Day: October 20, 2020

DALBANDIN: Iranian authorities Tuesday arrested 348 Pakistani immigrants without documents and handed them over to Levies at Taftan border.

According to details, a group of 348 Pakistani nationals wanted to go to Europe via Iran-Turkey and Greece in search of employment through agents but they were arrested by Iranian officials who later handed them over to Levies on Taftan border.

The arrested immigrants were handed over to FIA for further investigation. Detained immigrants belonged to Punjab.

ISLAMABAD: Leader of Hezb-e-Islami Afghanistan Gulbuddin Hekmatyar accompanied by a delegation called on Prime Minister Imran Khan here on Tuesday.

Matters related to Afghan Peace Process and Pak-Afghan fraternal relations were discussed.

ISLAMABAD: Two terrorists have been killed in an intelligence based operation by security forces in Mir Ali area of North Waziristan district.

According to Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), these terrorists belonged to Aleem Khan Khushhali Group and they were involved in killing Malik Raees, resident of Mir Ali on Sunday last.

They were also involved in many other terrorist activities and were wanted by police.

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi has asked the Management of National Skills University (NSU) to take steps for the provision of skill-based technical education.

He expressed these views while addressing the meeting of Senate of NSU, here at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Tuesday. The President said skilled manpower played vital role in the socio-economic development of the country.

He urged NSU to expeditiously initiate academic programmes keeping in view the market demand for skilled manpower.

ISLAMABAD: Punjab Chief Secretary Jawad Rafique Malik has directed the concerned authorities to take stern action against those involved in artificial inflation.

Presiding over a high-level meeting to review measures to control prices of essential items at the Civil Secretariat in Lahore on Tuesday, he also directed for strict enforcement of ban on sale of sugar for commercial use.

The meeting was briefed that one hundred and ninety-six ‘Sahulat Bazaars’ have been operationalized across the province.

Islamabad: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has been making all-out efforts to enhance opportunities and facilities available to the university faculty and has initiated a number of programmes for their higher studies, professional development as well as providing guidance to universities on streamlining the hiring and promotion processes.

This was stated by Chairman HEC Tariq Banuri while addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Tuesday. There is no doubt that the most important factor that determines the quality of any educational institution is the quality of its faculty.

This is the core objective of various scholarships, R and D and quality assurance policies of HEC. Scholarships are provided for PhD and Post-doctoral Fellowship, Interim Placement of Fresh PhDs and International Research Support Initiative Programme. HEC also provides research grants for individuals and institutions under different schemes. Finally HEC has set minimum standards for faculty appointments and promotion, and reviews appeals against any violation of the standards.

The Tenure Track System (TTS) was introduced as part of a broader quality reform agenda aimed at enhancing performance and productivity and attracting capable and talented faculty. TTS system seeks to creating a healthy competition, encouraging excellence in research and teaching.

The total number of TTS faculty members in Pakistan has increased from 95 in 2005-06 to 3198 in 2018-19. So far, more than 105 public sector universities and degree awarding institutions have adopted this System for academic appointments.

The HEC’s governing body has recently amended the Tenure Track Statutes, in order to reward faculty for superior performance, increase time frame to acquire tenure in line with international best practice, infuse data driven and transparent evaluation and management process, and above all, incentivize excellence by introducing 35% TTS Premium for TTS faculty. These improvements are aligned with the recommendations of the TTS review committee, and aimed at resolving tenure, promotion and recruitment issues on sustainable basis while ensuring credit for quality.

Some individuals are trying to destroy the system by lowering its standards. They have demanded that the publication requirements for TTS faculty members should be reduced and that they should be allowed to do other jobs. This will ensure the demise of the TTS system. It will also be against the interest of students who deserve to be taught by the best professors.

HEC has extended the maximum length of tenure to nine years for TTS faculty who are unable to complete eligibility requirements for promotion as Associate Professor within the already specified period of six years. Likewise, HEC has separately issued a notification to enable the TTS faculty to obtain valuable managerial experience by allowing the faculty to take up limited academic-cum-administrative responsibilities.

Similarly, faculty on BPS scales is also being facilitated through different programmes. Previously HEC has upgraded their pay scales, and now a Professor enjoys perks and privilege of a Grade-21 officer.

Another issue that is highlighted by vested interest is that people should get promoted without the appropriate post PhD experience. The focus of HEC efforts and policy reforms is to support quality, reward performance and incentivize excellence in order to enhance the quality of education and research.

HEC has always given priority to genuine demands by the faculty members and will continue to do so, however faculty members should also realize that the purpose of the decisions is to serve our students and future employers of graduates and not to continue to lower standards.

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi met with Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar in Lahore on Tuesday.

During the meeting, matters pertaining to mutual interest and national security came under discussion.

Speaking on this occasion, the Governor said Pakistan Navy is the pride of Pakistani nation. He said our enemies will never succeed in their nefarious designs to harm Pakistan.

He said Pakistan Navy is diligently discharging its professional responsibilities for safeguarding the maritime frontiers.