of examination was the worst hit in this backdrop.<br />
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There are shelves full in the record rooms of administration with studies and assessments pertinent to the examination system and related matters. Many vital findings have evolved from these deliberations.<br />
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It has been found that the school management is a key component in the system. A well-managed school is such which is competent to gauge the educational needs of its intake and nurtures the same in an appropriate way. It is able to professionally examine the curriculum and deliver the same to students in a satisfactory manner. It also bears the capacity to augment any deficiency in the curriculum by providing extra input to pupils in a bid to develop key competencies amongst them.<br />
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Hiring well-motivated teachers, maintaining a healthy and congenial environment and ensuring the availability of corresponding material and intellectual resources all come under school management. If the schools become strong and independently managed units, the overall system of education and the performance of the board shall be consolidated. At present, this near ideal scenario appears very remote from reality.<br />
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Many educationists believe that the nationalisation of schools in 1972 was a shoddily-executed project. It was believed that quality education shall become accessible to all. In contrast, the schools became dumping yards for politically-motivated appointments, embezzlement of funds and weak internal management.<br />
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In other words, they were reduced to unimportant entities from the perspective of bureaucracy. Lack of motivation and absence of accountability led to callousness and boredom among the teachers. These deadly attributes were also passed over to the students. In respect of private schools, very few have been able to maintain any worthwhile quality. In the upper class institutions, the affiliation is normally kept with the British universities for their respective examination system.<br />
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The middle class outfits are largely commercially oriented with many short comings. Absence of trained teachers, inappropriate physical space and facilities as well as the money-minded administrations continuously hamper the normal performance of schools. The lower income localities have private schools which are grossly under equipped. While many have a genuinely motivated teaching staff, the basic facilities for the mental and physical development of pupils are simply absent. Those individuals who can afford to supplement academic weaknesses resort to the thriving tuition centres which are certainly not the answer. At best, these educational shops provide orientation and practice about examinations.<br />
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The scholastic attainment of students is routinely judged through examination procedures. It is a vital stage in any educational system as it certifies (or otherwise) the capabilities and competencies acquired by the pupils. When marred by corruption or any other form of malpractice, it can lead to the demolition of the entire educational framework.<br />
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Symptoms of the prevailing situation in BSEK suggest the same. The feedback acquired from board insiders and concerned stakeholders shed light on many important aspects. There are allegations of the existence of strong collusion between a few board officials and some school managements. The common types of irregularities include leakage of question papers to favourite candidates; admission of fake candidates in the examination premises; facilitation of copying from books/notes uninterrupted; change of answer books; change of seat numbers on the answer books; manipulation in the allocation of examination centres; clandestine usage of mobile phones to obtain prompting from outside sources; harassment of innocent students by invigilations (for bribe); malpractice in checking and totalling and even in the preparation of final result sheets.<br />
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The corrupt teachers/school managers/board staffs draw their strength from political and administrative connections. They never fail to act as per the directive of their influential peers in gross violation of the rules, procedures and academic code of conduct.<br />
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Institutional dynamics of the board are such that the partners in crime support each other. In certain dire cases, a crackdown is ordered by the competent authority of the board; few heads roll for a while and thereafter the situation returns to "normal". Considering the universal solution to all the problems in the country, the government appointed a retired brigadier to head the board. The rot unfortunately has deepened. Circumstances also suggest that the present rot is more than the normal routine.<br />
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Loss of BSEK could become the gain of private boards and alternative systems of education, as stated by the well wishers of the public educational system. This point carries some weight as many prominent schools in Karachi have now obtained affiliation from a private board, legislation of which was promulgated controversially in 2002.<br />
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However, the independent educationists are blatantly fastidious on this matter. They demand a complete overhaul of the BSEK, school affiliation criteria and internal working of the schools. As SSC is the foundation block of education, any shortcoming remaining at this level casts an adverse impact upon the higher stages of learning.<br />
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Scientific approach with tangible target setting must be applied in reforming BSEK. The induction of qualified and competent academic managers in BSEK must be facilitated. An effective mechanism of affiliation of schools must be worked out where the monitoring of teaching, delivery of curriculum and internal teacher/student performance checks could be documented.<br />
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Besides, as the first step towards stemming the malpractice in examinations, the examination centres should be centralised at least on a town wise basis. Well-equipped public (or private) buildings can be acquired for the purpose. Problems of the schools in respect of resource shortages, deficiencies in human resource as well as political interference need to be dealt with effectively.<br />
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An overseeing committee of independent educational experts and eminent concerned citizens must be formed to make this institutionally possible. The committee should be entrusted the task of looking at BSEK's internal/external performance and the problems of affiliated schools. The recommendations prepared by the committee must be bolstered and given due strength by way of regulation. This mechanism has worked successfully in various public-sector entities and is likely to generate positive results in this sector also.<br />
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By Dr Noman Ahmed - The writer is professor and chairman, Department of Architecture and Planning, NED University, Karachi. DawnUnknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6011417314486659313.post-377582122961899702010-04-05T18:49:00.002+05:002010-04-05T18:49:47.818+05:0095 Graduates Of Wah Medical College Receive Degrees Wah CanttWah, Apr 05: As many as 95 graduates of Wah Medical College (WMC) were awarded degrees for the academic session 2009 at the institution's second convocation here Saturday at Pakistan Ordnance Factory (POF) Hotel.<br />
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Chairman POF Board Lt Gen Shujaat Zamir Dar HI (M) St B was the chief guest on the occasion, while Vice Chancellor University of Health Sciences, Lahore Prof Dr Malik Hussain Mubashar presided over the convocation.<br />
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The best graduates of 2009 were awarded medals, while shields and certificates were distributed among those, who got distinctions and topped the College.<br />
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Dr Syeda Sana Bukhari was declared the Best Graduate for 2009, as she topped the University of Health Sciences/College four times and received eight medals during here stay at WMC. The chief guest awarded her a cash award of Rs10,000 while Dr Hafsa Yaqoob and Dr Samreen Ilyas received Rs5,000 each for attaining various distinctions at WMC.<br />
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Lt Gen Shujaat Zamir Dar HI (M) St B congratulated the graduates of WMC and the faculty for training them, and appreciated the favourable academic environment of Wah Cantt for educational and academic activities. He emphasised professionalism among the WMC graduates, so that they prove effective in solving the country's health problems in general and Wah Cantt in particular.<br />
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The POF chairman further said that most days in an individual's lifetime are quite unremarkable, some are momentous, very few are worth remembering but one is truly unique. "Today is that unique day for you, your parents and your alma mater. Your parents and faculty have put in sustained and sincere efforts to enable you to lead a successful practical life. Now that you have entered the new life full of challenges and opportunities, we expect you to take up these challenges boldly and not to miss opportunities to improve yourself and serve the nation." He urged them to reflect upon our suffering as a nation and orientate themselves in a manner, which emphasises harmony, tolerance and fortitude, for it is not life that matters but the dignity and fortitude one brings to it.<br />
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The chairman thanked the honourable Vice Chancellor UHS Prof Dr Malik Hussain Mubashar and all the distinguished guests and parents for gracing the occasion.<br />
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Principal WMC Maj Gen (r) Dr Farrukh Sair HI (M) and Dr Mubashar also spoke on the occasion.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6011417314486659313.post-80986836479230797662010-04-05T18:48:00.002+05:002010-04-05T18:48:49.831+05:00Police Operation Against 'IJT Hooligans' FailsLahore, Apr 05: The police operation against a group of the Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT) activists at the Punjab University's Hostel No 16 failed on Sunday due to the late arrival of the police. The IJT activists were involved in the recent violence at the university.<br />
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According to sources, PU Resident Officer (RO), Prof Shahid Gul, contacted the Muslim Town DSP at around 2:40 pm to inform him about the presence of wanted people. But the heavy police contingent reached the spot at around 4:40 pm but by that time, the Jamiat activists had managed to escape.<br />
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A senior PU official said around 150 policemen had arrived under the supervision of DSP Muhammad Naveed Irshad and SHO Shoaib Khan to carry out the operation. He said the police thoroughly searched the hostel "but it was too late".<br />
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A senior PU faculty member, asking not to be named, said it was ironic that the administration did not involve the universityís security guards, which provided an opportunity to the miscreants to escape.<br />
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Meanwhile, a PU press statement said the police officials concerned were informed about the presence of the IJT activists at Hostel No 16 around 2:45 pm while the police party, headed by DSP Muhammad Naveed Irshad and SHO Shoaib Khan, raided the hostel at around 4:30 pm.<br />
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"The wanted elements had succeeded in escaping at around 4:20 pm due to which no arrests were made," it added. The statement said the PU administration and the boarding students welcomed the operation and expressed the hope that the close liaison between the law enforcement agencies and the university authorities would continue in the future as well and the police force would not rest until the illegal occupants were flushed out of the varsity hostels.<br />
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It further said the long-awaited police action against the outside elements in the PU had not only boosted the image of the police for the faculty and students but it would also help speedy restoration of peaceful academic and research atmosphere in the university.<br />
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When contacted, RO Shahid Gul said the administration had received information that seven to nine IJT activists were present in Hostel No 16, adding that the information was passed on to the police.<br />
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DSP Muhammad Naveed Irshad said as six police reserves were involved, it took around one-and-a-half hours to get ready for the operation. "I did not have such a force at the police station and had to call the force from the police lines," he added.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6011417314486659313.post-79263109773932567372010-04-05T18:47:00.000+05:002010-04-05T18:47:57.307+05:00Beaconhouse National University Students Upset About Varsity DecisionLahore: Abrupt decisions by institutions without taking all stakeholders into confidence eventually fall apart and this has exactly happened in case of the Beaconhouse National University.<br />
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The BNU administration is facing massive protests by students against its Board of Governor's 'unilateral' decision of combining the School of Liberal Arts (SLA) and the School of Social Sciences (SSS) under one dean.<br />
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The SLA students did not accept the merger and protested on varsity campus as well as outside, saying the decision is neither wise nor feasible. The students also displayed posters and placards demanding that they wanted their SLA intact as they felt "they were in safe hands".<br />
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There are also reports that the BNU administration has removed SLA dean Naveed Shahzad -- something the varsity administration denies by saying she will continue to head the SLA under a dean looking after both SLA and SSS after their merger.<br />
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The protesters, however, suggested that if the BoG wanted to merge the two schools, it should have merged SLA with the School of Media and Communication which was offering courses more relevant to their programme.<br />
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They claim that the SSS faculty members are not competent enough to teach the SLA syllabi. The protesters also said the varsity administration should not have taken such a hasty decision affecting three batches currently enrolled.<br />
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Respecting the contract between the students and the university, they said, the BNU administration should have taken the decision and advertised it in its prospectus for the new students.<br />
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Some varsity teachers have also endorsed the stance of the students. A delegation of students has also submitted a charter of demands to the administration and announced their commitment to oppose the merger.<br />
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Now, the students say, they are awaiting the administration's response to their demands.<br />
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BNU Vice-Chancellor Sartaj Aziz said he had held a meeting with the faculty of SLA and informed them that the merger proposal was still under consideration and a final decision would be taken in the next few days after a meeting of the BoG.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6011417314486659313.post-83570791941798831882010-04-05T18:46:00.001+05:002010-04-05T18:46:25.523+05:00Fairness In UHS Exams In Doubt Amid StrikeLahore: The transparency in examination system under the University of Health Sciences is being questioned ahead of various supplementary and allied health sciences exams, scheduled to start on Monday (today), as the staff deputed for conducting exams are on a strike for an indefinite period, leaving the Examination Department with little options to do the job effectively.<br />
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It has been learnt that MBBS third and final professional supplementary examinations 2009, and various annual examinations of allied health sciences of the candidates of the Institute of Public Health (IPH), Lahore, will start from Monday (today) and BSc (Hons) examinations are scheduled to start from Tuesday (tomorrow). On the other hand, the entire non-gazetted staff, particularly of Examinations Department including Conduct, Tabulations, Secrecy sections, are on strike for regularisation.<br />
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The ongoing strike of the universityís non-gazetted staff had badly affected the official work of the university. However, in order to cope with the extraordinary situation, sources said, the UHS administration had provided reinforcement to the Examinations Department by sparing staff from various departments of the university as well as students of the allied health sciences and MPhil classes for temporary support in conducting the examinations. It has also affected studies and research work of students.<br />
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The UHS move has also raised serious doubts among various stakeholders regarding the sanctity and secrecy of the examinations system in the absence of experienced staff to conduct exams in a foolproof manner. It is also learnt that the payments of internal and external examiners were also pending due to the ongoing strike of employees. Meanwhile, the non-gazetted employees of the UHS believed that university administration had been planning to run over the livelihood of nearly 180 grade 1 to 15 employees, protesting for regularisation, and their families after financially killing more than 270 employees since the establishment of the UHS in October 2002.<br />
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The UHS had issued a final notice through an advertisement in newspapers whereby it warned all non-gazetted employees to join their duties till April 3, 2010 or face termination from service. The UHS issued fresh warning letters to the employees for failing to join their duties till April 3, 2010, after having already sent their contract letters at their residential addresses.<br />
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However, the UHS employees refused to accept the renewed contract letters of the duration of five-year-and-six-months and stood firm in their demand of regularisation of all non-gazetted contract employees in compliance with the Punjab governmentís orders to regularise all the contract employees from grade 1 to 15 in all government institutions, thereby, abolishing the contract policy in the province. They claimed that the UHS administration was trying to harass them through various means as they were contacting their families to force them to join their duties by accepting fresh extensions to their contracts. "Various MNAs and MPAs have also put pressure on our parents to force us to join duties," they alleged, adding that all the employees were, however, determined to continue their protest till the fulfillment of their demand. The UHS Board of Governors is expected to take a decision to seal the fate of the employees on Monday (today) as the deadline given to employees elapsed on April 3, 2010. UHS Vice-Chancellor Prof Hussain Mubashar Malik, Controller of Examinations Dr Junaid Sarfraz and other officials, despite holding public offices, avoid to make themselves available for comments on the issues pertaining to employeesí strike and examinations and suspension of official work in the university.<br />
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However, the UHS spokesman, when contacted, said the ongoing strike of non-gazetted employees had not affected the conduct of examinations as university had conducted nine examinations during the last two weeks. He said that essential staff of examinations, including controller of examinations, four assistant controller of examinations, all female employees, were performing their duties as usual. Besides, he said, 58 out of 171 non-gazetted employees, who were earlier on strike, had joined their duties in the university.<br />
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In view of the MBBS third and final professional supplementary examinations 2009, scheduled to start on Monday, the spokesman said that the UHS Examinations Department had made all the necessary arrangements to conduct the exams smoothly, as the already-prepared question papers had been dispatched to the examinations centres all over the province. "The papers are neither postponed so far nor will they be postponed in future as well," he maintained. Meanwhile, the UHS employees continued their 24-hour hunger strike on the third consecutive day in front of the Punjab Assembly on Sunday, although they had started protest demonstration and partial hunger strike on March 29 against universityís decision not to regularise their services and closing the university gates on them. The employees spent their night in the open on Sunday after bearing the hardships of hunger and scorching sun on the third consecutive day just outside the Khadim-e-Punjab Secretariat.<br />
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The Punjab governmentís top political hierarchy seems to be testing the UHS employees nerves by giving them a cold shoulder in their struggle for regularisation. The protestors regretted that none of the Punjab governmentís representatives visited the UHS employees, protesting in a state of hunger, to convince them to call off their hunger strike with some kind of assurance regarding their demand of regularisation. Khurram Jahangir Watoo, a PPP MNA from Okara, was a lone visitor to the UHSís hunger strike camp so far, who had assured to knock all the doors, including Governor/Chancellorís and the parliament, for fulfillment of the protestorsí demand.<br />
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Unfaltering in their resolve against all odds, the UHS employees were not ready to bow and they were ready for a befitting reply to the oppressive response from the UHS administration and apathy of the provincial government. They were holding banners and placards and shouting slogans against the UHS administration. They announced to continue their strike till death for fulfillment of their demand. The newsUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6011417314486659313.post-37769347102369029232010-04-05T18:44:00.002+05:002010-04-05T18:44:48.587+05:00Plea Against NED Varsity Disposed OfKarachi: The emeritus status of Prof Dr Engr Jameel Ahmed Khan, a former vice-chancellor of the NED University, will be considered strictly in accordance with the varsity's statues.<br />
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The assurance to this effect was given on Friday by the counsel for the vice-chancellor, the registrar and the syndicate of the NED University before the Sindh High Court that disposed of the constitutional petition of Dr Khan who prayed to the court to restrain the respondents from applying amended statutes retrospectively to his case being considered by the syndicate.<br />
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The petitioner, who was appointed professor emeritus with the lifetime status in 1990, submitted that the university amended the statues in 2009, substantially converting the lifetime status to a five-year tenure.<br />
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He said that the vice-chancellor prepared the agenda for the 156th meeting of the syndicate, held on March 15, 2010, with ulterior motives to target him.<br />
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Dr Khan submitted that it was proposed in the syndicate meeting that either he might be granted privileges together with the responsibilities for five years or he might carry only the title of professor emeritus for a lifetime.<br />
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He stated that none of the proposals could be considered by the syndicate and the decision was deferred for want of legal advice on the issue.<br />
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The petitioner, represented by Advocate Mehmood Alam Rizvi, submitted that the vice-chancellor, aged about 86 years, was appointed VC in Dec 1996 after the age of superannuation and retirement from the Pakistan Railways at the age of 72 years and thereafter was able to secure extension three times. Due to these reasons, he said, many members of the syndicate hesitated to express their opinion freely.<br />
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He stated that the item of the agenda regarding his tenure was mala fide and the VC particularly targeted him, although the amendment made in 2009 was not applicable to his case as the amendment could not be acted retrospectively.<br />
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The petitioner prayed to the court to restrain the respondents from applying amended statues of 2009 retrospectively in his case under consideration of the syndicate at present.<br />
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Advocate Obaid ur Rehman, counsel for the respondents, made a statement in court saying that the case of the petitioner would be considered strictly in accordance with Clause 8 (i) of the NED University of Engineering and Technology Statutes for Appointment of Professor Emeritus, 2001, as amended in 2009.<br />
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The Clause 8 (1) reads that conferment of emeritus status shall normally be for lifetime but can be terminated if so desired by the professor emeritus or the syndicate can it terminate by a three-fourth majority on considering unsatisfactory contribution of the professor emeritus to the academic life of the university.<br />
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The petitioner's counsel conceded to the respondents' attorney and stated that if any adverse action against his client was to be taken, a prior written notice be given to the petitioner as well as an opportunity of hearing.<br />
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The respondents' lawyer agreed to the request of the petitioner's counsel.<br />
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The bench comprising Justices Gulzar Ahmed and Shahid Anver Bajwa disposed of the petition in terms of the statement made by the respondents' counsel.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6011417314486659313.post-24669489505809927092010-04-05T18:43:00.002+05:002010-04-05T18:43:28.516+05:001,600 Teachers Waiting For Permanent Status Despite Court OrderIslamabad: As many as 1,600 honorary teachers of Cantonment Garrison schools are still seeking permanent status despite the court order that asked the relevant authorities for the regularisation and age relaxation of the temporary staff.<br />
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According to the information available to this scribe, the number of Cantonment Garrison schools across the country is around 300, where honorary teachers are performing their duties in second shift in a minimal salary that ranges between Rs3,000 to Rs6,000, while a considerable number of teachers have been performing their duties for more than 25 years.<br />
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The Directorate of Federal Government Education Institution (Cantonment/Garrison) - FGEI (C/G) - and its regional offices are 'sub-ordinate offices' of Ministry of Defence under rules 3(3) and 4(4) of Rules of Business 1973 in a similar way as the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) is an attached department of the Education Ministry under the same rules.<br />
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The system of appointing honorary teachers was introduced after the imposition of ban on fresh inductions in all cadres (BPS-1 to BPS-20) by the government in 1992 but even after lifting the ban, the system continued to cater to the requirement of the second shift and additional classes in schools and colleges due to the pressure of admissions.<br />
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For about 20 years, the matter of regularisation of teachers has been hanging in the balance either on one pretext or the other. The teachers currently working in different garrison schools are competent enough to get permanent status, as majority of them hold the qualifications of FA, CT, BSc, BEd, MA, and MEd, which is the eligibility criterion for the teaching staff.<br />
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Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi Bench, in its order sheet last month asked the concerned authority to give permanent status to the temporary teachers, as SM Tasnim, (Administration Officer) FGEI Directorate, Rawalpindi, in compliance to the court's order dated February 26, 2010, had appeared in the court to state that the case of petitioners for regularisation, including age relaxation and creation of posts, has been submitted to the prime minister, though a summary decision is awaited.<br />
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However, the temporary teachers are still dubious about their future, as according to them, the authority would only give permanent status to a limited staff while the rest would have to take the tests and interviews. "We have been told that those having experience of less than 10 years will have to appear for test and interview for getting permanent status. This criterion is above our understanding, as we had appeared in tests and interviews before getting our jobs as temporary teachers," claimed a teacher.<br />
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According to a teacher requesting anonymity, the authorities are reluctant to regularise honorary teachers in order to save a big amount of money that they receive in the form of fee. The total fee of primary section is Rs160 where Rs30 is tuition fee, Rs30 is student fee, Rs4 is library fund, Rs8 is sports fund, Rs15 is building fund, Rs8 is furniture fund, and Rs65 is Regional Development Fund (RDF).<br />
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"The amount of fee for secondary section is Rs171 and the amount is even higher for high section. Honorary teachers are paid salaries from the student funds and RDF, while the salaries are not paid during summer vacations despite the fact that fee is received from students during vacations," claimed the teacher. The teacher said they have become overage while serving the school and are now ineligible for tests and interviews. "We never get a call for interview or test even if we apply for the posts, as we are overage now," said a teacher.<br />
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According to the teachers, they could be fired from their jobs, whenever the administrations desires, as they don't have any permanent status. Meanwhile, the temporary teachers don't have any of the facility provisioned to the permanent staff. "We can only avail a 10-day maternity leave and that too without salary, and are allowed only 10 casual leaves per year," they said.<br />
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Senior Joint Secretary Ministry of Defence Moosa Raza Affendi said they have already sent the summary for the regularisation of temporary teachers besides the age relaxation to the prime minister. "As soon as the summary gets approval, the honorary teachers will be given permanent status," he said.<br />
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Rejecting the teachers' reservation regarding permanent status to be given to only limited staff, he said the summary has been prepared according to the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Defence, where every teacher serving in the Cantonment Garrison schools would get permanent status. "We have also asked for a minimum of three-year age relaxation for the teachers, currently working under Cantonment Garrison schools," he added.<br />
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He also rejected the accusations regarding funds' embezzlement, saying that they have a record of every single penny collected in the form of students fee. The newsUnknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6011417314486659313.post-55606120266856126802010-04-03T18:21:00.002+05:002010-04-03T18:21:56.876+05:00Thousands Of UK Visa Seekers Lose PassportsIslamabad, April 03: While the British High Commission hogs on to its claim of having lost just 150 Pakistani passports, additional evidence has come to light suggesting that the scam involves thousands of lost travel documents.<br />
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A Pakistani investigating agency is in possession of a list of 3,362 passports, which are believed to have gone missing at one time.<br />
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The investigators do not preclude the possibility of some of those passports having been traced subsequently, but say they do not have any information of such recoveries.<br />
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Nevertheless, the sheer number of passports suspected to be missing reflects the enormity of the crisis.<br />
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Separately, investigators are probing fresh allegations of theft of visa stickers from passports.<br />
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The scandal surfaced late last year when the high commission reported unusually high number of lost passports.<br />
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An inquiry was initiated by the mission, but it is not yet known what actually caused the loss of such a large number of passports.<br />
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Extensive investigations involving interviews with officials at out-sourced visa application centres and employees of the high commission, revealed that the case had roots in the change of visa processing procedures introduced after the implementation of 'hub and spoke' model, which had last year also caused a massive visa application logjam at the British mission in Islamabad.<br />
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The high commission initially tried to send all passports to Abu Dhabi – the regional hub – for 'decision making'.<br />
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One of the consignments, it has been revealed, was seized by the UAE authorities, who got suspicious about the transfer of a large number of passports.<br />
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The matter was eventually resolved on intervention from London, but not before an unspecified number of passports had been lost.<br />
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Consequently, the United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) which manages visa operations, sources said, increased pressure on Islamabad to permit the transfer of passports to Abu Dhabi for processing.<br />
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But, pending the official authorisation from the Pakistan government that was given in January this year, the shipment of passports abroad was suspended. It was precisely at this juncture, it is believed, that a larger number of passports went missing.<br />
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How did it happen? Sources disclosed that when VSF, a private firm, joined Gerry's in handling the UK visa application centres in Pakistan, it found huge stacks of unattended passports lying in their stores. It is said the passports were then properly listed and sent to the high commission.<br />
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The list of 3,362 passports was shared by the sources with this correspondent.<br />
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It is said that subsequently nothing was heard about those passports.<br />
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"It is quite possible that when the visa logjam ended, BHC officials were not able to properly correlate the application forms returned from Abu Dhabi with piled-up passports, and conveniently reported lost documents."<br />
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When asked to comment, spokesman for the high commission said the passports had been transferred under strict UKBA observation and secure procedures.<br />
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He explained the process employed for shifting passports, but did not explicitly deny that 3,362 passports had been transferred and most of them remain unaccounted. He also did not say anything about seizure of a consignment of passports by UAE authorities.<br />
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Another aspect that was revealed by investigation is the poor perusal of documents sent to FIA for verification.<br />
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There is no independent confirmation that this could be one of the reasons behind the loss of passports, but sources insisted it had regularly resulted in loss of documents.<br />
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"BHC hardly pursues the cases it sends for verification to FIA. It is left to the applicants, if they ever come to know that their documents are being scrutinised, to push for expeditious verification and return of those documents to the high commission or else they remain there (at FIA) forever."<br />
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The spokesman denied this saying: "There is no link between missing passports and verification at FIA."<br />
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In a new twist to the saga, some applicants have reported that on receipt of their passports they found out that visa stickers for other countries were missing.<br />
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In at least one instance the FIA is currently probing theft of five Schengen visa stickers at Gerry's.<br />
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There are other cases in which it has been alleged that stickers were removed while the passports were in FIA's possession for verification.<br />
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Sources indicated that a cover-up of the sticker theft was being worked out. The FIA authorities approached for comments refused to discuss the matter.<br />
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Clarifications were also sought from Gerry's and VSF on the issue of lost passports and sticker theft, but they too declined to say anything. DawnUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6011417314486659313.post-10541326336350444512010-04-03T18:17:00.000+05:002010-04-03T18:17:02.497+05:00Gilani Research Foundation Survey ClaimPeshawar, Apr 03: Majority of people prefer girls-schools for their daughters to study. According to a Gilani Research Foundation survey carried out by Gallup Pakistan, majority of all Pakistanis (79%) claim they prefer all-girls schooling for their daughters whereas 16% say that if the standard of education and cost were the same they would prefer to send their girls to co-educational institutions. The remaining 5% were either unsure or gave no response.<br />
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A nationally representative sample of men and women from across the country were asked "Suppose the standard of education and the fee structure are the same, would you then prefer to educate your girls in a co-educational or an all girls institute?" Seventy nine percent parents said they would prefer all-girls- schools for their girls whereas 16% claimed they would send their daughter to co-educational institutes. The remaining 5% of the respondents were either unsure or gave no response.<br />
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The findings of the survey reveal that preference for co-education is higher amongst urbanites (24%) as compared to their rural counterparts (12%).<br />
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The study was released by Gilani foundation and carried out by Gallup Pakistan, the Pakistani affiliate of Gallup International. The recent survey was carried out among a sample of 2989 men and women in rural and urban areas of all four provinces of the country. F.P. reportUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6011417314486659313.post-19814621649128620862010-04-03T18:15:00.002+05:002010-04-03T18:15:59.661+05:00Attack On Punjab University College PrincipalPU teachers to boycott classes until ouster of miscreants<br />
Lahore, Apr 03: The Punjab University (PU) Deans Committee on Friday condemned the manhandling of PU teachers and damage to the university property and demanded of the Punjab government to launch a police operation to force the IJT out of the campus.<br />
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A large number of varsity teachers also held a rally to protest against the hooliganism of the IJT activists. The PU Academic Staff Association also decided to boycott the classes until all miscreants illegally living in varsity hostels were ousted from the varsity premises and peaceful academic atmosphere was restored.<br />
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The Deans Committee meeting was chaired by PU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran. Deans of various faculties, Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Jamil Anwar Chaudhry and Registrar Prof Dr Muhammad Naeem Khan were also present.<br />
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Calling the attack on Prof Dr Iftikhar Baloch a murder attempt, the committee observed that it was the most unfortunate incident in the history of the Punjab University. The meeting also observed that the IJT activists and expelled students had often been found involved in acts of violence, gross misconduct and breach of the university rules. It said the IJT activists had unleashed a reign of terror and they harassed students to make the university their stronghold.<br />
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The meeting was informed that the IJT hooliganism had sent a wave of anger and resentment among the students and teachers. The meeting noted that the PU administration was doing its utmost, within available resources, to ensure congenial and secure environment for students so that their studies were not disturbed, but the administration could not play the role of the police and arrest the miscreants carrying weapons.<br />
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According to a press statement, a general body meeting of the Punjab University teachers condemned the assault on Dr Iftikhar Baloch. The meeting was held at the auditorium of the Institute of Chemical Engineering on Friday.<br />
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The meeting passed several resolutions, stating that the varsity teachers would boycott classes indefinitely to protest against the hooliganism of the IJT activists. On Monday, another general body meeting of the ASA would be held. Teachers will march towards the Punjab University Canal Bridge to register their protest. The PUASA has also requested the administration to vacate hostels and launch an operation against criminals taking shelter in varsity hostels for the last four decades.<br />
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30 IJT activists booked for manhandling PU teacher<br />
Lahore: Muslim Town Police on Friday registered a case against around 30 IJT activists on charges of manhandling Professor Dr Iftikhar Hussain Baloch of the Punjab University.<br />
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Those nominated in the FIR included Abdul Manna, Wajid, Ashraf, Usman and 25 unidentified persons.<br />
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The accused were charged with attacking, with sticks and rods, the office of PU College of Earth and Environmental Sciences (CEES) Prof Dr Iftikhar Hussain Baloch, who was also chairman of the Disciplinary Committee. Dr Baloch received severe head injuries and fell unconscious for quite some time. He was taken to the Jinnah Hospital and later referred to the Service Hospital.<br />
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The accused also attacked the PU VC's office and residence and caused damage to the properties. Dr Iftikhar Baloch was main target of the IJT activists as he was heading the Disciplinary Committee which had recently expelled some of IJT activists from the university after through investigations, including opportunity of personal hearing. The newsUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6011417314486659313.post-32862790464357146572010-04-03T18:14:00.002+05:002010-04-03T18:14:26.498+05:00University Of Peshawar Bans Student BodiesPeshawar: Imposing a complete ban on all student federations and regional associations, Vice-Chancellor, University of Peshawar, Prof Dr Azmat Hayat Khan, on Friday said a clean-up operation would be launched in hostels to ensure peaceful environment on the campus before reopening the university.<br />
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Chairing a meeting, the vice-chancellor said fresh affidavits would be taken from all the students and anyone found involved in political activities would be expelled from the university. The vice-chancellor said no book fair or Dars-e-Quran would be allowed in the university and the hostels would remain closed during summer.<br />
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He added keeping and display of arms was strictly banned in the university and the violators would be arrested and punished. The participants of the meeting were also informed that the Jinnah College for Women and Home Economics College would reopen from April 5 along with the Islamia College University, while the rest of the departments and institutes of the university would be reopened phase-wise in the next 15 days.<br />
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Dr Azmat Hayat also warned the teachers and other staff members to avoid taking part in political activities and creating disturbance on the campus or strict action would be taken against them.<br />
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The meeting, which was attended by the registrar, administration officer and deans of all the faculties, also imposed an immediate ban on entrance of rickshaws and taxicabs into the university. The vice-chancellor directed the administration officer to arrange efficient intra-campus transport service to facilitate the students.<br />
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He said the prime responsibility of the university administration was to have a check on all the students and staffers creating unrest in the university, as their activities left adverse effects on the precious time and studies of thousands of students.<br />
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The vice-chancellor directed the provost to issue directives to wardens and Class-IV staff of the hostels to keep the administration informed of the activities of students.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6011417314486659313.post-53477826700492842432010-04-03T18:13:00.003+05:002010-04-03T18:22:47.751+05:00BNU Students Present Charter Of Demands To AdminLahore: A delegation of students from the School of Liberal Arts (SLA) at the Beaconhouse National University (BNU) submitted on Friday a charter of demands to the administration. Wearing black clothes to register their protest against the proposed merger of their department with the School of Social Sciences (SSS) and the termination of their Dean Naveed Shahzad, the students said they were committed to opposing the merger and were awaiting the administration's response to their demands.<br />
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However, BNU Vice Chancellor Sartaj Aziz said he held a meeting with the faculty of SLA and informed them that the merger decision is still under consideration and a final decision would be taken in the next few days after a meeting of the Board of Governors (BoG).<br />
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Painted black: Students wearing black clothes continued their protest inside the campus and put up posters all over the university against the merger, in favour of Naveed Shahzad, suggesting a merger with the School of Media and Communication and against the mostly-economists BoG. One of the students said that they had submitted their demands in writing to formally register their protest. In the charter the students said other departments should also be merged along with the current merger, importance be given to subjects pertaining to liberal arts as BNU claimed to be a liberal arts university, they are satisfied with their dean's performance and she should be restored, include people with knowledge of liberal arts in the BoG, tell the students the administration's clear plans about their claims of promoting Naveed Shahzad, and in case of her replacement someone of equal or higher capabilities should take over as the dean.<br />
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Degrees: The student said their main concern was the status of their degrees after the merger. A female student said most of the SLA students and those from other departments also supported them, while they were concerned that their departments would also be merged soon. She alleged that the administration was warning them that their protests would not bear any fruit, adding that it was unfair different tactics were being used to stop them. Sartaj Aziz said both the administration and the students were satisfied, adding that they would soon resolve the university's administrative and financial matters and call the BoG meeting soon. He said no department would be eliminated but would function under a common dean. A BNU faculty member said that they informed the VC that the merger was not in the favour of the varsity, department or the students. He said the SLA faculty was upset for not being taken into confidence before deciding to merge the two departments. Daily timesUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6011417314486659313.post-71650546592254977742010-04-03T18:12:00.002+05:002010-04-03T18:12:27.599+05:00Sindh VCs Agree To Enhance CooperationKarachi: The vice chancellors of various public universities of Sindh have agreed to enhance mutual cooperation to enhance the educational standards and allow talented students to receive higher education even if they are faced with financial issues.<br />
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The vice chancellors reached the consensus at a meeting at the University of Karachi (KU) on Friday. The meeting, presided over by KU Vice Chancellor Prof Pirzada Qasim, also decided that the collaboration should include administrative cooperation as well. It was also decided that the future meetings will be arranged via Video Conferencing.<br />
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The meeting was attended by Prof. Dr Nazeer A. Mughal, VC, Sindh University Jamshoro; Prof. Dr Masood Hameed, VC, Dow University of Health Sciences, (DUHS); Eng. Abdul Kalam, VC, NED University; Prof. Dr A. Q. Mughal, VC, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam; Prof. Dr Nilofar Sheikh, VC, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur; Prof. Dr Nishat A. Siddiqui, VC, Liaquat University of Medical Science, Jamshoro; Prof. Dr Wahid Buksh Soomro, VC, Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering, Science and Technology, Nawabshah and Prof. Sikandar Ali Sheikh, VC, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto University, Larkana.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6011417314486659313.post-87279562013641898852010-04-02T16:53:00.003+05:002010-04-02T16:54:58.760+05:00BIEK Suspends Affiliation Of 16 Colleges, Schools: 4,000 Students Left In The Lurch?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9yj_mpemjhv9H1ge6pJqIXOuWGCzhTQAd27vWvNEnKMxrh4G4XHd033iWCz35F9ZXLN8LWj9qTHLaZ0hSrz6PdS0jx1GNqVz1eel2s4KoRJoNCEz_JnQCcnTldg_pkJQxS2wP9239lQ/s1600/interboard.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9yj_mpemjhv9H1ge6pJqIXOuWGCzhTQAd27vWvNEnKMxrh4G4XHd033iWCz35F9ZXLN8LWj9qTHLaZ0hSrz6PdS0jx1GNqVz1eel2s4KoRJoNCEz_JnQCcnTldg_pkJQxS2wP9239lQ/s320/interboard.gif" /></a></div>Karachi: The Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK) has suspended the affiliation of 16 colleges and higher secondary schools, the board announced in a statement issued on Thursday.<br />
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Despite repeated reminders, these institutions did not have their registration renewed from the concerned quarters, the statement said.<br />
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It quoted BIEK Chairman Prof Anwar Ahmed Zai as saying that 27 institutions, both government and private, were issued notices in December in accordance with the requirements of the board. He said only 11 out of them fulfilled the required formalities.<br />
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The remaining 16 were served final notices informing them that the students enrolled there would not be able to appear in the HSC annual examinations.<br />
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However, he said that the academic year of around 4,000 students enrolled in these institutions would not be allowed to go to waste and their examination forms would be received through any of the affiliated institutions. The parents of these students would be informed to admit their wards to other institutions from the next academic year, he said.<br />
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The institutions whose affiliation was suspended by the BIEK were: Allama Iqbal Intermediate Girls College Steel Town Bin Qasim, E Complex College of Arts and Science Phase I Gulshan-i-Hadeed Bin Qasim Town, Fatimid College (Boys Campus), Fatimid College (Girls Campus), TCF Higher Secondary School, Liaquat College of Management Science, Pakistan Steel Madar-i-Millat Girls Degree College Steel Town, Pakistan Steel Shah Latif Boys College, Mariam Higher Secondary School, Dewa Higher Secondary School, Alimia Institute of Islamic Studies Intermediate Arts College, Ida Rieu Higher Secondary School for the Blind and Deaf, College of Emerging Technologies, University College, Memon Commerce College (Evening) and Gulshan College of Information Technology. appUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6011417314486659313.post-19022470883053730962010-04-02T16:52:00.000+05:002010-04-02T16:52:22.784+05:00Medical Education: Students' Protest Against Cuba ContinuesIslamabad, Apr 02: A goodwill gesture by the Cuban government offering scholarships to around 1,000 Pakistani medical students has become a nightmare for a few.<br />
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Despite clarifications of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), the fact remains there that whether Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) will accept Cuban medical degrees. Six students deported from Cuba shortly alleged that the Cuban colleges were ill-equipped and quality of education lower than Pakistan.<br />
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They said they would not be able to get past the PMDC test if and when they completed their studies and obtained degrees. They claimed that teaching hospitals were not attached with their colleges in Cuba.<br />
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These six were among the 15 students were arrested for violating laws in Cuba. They and their parents have staged a protest in front of Higher Education Commission (HEC) building in Sector H-9 in favour of their demands.<br />
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The HEC has issued a press release stating that a comprehensive certificate, addressing all issues, was signed by the Cuban deputy minister for health and endorsed by the PMDC representative, who went to Cuba for resolution of this matter.<br />
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A total of 932 Pakistani students are currently undertaking medical studies in Cuba on full scholarship. The first batch of these students has completed two years of study along with a comprehensive course in Spanish language and is ready to initiate third-year classes, while the second batch has entered second year of study.<br />
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The case for resolution of the problems faced by these Pakistani students in Cuba was taken up by the Senate Standing Committee on Health and National Assembly Standing Committees on Health and Education. Both these committees worked deliberated on the issue.<br />
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A delegation headed by Senator Nilofer Bakhtiar and including representatives of PMDC and HEC went to Cuba in February to work out a solution. They inspected classrooms, teaching facilities, laboratories and living area of students during their stay in Cuba.<br />
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Tahir Abbas Zaidi, HEC project director, said it was clarified that Pakistani students in Cuba were studying in WHO-recognised institutions and, upon successful completion of their degrees, would be recognised as doctors by Pakistan. The ELAM will issue degrees, not certificates, to these students, which were recognised by the HEC.<br />
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The PMDC had issued NoC for studying of medical education in the WHO-recognised institutions in Cuba. It was made clear to all the students that they would be required to pass a PMDC examination on return to Pakistan in order to practise medicine here. All requirements of the PMDC were met prior to selection and subsequent departure of the students for Cuba.<br />
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Zaidi said the scholarship was fully funded by the government of Cuba, which included tuition fees, books, free laundry, halal food, lodging, health insurance and other miscellaneous expenditure. The government of Pakistan has approved $100 for each student as monthly pocket money.<br />
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He said the Cuban government was committed to completely underwriting all costs for providing medical education to Pakistani students.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6011417314486659313.post-48199120553291182172010-04-02T16:51:00.000+05:002010-04-02T16:51:12.223+05:00IJT Activists Thrashed PU ProfessorLahore, Apr 02: Dozens of activists of the Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT) critically injured a senior professor of the Punjab University, ransacked his office, damaged vehicles outside his office and also attacked the Vice Chancellor (VC) Office and the VC House at varsity's New Campus on Thursday.<br />
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The varsity officials said the violent reaction was the result of expulsion of some students belonging to the IJT. They said around five IJT activists, whose cases were processed by the varsity's Disciplinary Committee, were issued expulsion notifications on Thursday, which aggravated the situation.<br />
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The officials further alleged that dozens of Jamiat activists attacked the office of the PU College of Earth & Environmental Sciences (CEES) Prof Dr Iftikhar Hussain Baloch, who was also Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, with sticks and rods at around 3:30 pm. They added some activists then moved to the VC Office and his residence and caused damage to the properties.<br />
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They further said since the Jamiat activists were more in number, the university guards failed to resist and stop them. PU Resident Officer (RO) Prof Shahid Mahmood Gul and Chairman Hall Council Prof Dr Muhammad Akhtar said Dr Baloch had received severe head injuries and fell unconscious for quite some time, adding he was taken to Jinnah Hospital but was referred to the Services Hospital.<br />
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They said Dr Iftikhar Baloch was the main target of the IJT activists as he was heading the Disciplinary Committee which had recently expelled some of their colleagues after through investigations including opportunity of personal hearing.<br />
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The IJT, the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), had earlier blocked the main Canal Road as a protest against the expulsion of their colleagues. However, after police intervention, they left the scene and entered the university premises.<br />
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Meanwhile, addressing an emergent press conference at the PU Executive Club, VC Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran, who was flanked by other officials said Jamiat activists were involved in the incident, adding it was the darkest day in the history of the Punjab University. They strongly condemned the incident<br />
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PU Chapter IJT Nazim Hasaan Bin Salman, who is the son of noted JI leader Hafiz Salman Butt, said those involved in the incident were not members of the Jamiat, adding it was unfortunate that the varsity administration was implicating the IJT. "In fact, I myself went to disperse the students who were earlier protesting by blocking the main Canal Road," he claimed adding "The Jamiat strongly condemns the incident."<br />
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Meanwhile, an IJT press statement also denied involvement of its activists in the incident. PU Chapter Jamiat's secretary information Hanan Nafees alleged in the statement that the PU administration was levelling baseless allegations against the student organisation. "Each year before the book fair, the PU admin accuses the Jamiat to damage the academic activity organized by Jamiat," it concluded.<br />
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Meanwhile, Insaf Students Federation (ISF), the student wing of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI), has condemned the IJT attack alleging the so-called student organization, Jamiat, was a terrorist organisation. ISF Lahore general secretary Farrukh Habib and PU chapter president Kamil Hameed said many FIRs had been registered against the Jamiat activists but no action had been taken. The newsUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6011417314486659313.post-19156965875366943462010-04-02T16:49:00.002+05:002010-04-02T16:49:25.598+05:00World Bank For Raising Central Superial Service Educational LevelIslamabad, Apr 02: With elected public representatives need not have any education, the World Bank (WB) and a number of would-be bureaucrats strongly want the future civil servants in Pakistan to carry a Master's degree as their basic qualification.<br />
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Not only the WB but also the candidates have floated almost similar kind of proposals to set minimum required education to masters level for the Central Superior Service (CSS) examinations, well-placed official sources said here on Thursday.<br />
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When contacted for comments, Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) Chairman Justice (Retd) Rana Bhagwandas confirmed that the candidates do desire an increase in the education standard for the future CSS hopefuls.<br />
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"But I have no knowledge whether a World Bank proposal is also there as it may be a development prior to my assuming the position," the FPSC chairman responded to a query. Rana Bhagwandas maintained that neither the proposal had been discussed at the commission platform nor it was being under active consideration at present. "Therefore, you can say that there is no as such substance in it."<br />
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The FPSC chairman is engaged in conducting interviews of those successful candidates who qualified the written examinations in the CSS 2009. It is a suggestion on part of the candidates whom the commission is interviewing these days.<br />
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The FPSC sources insisted that there was a pending WB proposal and said that the same could be discussed at the next meeting of the full commission, all members, chairman and the secretary to accept or reject the new arrangements.<br />
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The age limit for the CSS aspirants, these sources said, would be increased at least by two years, bringing it to 30 years from the present 28 years for the fresh postgraduate degree possessors.<br />
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At present, the age restriction for the regular government employees, wishing to attempt the CSS, is 30 years and the new one would be 32 years in order to accommodate them in view of being in the service.<br />
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While explaining the process, they said that the proposals would be discussed first at the platform of the commission and then, if approved, would go before the Establishment Division and finally to the prime minister for an approval.<br />
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To another query, the sources within the commission said that the FPSC would have to make public at least two years before implementing the new mechanism. It would done thru be massive advertisements in the national newspapers in the two-year time. The newsUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6011417314486659313.post-89832025853576982512010-04-02T16:48:00.000+05:002010-04-02T16:48:00.506+05:00UK High Commission Announces New Visa Fees For 2010-11 Financial YearIslamabad: British High Commission in Islamabad Thursday announced new UK visa fees for the 2010-11 financial year, these new fees will come into effect on April 6,2010.The fee increase, which applies globally, is reviewed regularly and agreed by parliament. The new fees ensure a firm and fair immigration system, and will support a robust and enhanced visa service using the latest technology, with the cost of processing included.<br />
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In most visa categories the maximum fee increase is 2.5%. Some fees continue to be set at a level lower than the actual processing cost because it is considered to be in the interests of the UK to do so. Examples of subsidized visa categories include tourist visas and also the Tier 4 student visa which reflects the contribution made by international students to the UK economy and education.<br />
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In setting the fees, the UK government aims to strike the correct balance between maintaining secure and effective borders and improving the visa service to customers, and ensuring that the fee structure supports the UK's ability to attract those migrants and visitors that make a valued contribution. AppUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6011417314486659313.post-10967771341805178782010-04-02T16:46:00.002+05:002010-04-02T16:46:53.635+05:00BNU Administration Seeks Time To Reconsider Departments' MergerLahore: The Beaconhouse National University (BNU) administration sought some time from the students of School of Liberal Arts (SLA) to deliberate their decision of merging SLA with the School of Social Sciences (SSS) and said they will call the board of governors' (BoG) meeting earlier than schedule to resolve the issue.<br />
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BNU Vice Chancellor Sartaj Aziz invited a delegation of students on Thursday and urged them to end their protest, adding that the administration would address their grievances in the BoG meeting, which will be called in April instead of its scheduled time in June. BNU Registrar Farzana Shahid was also present in the meeting. The SLA students had launched a protest inside the campus on Wednesday after the administration announced the merger of SLA into SSS and the removal of SLA Dean Naveed Shahzad.<br />
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The students told the reporters that the merger was illogical as the two departments were not relevant to each other in any way and Naveed Shahzad was the most competent and qualified person for the curriculum they were studying. They said they would not let her be terminated as the department had come up to this level because of her untiring efforts.<br />
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However, Sartaj Aziz said that the university will listen to the students' demands and that Naveed Shahzad was not being terminated but they were promoting her. The SLA students who met the VC included Shahrukh Naveed, Alizeh Khalid, Hasham bin Munawar, Fahad Noor. They said that the administration showed a positive sign by listening to their demands, including withdrawing the decision to merge the two departments and keeping their favourite teachers.<br />
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Request: They also said they had requested the administration to include some people from the field of arts in the BoG as the university claimed to specialise in liberal arts yet the board mostly comprised economists who had nothing to do with their subjects.<br />
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A student said the VC also talked about the possibility of merging SLA with the School of Mass Communication, however, they told him that keeping SLA as an independent department was a better option.<br />
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Termination: "We also requested our vice chancellor not to terminate Naveed Shahzad because she is the one who developed the department to this advanced level and is experienced in the subjects we are studying. The VC has assured us that our teacher will be kept," he asserted. The students said some of them wanted to continue their protest and boycott classes instead of giving the administration the time sought, adding, however, they will decide their future course of action after handing over a written charter of demands to the administration today (Friday). Daily timesUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6011417314486659313.post-49039381593368747542010-04-01T16:59:00.000+05:002010-04-01T16:59:54.085+05:00BA/BSc results: 7,244 declared successfulPeshawar, April 01: The University of Peshawar (UoP) here Wednesday declared results for BA/BSc supplementary examination 2009-10.<br />
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A total of 24,058 candidates appeared in the examination in which 7,244 were declared successful with a pass percentage of 30, the UoP Controller of Examinations Iftikhar Hussain Khan told a news conference. He said 10,216 students took part in BA/BSc Part-I examinations. Of them, 27,740 candidates were declared successful with 26.82 pass percentage. Iftikhar said 4,004 out of 13,840 candidates were declared successful in the examination.<br />
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The controller said the university had taken a number of steps for improvement in the examination system. The university worked out a distant learning programme and sent it to the Higher Education Commission (HEC) for approval, he said, adding that the HEC not only approved the project for the UoP but also for three other universities.<br />
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The HEC also agreed to issue a grant of Rs7 million each for the four universities for establishment of coaching centres for guidance of students in different areas of the province, he added.<br />
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The controller exams informed that the UoP conducted 137 examinations annually, in which 150,000 students appeared. "Thousands of officials are needed to conduct the examinations," he said, adding that they had doubled the remunerations for invigilators.<br />
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He said the university also tried to conduct the graduation examinations from July to May and the next examination would probably be held in May. Iftikhar Hussain said the present results were prepared in one month, as the examinations were held in February and the results were declared in March. "The university will also hold a workshop at Bara Gali on how to improve the examination system," he said, adding that representatives from other universities from across the country would be invited to the workshop. He added that a proposal would be floated during the workshop, urging all the universities to conduct examinations and announce the results simultaneously to facilitate the students in their admissions. The newsUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6011417314486659313.post-81664453656546674292010-04-01T16:58:00.000+05:002010-04-01T16:58:31.924+05:00Examination Centres From More Than 400 To Just 30-40Karachi, April 01: The Board of Secondary Education Karachi (BSEK) is actively considering a proposal to reduce the number of examination centres from more than 400 to just 30-40 from the next academic year.<br />
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This was stated by BSEK Chairman Syed Anzar Hussain Zaidi at a press conference held on Wednesday at the board's conference room. Secretary Hoor Mazhar and Controller of Examinations Kalim Asghar Kirmani of the board were also present.<br />
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Mr Zaidi said the proposal came under consideration on the directives of Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad.<br />
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Another proposal, the BSEK chairman said, was to prepare the question papers for Class IX and X annual examinations with extreme confidentiality through the maximum use of computer technology. "Sending the papers to the required examination centres through e-mail is also under study," he added.<br />
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Expressing his support to the governor's proposal on drastically reducing the number of the exam centres, Mr Zaidi argued that it would be easy for the board to manage the affairs of the examinations more effectively if there were up to 40 instead of 400 examination centres in the metropolis. There would be three or four major centres to be set up in each of the total 18 towns of the city, he said.<br />
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About the use of computers in preparing and distributing question papers, he said that Sindh Minister for Information Technology Raza Haroon had offered his department's cooperation in this regard, and said this would not only help maintain confidentiality but would also prove a prompt and time-saving exercise against the present practice of manual setting and distribution.<br />
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Mr Zaidi said that no case of cheating in the ongoing examinations had been reported to the board from any centre yet. However, he appeared not satisfied with the idea that the menace had been wiped out. "I will be convening a meeting in a day or two to discuss the issue," he said.<br />
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In order to discourage the trend, he said, the superintendents of three centres, Delhi School (Karimabad), Govt Boys Secondary School (Gulshan-i-Iqbal) and Govt Boys Secondary School (Nazimabad No 2), had been replaced with some other officials after receipt of complaints from these centres. Besides, he added, the board's research director heading the chairman's vigilance committee had also been replaced with the deputy-secretary, Khalid Ahsan.<br />
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He said that the inquiry report on delaying the SSC exams by two days would be submitted to the competent authority within the next three days. However, the committee inquiring into the paper leak that resulted in postponement of March 27 papers was expected to finalise its report soon after the completion of the ongoing SSC exams. DawnUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6011417314486659313.post-4769088959117742252010-04-01T16:57:00.000+05:002010-04-01T16:57:23.001+05:00Departments' Merger Leaves Beaconhouse National University Students In LimboLahore, April 01: A horde of students from the Beaconhouse National University (BNU) – mostly from the department of School of Liberal Arts (SLA) – protested on Wednesday against the administration's decision to merge their department with another department – the School of Social Sciences (SSS) – and the "unceremonious" termination of their dean, Naveed Shahzad.<br />
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Gathered in the campus courtyard, the students were holding placards and posters and shouting slogans against the Board of Governors' decision to merge the departments. Some students also protested outside the campus and were not willing to end it despite security personnel stopping them.<br />
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A student from the SLA said that they started protesting as soon as they got news of the merger. He said the administration had also terminated their Dean Naveed Shahzad and decided to hand over SLA to another dean who had nothing to do with their curricula.<br />
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Incompetence: He said if the administration did want to merge SLA with another department, it could have done it with the School of Media and Communication, which was more relevant to their programme. He said a look at the profiles of SSS faculty members would prove that none of them were competent enough to teach the SLA syllabi. He also said there were three batches currently enrolled at SLA and they should be allowed to continue their programmes under the current rules, adding the merger should be effective for students who enrol for the new semester. Another SLA student said they got admission to the university only to be taught from the SLA faculty mentioned in the university prospectus and not from people who had nothing to do with their courses. She said a prospectus is a "contract" between the students and the university and should not be violated. She said she and her fellow students were satisfied with their dean and would not accept any decisions made without taking the students into confidence.<br />
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Demands: She said the students had been invited by the BNU Vice Chancellor Sartaj Aziz today (Thursday) where they will present a charter of demands, but she said they were committed to not accepting the decision. She said they would protest across the city if the administration did not withdraw its decision. Criticising the administration, other female students said they were not fool enough to allow the merger of SLA and SSS and neither did their parents want it.<br />
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Results: One of the students said the courses offered at SLA focused more towards practical and technical studies and were not concerned with SSS. She said SLA was one of the most popular departments of BNU and its faculty – under the leadership of Naveed Shahzad – was yielding desired results.<br />
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Confidence: A senior BNU faculty member said that students, faculty members and parents had not been taken into confidence over the decision, while they were equal stakeholders. He said there were some legal complications in the decision and the students' protest against the merger was justified.<br />
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Centralisation: However, Sartaj Aziz said that they would merge SSS with SLA, adding that Social Sciences, Law and Humanities were merged at LUMS as well and had not affected their academic matters. He said they were centralising administrative affairs and would merge more departments in the future. He said the notion that the film and TV department was being sidelined was totally false, adding that both SSS and SLA would be headed by separate members but would work under one dean.<br />
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New dean: He said the merger would not create any problems for the administration, which was competent enough to handle all the students together. He said Dr Hafeez Pasha would head the combined faculty, while they were not terminating Naveed Shahzad but promoting her.<br />
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However, sources said that the merger of SSS and SLA would have a significant impact on the students' futures, whereby if the students of TV, film and theatre received a degree in social sciences, it would be totally irrelevant to their field of specialisation.<br />
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Separately, academic circles are abuzz with the view that the merger of SLA into SSS is not possible since BNU holds a provincial charter – under which a university needs to have a minimum of six departments while the current merger and any future ones would reduce the number of departments at BNU to four. Academicians are of the view that a university holding a provincial charter does not need the centralising that BNU is going for.<br />
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8 VC says merger will centralise administrative affairs, more depts will be merged soon; Dr Hafeez Pasha to head combined faculty, Naveed Shahzad being promoted. Daily timesUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6011417314486659313.post-42066265175692821622010-04-01T16:55:00.005+05:002010-04-01T16:55:58.344+05:00City School Holds Academic Expo 2010Islamabad, April 01: The City School hosted a mega event titled 'Academic Expo 2010' at the International Islamic University, Faisal Mosque Campus, on the theme of 'Resources through Recycling'.<br />
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In the expo, around 900 students practically demonstrated the use of teacher-made resources within a span of four hours for 2,000 visitors.<br />
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Recycling is not only beneficial for the earth but also for teaching, as it ensures better understanding to students through innovative teaching resources. The displays projected all facets of learning, encompassing the curriculum of Kindergarten to Primary Five levels in all subjects.<br />
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Sub-Committee of Environment on Climate Change Chairperson Marvi Memon was the chief guest on the occasion. She appreciated the efforts of the management of the City School in Islamabad, especially Regional Director Safia Cassim and Regional Academic Coordinator Safinaz Adnan, for taking the initiative and bringing together four branches - F-8 Nursery, F-11 Junior, Capital Junior I and Capital Junior II - which collectively put together a major event. The newsUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6011417314486659313.post-63555825926955708282010-04-01T16:55:00.002+05:002010-04-01T16:55:14.064+05:00Spring Vacations In Capital Schools Start TodayIslamabad: Educational institutions in the federal capital will remain closed in connection with Spring vacations from April 1 to April 10.<br />
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Director Model Colleges, Federal Directorate of Education, Chaudhry Mohammad Sadiq told this news agency that the directorate had decided to observe spring vacations from April 1-10 after the declaration of annual results for the year 2009-10. The vacations will enable students to prepare themselves for new sessions, he said. appUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6011417314486659313.post-3360739223709860722010-04-01T16:54:00.000+05:002010-04-01T16:54:22.272+05:00Another 16 Universities For Sindh On The AnvilKarachi: As many as 16 new private sector universities in Sindh alone are in the pipeline, charters for whom are in the process of revalidation at the Provincial Education Department, well placed sources in the department informed on Monday.<br />
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Bills of these 16 universities were introduced and passed by the last legislative Sindh Assembly during its tenure.<br />
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However, later due to a technical flaw of bypassing the Education Department before introducing the bills in the provincial assembly, these cases were not refereed to the Sindh governor for endorsement, according to the Additional Secretary, Education, Sindh (Academics), Professor Rais Alvi.<br />
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The Additional Secretary disclosed that at the moment charters of these 16 private sector universities were in the process of re-validation at the Education Department, following which these cases would be refereed to the governor after an inspection committee submits the report to the governor.<br />
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The governor has constituted a committee to evaluate these private sector universities by carrying out physical and financial inspection. The committee is headed by Additional Secretary Rais Alvi and comprises Director Colleges Iftikhar Hussain Zaidi and Secretary Affiliation Committee University of Karachi Dr Shahid Hussain Zaidi.<br />
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Some of the 16 private universities include Coastal University Thatta, University of East Hyderabad, Petroman University etc.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0