Universities Face a Financial Emergency

Higher Education Commission - Pakistan

January-February 2019

VCs’ Committee Meeting

Universities Face a Financial Emergency

P - 5

HEC Signs MoU with Shenzhen

University, China

P - 7

HEC, US Varsities Discuss Placement

of Pakistani Scholars

Australian University to Offer Fee

Waiver to Pakistani Students

P - 6

HEC to Set up Centre for Water

Resources in Balochistan

P - 6

P - 5

HEC Signs MoU with Shenzhen

University, China

Australian University to Offer Fee

Waiver to Pakistani Students

P - 6

P - 7

HEC, US Varsities Discuss Placement

of Pakistani Scholars

HEC to Set up Centre for Water

Resources in Balochistan

P - 6

P - 6P - 2

Publisher:Higher Education

Commission, Pakistan

4

Graphic Designer

Raja Ahmad Nadeem

Reporter

Syed Muhammad Ittifaq

Editor

Aayesha Ikram

News & Views is published after

every two 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 art ic les 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.

Graphic Designer

Raja Ahmad Nadeem

Reporter

Syed Muhammad Ittifaq

Editor

Aayesha Ikram

News & Views is published after

every two 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 art ic les 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.

Australian

University to Offer

Fee Waiver to

Pakistani Students

Table of ContentsImagine Cup 2019 Launched

HEC to Set up Centre for Water Resources in

Balochistan

Australian University to Offer Fee Waiver to

Pakistani Students

Meeting of Steering Committee held at HEC

HEC, US Varsities Discuss Placement of

Pakistani Scholars

13 Pak-Turk Research Projects for Mobility

Grant Approved

Chairman HEC Visits IST

HEC Keen to Expand Ties with Belgian

Universities: Dr. Banuri

Steps to Alleviate Unemployment of PhDs

Pakistan to Explore Academic Links with

Jordan & Morocco

Universities Face a

Financial

Emergency

5

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26

6

7

7

8

8

9

9

10

HEC Signs MoU

with Shenzhen

University, China

Vice Chancellors’ Committee Meeting

Universities Face a Financial Emergency

Dr. Banuri told the Vice Chancellors that HEC has set up a committee to review the budgetary formula for distribution of government funding to each university.

Addressing the university heads,

Dr. Tariq Banuri, Chairman HEC,

assured them that he will

present their concerns to the

highest levels of federal as well

as provincial governments. He

said that HEC has set up a

committee to review the

budgetary formula for

distribution of government

funding to each university.

The Chairman also advised the

heads of universities to invest in

the efficiency and transparency

2

Vice Chancellors and Rectors of

public sector universities say

that they face a financial

emergency because of budget

cuts in the past three years. In a

two-day huddle at the Higher

Education Commission (HEC),

the university heads met to

explore solutions to the financial

crisis.

Dr. Masoom Yasinzai, Chairman

Vice Chancellors Committee said

that the recurring budget of the

higher education sector is facing

a shortfall of Rs. 26.9 billion in

the current financial year. He

expressed the hope that the

current Government, a known

supporter of the education

sector, would help universities

come out of the crisis.

Since the last three years,

funding for universities has

failed to keep up with growing

enrollments. The crisis has been

exacerbated because of

legislated pay and pension

increases and demands from

newly established universities.

The quality of education has

suffered as a result, and

universities are finding it

impossible to meet pay and

pension obligations. The Vice

Chancellors expressed their

hope that government will

restore university funding for

the current fiscal year and

ensure that the projected

requirement of Rs. 103.55 billion

for the coming year (2019-20) is

satisfied.

They also asked the government

to ensure adequate funding for

the development budget of

universities.

of university operations as well

as in fundraising programs. He

announced that HEC was

preparing guidelines for a major

Dr. Yasinzai said

that the recurring

budget of the

higher education

sector is facing a

shortfall of Rs.

26.9 billion in the

financial year

(2019-20). fundraising drive for universities,

which will culminate in an

Education Week in December

2019. He asked universities to

3

set a target of mobilising 20 per

cent of their revenue from non-

government and non-tuition

sources by 2022. Other issues

of the country. Specific actions

envisaged in this regard include

student and faculty exchanges

between different parts of the

discussed at the meeting

included the Vice Chancellors'

vision of harnessing university

resources for such national

objectives as the promotion of

national unity, development of

the knowledge economy, and

the projection of the soft power

country, admission of students

across provincial boundaries,

attracting foreign students as

well as faculty members to

Pakistan, and investing in the

capacity of university faculty to

undertake research on issues of

national and international

urgency. They asked HEC and

the government to remove

hurdles in this regard.

The Chairman apprised the

gathering of the importance of

resolving complaints received

through the PM's Grievance

Portal. “We must ensure that

there are zero escalated or

super-escalated complaints,” he

underlined.

The Vice Chancellors also

discussed other ongoing efforts,

including plans to establish a

National Academy for Higher

Education (NAHE), targeting

research programmes towards

concrete deliverables and

problem-solving, strengthening

college level education, and

building upon the success of the

Pakistan Education Research

Network (PERN) project.

Microsoft Pakistan and Higher

Education Commission (HEC)

recently launched Imagine Cup

2019 during a ceremony held at

the Commission Secretariat.

The ceremony also marked

signing of a Memorandum of

Understanding between HEC

and five universities for

collaboration in functioning of

HEC EduTV.

Dr. Tariq Banuri, Chairman HEC

graced the occasion as chief

guest. Lt. Gen. (Retd.)

Muhammad Asghar, Executive

Director HEC, Mr. Abid Zaidi,

Country Manager Microsoft, Mr.

Mike Yeah, Assistant General

Council, Microsoft, Middle East

and a number of Vice

Chancellors, faculty members

and students were also present.

Addressing the ceremony, Dr.

Banuri underlined that

imagination is the real essence

of education as well as human

life and spirit. He stressed that

imagination and curiosity play a

vital role in solving problems

Imagine Cup 2019 Launched

and the development and use of

technology is pivotal to

materialise imaginations. He

said the young minds of

Pakistan have a great potential

and imagination skills.

“We need your brain power to

solve our problems and

transform the challenges facing

our country into opportunities.

Imagine Cup provides youth

with education, exposure, and

networking opportunity.”

In his remarks, Mr. Abid Zaidi

said Microsoft strives to bring

the right set of tools and

technology towards the

students so that they can

change the world for the better.

He observed that Pakistani

students are the agents of

change and they need the right

set of tools to succeed. “As a

technology company, Microsoft

enables students to shape their

future.

Under Education Transformation

Agreement, HEC and Microsoft

work in partnership to enable

student-centric learning,

enhance education with

powerful software tools and

improve the efficiency of

education systems.”

On the occasion, HEC signed

Memorandum of Understanding

with Lahore Garrison University,

Shaheed Zulfiqat Ali Bhutto

Institute of Science and

Technology (SZABIST),

Islamabad, Sindh Madrasatul

Islam, Karachi, University of

Gujrat and Riphah University to

collaborate in functioning of

HEC EduTV.

HEC, Microsoft Collaboration

“Imagination enables mankind to design other possible worlds. Imagination is not about technology, it is all about the human beings.” Dr. Banuri

4

NUST team ‘Fe Amaan’ was the winner of National Finals of Imagine Cup 2018.

A Memorandum of

Understanding (MoU) was

recently signed between

Shenzhen University (SZU),

China and Higher Education

Commission. Prof. Li Qingquan,

President, Shenzhen University

and Dr. Tariq Banuri, Chairman

HEC signed the agreement.

The two sides will deliberate on

award of fully funded SZU

scholarships for Pakistani

students at split PhD, doctoral

and post-doctoral levels, joint

research initiatives, faculty and

student exchanges, establishing

institutional linkages between

SZU and Pakistani universities

and status of Shenzhen

University to become a member

of Consortium established under

the umbrella of Chinese

Association of Higher Education

and HEC Pakistan.

Welcoming the SZU delegation,

Dr. Banuri appreciated the

University management for

providing opportunities to

Pakistani students to pursue

doctoral and post-doctoral

studies. He said that China is

one of Pakistan’s leading

partners in development of

higher education and that “we

wish to further strengthen this

relationship, particularly in the

context of China Pakistan

Economic Corridor. Since

different special economic zones

are planned to be established in

Pakistan under CPEC, we would

like to learn from SZU

Scholarships and Institutional Linkages

HEC Signs MoU with Shenzhen University, China

experience as how it became

instrumental for Shenzhen

Special Economic Zone.”

The Chairman also informed the

delegation about transnational

education policy of HEC in

which foreign universities are

welcome to start their campuses

and sub-campuses in Pakistan

and Pakistani universities are

also encouraged to start their

operations in foreign countries.

Prof. Qingquan expressed his

gratitude to HEC for inviting

them to Pakistan for discussion

on collaboration with Pakistani

universities. He said though SZU

has a short history of 40 years

but it has developed swiftly in

these years and is emerging in

world university rankings.

He said that our University is

situated in a newly built special

economic zone and has

achieved the status of fastest

rising university in China and

abroad.

“Among other things, we have

also focused on

internationalization of our

University including increased

collaborations with universities

worldwide and attracting more

students from other countries to

study at SZU. Likewise, we also

expect collaborations with

universities in Pakistan and more

students in our various

disciplines so they have a first-

hand experience of China’s

development,” the President

said.

“At present, 76 Pakistani

scholars are studying in our

University and we expect that

our recent visit would get us

young and talented pool of

Pakistani scholars,” he

emphasized.

Mr. Wasim Hashmi, Adviser

Human Resource Development,

HEC gave a presentation on

progress of Pakistan’s higher

education sector since

establishment of HEC in 2002.

5

The Higher Education

Commission (HEC) will establish

a Centre for Water Resources in

Balochistan to take up research,

innovation and capacity building

in the field of Water Resources.

In this connection, HEC has

sought proposals from research

groups of HEC recognised

public and research-active

private universities and degree

awarding institutions in

Balochistan.

Other universities, organisations

HEC to Set up Centre for Water Resources in Balochistan

and development partners may

also collaborate with the

universities located in

Balochistan and submit joint

proposals for establishment of

the Centre.

The Centre will comprise a series

of affiliated laboratories at the

universities located in the

province and will be selected on

the basis of demonstrated

capability and track record of

accomplishments, a problem-

orientation – either locally or

regionally applicable – and

partnerships with leading

national institutions and private

sector players. The initiative is a

part of HEC’s efforts to

contribute to resolve the water

crisis prevailing in Balochistan.

Water scarcity has been a

serious problem facing different

areas of Balochistan.

The national water resources are

decreasing and reservoirs are

depleting with every passing

year. The situation demands

rigorous measures for

conservation of water resources.

Griffith University, Australia will

offer 100 per cent tuition fee

waiver to five Pakistani students

every year. This was announced

in a meeting of Ms. Margaret

Adamson, Australian High

Commissioner to Pakistan with


during her visit to the

Commission Secretariat.

Dr. Banuri said HEC values its

partnership with Australian

higher education institutions

and welcomes Griffith University

to become part of this

partnership. He said that 10

Australian universities have

agreements with HEC and 160

Pakistani students are currently

enrolled in PhD programmes in

these institutions.

Australian University to Offer Fee Waiver to Pakistani Students

The Chairman said that

Pakistan’s priorities in higher

education include not only

Science, Technology,

Engineering, and Mathematics

disciplines but also Social

Sciences, Humanities and Arts.

Ms. Adamson said that Pakistan

and Australia have developed a

long-term partnership over

higher education which provides

an excellent opportunity for

collaboration in research as well

as short and long term training

programmes and capacity

building courses. The High

Commissioner was accompanied

by Prof. David Grant, Pro-Vice

Chancellor, Griffith Business

School and Mr. Peter Coleman,

Austrade Trade Commissioner.

6

The second meeting of Steering

Committee for the Project

entitled Establishment of Sub-

Campuses of Public Sector

Universities at District Level

Phase-I was recently held at

Higher Education Commission

Secretariat, Islamabad.


chaired the meeting that was

attended by representatives of

provincial higher education

departments and vice

Meeting of Steering Committee held at HEC

chancellors of the partner

universities. The Steering

Committee appreciated that 19

campuses have been established

in remote and less developed

districts and are imparting

quality education to students of

these areas.

The Committee also appreciated

the efforts of partner universities

for enrolling 3391 students in

these campuses setup in less

privileged areas of the country.

Sub-Campuses of Public Sector Universities at District Level

In addition to other decisions,

the Steering Committee

considered and approved

proposal for establishment of

University of Gujrat campus at

Mandi Bahauddin, Government

College University Faisalabad

campus at Haifzabad, and

Mehran University of

Engineering and Technology

Jamshoro campus at Jacobabad,

subject to fulfillment of all the

requirements and quality

indicators.

Talking to the delegation, Dr. Banuri appreciated

the support and cooperation of US universities in

promoting higher education and research culture

in Pakistan. Dr. Butt said the scholarships are

awarded to non-PhD faculty as well as students

who have 18 years of formal education.

HEC, US Varsities Discuss Placement of Pakistani Scholars

Admission Directors of 10 US universities recently

visited Higher Education Commission to discuss

possibilities of institutional agreements for

admission and placement of Pakistani scholars in

the US universities under the US-Pakistan

Knowledge Corridor.

The meeting was chaired by Dr. Tariq Banuri,

Chairman HEC. Dr. Mahmood-ul-Hassan Butt,

Consultant HEC, Mr. Tony Jones, Deputy Cultural

Affairs Attache, US Embassy, Islamabad were also

present on the occasion.

The meeting was held in collaboration with the US

Embassy and the United States Education

Foundation of Pakistan (USEFP).

New York University

Tandon School of Engineering

Ohio University

Indiana University, Bloomington

University of Colorado, Boulder

Boise State University

Florida International University

New York Institute of Technology

Youngstown State University

Kent State University

Kansas State University

7


recently visited the Institute of

Space Technology (IST),

Islamabad. The Chairman was

given a presentation about

ongoing projects related to

Climate and Environmental

Sciences in IST.

Chairman HEC Visits IST

He visited laboratories at IST,

inked his comments in the

visitor’s book and planted a tree

in IST premises.

While addressing the faculty and

students, Dr. Banuri underlined

the significance of quality,

leadership and governance for

promotion of innovation in

higher education institutions.

He urged the audience to find

innovative and sustainable

solutions to the problems our

society is facing.


Commission (HEC), Pakistan and

the Council of Higher Education

(CoHE), Turkey have approved

13 joint projects under Phase-II

of Pak-Turk Researchers Mobility

Grant Programme to provide

mobility support to researchers.

The programme is one of the

outcome of Turkish-Pakistani

cooperation within the scope of

efforts for internationalisation of

higher education systems.

Under this programme, new

scientific and technological

cooperation between Turkish

and Pakistani higher education

institutions will be developed by

supporting mobility of graduate

students and academic staff.

Seventy applications were

received in the wake of the

second call for proposals under

the programme and 33 of them

met the eligibility criteria.

After due deliberations and

evaluations from experts, 13

applications were selected for

award of mobility grant jointly

by HEC and CoHE, Turkey.

The researchers have their

research domains in six priority

areas including Energy, Food,

Sustainable Environment

Technologies, Material Sciences,

Smart Transportation Systems,

and Robots and Smart Systems.

13 Pak-Turk Research Projects for Mobility Grant Approved

The successful researchers

belong to University of

Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan

Institute of Engineering and

Applied Sciences, University of

the Punjab, Lahore, Balochistan

University of Information

Technology, Engineering and

Management Sciences, Quetta,

Government College University,

Faisalabad, University of

Engineering and Technology,

Lahore, University of

Engineering and Technology,

Peshawar, Lahore College for

Women University, University of

Peshawar, University of

Sargodha, COMSATS University,

Islamabad, and Islamia College

University, Peshawar.

8


Commission (HEC) is keen to

strengthen academic relations

between Pakistan and Belgian

higher education institutions.

This was stated by Dr. Tariq

Banuri, Chairman HEC while

talking to a delegation of

Hasselt University, Belgium

headed by Prof. Jean-Michl Rigo,

Vice Rector Research.

Dr. Banuri appreciated the

support extended by Hasselt

University in areas like

Transportation Engineering. “We

value our collaboration with

partner countries in the under-

served and neglected areas.” He

HEC Keen to Expand Ties with Belgian Universities: Dr. Banuri

informed the delegation that

HEC is committed to

maintaining its focus on quality

and socio-economic relevance

of higher education.

Prof. Rigo said 25 Pakistani

scholars are enrolled in various

disciplines in Hasselt University,

while three of them have

completed PhD. He said the

University seeks to set up a

research centre on

Transportation Sciences at NUST.

Prof. Rigo informed the

Chairman that Hasselt University

runs a three-year PhD

programme under which

scholars of different countries

spend three months in the

University while pursuing studies

in their home country.

“So far 50 scholars of different

countries have completed their

PhD under this initiative”, he

underlined.

Mr. Wasim S. Hashmi Syed,

Adviser Human Resource

Development, HEC highlighted

the Executive PhD Programme

under which Pakistanis working

on managerial positions at

various organisations will be

sent to Belgium for a specific

period during their PhD studies.


Commission (HEC) will soon

establish a consolidated

academic jobs portal to improve

employability of unemployed

PhDs in universities.

This was decided in a meeting

chaired by Dr. Tariq Banuri,

Chairman HEC, at the

Steps to Alleviate Unemployment of PhDsCommission Secretariat. The

meeting was attended by Lt.

Gen. (Retd.) Muhammad Asghar,

Executive Director HEC and

heads of Human Resource

Development, Research and

Development, Planning and

Development, Accreditation and

Attestation, and Administration

and Coordination Divisions.

The proposals submitted by

representative of the

Association of Unemployed

PhDs were deliberated upon at

length, and decisions were

made on certain

recommendations to ease out

the situation.

The decisions include

9

establishment of committees to

review the issue of induction of

visiting faculty in universities

and develop guidelines to curb

the tendency of deferring

employment of regular faculty,

and undertaking analysis of

student-teacher ratio to firm up

guidelines for professional and

other educational degree

programmes.

It was reiterated that HEC has

already restrained PhD

scholarships in those disciplines

wherein PhDs are abundant.

Likewise, universities have been

advised not to launch new PhD

programmes in those areas.

It was agreed to undertake a

focused study on employability

of different disciplines and

identification of national future

needs besides introducing an

exclusive Research Grant

Scheme for unemployed PhDs.

Recently, Shaheed Benazir

Bhutto University, Benazirabad

agreed to induct 22 PhDs out of

105 unemployed PhDs whose

list was shared with the

University.

Pakistan to Explore Academic Links with Jordan & Morocco

Mr. Ibrahim Almadani,

Ambassador of Jordan to

Pakistan called on Dr. Tariq

Banuri, Chairman HEC at the

Commission Secretariat.

Dr. Banuri said HEC facilitates

and funds higher education

institutions so they can

contribute to the country’s

socio-economic development.

The Ambassador said relations

between Pakistan and Jordan can

further be strengthened through

collaboration and academic

linkages. He mentioned that 220

Jordanian students study in

Pakistani institutions.

The Chairman hoped that future

will witness strong academic and

research bonds among OIC

member states.

Similarly, in his meeting with

Mohammed Karmoune,

Ambassador of Morocco to

Pakistan. The Chairman stressed

that Pakistan will take measures

to develop academic relations

with Morocco in order to

promote higher education

between higher education

institutions of both the countries.

The Ambassador said that

Pakistan and Morocco enjoy

friendly relations and there are a

number of areas, including

education, which can help

further strengthen the bilateral

relations.

Dr. Banuri, who also has the

additional charge of Coordinator

General COMSTECH, emphasised

on endeavours to embark upon

programmes for promotion of

science and technology among

OIC member countries. He said

HEC has active interaction with

ISESCO, Rabat which need to be

further mobilised to boost

bilateral academic relations.

10

The Lahore University of

Management Sciences (LUMS) threcently organised its 19

Advisory Board Meeting of Syed

Babar Ali School of Science and

Engineering (SBASSE) with the

aim to discuss strategic planning

for the next 10 years.

Dr. Arshad Ahmad, Vice

Chancellor LUMS shared an

update on latest developments

at the University.

Dr. Shahid Masud, Dean SBASSE,

presented updates of the School

as well as a response to the last

year’s Advisory Board Report.

The Department Chairs of

SBASSE further shared the

vision, status and strategy of the

departments, their research and

achievements of the respective

faculty members and students.

The Advisory Board members

included Prof. James Lallou

Wescoat JR, Chairperson

Advisory Board SBASSE and MIT,

USA, Prof. Sally Merrick Benson,

Stanford University, USA, Prof.

Muhammad Hamid Zaman,

Boston University, USA, Prof.

Michael Gerard Pecht, University

of Maryland, USA, Dr. Hassan

Masud Ahmed, Chairman, Sonus

Networks, USA, Dr. Dara

Entekhabi, MIT USA, Dr. Khaled

Letaief, Hong Kong University of

Science and Technology, China

and Dr. Khurram Afridi, Cornell

University, USA.

The Advisory Board Members

met the Deans of each School as

well as the faculty, students and

staff to get a sense of the

opportunities and challenges

facing the School.

thLUMS - 19 Advisory Board Meeting of SBASSE


Commission and Microsoft

jointly held regional level

competitions of Imagine Cup at

Sindh Madressatul Islam

University, Karachi, University of

Balochistan, Quetta, Shaheed

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of

Science and Technology,

Islamabad, and Lahore Garrison

University.

During these regional

competitions, over 300 teams

Live Coverage at HEC Edu TV

Imagine Cup Competitions held at Regional Level

presented their projects to

contribute in solving societal

problems. The competitions

were telecast live from

respective studios of Edu TV.

In the regional competitions,

judges from both academia and

industry evaluated teams’

deliverables submitted online on

the Imagine Cup portal using

the criterion listed in Imagine

Cup Competition Official Rules

and Regulations.

HEC and Microsoft are striving

to nurture innovation among

the youth of Pakistan through

Imagine Cup Competition.

A few shortlisted projects that

received evaluators’ attention

included Gloves for Blind, Your

Intelligent Health Assistant,

Wave Therapeutic Device, Food-

e-Nose, Menerva, NeoVital,

Muawin, A-Therapy,

Transmissions Line Inspection,

Without Water, and Electro-X.

11

The University of Veterinary and

Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore in

collaboration with the Livestock

and Dairy Development

Department Punjab and Ostrich

Association of Pakistan recently

initiated sale of ostrich meat at

UVAS Meat Outlet.

UVAS Outlet Inaugurates Ostrich Meat Sale

A delegation from School of

Advanced International Studies,

Johns Hopkins University, USA

led by Dr. Jashua T. White,

Associate Professor, Practice of

South Asia Studies recently

called on Dr. Talat Naseer

Johns Hopkins University Delegation Visits UVAS

Sardar Husnain Bahadur

Dareshak, Punjab Minister for

Livestock and Dairy Development

along with Dr. Talat Naseer

Pasha, Vice Chancellor UVAS, Mr.

Raja Tahir Latif, President, Ostrich

Association of Pakistan and Dr.

Muhammad Hayat Jaspal,

Associate Professor, UVAS

Department of Meat Science and

Technology inaugurated the sale

of ostrich meat.

Speaking on the occasion, the

Minister said that for profitability

of ostrich farming community

and development of ostrich

farming in Punjab, the Provincial

Government has allowed sale of

ostrich meat during meat-off

days (Tuesday and Wednesday)

on a regular basis. He said that

ostrich meat will also be available

for sale in private butcher shops

and other departmental stores all

over Punjab during these days.

Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha said that

aim of this project was to

connect consumers with farmers

to provide easy access to market.

Pasha, Vice Chancellor,

University of Veterinary and

Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore.

The meeting discussed how

UVAS can be facilitated in R&D

on key areas of energy

provision, rural development,

livestock and climate change.

The delegation also discussed

disease diagnostic system in

livestock sector, socio

economic goals and energy

crises.

The University of Central Asia

(UoCA), Kyrgyzstan and

Karakorum International

University (KIU), Gilgit Baltistan

will work together to organise

faculty development

programmes, conduct mountain

UoCA, KIU Join Hands for Faculty Developmentfocused research and faculty

and student exchanges. This was

decided in a recent meeting

between Dr. Attuallah Shah, Vice

Chancellor KIU and Mr. Kasim

Shams Lakha, Chairman Board

of Trustees, UoCA in Islamabad.

It was decided that both the

institutions would also work to

develop student exchange and

internship programmes, in

addition to faculty exchanges

every year for better exposure

and experience of the faculty.

12

Mr. Shafqat Mahmood, Minister for Federal

Education and Professional Training recently

inaugurated Al-Farabi Research Complex at

International Islamic University (IIU), Islamabad.

The Research Complex is comprised of three

centres including, Business Incubation Centre,

Centre for Advanced Electronics and Photovoltaic

Engineering, and Sulaiman Bin Abdullah Aba Al-

Khail Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic

Science.

Education Minister Opens Research Complex at IIU

Speaking at the occasion, the Minister said that

prime focus of the Government is to utilise

energies of youth. “It is among our top priorities to

not only educate the youth but also provide them

skills required by the industry.”

Dr. Masoom Yasinzai, Rector IIU said that it is time

to bring experts of various disciplines together to

find solutions our society is facing. “We must find

indigenous solutions to indigenous problems,” he

added.

The launching ceremony of the book entitled

“Fundamentals of Islamic Economics and Finance”

authored by Dr. Atiq uz Zafar, Director General,

International Institute of Islamic Economics and Dr.

Hafiz Muhammad Yasin, a Professor of Economics,

was recently held at International Islamic University

(IIU), Islamabad.

The book was originally published by Islamic

Research and Training Institute (IRTI), a member of

the Islamic Development Bank Group in Jeddah,

Saudi Arabia in 2016, and the low-priced edition of

this pioneering work has now been published by

the Institute of Policy Studies, Islamabad under a

reprint arrangement exclusively for sale in South

Asia and South East Asia territory.

Dr. Qibla Ayaz, Chairman, Council of Islamic

Ideology (CII) was chief guest during the launching

ceremony.

Fundamentals of Islamic Economics & Finance Dr. Ayaz urged

policymakers in

Pakistan to exploit

huge potential

offered by the

discipline to foster

economic

development in the

country. He added

that evolving free

market economic

model was merely a

new shape of

capitalism and its study was only producing

workers to serve the model.

The framework offered by Islamic economics on

the other hand offered much better prospects to

cater for the issues that were left unaddressed by

the prevailing paradigm.

BOOK LAUNCH

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the

Intellectual Property Organisation (IPO) will jointly

establish a Technology Innovation Support Centre

(TISC) at Karakorum International University (KIU),

Gilgit Baltistan.

Establishment of TISC at KIUThe TISC would function under the supervision of

University’s Office of Research Innovation and

Commercialisation (ORIC) to enable its access to

patent as well as scientific and technical literature

databases.

13

A delegation of the National

Agricultural Education

Accreditation Council (NAEAC)

headed by Dr. Ishtiaq A.

Rajwana, Chairman NAEAC

recently visited University of

Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF).

Talking to the delegation, Dr.

Zafar Iqbal Randhawa, Vice

Chancellor, UAF said that

professional education and

skilled labour are imperative to

fight challenges of modern era.

“There is a need to narrow down

the teacher-student ratio in the

educational institutions as it is

widening and deteriorating the

quality of education”, he said.

NAEAC Team Visits UAF

Dr. Rajwana said that mandate

of NAEAC is to implement a

comprehensive programme of

accreditation of agriculture

education degree programmes

based on policies, procedures,

and criteria setup by HEC to

assure high quality and standard

of education.

He said that modernisation of

agriculture production systems

and supply chain into high value

agriculture products is

fundamental for accelerated

agriculture growth, sustainable

food security, and reduction of

rural poverty.

Later, the delegation visited

University’s Faculty of Food,

Nutrition and Home Sciences

and held a meeting with Dr.

Masood Sadiq Butt, Dean Food

Sciences and Dr. Tahir Zahoor,

Director General, National

Institute of Food Sciences and

Technology.

The Department of Commerce, Government

College Women University, Faisalabad recently

organised a workshop, to discuss the tools and

techniques to publish research articles in high-

ranked journals.

On this occasion, Dr. Sofia Anwar, Vice Chancellor,

highlighted the importance of research for

society. Dr. Imran Qureshi, University of Kuala

Workshop on Research Tools

training session, Dr. Zafar Iqbal Randhawa, Vice

Chancellor UAF said that research quality, despite

enhanced facilities coupled with IT support, is

declining with passage of time in the country which

is one of the hurdles to fight challenges of modern

era.

He said that academicians and researchers are the

people who can transform society by bringing

innovative ideas, products and promoting the

culture of truth, hard work and honesty.

Workshop on Effective Management Tools

The Directorate of Academics, University of

Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF) recently organised a

training session on Effective Management Tools in

which 90 PhD scholars took part. Addressing the

Lumpur, Malaysia was the guest speaker. Dr.

Qureshi spoke about different technical aspects of

research paper formation and its publication.

14

thThe Grand Finale of 5 sequel of

Isra Young Traders Challenge,

Virtual Trading Competition, was

recently held at Isra University,

Hyderabad. The event was

organised by Isra Economic and

Finance Society in collaboration

with JS Global Capital Limited

Hyderabad Branch.

In the finale, around 150

students of top 10 teams

presented trading strategies

employed during the online

stock trading competition. The

panel of judges comprised Mr.

Abdul Latif Memon, Branch

Manager, JS Global Limited,

Hyderabad, Mr. Ahsan Ali Sario,

Isra University Organises Virtual Trading Competition

Fund Manager, UBL Fund and

Dr. Vivake Anand, Assistant

Professor, Department of

Management Science, Isra

University.

The Finale concluded with

remarks of Dr. Hameedullah

Kazi, Pro-Vice Chancellor. He

emphasised on the continuity of

such events for students to build

their analytical skills, evaluating

stock market trend and running

various strategies to earn

profitability and gaining

experience by managing risk.

A one-day professional

development session on Conflict

Resolution was recently

arranged at the School of

Nursing, Isra University,

Hyderabad for students and

faculty members.

The purpose of this session was

to highlight importance of team

Session on Conflict Resolution in Isra University

work and time management

which are cornerstones for

progress of any institution.

The session contained various

exercises for teaching time

management, planning and

collaborative result-oriented

work in the context of conflict

resolution.

In continuation of professional

development programme, the

nursing faculty Ms. Noshee

Asghar and Ms. Sumia Jutt

attended a certification course

on Preparing Nurse Educators stfor 21 Century organised by

Liaquat National Institute for

Postgraduate Medical Studies

and Health Sciences, Karachi.

Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto

Institute of Science and

Technology (SZABIST) Islamabad

in collaboration with Zong

recently organised Thought

Leaders Forum on Risk

Forum on Risk Management Management in Financial Digital

World.

The aim of organising the

Forum was to look into

significance of financial digital

transformation, leading to new

age of financial systems. As the

economists and financial

advisors around the world are

extensively talking about going

digital to bring financial depth

15

and capitalise financial benefits

to uplift economic and financial

developments, the Forum

discussed challenges pertaining

to financial risks including

financial cybercrimes.

The participants discussed

adaptation of development of

risk information models, launch

of aggressive risk awareness

campaign, unleashing

institutional setting to uplift

competition based financial

developments in line with digital

financial landscape and

adapting digital change in the

context of risk management.

Likewise, SZABIST Islamabad in

collaboration with Securities and

Exchange Commission of

Pakistan (SECP) and Beta Risk

Management Corporation

organised another session of

thought leaders discussion

forum to discuss contemporary

issues, challenges and promising

opportunities pertinent to new

age of risk management.

The forum discussed important

aspects of risk management in

financial digital world, role of

SECP and corporate sector in

providing risk awareness and

risk mitigation, development of

risk informational and

management models.

The Centre of Excellence in Art

and Design (CEAD), Mehran

University of Engineering and

Technology (MUET), Jamshoro

recently organised an exhibition

to display models made from

junk and waste material.

Dr. Bhai Khan Shar, Director

CEAD and Dr. Muhammad Arif

Khan, Chairman Department of

Architecture, UET Lahore

inaugurated the exhibition. The

students prepared more than 60

projects of interior designing to

decorate homes, offices and

other working places.

All models were made from

waste material like ice-cream

Architects Display Interior Design Models Made from Waste

sticks, bottle caps, CDs, car tires,

glasses, machines spare parts,

marriage cards, bicycle wheel,

lipstick stands, candle stand,

broken bangles, spoon, rubber,

newspapers, fused bulbs, body

spray and old calendars.

Addressing the inauguration

ceremony, Dr. Bhai Khan Shar

said that students deserve full

appreciation for proving the

idea that nothing is wasted in

this universe.

He further said that this type of

performance is not only a model

display but it has a deep

message regarding importance

of tiny things present around us.

The Centre of Excellence in

Molecular Biology (CEMB),

University of the Punjab recently

organised a three-day

international symposium on

Advances in Molecular Biology

of Plants and Health Sciences.

Symposium on Advances in Molecular Biology Dr. Firdaus e Bareen, Dean Life

Sciences, University of the

Punjab inaugurated the

Symposium. Dr. Tayyab Husnain,

Director CEMB, Dr. Razi Abbas

Shamsi, Dr. Ikram ul Haq, faculty

members and scientists from

Japan, Malaysia, Turkey, Nigeria

and different institutions of

Pakistan were present on the

occasion. There were seven

sessions consisting of 30 oral

presentations and 38 poster

presentations.

16

Hailey College of Banking and

Finance (HCBF), University of the

Punjab recently organised a

seminar on Income Tax Return

and Wealth Statement under the

Income Tax Law to equip

students with firsthand

information on recent economic,

monetary and fiscal reforms

ongoing in the country.

Dr. Mubbsher Munawar Khan,

Principal, HCBF highlighted

HCBF Organises Tax Awareness Seminar importance of tax structure in

financing recurring and

developmental requirements of

the country.

He stressed upon the need to

remove public apprehensions

about tax structure, filing of

returns and tax brackets.

Mr. Nadeem Butt, a member of

Lahore Tax Bar Association and

Institute of Chartered

Accountants of Pakistan, briefed

the students on the mechanism

for becoming a filer and benefits

accruing to the filers as well as

consequences for being non-

filer.

A comparative study of the tax

regimes was also presented for

making the participants well-

acquainted with the hierarchy in

tax management and tax

structure.

As part of its effort to nurture

reading culture among students,

University of the Punjab Library

Book Club recently organised an

introductory talk on Ajay

Qayamat Nai Aye written by

Munnu Bhai and Farid-ud-Din

Attar’s The Conference of the

Birds translated by Afkham

Darbandi.

The introductory talk on Punjabi

poetry book of Munnu Bhai was

given by Dr. Ahmed Bilal,

Assistant Professor, College of

Talk on Munnu Bhai’s Book at PU Library Art and Design, University of the

Punjab. He presented theme of

the book carrying the humane

message of Munnu bhai

inspiring audience with the

depth of compassionate

thought of the writer.

Mr. Shahzeb Khan, Assistant

Professor, Department of English

introduced the second book.

He inspired the audience with

spiritual and self-actualization

theme of the book.

Speaking at the occasion, the

Chief Librarian Dr. Muhammad

Haroon Usmani said that main

purpose of such gatherings is to

kindle self-realisation process

among younger generation.

To establish collaborations and

talk about women’s progression

in Chemistry, the International

Centre for Chemical and

Biological Sciences (ICCBS),

University of Karachi recently

held the Global Women’s

Breakfast for women scholars at

different stages of their career.

The event was part of an

International Union of Pure and

Global Women’s Breakfast at ICCBS Applied Chemistry (IUPAC)

which aims to empower women

in Chemistry. It was also

associated with the International

Day of Women and Girls in

Science, established in 2015 by

UNESCO to empower women in

science and technology.

Highlighting the importance of

event, Dr. Muhammad Iqbal

Choudhary said that at the same

time this Global Women’s

Breakfast was being held in

many countries, adding that the

purpose is to address the

challenges women in Chemistry

are facing.

Breakfast was being held in

many countries, adding that the

purpose is to address the

challenges women in Chemistry

are facing.

17

Muhammad Nawaz Sharif

University of Agriculture, Multan

in collaboration with the

Biotechnology Research Institute

China and Bahauddin Zakariya

University, Multan recently

organised a two-day Sino-Pak

international conference on

Innovation in Cotton Breeding

and Biotechnology. Delegates

from China, Malaysia, Turkey

and Iran along with national

agriculture scientists attended

the conference.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr.

Hussain Jahania Gardezi,

Provincial Minister for

Management and Professional

Development underlined the

significance of cotton breeding

for country’s agro-based

economy.

Dr. Asif Ali, Vice Chancellor of

the host university, said that

Conference on Cotton Breeding and Biotechnology

Pakistan needs to benefit from

new technology and boost its

cotton production through

genetically developed seeds. He

said that objective of the

conference is to deliberate on

use of advanced Chinese

technology in Pakistan and

taking measures.

The conference concluded with

a set of recommendations

advising farmers not to cultivate

maize and sugar cane in cotton

growing zones in the country.

Delegates from home and

abroad also suggested that

farmers should not use

extensive pesticides because it

has led to increase in resistant

white fly bio-types which were

more efficient in begomorvirus

transmission.

They also suggested

development of mechanical

picking friendly varieties and

exploitation of potential inter-

specific cotton hybrids to

improve Cotton.

The Department of Islamic

Studies, Fatima Jinnah Women

University (FJWU) Rawalpindi

recently organised a seminar

entitled “Dukhtaraan-e-Pakistan

Envoy of Peace.”

Addressing as chief guest, Dr.

Fehmida Mirza, Federal Minister

for Inter-Provincial Coordination

said that educational institutions

provide platform to females to

make them believe in

themselves and use their power

to bring change in the society.

She said that our aim is to

FJWU Seminar on Role of Women empower women with the hope

that by empowering them it

would change dynamics of their

homes and communities, and

eventually lead to promotion of

peace and tolerance.

Dr. Qibla Ayaz, Chairman,

Council of Islamic Ideology (CII)

elaborated the journey of

Paigham-e-Pakistan. He said

that women are influencers and

change-makers in a society as

well as an integral part of a

sustainable nation-building

exercise. “Women constitute half

our population and therefore

have a significant role to play in

societal development,” he said.

Earlier in her welcome address,

Dr. Samina Amin Qadir, Vice

Chancellor FJWU said that

women are envoys of peace as

mothers, wives, sisters and

daughters in family settings and

as professionals in workplaces.

“They shape the values of

community members and are a

potential bearer of peaceful

messages in communities,” she

said.

18

Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) Tandojam

recently awarded 788 degrees to students of five thfaculties in its 11 convocation. On this occasion,

19 gold and 31 silver medals were also conferred

to top position holders.

Mr. Mohammad Ismail Rahu, Sindh Minister for

Agriculture, Supply and Prices urged agriculture

graduates to spread awareness among farmers

about cultivation of water-efficient crops and

conduct more research in this respect. He

congratulated students on securing degrees and

encouraged them to play a constructive role in

socio-economic development of the country.

Mr. Abdul Bari Pitafi, Sindh Minister for Livestock

and Fisheries emphasised on graduates to conduct

more research in their respective areas to help the

Sindh Government in raising exports in these areas.

Dr. Mujeeb Uddin Sahrai, Vice Chancellor SAU

requested the Minister for approval of another

girls’ hostel, adding that number of girl students is

increasing day by day and there is only one hostel

th11 Convocation of SAU Tandojam

which could not accommodate them all. He also

called for funds to establish a conservation centre

to save different livestock breeds.

The Vice Chancellor said that he had taken steps to

generate and increase income from internal

sources of the University and leased out mango

orchards for Rs93 million for two years as offered

by contractors in an open-bid competition. He said

that besides imparting education and undertaking

research, SAU organised about 200 outreach

training programmes for farmers and growers.

th9 Convocation of Indus UniversityIndus University, Karachi recently conferred 1031

degrees to undergraduates and graduates of the

Faculty of Engineering, Science and Technology,

Faculty of Management Science and Faculty of Art

thand Design in its 9 convocation. Mr. Toshikazu

Isomura, Consul General of Japan was the chief

guest who awarded 24 gold medals and 18 silver

medals to high achiever graduates.

The China Study Centre,

University of Peshawar recently

organised a 3-day international

conference on “CPEC:

Collaboration in Higher

Education and Sustainable

Development.”

During the conference,

development specialists from

Pakistan, China and the

developed world analysed the

project’s trajectories objectively

3-day conference on CPECto help reap opportunities and

address challenges.

The event aimed to explore

collaboration in higher

education between Pakistani

and Chinese universities,

deliberation over avenues of

strengthening joint research

projects, exchange of faculty

and students, learning

achievements of HEC Pakistan

and China Association of Higher

Education, assessing prognosis

of growth and sustainable

development through

connectivity and economic

cooperation under CPEC,

examining opportunities and

challenges to CPEC, evaluation

of prospects of integration of

regional countries under CPEC

and enhancing trade and

investment and scientific

analyses of CPEC impact on the

region.

19

A delegation led by Mr. Gong

Jinpei, Director Confucius

Institute, Cadet College Petaro

along with Mr. Sharafat Ali,

Vice Principal, Cadet College

Petaro and Mr. Imdad Ali

Bughio, Deputy Director, Office

of Research Innovation and

Establishment of Confucius Institute Discussed

Commercialisation, Mehran

University of Engineering and

Technology, Jamshoro visited

Pakistan Study Centre and Area

Study Centre, University of

Sindh to assess feasibility in

terms of space, infrastructure

and other required amenities

for establishment of Confucius

Institute in the University.

The visiting team was briefed

by the respective Directors of

Study Centres about the

facilities being provided at the

university.

The University of Sindh and

Lahooti Organisation jointly thorganised 4 edition of Lahooti

Melo, a two-day festival that

blends academic discourse and

musical performances on social

issues.

The festival served as an

occasion for participants to

witness sessions on wide

spectrum of socio-political

issues by scholarly panelists.

Speaking at the occasion, Mr.

Syed Sardar Ali Shah, Sindh

Minister for Education, Culture,

Archives and Antiquities

Lahooti Melo at Sindh University

Department said that Sindh has

remained an unflinching

emblem of socio-political

resistance and it has a culture of

positive, universal and core

human values.

Dr. Fateh Muhammad Burfat,

Vice Chancellor, University of

Sindh said that people all over

Pakistan need to change their

perspective on female

education.

Mr. Shahzad Roy, musician and

philanthropist said that music

can be a powerful catalyst for

social transformation.

20

The Quality Assurance Directorate, National

University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi ndrecently conducted 2 round of three-day

workshop on Quality Management System (QMS)

for quality coordinators and senior managers in

separate sessions at Army Medical College to build

capacity of its staff to shape up NUMS

NUMS Training on Quality Management System

management systems in conformance to ISO 9001

2015. Brig. Shazia Alvi from CMH Peshawar was

resource person for the training. She explained

benefits of ISO 9001:2015, quality management

system and its impact on processes of the

organization that can be applied to organisation of

any size.

The representatives of Shenyang Aerospace

University, China recently visited Ghulam Ishaq

Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and

Technology (GIKI) to discuss mutual collaboration

and offered 10 scholarships to GIKI students. The

delegation constituted Mr. Richard Chen, Secretary

General, Liaoning Provincial Education Association

for International Exchange, Mr. Pan Qibo and Mr.

Kang Tong Tao.

They held talks with Engr. Jehangir Bashar, Rector

GIK Institute, Dr. Jameel-Un Nabi, Pro-Rector,

Academics, GIKI and Mr. Ahsan Basir Sheikh, Pro-

Rector, Administration and Finance.

Last year, a GIKI delegation led by Engr. Jehangir

Bashar visited Shenyang Aerospace University to

sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for

mutual collaboration in joint research, exchange of

Shenyang Aerospace University Offers Scholarships to GIKI Students

students and faculty and collaboration in other

academic activities.

The Chinese delegate also offered 10 scholarships

to GIKI students in Shenyang Aerospace University

from the next academic year, explaining that the

scholarship would cover students’ admission and

tuition fee, traveling charges and accommodation.

21

Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied

Sciences (PIEAS) recently organised a Workshop on

2D Materials and Quantum Effect Devices, which

focused on two-dimensional Transition Metal

Dichalcogenide based Photo-detectors and

Quantum Effect Devices.

The workshop attracted 100 participants from

different universities of Pakistan and Strategic

Commissions. The speakers discussed the

semiconductor lithography in detail, which is

essential in fabrication of integrated circuits used in

computers, industrial microcontrollers,

communication devices and various other electronic

systems. The participants also deliberated on

growth and cauterization techniques of 2D materials

Workshop on 2D Materials & Quantum Effect Devices

such as graphene and metal dichalcogenides. The

theoretical studies on quantum transport in

graphene, dynamically stable phases in arsene and

multiscale modeling of 2D materials were also part

of the technical programme.

The Department of Agriculture

and Office of Research,

Innovation and

Commercialisation, (ORIC) Bacha

Khan University, Charsadda

recently organised a training on

Safe Use of Pesticides in

Vegetables.

The training was attended by

agriculture students, farmers,

representatives from provincial

Training on Safe Use of Pesticides

agriculture department and

people from pesticide and seed

companies. Dr. S. M. Saqlan

Nqvi, Vice Chancellor of the

University urged the trainees for

getting maximum use of training.

Seminar on Bio-resource Management at Bacha Khan University

The Office of Research, Innovation and

Commercialisation (ORIC), Bacha Khan University,

Charsadda in collaboration with the Centre for Bio-

resource Research (CBR), Islamabad recently

organised a seminar on Bio-resource Management.

A number of faculty members and students of

Department of Agriculture, Bacha Khan University,

Charsadda attended the Seminar. Dr. Afsar Mian

and Mr. Fida Muhammad Khan from CBR briefed

the audience about research and development

activities of the Centre with special reference to

molecular ecology, taxonomy, research on

biodiversity of plants and various animal species.

22

A Memorandum of

Understanding was recently

signed between the Department

of Veterinary Parasitology, Sindh

Agriculture University (SAU)

Tandojam and the Department

of Immunology and Molecular

Parasitology, Nanjing Agriculture

University (NJAU) China.

Dr. Abdullah G. Arijo, Chairman,

Department of Veterinary

Parasitology, SAU and Dr.

Lexiangri from NJAU signed the

MoU. Both sides will jointly work

SAU to Collaborate with Nanjing Agriculture University

on research and innovation

projects, talent training,

academic and people-to-people

exchange so as to bring research

excellence in Pakistan in general

and Sindh in particular.

Khadim Ali Shah Bukhari Institute of Technology

(KASBIT), Karachi in collaboration with Benazir

Bhutto Shaheed University, Lyari and Institute of

Health and Business Management and Social

Sciences, Karachi recently held its annual research

conference entitled “Socio-Economic Trends in the

Business Environment: Challenges and

Opportunities.”

In his inaugural address, Dr. Akhtar Baloch, Vice

Chancellor Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University, Lyari

emphasised upon importance of research in higher

Annual Research Conference at KASBIT

education institutions in Pakistan and role that

research has played in the economic growth of the

region.

During the conference, over 100 research papers

were presented in different sessions.

The themes of the conference included

Contemporary Research Styles, Climate Change

and Environmental Challenges, Global Business,

Micro-Financing, Human Capital Development and

Energy Crisis.

23

Post-DoctoralFellowship Programme

24

NEWS & VIEWS

Higher Education Commission, Sector H-9, Islamabad.Director General (A&A) Fax: 051-90400900

Any other university/ institution which is not listed in HEC-recognised universities/ institutions/ campuses available at our website will not be considered/ recognised by HEC.

In the larger interest of general public and in view of the forthcoming admission season, students and their parents are advised to verify legal status of the university/ institution or its campus from the above-mentioned links before seeking admission. Students are advised NOT to take admissions in those institutions which are not listed in the list of HEC-recognised universities/ institutions/ campuses given on HEC website. Degrees obtained from non-recognised institutions/ campuses will not be recognised by HEC.

NOTE

Students and parents are cautioned not to get admission in the universities/ DAIs wherein admissions are banned due to various irregularities as mentioned on HEC website.

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) recognises degrees of chartered universities/ institutions from public and private sector in Pakistan along with their approved campuses as mentioned at HEC website on the following web links:

Link of Recognised Universities/ Institutions

http://hec.gov.pk/site/HEIs

Link of Recognised Campuses of Public and Private Sector Institutions:

http://hec.gov.pk/site/recognizedCampuses

List of Illegal/ Fake Institutions:

http://hec.gov.pk/site/Illegal-DAIs

Documents

Universities Face a Financial Emergency