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January-March 2021
Seerat Counters Hate Speech through Decisive Action
HEC Teams Visit Universities for Performance Evaluation
Another 75 Pakistanis to Pursue PhD in Queen Mary University of London
HEC, NPB Collaborate for Enhancing Academia’s Role in Police Reforms
Seerat Counters Hate Speech through Decisive Action
HEC Teams Visit Universities for Performance Evaluation
Another 75 Pakistanis to Pursue PhD in Queen Mary University of London
HEC, NPB Collaborate for Enhancing Academia’s Role in Police Reforms
Pakistan’s IT Pros Capable of Contributing to National Development: President Alvi
Pakistan’s IT Pros Capable of Contributing to National Development: President Alvi
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Graphic Designer Raja Ahmad Nadeem
Reporter Syed Muhammad Ittifaq
EditorAayesha Ikram
Higher Education Commission, Pakistan
News & Views is published after every
three months. No part of this publication
may be reproduced in any form without
prior written permission of the publisher.
The views expressed by authors in the
articles are their sole responsibility and
not of HEC. The Commission would like
to thank all the institutions and
individuals who contributed information
and photographs for this Magazine.
contentNews & Views (January-March 2021)
HEC’s New PhD & Undergraduate
Policies to Produce Quality Graduates
16 Years of HEC-USAID Need-based
Scholarship Programme
‘Women Empowerment Part of HEC’s
Agenda’
NTC to Formulate Recommendations for
National Education Policy
NAHE holds Roundtable Discussions on
Faculty Development
NAHE Capacity Enhancement Session
for IPFP Fellows
NAHE Organises E-Office Training for
Employees
thRiphah holds 5 Int’l Conference on
Islamic Business
COMSATS Develop Incinerator to
Handle Hospital Waste
COMSATS, CMYK Sign MoU for
Collaborative Research
SSUET to Support HASWA in Producing
Low-Cost Prosthetic Limbs
Indus University Webinar on Assessment
in Online Education
Ziauddin University Develops 3D Virtual
Dissection Table
Steps, Policies Needed to Safeguard
Global Environmental Commons
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Expressions of Extremists Don’t Define any Nation: President Arif Alvi
Education to End Hate Speech, Intolerance, Bigotry Rising around the World: Chairman
Education Key to Promote Inclusivity in Multi-faith Societies: Executive Director
Need for Building Resilience against Online, Offline Hate Speech: UN Special Adviser
Seerat Counters Hate Speech through Decisive Action
inclusive, and empathetic
communities in Pakistan
through tools like active and
continuous intersectional
participations, dialogue, and
collaboration. It was linked to
the implementation of the Plan
of Action for religious leaders
and actors to prevent
incitement to violence that
could lead to atrocity crimes
and the UN Strategy and Plan
of Action on Hate Speech.
It also aimed to contribute to
achieving the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs), in
particular SDG16 on building
peaceful, inclusive and just
societies.
Education Commission (HEC),
Pakistan. The introductory
webinars continued for three
days to cover six sessions on
topics like Seerat of the last
Prophet Hadhrat Muhammad,
peace be upon him (PBUH),
minorities, and the role of
youth in combating hate
speech.
Twenty four speakers from
three continents, i.e., Asia,
America, and Europe, including
representatives of minorities
and youth, expressed their
views during the sessions.
The series of webinars aimed
at encouraging peaceful,
The expressions of extremists
anywhere in the world must
not be taken as a specimen or
an impression to define or
understand a particular
nation.
This was stated by President of
Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi while
inaugurating the series of
webinars entitled, “Nurturing
Peaceful, Respectful and
Inclusive Societies in Pakistan:
Seerat Counters Hate Speech
through Decisive Action”,
jointly organised by the United
Nations Office on Genocide
Prevention and the
Responsibility to Protect
(OSAPG) and the Higher
HEC-UN Webinar Series
2
Minorities have Equal Stake in & Love for Pakistan: Speakers
The minorities of Pakistan love the country as much as the Muslim
majority does, and they have the equal stake in the vision of
Pakistan, said the speakers during the second day of a series of
webinars entitled, “Nurturing Peaceful, Respectful and Inclusive
Societies in Pakistan: Seerat Counters Hate Speech through
Decisive Action”.
Representatives of different Pakistani minorities, including
Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Kalashas, Parsi and Baha’i
communities addressed the webinars, jointly organised by the
Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan and the United
Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to
Protect.
Dr. Amineh Hoti, former Project Director Seerat Chairs, HEC,
moderated the webinars. She stressed the need for promoting
empathy and respect for each other. She said the majority must
include and respect the minorities, adding that the majority and
minorities must joint hands to fight hate speech and all the
negative and discriminative attitudes and behaviours to
marginalise specific groups of people. She emphasised measures
to ensure justice and inclusivity in the society of Pakistan.
Dr. Simona Cruciani, Political Affairs Officer at the UN Office on
Genocide Prevention, shared the definition of hate speech, saying
that there was no international legal definition of hate speech,
and the characterization of what is ‘hateful’ is controversial and
disputed.
In the context of the UN document, the UN Strategy and Plan of
Action on Hate Speech, the term hate speech is understood as
any kind of communication in speech, writing or behaviour, that
attacks or uses pejorative or discriminatory language with
reference to a person or a group on the basis of who they are, in
other words, based on their religion, ethnicity, nationality, race,
colour, descent, gender or other identity factor.
This is often rooted in, and generates intolerance and hatred and,
in certain contexts, can be demeaning and divisive. She reiterated
that the UN was committed to countering hate speech globally
with the cooperation of its partners. She said that the UN
Secretary-General was very much concerned about the ‘tsunami
of hate speech’, especially the online trends of spreading hatred
during the pandemic.
She said that the UN was struggling to foster an environment of
tolerance towards diversity, social cohesion, and dialogue wherein
freedom of opinion and human rights were honoured. The UN
was closely working with the victim groups to cope with
Dr. Alvi said it was incumbent
on all of us to present the true
principles of Islam that counter
all kinds of religious, ethnic
and gender hatred,
marginalisation, discrimination,
and inequality. He said that
Arabs had a patriarchal society
wherein slavery was common,
yet the Last Prophet Hadhrat
Muhammad (PBUH)
encouraged people to break
the chains of slavery.
He maintained that the Last
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
taught and emphasised on
forgiveness, putting
compensation a secondary and
vengeance a last resort in case
of any confrontation.
He said that the Last Prophet
Hadhrat Muhammad (PBUH)
laid emphasis on adopting a
just approach in financial
affairs to set up an
economically just society. He
mentioned that the father of
the Pakistani nation,
Muhammad Ali Jinnah, was
also a staunch advocate of
unity and peaceful
coexistence.
The President said that making
Pakistan a model of the State
of Madinah, as envisioned by
the Prime Minister of Pakistan
Imran Khan, was the final goal.
He underlined that lack of
communication generated
phobias among individuals,
states, and nations, yet
cooperative and peaceful
discussions, as enshrined in the
UN Charter, were the key to
address these phobias. He
3
stated that hate speech should
have no standing in Pakistan.
“We need to make sure that
the laws isolating communities
must be condemned.”
Highlighting the role of media,
he stressed the need for
judiciously handling the
‘weapons of misinformation’
and communicating to the
world that Pakistan was a
peaceful country, and the
Muslims around the world
were peaceful.
In his remarks, Chairman HEC
Tariq Banuri stressed the need
for promoting education to
give an end to hate speech,
intolerance, and bigotry rising
around the world. He said that
the waves of extremism could
be stemmed by adopting the
true teachings of the Last
Prophet (PBUH).
Mentioning the Prime
Minister’s vision about making
Pakistan the State of Madinah,
he quoted him as saying that:
“If people know the true
history of Islam, they would
not only recognise it, but will
also embrace it.”
The Chairman underlined that
the teachings of Holy Prophet
brought about a massive
transformation in the society
that led to subsequent
measures like establishment of
Baitul Hikmah, also known as
the Grand Library of Baghdad.
He shared with the participants
that HEC introduced new
programmes in the
undergraduate education
stigmatization, discrimination,
and targeting of specific
groups, she revealed.
In his remarks, Dr. Safdar Ali
Shah said that Pakistan was a
land of diversity, as its people
accepted, respected, and
embraced the existence of
diverse religious and ethnic
communities. “The soil of
Pakistan inherited diversity.”
He shed light on the ancient
civilizations homed by the land
of Pakistan, including Mehr
Garh, Indus Valley Civilization,
and Gandhara Civilization.
He said that Sikhism flourished
in the presence of Islam and
Hinduism in the united India,
while four relics of Buddha
were also found in the soil of
Pakistan.
Regarding Taxila, a significant
archaeological city in Punjab,
he said that the city witnessed
many cultures prospering and expanding. He said that Sufi saints
of the land promoted the philosophy of humanism.
Addressing the webinar, Mr. Isphanyar Bhandara, a former
Member of Parliament, who represented the Parsi community of
Pakistan, said that the minorities of Pakistan decided at the time
of independence in 1947 to become Pakistanis by choice. He said
that the minorities had equal stake in Pakistan and they equally
loved the country. He said that Muhammad Ali Jinnah, firmly
believed in religious tolerance, diversity, and acceptance of all
religions.
Mr. Bhandara said there were some people, who had gone astray
and fueled discrimination between the majority and minorities,
yet it was “never too late” for them rectify. He underlined a few
factors that caused the segregation and discrimination, including
the geopolitical situation of the region and deficiencies in the
school education system.
He emphasised that the Government must take practical
measures to create awareness about the importance of minorities
4
policy to bring together the
true history and civilization of
the Islamic society. The new
policy is inclined towards
promoting greater interaction
and engagement between a
teacher and a student on the
pattern of Sufi episteme.
He explained that this concept
was based on the practice of
the past, when students from
all over the world would flock
to the learned people, like
Sufis.
Executive Director HEC Dr.
Shaista Sohail highlighted the
significance of the webinars on
the teachings in the Seerat of
the Last Prophet (PBUH)
regarding hate speech,
unsophisticated behaviours,
words and gestures, and
inconsiderate, selfish and
unkind attitudes.
She said that Islam gives due
respect to the life and property
of every human being, men
and women alike, and it
preached that the conflicts can
be addressed by forging
forgiveness and forbearance.
The Victory of Makkah was a
perfect precedent of
forgiveness and tolerance, she
affirmed.
The Executive Director said
that the Seerat disapproved of
the behaviours inciting people
to hatred for others. There is a
strong need for adopting the
manners and etiquettes,
taught by the Last Prophet
(PBUH), nationally and globally
to ensure peace and interfaith
harmony. She also mentioned
and their contribution to the development of Pakistan. He
proposed to the Government to increase job quota, in addition to
increasing seats in the legislature, for the minorities.
He stressed the need for naming roads and highways after
minority leaders to acknowledge their services to the country. The
teachers must be trained and the curricula must be reviewed to
promote religious tolerance and respect for minorities, he
emphasised.
He noted that media had a very powerful role in the society, so
the media houses should be mandated to give some time to
educate about people about various religions, portraying positive
picture of the minority groups. “I firmly believe that protecting
and accepting minorities will help project a good of image of
Pakistan.”
Representing the Christians, Dr. Sara Safdar, former Dean at
Peshawar University, highlighted the role of Christian community
in the development of Pakistan, the rights of minorities, and the
challenges being faced by the minorities. She said the Christian
community had a great contribution to the foundation of
Pakistan, as it fully supported Mr. Jinnah at the time of his
struggle for an independent homeland. “Special attention must
be paid to address the gaps in protection of minorities’ rights.”
She added that steps must be taken to facilitate dialogues
between the Government and minorities so that the minorities
were enabled to express themselves. She also underlined the
importance of unbiased media reporting to promote interfaith
harmony.
Major Harchan Singh from the Sikh community shared a
presentation on the philosophy of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the
fostering of Sikhism in Pakistan, his love for Pakistan, and the
Kartarpur Corridor as a bridge of peace. He said that the Guru of
Sikhism was strongly against all the artificially created divisions
and discrimination. He quoted the Guru as saying: “caste of a
person is based on what he does.”
He said that a significant part of the Sikh history was linked to
places located in Pakistan, including historical Gurdwaras,
associated with different events of Guru Nanak’s life. He said that
there were around 20,000 Sikhs scattered across Pakistan.
He said that he inherited patriotism and nationalism from his
father. He also highlighted the importance of opening the
Kartarpur Corridor to the Sikhs living in India who could now
easily offer pilgrimage to Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Baba
Guru Nanak.
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different remarkable
developments from the life of
the Last Prophet (PBUH), like
the Hilful Fudul (the Alliance of
Excellence), the Mawakhat-e-
Madinah (the brotherhood
among the Muslims of
Madinah), and the Treaty of
Hudaybiyya as an example of
the steps taken for peaceful
coexistence.
She said that Quaid-e-Azam
Muhammad Ali Jinnah also
had the vision to promote
peaceful coexistence and
communal harmony, assuring
the minorities of their rights.
On this occasion, UN Special
Adviser Ms. Alice Wairimu
Nderitu emphasised that the
United Nations was committed
to using education as a tool to
counter hate speech.
“Education highlights
difference between good and
bad, right and wrong, and true
and false.” She said that
promotion of quality education
and establishment of peace,
justice and strong institutions
were among the UNDP’s
Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs).
None of the SDGs to establish
inclusive and resilient societies
by 2030 can be achieved
without promotion of
education, she affirmed. She
also acknowledged the world’s
overall response to COVID-19.
She said that the past decade
witnessed an increase in access
to education, however there
was still a lot to be done in this
Dr. Seema Nake, who represented Baha’i community, a staunch
advocate of interfaith harmony, said that one must treat others
the way one wanted oneself to be treated. She said that Pakistani
youth had great abilities and they could play a positive role in
combatting hate speech and discriminative segregation and
isolation. She emphasised that the well-being of mankind was
unattainable until unity was firmly established.
She said that the human beings were duty bound to build the
essential relationship that were binding them as one family. She
hoped that the discussions in the webinars would find expression
in action. She also presented a few recommendations to make
the HEC-UN efforts more productive, like steps to engage all the
concerned, including youth, in a dialogue process for the cause.
“We have to reflect on moral character development and spiritual
empowerment of every child in Pakistan.” She asserted that
diversity could become a means for social development in
Pakistan.
Syed Gul Kalasha, a representative of Kalasha community,
depicted the history of Kalash, and said that the community had
been living in Kalash, Chirtal, for the past 3000 years. She said
that the majority of Muslims living over there loved and
respected them. “We can perform our rituals and follow our
customs and traditions in peace and harmony.”
She said that hate speech never eliminated hate, rather love and
compassion brought peace and harmony in the region. She
stressed the need for teaching of tolerance towards religions
from schools. “The madrassahs, schools and media can play an
important role to eliminating hatred in the society,” she
concluded, while laying emphasis on practical steps.
Pushpa Kumari, a representative of Hindu community, said that
the white colour in the Pakistani flag depicted the diversity and
the rights of minorities. She said that the Hindus celebrated Holi,
Diwali, and Eid, together with their country fellows without any
hurdles.
She urged that the people must be sensitised about the basic
human rights and the constitutional rights through curricula. She
said that the customs and cultures of diverse communities
needed to be promoted, as this would help promoting peaceful
coexistence. “We have to show the world that the Pakistanis,
whichever religion and ethnicity they belong to, are a one
nation.”
A Buddhist by religion, Rajkumari Troya Roy Khisa, highlighted
salient aspects of Buddhism, saying that non-violence was the
highest moral virtue. She said that the Government of Pakistan
6
was always supportive of Buddhist tourism, adding that the
Buddhist sites reflected the rich cultural heritage of Pakistan.
She said that Buddhism preached its followers to avoid creating
sufferings and problems for others. She affirmed that everyone
was responsible for his or her deeds, as every action brought
results. “Let’s try to live in harmony and help humanity to live
together.”
Youth on Peaceful Coexistence, Harmony
A session of the webinar assembled Pakistani youth from various
backgrounds, including Rohananiyyih Nabilzadeh, Nadine
Murtaza, Anjum Malik and Maliha Javed Khan. The young
speakers shed light on different aspects of life amidst
multiculturalism.
Nabilzadeh said that youth had
a great potential and talent
that needed to be channelised.
She said that the youth must
aspire for spiritual and
intellectual growth. “Service to
humanity is the service to
God.” She emphasised practical
measures for attaining peace.
Nadine Murtaza dilated on her
initiative of ‘Schooling Pakistan’
that was aimed at educating
people by inculcating the
importance of extensive study
instead of sticking to textbooks. She said that children must be
equipped with the right tools to address the challenges they
might face.
Ms. Anjum Malik underscored the significance of countering hate
speech through effective use of digital means. She said that hate
speech affected every member of society at different levels and
ways. She stressed formulation of an intersectional strategy to
involve in interfaith dialogue for harmony. Youth must be made
stakeholders for peace, she concluded.
Maliha Khan highlighted the role of technology in reaching out to
wide audience to educate them about the need for mutual
harmony for a peaceful soceity. She appreciated the HEC’s efforts,
and the initiatives of various other entities to keep the continuity
of learning intact in the COVID pandemic. She thought that the
content taught at schools, colleges and universities played as a
key message to advocate inclusivity.
direction. She appreciated the
Government of Pakistan for its
commitment to achieve the
goal of ensuring free and
compulsory education for all,
as per the Constitution of
Pakistan.
She observed that the
governments around the world
had a strong role in combating
the increased exclusion and
stigmatisation of communities
and groups, especially on the
social media platforms.
She emphasised that the
majority and the minority need
to join hands to wipe out hate
speech and fulfil the
responsibility to protect the
marginalised segments of
societies. She also highlighted
the role of Pakistani youth in
elimination of discrimination
by capitalising education.
Dr. Asad Zaman, former Vice
Chancellor Pakistan Institute of
Development Economics, Dr.
Ayesha Rafique, faculty
member of Fatima Jinnah
Women University, and Dr.
Aayesha Leghari, author of
Creativity, Dr. Amineh Hoti,
former Project Director for
Seerat Chairs, HEC, and Dr.
Simona Cruciani, Political
Affairs Officer at the UN Office
on Genocide Prevention and
the Responsibility to Protect,
also spoke on the occasion.
The UN and the HEC aim to
follow these webinars in a few
months with another set of
sessions giving more time to
speakers in order to allow
supportive in-depth impact.
7
The new Undergraduate Education Policy 2020
and the PhD Policy are aimed to protect students’
right to acquire quality education and to increase
the value of higher education degrees nationally
and internationally.
This was stated by Chairman Higher Education
Commission (HEC) Mr. Tariq Banuri while
addressing a news conference.
The Chairman said that there was a mismatch
between the education system and the industry
needs, which rightly raised concerns pertaining to
a lack of marketable skills in the graduates
produced by Pakistani universities.
He said that the Undergraduate Education Policy
2020 has been formulated to address these
concerns, adding that the policy will promote
practical competence and general education
skills in addition to the traditional focus on
discipline-based curriculum”. "To promote
practical competency of students, the universities
will ensure that their graduates acquire a nine-
week internship in addition to going through an
extracurricular training before obtaining
degrees.”
Mr. Banuri said that the universities must be
committed to produce qualified graduates,
whose overall level of knowledge and
competence is up to the mark. He informed the
HEC’s New PhD & Undergraduate Policies to Produce Quality Graduates
media persons that the professional accreditation
councils are being strengthened to improve the
quality of disciplinary education. “Our intention is
to improve the quality of our graduates and the
confidence of employers in the worth of our
degrees.”
Regarding the structure of undergraduate
education, he said that the two-year BA/BSc and
MA/MSc programmes have been phased out to
shift towards four-year BS programmes, and the
Associate Degree programme, a credit-based
system, has replaced the two-year BA/BSc
degree, however the students who want to
continue their studies can have a bridge to the
four-year BS programme.
Elaborating the new PhD Policy, Mr. Banuri said
that it has been upgraded in line with the
international best practices and is applicable stfrom 1 January, 2021. He said that the BS
graduates can now directly take admission in
PhD programmes and in a different discipline if
universities find them ‘prepared’ and ‘committed’.
The Chairman explained that preparedness
means that the students have enough
knowledge, competence, and previous academic
training enabling them to succeed in a PhD
programme. “The universities will also assess the
applicants’ commitment to the discipline,” he
added.
8
Apart from the admission criteria, the PhD
students will have to go through a thorough
evaluation before they complete their studies.
Likewise, the teaching and mentoring system has
also been reorganised on the pattern of ancient
Sufi episteme, so that students may better
benefit from their teachers and mentors.
HEC Teams Visit Universities for Performance Evaluation
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has
successfully concluded evaluation visits of three
HEC recognised higher education institutions
through Institutional Performance Evaluation (IPE)
and Postgraduate Programme Review (PGPR).
The universities evaluated by Quality Assurance
Agency (QAA), HEC during three days visits
included University of Gujrat, University of Lakki
Marwat and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto
Medical University, Larkana. HEC will conduct
evaluation of 15 institutions/universities by June
2021. IPE is a holistic review of an institution or a
university, in which its overall performance is
evaluated on the basis of 11 IPE standards, which
are Mission Statement and Goals, Planning and
Evaluation, Organisation and Governance,
Integrity, Faculty, Students, Institutional
Resources, Academic Programmes and Curricula,
Public Disclosure & Transparency, Assessment
and Quality Assurance and Student Support
Services. Likewise, in PGPR, an institution or a
university is reviewed to check whether or not it
is implementing HEC minimum criteria for
launching MS/MPhil and PhD programmes.
The purpose of these evaluations is to bring
improvement in higher education sector so that
ultimate objective of quality could be achieved.
These evaluations are conducted by engaging
peers from other universities including Vice
Chancellors/Rectors and academia not below
Associate Professors as well as Directors of
Quality Enhancement Cells (QECs). This
endeavour will definitely help to improve the
state of quality in higher education institutions.
He said that the universities may choose to have
BS or MS/MPhil as the minimum criteria for
admissions, however, the minimum requirement
for admission in PhD programmes is a BS degree.
If the PhD students come directly from BS
programmes, they may be required to complete
closely interact with their supervisors. The
Chairman informed the media that the two
policies were formulated after thorough
deliberations and consultations with the relevant
stakeholders including Vice Chancellors,
professors, and educationists.
a larger number of credit hours compared to
those who have previously completed MS/MPhil
degrees.
The policy requires the scholars to study 50 per
cent of courses in the university that covers two
years in residence, so that the students can
There was a mismatch between the education system and the industry needs, which rightly raised concerns pertaining to a lack of marketable skills in the graduates produced by Pakistani universities.
The Undergraduate Education Policy 2020 has been formulated to address these concerns. The policy will promote practical
competence and general education skills, in addition to the traditional focus on discipline-based curriculum.
9
President Dr. Arif Alvi has said
that Pakistan is on the path of
rapid growth of e-commerce,
tele-health, and e-finance, and
is moving towards a robust
digital economy.
He said this while addressing
the inauguration ceremony of stthe five-day 51 Asia-Pacific
Advanced Network (APAN)
meeting virtually hosted by
Pakistan Education and
Research Network (PERN).
Pakistan hosted the APAN
meeting for the first time.
APAN meetings are organied
twice a year where its members
and other interested
participants come together in
working groups, workshops,
technology sessions,
committees and plenary
sessions to demonstrate and
discuss advances in technology
and applications, research
collaboration, knowledge
discovery and sharing for a
better future.
The President said that
Information and
Communications Technologies
(ICTs) had already spread to
every social and economic
sector, but the Covid-19
pandemic has made them even
more essential.
To respond to this challenge,
Pakistan has a comprehensive
liberalization policy for the
development of ICTs. As a
result, all indicators have
stPERN hosts 51 APAN meeting
Pakistan’s IT Pros Capable of Contributing to National Development: President Alvi
registered rapid growth.
Pakistan has achieved a tele-
density of 83 percent, with
almost 176 million cellular
phone users out of a total
population of 220 million.
At the same time, the number
of broadband subscribers had
risen to 93 million, while
informational exports have
increased by 35 per cent each
year in the last three years.
Dr. Alvi appreciated the
contribution of the Higher
Education Commission (HEC)
in the promotion of ICTs in the
country.
Pakistan has over 300,000
English speaking IT
professionals, 13 software
development parks, and more
than 20,000 IT engineers and
graduates. “Pakistani IT
professionals and graduates
have the potential to work for
country’s development as well
as serving companies abroad.
And there is still a tremendous
need for a large number of IT
graduates in the country.”
The President observed that
situation arising out of
pandemic has strengthened
the IT-based communication
through different platforms.
Because of the level of
institutional commitment,
Pakistani universities were able
very quickly to turn to digital
means and distance learning
modes of information delivery.
HEC has provided students
with access to over 60,000
books and other digital
material. Besides enabling
them to continue their
educational activities during
the pandemic, it also helped
equip students with skills and
knowledge necessary to keep
pace with the world in the era
of Artificial Intelligence, Block-
chain technology, software
10
technology, and cloud
computing. He hoped that the
HEC-APAN collaboration will
grow further in all strategic
areas, including commerce,
communication, and
education.
As people are able, more than
before, to communicate,
exchange knowledge and to
exchange financial information,
so this will improve the
country’s economy in many
ways.
Chairman HEC Tariq Banuri
said that HEC is a proud
partner of APAN, as the two
entities were learning from
each other’s experiences to
move forward during the
information age, and especially
in the situation caused by
pandemic.
stHe hoped that the 51 APAN
meeting will come up with a
proactive agenda for
education. “We will learn
together and move forward,
while not only dealing with
these challenges but also
prospering amidst them.” Mr.
Banuri highlighted HEC’s ICT-
based research initiatives,
including establishment of
PERN, smart classrooms, wide
access to digital libraries, and
rapid adoption of Learning
Management System (LMS).
“PERN has enabled Pakistan to
rise to the challenge posed by
the pandemic.”
He said that PERN has not only
connected Pakistani
universities with each other, it
had also provided them with
connectivity across the Asia-
Pacific region. Efforts are now
underway to connect colleges
across the country.
In his welcome address, Chair
APAN, Prof. Jilong Wang
reiterated the Network’s vision
for development of Asia-Pacific
region. He said that APAN is
promoting and facilitating
network-enabled research and
education activities, including
research collaboration,
knowledge discovery and
sharing, tele-health and natural
disaster mitigation.
It is pertinent to mention here
that PERN links all universities
and other academic and
research organisations, and
provides access to researchers
to a fully integrated
communication system,
including accessibility to the
global research and education
networks through physical
Trans Eurasia Information
Network (TEIN) connectivity
and community driven Asia
Pacific Advanced Network
(APAN) membership.
These networks have become a
key driver for promotion and
facilitation of network-enabled
research and education
activities.
11
The Higher Education
Commission (HEC), Pakistan
and Queen Mary University of
London (QMUL) have signed a
Memorandum of Agreement
for 75 HEC scholars to pursue
their PhD degrees from QMUL
in the next five years.
In this connection, the British
Council Pakistan organised a
virtual signing ceremony.
Executive Director, HEC, Dr.
Shaista Sohail and Vice
Principal, International
Education, QMUL, Prof. Colin
Grant signed the agreement.
HEC and QMUL have been co-
funding PhD scholars since
2016, as the two sides signed
the first Memorandum of
Agreement in September 2016
to nurture a collaborative
partnership to provide high
quality research training to
Pakistani PhD students at
QMUL.
Under the first agreement, 35
scholars have proceeded for
pursuing doctoral degrees in
various fields. About half of
these scholars opted fields of
Engineering and Technology
which is much needed field in
Pakistan.
Another group of scholars are
pursuing higher education in
the field of biological sciences
which will help to improve the
research culture in the field of
biological sciences in Pakistan.
Another 75 Pakistanis to Pursue PhD in Queen Mary University of London
Similarly, a good number of
HEC scholars are studying in
diverse fields of social science
who are expected to
contribute towards the
improvement of social
constructs of our society.
Now as part of the new
agreement, 75 more scholars
will be selected in different
fields of studies to pursue their
PhDs from QUML.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr.
Shaista appreciated the
QMUL’s cooperation and
support to Pakistani scholars.
She hoped that the bilateral
cooperation will pave the way
for achieving a larger national
goal of human development.
“There is no medium better
than the education to improve
perceptions about each other.”
She said that Pakistani scholars
are fortunate enough to have
the opportunity to study at
QMUL, as such opportunities
enhanced educational as well
as cultural experiences.
She appreciated the role of
QMUL administration for
offering generous tuition
waiver to HEC selected
scholars through this
agreement. She also
recognised the efforts of
QMUL team led by Prof. Grant,
and comprised Ms. Flora
McKay, PhD Recruitment
Manager, QMUL, Dr. Dr Felicity
Shelley, PhD Recruitment
Manager, Partnerships and
Sponsor Relations Manager,
QMUL, and Ms. Sarah Pervez,
Head of Higher Education and
Skills, British Council for their
contribution towards the
collaboration between HEC
and QMUL.
She also congratulated HEC
team led by Dr. Hassan Jalil
Shah, Advisor Human Resource
Development, HEC, Ms.
Aayesha Ikram, Director
General, Human Resource
Development, HEC, and Dr.
Arshad Bashir, Project Director,
Overseas Scholarships, HEC, for
success of the project.
12
Prof. Grant gave a
comprehensive overview of
QMUL and its unique academic
and research credentials.
During his presentation, he
acknowledged the role of HEC
and Pakistani scholars in
enriching intellectual and
research environment at
QMUL. He also showcased the
great achievements
accomplished by alumni of
QMUL for the entire globe. In
his remarks, Country Head,
British Council, Mr. Amir
Ramzan highlighted the role of
British Council in collaboration
between HEC and QMUL.
The Higher Education Commission (HEC),
Pakistan and the US Agency for International
Development (USAID) celebrated the th16 anniversary of Merit and Needs-Based
Scholarship Programme (MNBSP), which is
administered in partnership with the United
States Government.
In this connection, a virtual interactive session
was held with the MNBSP scholarship recipients,
in which the HEC and USAID also recognised the
academic and professional achievements of the
programme beneficiaries.
Under the MNBSP, over 5,300 scholarships have
so far been awarded to students since the
inception of this programme in 2004. More than
half of the scholarships have been awarded to
female students. The programme also trained
over 400 financial aid staff from these partner
institutions.
The MNBSP awards scholarships to study
agriculture, engineering, medical sciences, and
social sciences. Recipients are eligible to study at
30 private and public partner universities across
the country.
Addressing the participants, Chairman HEC Tariq
Banuri said that the HEC’s vision and resultant
endeavours are aimed to boost a trained and
skilled human resource and to unleash the
creative potential of Pakistani youth for
developing a knowledge-based economy.
“I am pleased to share that USAID has been our
partner in achieving our goals. Most importantly,
the programme is in consonance with the HEC’s
16 Years of HEC-USAID Need-based Scholarship Programme mission for provision of quality, affordable and
accessible tertiary education to the youth.” He
hoped that the level of cooperation with USAID
in higher education sector will continue. He
assured the USAID that HEC will diligently
continue to play its part in supporting all such
future endeavours. He wished the MNBSP alumni
and scholarship recipients success in their study
as well as professional endeavours.
In her remarks, Mission Director USAID Julie
Koenen observed that: “Individuals make
healthier, more economically advantageous life
choices and are more likely to engage in their
communities when they have access to the
quality education.” She said that the partnership
with HEC for the past 16 years through the
flagship MNBSP has opened opportunities for
financially deserving students. She mentioned
that 53% scholarships are awarded to females,
thus increasing confidence and employability of
young people from low-income settings.
“I would also like to thank the leadership of
Higher Education Commission, Pakistan, for its
dedication and efforts in implementing the
programme successfully for the past 16 years.”
The event also contained short remarks by six
scholarship recipients, who described the
challenges, as well as their personal and
professional achievements. The event also
included discussion on several themes, including
the challenges and opportunities of women’s
education in Pakistan, particularly in rural areas;
the importance of education in women’s
empowerment; and the USAID’s role in
supporting higher education in Pakistan.
13
The Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan
is committed to creating a conducive and enabling
environment for women to acquire higher
education and garner their full potential, as
women education and empowerment leads to a
prosperous nation.
This was stated by Executive Director HEC, Dr.
Shaista Sohail while addressing a virtual ceremony
organised on the occasion of International
Women’s Day to celebrate achievements of female
beneficiaries of HEC-USAID Merit and Needs-
based Scholarships and motivate young women to
acquire higher education. Students and alumni
from different partner universities of Sindh
participated in the online interactive session.
Alumni of the programme shared their
achievements, experiences, and future plans to
inspire the women of less-developed areas to
acquire higher education.
In partnership with HEC, the USAID is offering
scholarships to financially disadvantaged students
to study in 30 partner universities across Pakistan,
where 50% of the scholarships are reserved for
female students.
Dr. Shaista said that women empowerment and
gender equality were also a part of the HEC’s
agenda, adding that the Higher Education Vision
2025 also envisaged educated and empowered
women. She stated that HEC was encouraging
female students, researchers and faculty members
in availing its scholarship and research grants. She
underlined that HEC followed a zero tolerance
policy against women harassment at higher
education institutions. She said that the USAID was
HEC, USAID Celebrate International Women’s Day
‘Women Empowerment Part of HEC’s Agenda’
hand in glove with HEC to contribute to women
empowerment through educational endeavours.
In his remarks, Director Offices of Education,
USAID, Mr. Mark Sorensen highlighted the
importance of women empowerment in
development of a country. He said that the USAID
Merit and Needs-based Scholarship Programme
was aimed to educate and empower the
marginalised women of less-developed areas of
Pakistan. He said that Pakistan needed more
female engineers, entrepreneurs, doctors, teachers,
scientists, and professional experts.
Adviser Human Resource Development, HEC Dr.
Hassan Jalil Shah said that the USAID programme
provided scholarships for meritorious, but
financially disadvantaged, students since 2004.
Under the programme’s first phase, 1,807
scholarships were given in fields of Agriculture and
Business. He added that second phase of the
programme was launched in 2013 at a total
estimated cost of US$23.1 million. He said that 570
scholarships were awarded to students from
different less-developed areas of Sindh, as the
programme opened doors to talented students
from across Pakistan. He added that the USAID
also organised capacity building workshops to
equip students for future challenges.
USAID Director for Sindh and Balochistan Mr. Jim
Parys stressed the need for efforts to ensure
women’s economic and social independence. He
appreciated the HEC administration for
collaborating with the USAID in implementing its
MNBS programme. This is a major development,
contributing to a ‘Roshan Pakistan’, he remarked.
14
NTC to Formulate Recommendations for National Education Policy
The National Technology Council (NTC) has
decided to formulate recommendations
regarding technology education and associated
skills for assimilation in the upcoming national
education policy.
This was decided in a virtual meeting of NTC,
headed by Chairman NTC Mr. Imtiaz Hussain
Gillani. A large number of Vice Chancellors,
Rectors, and technology experts attended the
meeting.
It was decided that a meeting will be held at the
University of Engineering and Technology (UET),
Taxila soon, with Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar, Vice-
Chancellor National Skills University (NSU),
Islamabad in the chair to formulate the
recommendations.
Addressing the meeting, Chairman NTC Mr.
Gillani said that a joint committee of the Ministry
of Federal Education & Professional Training,
Higher Education Commission (HEC), and NTC
was developing a career path for creation of job
opportunities for Engineering Technologists in
the country.
The technology education experts highlighted
the importance of technical education, stressing
the need for integration of the NTC proposals in
the national education policy being formulated
by the Ministry of Federal Education and
Professional Training. In view of the
government's deep interest in technology
education and the emerging global demands,
they stressed that technology and skill education
must be on top of the government’s agenda.
The Higher Education Commission (HEC),
Pakistan and the National Police Bureau (NPB)
have agreed to enhance cooperation between
police organisations and country’s higher
education institutions and encouraging
academia to play a proactive role in extending
meaningful guidance for reforms through
relevant research.
In this connection, a Letter of Intent (LoI) was
signed by Dr. Shaista Sohail, Executive Director
HEC and Dr. Syed Ejaz Hussain, Director General
NPB, Ministry of Interior, Islamabad.
Police reforms and involvement of academia for
informed policy decisions has emerged as a top
priority in the Government’s commitment for
strengthening police institutions. Through this
LoI, HEC and NPB intend to facilitate
collaboration in research projects between
researchers and the law enforcement agencies
associated with NPB, so as to harness the
research potential of academic institutions as
HEC, NPB Collaborate for Enhancing Academia’s Role in Police Reforms
well as solve real world problems through
carefully designed and properly implemented
research activities.
Under this collaboration, inter alia, universities
will be encouraged to approach NPB for joint
workshops, seminars, focused group discussions,
competitions, and involvement of student
volunteers for community work.
HEC will incorporate the contents related to
public safety, frequently applied police laws,
criminal procedure and fundamental
constitutional rights in one of the mandatory
General Education courses that HEC is
developing for undergraduate students.
Similarly, NPB will offer unpaid internships to
students, whenever and wherever possible. It will
also provide access to crime data regarding
research to MPhil and PhD scholars, subject to
necessary protections with respect to privacy
and confidentiality.
15
capacity building, institution-level capacity
enhancement and empowering higher education
institutions to self-regulate and deliver quality
learning for faculty.
Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Shaheed
Benazir Bhutto University Dr. Tayyaba Zarif
emphasised the need to contextualise trainings
to ensure that they fulfilled the needs of
universities to address their specific needs.
NAHE holds Roundtable Discussions on Faculty Development
Vice Chancellor, Karakoram International
University Dr. Attaullah Shah pointed out the
urgent need for equipping faculty with
technological and teaching skills in this new
context of online learning including the need
to train faculty on effectively conducting
assessments beyond final and midterm exams.
Chief Executive, Advance HE in UK Alison
Johns shared an international context of
capacity building institutions which was
debated by the participants.
Provincial Workshop/Roundtable
The first provincial workshop/roundtable was
held to identify faculty development needs in
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Representatives from universities including
those from the Quality Enhancement Cells in
universities across the province were in
attendance including Buner, Karak, Malakand,
Haripur, Peshawar and former FATA.
During the event, participants were able to
debate and discuss urgent faculty
development needs unique to their contexts,
potential collaborations between public and
private sector universities and the role NAHE
16
from all provinces, ICT and Gilgit-Baltistan
attended the workshop. In view of the necessary
COVID-19 safety measures, some participants
joined the workshop in person, while the
majority joined it virtually.
During the event, participants were able to
debate and discuss urgent faculty development
needs in Pakistan, as well as avenues for
collaboration and support with NAHE in the
future.
Welcoming the participants, Rector NAHE, Dr.
Shaheen Sardar Ali shed light on the importance
of collaboration for excellence in teaching and
learning in the higher education sector. She said
that it was very important to seek the views of
NAHE stakeholders, the academia overall, in
order to make the Academy's work more
effective. She asserted that NAHE would help
provide a platform for faculty development units
across the country in addition to working
together with them to bridge gaps. “The
pandemic has its costs but also provides an
opportunity to improve and innovate.”
Vice Provost Aga Khan University Dr. Anjum
Halai said that NAHE could provide support in
three key areas, including individual-level
NAHE organised the first of a series of
workshops entitled, “Collaboration for Excellence
– A Roundtable on Developing Linkages for
Faculty Development in Higher Education”. The
series of these workshops was one of multiple
NAHE endeavours to facilitate capacity building
of faculty in HEIs.
Representatives of 17 faculty development units
and departments of higher education institutions
During the events, participants were able to debate and discuss urgent faculty development needs unique to their contexts, potential collaborations between public and private sector universities and the role NAHE can play to contribute to the professional development of
their faculties.
can play to contribute to the professional
development of their faculties.
Dr. Shaheen Sardar Ali, Rector NAHE, thanked the
participants for making the trip to Peshawar and
taking time to participate in these challenging
times. She identified both challenges and
opportunities identified in the national higher
education landscape as a result of COVID-19.
Universities were able to share their varying
experiences of capacity building in their
respective institutions. Teaching philosophy and
methodology, online capability and research
mentorship were among the most common
problems in capacity identified by the
universities. However, there was a great spirit of
collaboration and a willingness to create a
community of practice to improve the quality of
learning available in HEIs across Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa. Sharing of resources, identifying
strengths and all that public and private
institutions can offer to each other under the
guidance of NAHE were possibilities discussed.
Over the next few months, members of the NAHE
team will travel to Karachi, Lahore, and Sargodha
to conduct additional roundtables and hopefully
include representatives from all provinces and
regions of Pakistan.
NAHE is established as a stand-alone,
autonomous institution operating under the
auspices of HEC to improve the quality of
teaching, research, and governance in Higher
Education Institutions (HEIs) across Pakistan.
This series of workshops is one of the multiple
ongoing NAHE endeavors to facilitate capacity
building of faculty in HEIs.
NAHE Capacity Enhancement Session for IPFP Fellows
NAHE held a capacity enhancement session
“Reflective Practice in Teaching and Learning”
for Fellows of the Interim Placement of Fresh
PhDs Programme (IPFP). Over 200 IPFP Fellows
from higher education institutions across
Pakistan attended the virtual workshop.
As the IPFP Fellows go through their placements
at universities and institutions across Pakistan,
NAHE intends to touch base with them, refresh
parts of their learning through the National
Faculty Development Programme and assess
effectiveness of this Programme.
To this end, NAHE collaborated with members of
NFDP 2020 instructional team to conduct this
session and draw reflections on the NFDP with
successfully placed IPFP fellows.
The session was attended by Rector NAHE Dr.
Shaheen Sardar Ali, Lead Consultant Fellowship
and Academic Leadership Programme, NAHE,
Dr. Shazia Awan, and Assistant Professor Dr.
Sana Waheed. Sessions like this are part of the
continuing professional development approach
adopted by NAHE. Fellows were given mini-
workshops on reflective practice, teaching,
student-centered learning, and learner-
engagement in online classes.
During the event, fellows shared their unique
experiences of working through a pandemic and
navigating courses online. They also participated
in learning activities and reflective sessions with
Dr. Shazia Awan (NAHE/Dalhousie University)
and Dr. Sana Waheed (NUST).
One of the NFDP graduates reflected on how
she relied on WhatsApp to conduct classes and
learning activities and keep her students
engaged. Fellows shared their stories of
creativity and dedication.
Dr. Sana Waheed assured fellows that the NFDP
has provided them with the tools they need to
deliver student-centered learnings in their work;
she further advised them to take a look, consult
their network of IPFP fellows and adapt.
17
Dr. Shazia Awan took the participants through
what it meant to be a reflective practitioner and
how being one can help them think through the
wider impact of their teaching practice.
In 2020, NAHE conducted a rigorous academic
teaching course, the National Faculty
Development Programme (NFDP), for almost
500 freshly graduated PhDs.
The month-long course was designed to
prepare NFDP Fellows for teaching and research
duties required by their places of work under
the Interim Placement of Fresh PhDs (IPFP)
programme.
The IPFP was launched in 2009 with the
objective of providing opportunities for
employment to selected fresh PhDs for one year
NAHE Organises E-Office Training for Employees
NAHE organised a hands-on training for e-office
to top-up virtual trainings provided on the
subject in conjunction with the National
Information Technology Board (NITB).
HEC staff was now able to benefit from a
practical training with onsite instructors to
answer questions and practically work through
problems respective employees were facing.
Members from the Faculty Affairs Division were
trained in the first round, while other HEC
divisions will receive similar top-up training in
the weeks to come.
Mr. Muhammad Raza Chohan, Director General,
Faculty Affairs appreciated NAHE for conducted
this training as well as Mr. Saif ur Rehman from
NITB for conducting an interactive and effective
session. E-office is an electronic system of office
and operational management which will help
make functions more efficient and improve
accountability at HEC. The programme is being
implemented across various ministries in the
government and has been approved by the
Federal Cabinet and the Nation e-Government
Council.
The instructor was able to showcase unique
features of the e-office system, inclusive of
databases of all government offices, ministries,
and officers. The potential benefits for this are
environmental as well as practical because with
its proper utilization, there will be flexibility in
where employees can work from. This will help
support staff as services increasingly move
online and ensure efficiency, consistency, and
transparency across the board.
18
as Assistant Professors against vacant TTS
(Tenure Track System) positions in public or
private universities. During the placement, the
host universities are expected to advertise these
positions and give equal opportunity to the IPFP
faculty for securing permanent positions in
BPS/TTS pay scales. The programme also
supports universities in attracting emerging
scholars, reducing search costs and providing
necessary experience to potential candidates.
NAHE is established as a stand-alone,
autonomous institution operating under the
auspices of HEC to improve the quality of
teaching, research, and governance in Higher
Education Institutions (HEIs) across Pakistan.
This series of workshops is one of multiple
ongoing NAHE endeavors to facilitate capacity
building of faculty in HEIs.
As the IPFP Fellows go through their placements at universities and institutions across Pakistan, NAHE intends to touch base with them,
refresh parts of their learning through the National Faculty Development Programme and assess effectiveness of this Programme.
Riphah International University organised a thwebinar entitled, “5 International Conference on
Islamic Business (ICIB)” under the theme of
moving to social, ethical and responsible finance
by the Islamic banking and finance institutions
(IBFIs).
Renowned Islamic economists, financial experts,
researchers and jurists from prestigious
institutions around the world made keynote
addresses and presented papers on the need for
and potential of moving to social finance by the
IBFIs.
The speakers noted that the prevailing banking
and finance systems transferred the wealth to
the financial sector operating on interest and
trading in absolute risk. In the backdrop of the
failure of the Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs), the United Nations moved to Value-
Based Intermediation (VBI) and social finance
with Sustainable development goals (SDGs).
The UN’s 2030 agenda seeks to achieve 17 vital
SDGs and 169 specific targets, encompassing the
social, economic and environmental dimensions
of development. The SDGs’ agenda for human
dignity, and ‘to leave no one behind’, is in line
with the principles and objectives of
development from Islamic perspective.
The conference drew a number of conclusions
and made recommendations for regulators and
practitioners of Islamic banking and finance,
policymakers and the states. The speakers said
that Islamic finance was a system that sought
fairness, equity, justice to all stakeholders,
disclosure and transparency, compassion and
cooperation, even with the competing parties.
The Islamic finance principles could enhance
resilience in financial system and positively
contribute to achieving the SDGs, particularly for
financial inclusion. They observed that all the
activities in Islamic finance would result in
genuine economic transactions through trade
finance, leasing, partnership, securitisation vide
asset-backed investment instruments, equity
take-ups and fund management. In that way, it
could directly contribute to a stable socio-
economic growth and shared prosperity, also
acclaimed by the SDGs related 2030 agenda.
The Value-Based Intermediation, the experts
said, focused on entrepreneurial functions to
support SMEs, micro businesses, financing
projects of community welfare, self-governance
for taking care of society’s welfare. They said
that the IBFIs might also explore the potential of
Fintech and Blockchain, also in line with the UN’s
SDGs, that could go long way in enhancing
financial and social inclusion.
The conference urged the Government of
Pakistan and the State Bank of Pakistan to
transform the whole economy as required by the
Constitution of Pakistan to interest free system.
For this Riba case being discussed in the Shariat
Courts of Pakistan may be finally decided
advising the State to Islamize the financial
system of Pakistan. It stressed the need for
strengthening the link between finance and the
real economy.
Among others, the speakers included Mr. Omar
Mustafa Ansari, Secretary General of AAOIFI
Bahrain, Dr. Zamir Iqbal, Vice President of Islamic
Development Bank (IDB) Jeddah, Dr. Mohammad
Akram Laldin, Executive Director of ISRA,
Malaysia, Dr. Kabir Hassan of the University of
New Orleans US; Dr. Mehmet Asutay, Director of
Durham Centre for Islamic Economics and
Finance UK, Dr. Necdet Sensoy of the Istanbul
Commerce University, and Prof. Dr. Toseef Azid
of Qasim University, Saudi Arabia.
thRiphah holds 5 Int’l Conference on Islamic Business
Speakers say the Islamic Financial Principles Can Contribute to Achieving SDGs
19
The COMSATS University,
Abbottabad campus, has
developed Particulate Matter
Emission Control System for
Hospital Waste Incineration
Process, as the hospital waste
has become a serious problem
due to inadequate disposal of
medical waste in the
developing countries. The
medical waste causes serious
COMSATS Develop Incinerator to Handle Hospital Waste
health issues including
hepatitis, AIDS and other fatal
diseases.
Handling such hazardous
waste by incineration can
destroy all pathogens and
reduce the toxicity of toxic
compounds at high
temperature. One of the major
pollutant from incineration
process is particulate matters,
which are responsible for
carrying carcinogenic
compounds and toxic heavy
metals. To handle such
pollutants, the Environmental
Technology Group at the
Environmental Sciences
Department, COMSATS
University, Abbottabad
campus, has designed and
manufactured the incinerator
with pollution control devices
installed at Azam Memorial
Hospital, Havellian.
In this project, the main focus
area is to control emission of
condensable particulate
matters (CFM) and filterable
particulate matter (FPM). Two
treatment systems were
installed as water scrubber and
fabric filter to control the CPM
and FPM.
The Department of Chemical Engineering,
COMSATS University, Lahore campus, has signed
a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with
CMYK Research & Development, a chemical-
based product manufacturing company in
Gujranwala. The purpose of the MoU is to
promote bilateral collaborative research on
development and a large-scale production of
different processes and products. The
collaboration envisages to benefit the society
with sustainable industrial growth and innovative
local products. The agreement will lead to
development and commercialisation of different
processes and products.
COMSATS, CMYK Sign MoU for Collaborative Research
20
Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology
(SSUET) has joined hands with Healthcare and
Social Welfare Association (HASWA) to produce
low-cost prosthetic limbs.
Under the bilateral agreement, the university will
provide technical and strategic support to
HASWA to produce high quality, automatic and
low-cost limbs.
In this connection, the SSUT held a session at the
campus to demonstrate the automatic prosthetic
limb so far developed in collaboration with
HASWA.
Addressing the session, Chancellor SSUET Jawaid
Anwar said that it was really a tear-jerking
experience to see a person with no limbs.
However, prosthetic limbs may help such people
a lot to restore their confidence and become
independent. “SSUET is working on the project
to help the needy and deserving persons by
joining hands with HASWA to develop a fully
SSUET to Support HASWA in Producing Low-Cost Prosthetic Limbs
automatic prosthetic limb. SSUET strongly
supports HASWA to help the poor.”
On the occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Vali
Uddin said that SSUET aimed to work with other
organisations and institutions on different
projects in order to broaden its horizon. He
appreciated the SSUET faculty to carry forward
the vision of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan in developing
a society with healthy norms.
Mr. Akbar Ismail, who represented HASWA, said
that every human being had a right to a healthy
happy life. “HASWA provides free prosthetic
artificial limbs and calipers to the needy and
deserving persons.” He informed that more than
18,000 people benefited from HASWA so far.
Chairperson Biomedical Engineering
Department, Engr. Dr. Sarmad Shams said that
SSUET’s technical team was working on to make
the limbs, which are light, easily adjustable and
very easy to use.
Indus University Webinar on Assessment in Online EducationThe Indus University, Quality Enhancement Cell,
organised a webinar on “Assessment in Online
Education” to deliberate on procedures and
techniques for formative and summative
assessments. Managing Director, Quality
Assurance Agency, Higher Education
Commission, Dr. Nadia Tahir was the keynote
speaker.
Dr. Nadia Tahir explained the challenges faced
related to assessment in the online education
during COVID-19.
Director Quality & Accreditation, Jinnah Sindh
Medical University, Dr. Muhammad Abdul Wahid
Usmani, shed light on various assessment
techniques. He said that assessment was a
necessary element of learning and must not be
taken for granted. He also stressed the need for
faculty training to ensure effective online
assessment.
The seminar was attended by representatives of
Quality Enhancement Cells (QECs) of 47 higher
education institutions, including Institute of
Business Administration (IBA), Institute of
Business Management (IoBM), Dow University of
Health Sciences, Baqai Medical University,
SZABIST (Karachi and Hyderabad Campus), and
Iqra University, to name a few.
21
Ziauddin University Develops 3D Virtual Dissection TableZiauddin University Develops 3D Virtual Dissection Table
The Department of Anatomy at Ziauddin
University has introduced Pakistan’s first ever 3D
Virtual Dissection Table known as Anatomage.
Chancellor Ziauddin University Dr. Asim Hussain
inaugurated the Anatomage Table and the newly
constructed Digital Anatomy Lab.
Addressing the top management of Ziauddin
University, Dr. Asim Hussain said “it is for the very
first time in the history of Pakistan that a
university has introduced a 3D virtual dissection
table. It will be taken to all the campuses of
Ziauddin University as well as hospitals to take
students towards technology-based learning.
MRI and CT scan can also be done with this
virtual dissection table, he said. “We are
introducing the new ways of teaching and
learning by using such useful machines and
technology in Ziauddin University.” He said that
the Anatomage Table was the most
technologically advanced 3D anatomy
visualisation and virtual dissection tool and was
being adopted by many of the world’s leading
medical schools and institutions. He noted that
the Anatomage Table combined with its
renowned radiology software and clinical content
distinguished it from any other imaging system.
The Anatomage Table is the only fully segmented
real human 3D anatomy system. Users can
visualise anatomy exactly as they would on a
fresh dead body. Individual structures are
reconstructed in accurate 3D, resulting in an
unprecedented level of real accurate anatomy,
dissectible in 3D. The table allows for exploration
and learning of human anatomy beyond what
any cadaver could offer.
The Table allows students to interact with the
young and well-preserved digital cadavers
instead of aged and degenerated bodies.
Vice Chair, Karachi Research Chair, Greenwich
University, Mr. Ali Jillani represented Pakistan at
the World Social Forum webinar on "Climate
Change in South Asia; Way Forward for Equity
and Justice Informed Governance.”
Speakers from other countries like Bangladesh,
Sri Lanka, India and Nepal expressed their views
on the way forward for climate governance with
equity and justice.
They also discussed the Global Sustainable
Development Report 2019, which highlighted
the absence of data on over 60% of the
environmental indicators, with several countries
‘Steps, Policies Needed to Safeguard Global Environmental Commons’
experiencing regressive patterns in climate
governance in the Asian Pacific region. Mr. Jillani
said that multilateral systems must protect the
inviolability of Global Environmental Commons
(GECs) through stronger public sector
commitment, appropriate policies e.g., Polluters
Pay Act, Progressive Carbon Taxation, Removal of
Fossil subsidies, among others.
He stressed that retrogressive taxation regime
should be enacted for corporations mainly
responsible for Greenhouse Gase emissions (like
Exxon and Shell) to finance developing countries
requiring estimated $75 billion per year by 2030
to cope with climate change.
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