Tag: Education

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Symposium on Halophytes

Karachi:Dr Muhammad Ajmal Khan Institute of Sustainable Halophyte Utilization, University of Karachi (MAK-ISHU), is organizing an online symposium entitled Dr Muhammad Ajmal Khan Memorial Symposium on Halophytes for Science and Society on Tuesday (today) in connection with the UNSECO World Science Day for Peace and Development.

 

UNESCO- Pakistan and UNAP will also be the partners in this one-day symposium, which aim to create awareness among researchers, science students, and policymakers about the utilization of halophytes (i.e. wild plants of saline ecosystems) as non-conventional crops to transform currently barren arid-saline lands into a resource to ensure food security in the future.

 

The Director of Office and UNESCO-Pakistan representative, Patricia McPhillip will deliver the inaugural speech and the Director MAK-ISHU Professor Dr Bilquees Gul will welcome the participants. Many renowned scientists like Mark Tester (Saudi Arabia), Sergey Shabala (Australia), Hans-Werner Koyro (Germany), and Xiaojing Liu (China) will update participants about recent advancements regarding halophyte biology and utilization.

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(Education) Dr Panjwani center resumes coronavirus tests service

KARACHI:Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD), University of Karachi has resumed performing high-quality coronavirus PCR-based tests in its high-tech Biosafety Level-III (BSL-III) laboratory.

 

This is based on the need for more testing in the recent increase in Covid-19 cases. The coronavirus PCR-based tests will be performed in a limited quantity in the BSL-III laboratory of the PCMD’s National Institute of Virology, as this time International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi will use its own resources as a public-spirited act.

 

Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Director of International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, and Coordinator General COMSTECH stated this while speaking at the meeting of virology experts held at the National Institute of Virology on Saturday.

 

Just after a break of a few days, the resumption of the coronavirus testing service at the BSL-III is a major step to support the nation against the ongoing pandemic, he said.

 

He mentioned that the virology center will resume a large scale testing (2000 test per day) once the necessary funding is received from the Sindh government.

 

The Sindh Government has not provided funds for free testing services recently. Earlier, Sindh Government had provided financial support for completion of the same laboratory, he maintained.

 

He reiterated that Dr. Panjwani Center had already proved its research excellence and capacity by performing more than 110,000 high-quality coronavirus PCR-based tests in the ongoing pandemic of Covid-19 in Sindh.

 

Dr. Panjwani center showed its excellence and superiority by conducting coronavirus tests in such great numbers during a limited time period of a few months, he added.

 

He also expressed thanks to CM Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah and Sindh Provincial Minister for Health and Population Welfare Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho for their kind support and trust shown to Dr. Panjwani Center that comes under the ICCBS.

 

Talking about the BSL-III, he said this facility was designed as per international standards set by WHO (Guidelines on Establishment of Virology Laboratory in Developing Countries).

 

Being the largest biosafety facility in the country, the national virology center is a major step toward preparedness against viral epidemic and pandemics, he said.

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Students termed bridge between academia, industry

Karachi:In order to meet the current and future challenges we must have command over tools and techniques and it is also very necessary to master the standard of research and modern technology.

 

We cannot join the list of developed countries without mastering in research and technology, to excel in these fields we have to provide best infrastructure and resources including all relevant lab equipment so that students and young scholars could learn in the campus so that they would not face difficulties in their practical life.

 

These views were expressed by the Vice Chancellor University of Karachi Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi while addressing the inaugural function of the research laboratory at the Department of Chemical Engineering, KU. The research lab has been jointly established by KU, Higher Education Commission Pakistan and Al-Khair Education Foundation.

 

He observed that the necessary changes in the curriculum as per needs of the market would provide maximum employment opportunities to the students and that is why it is very necessary to review the curriculum from time to time as per the needs of the market.

 

The KU VC Professor Dr Khalid Iraqi said that the graduates of the Department of Chemical Engineering, KU, are serving in various industries not only in Pakistan but also abroad and these students also act as a bridge between academia and industries.

 

He hoped that the research would benefit the society and would yield far-reaching results. Meanwhile, the Director Al-Khair Education Foundation Hassan Akhtar said that there is a dire need for a research lab to put research into practice. He informed the audience that he received some material from a foreign company who asked him to test the amount of different chemicals and in order to carry out this work, he along with Dr Yasir Khan of the Department of Chemical Engineering, KU, visited different labs in the city to complete the task.

 

He said that while working on the project, we realized that it would not be easy for others if they have got such opportunity and after completion of the project, Dr Yasir Khan requested and stressed upon thee need of the lab in the department so that the students could not face same problems which we had faced during our work.

 

Hassan Akhtar further said that being alumni it was a great chance to serve the alma mater and he immediately decided to start working on a lab to provide maximum facilities to faculty members and students under one roof. I am happy to announce that we are inaugurating this type of lab today.

 

The Dean Faculty of Science KU Professor Dr Nasira Khatoon said that the main reason for the rapid development of the western countries is the increase in research trend. She observed that expertise in cutting-edge technology is essential for the growth of our country.

 

Earlier, the in-charge Department of Chemical Engineering Dr. Shagufta Ishtiaq and faculty member Dr Yasir Khan elaborated the aims and objectives of the department and the importance of establishing the research lab and described that such labs would play a key role in promoting research activities.

 

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New departments in Turbat varsity

TURBAT:Two new Departments have been introduced in the main campus of University of Turbat.

 

Classes of newly introduced Departments Sociology and History will commence from January 2021.

 

A statement issued by the spokesman of University of Turbat says that forms for admission in Sociology and History Departments are being received.

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SSUET signs MoU with Pakistan Software Sports Board

KARACHI:Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUT) signed a MoU with Pakistan Software Sports Board. Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Syed Amin ul Haq, attended the “NIC Program Startups Demonstration Pitching Session” at the campus.

 

The event was attended by Registrar Syed Sarfraz Ali, Dean Engineering Prof. Dr. Muhammad Amir, Dean Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, Prof. Dr. Aqeel ul Rehman, Director ORIC, Rabia Noor Enam, Mr. Junaid Imam, CEO Ignite, Hasan Syed, Founder of IdeaGist, Aftab Rashid, Director to the Minister and others.

 

Speaking on the auspicious occasion, Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Syed Amin ul Haq said that the development rate in the world is too fast and world is changing rapidly. Every other moment there is a new technology or a novel idea. We need to keep pace with the rapid change of the world.

 

He pointed out that Pakistan is such a fortunate country that its 60% of population is youth who are the sign of success and prosperous future. We need to connect them to the modern technology. We are working on 5 G technology that exists partially in 50 countries. Following Prime Minister’s vision of Digital Pakistan, recently 1.1 billion contract was signed with Zong was signed for rural and remote areas of Sindh. In the year 20/21, IT exports have increased by 44% in this quarter and hopefully it would be around 5 billion US Dollars in 2023. All indicators are showing economic progress and betterment

 

Federal IT Minister Amin ul Haque appreciated the innovative projects that were put on display at the Open House. “Hukum Janab and Aero Engine Craft is doing a great job and similarly Save Every Drop is a useful project in view of the friendly environment,” added the Minister.

 

Earlier, Welcoming the Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Amin ul Haq, Vice-Chancellor SSUET, Prof. Dr. Vali Uddin said, “The vision of Sir Syed University is to meet the demands of challenging times as envisioned by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan by transforming Pakistan into a knowledge-based society through some impact projects and innovation in education, research, and creativity. The university is playing a leading role as a university of engineering and technology in national socio-economic development by meeting the challenges of modern time through creating alliances and partnerships between academia and industry.”

 

Syed Junaid Imam, CEO Ignite, said that youth are the future and we are the facilitator. Seeking investor or funding is a big challenge. Idea of matching grant has been presented to the government to enact. it is not a big deal to produce a product; the main thing is to make that product saleable and to make it commercially viable. It is better to promote textile-based incubator in Faisalabad and sports-based incubator in Sialkot.

 

Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) and Pakistan Software Sports Board (PSSB) to seek options for developing the IT sector with collaborated efforts. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Vali Uddin and Managing Director Usman Nasir signed the MoU on behalf of SSUET and PSSB, respectively.

 

Chancellor SSUET, Jawaid Anwar along with the Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Vali Uddin, Registrar Syed Sarfraz Ali and Director ORIC Rabia Noor Enam presented the souvenir to the Federal IT Minister Amin ul Haque.

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KU, Oxfam arrange session on women empowerment

Karachi:The University of Karachi and Islamabad based non-government organization Oxfam Pakistan arranged an orientation session on women empowerment, gender justice, and harassment at the Dean Science Council Room, KU.

 

The orientation session for chairpersons and inquiry committee of the University of Karachi on the laws and mechanism pertaining to workplace harassment was organized by the Office of Research Innovation and Commercialization KU in collaboration with Oxfam Pakistan.

 

While briefing the participants, Oxfam Pakistan Gender Specialist Sartaj Abbasi shed light on the Harassment Act 2010 and the amendments made in the act and the Higher Education Commission Pakistan policy on harassment and said that the purpose of this session is to aware the members regarding the issue which unfortunately has been reported in society very frequently.

 

“This event is in connection to the memorandum of understanding recently signed between the KU and Oxfam Pakistan. As per this MoU, we will arrange training sessions on women empowerment, harassment and gender justice as suggested by the KU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi and today heads of 20 departments of the varsity are taking part in the first training session.”

 

He mentioned that the members of the harassment committee, chairpersons of departments, and focal persons must be fully aware of the harassment laws and HEC policies and it is pertinent to organize training sessions regularly.

 

Meanwhile, the KU VC Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi said that the KU has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against harassment issues and no room is available for whoever will be involved in such incidents on campus. He shared that these sessions are meant to eradicate harassment incidents from society.

 

“The KU administration has already directed the Central Harassment Committee to investigate harassment cases or incidents whenever reported and send its report to the administration. The administration will take necessary actions according to the recommendations of the Committee”. Later, a question-answer session was also held at the end of the session.

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Minister: (Educational institutions to continue function as COVID-19 under control: Shafqat)

ISLAMABAD:Minister for Education Shafqat Mehmood has said all educational institutions would continue function in the country.

 

Talking to a private news channel, he said situation of COVID-19 is under control in Pakistan and Inter Provincial Education Ministers Conference, had also decided to carry on process of education in the country without impasse.

 

He said policy of “smart lockdown” would continue to protect the people of affected parts from threat of virus. The Minister said policy of smart lockdown introduced by leadership of incumbent government had been acknowledged around the world.