Category: Education

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

*International Museum Day; The power of Museums*

ICOM Pakistan organized a panel discussion to mark the International Museum Day on 18th of May 2022 at Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore. The event began with an opening note by the Principal of Kinnaird College Dr Rukhsana David who is also the Chair of ICOM Pakistan. She gave a short history of ICOM and museums in general.

She shared that each year there is a theme for the International Museum Day and this year it was the Power of Museums. This year the idea is to try bring about a positive change in the community through three lenses:
The power of achieving sustainability, the power of digital innovation and accessibility and the power of community building through education.
She said it was indeed heartening to have museum professionals on the panel to discuss and share their knowledge about museums.

Dr.Christina Menegazzi , a professional on heritage and museums delivered a talk followed by the panel discussion with former Director Lahore Museum, Dr. Saif ur Rehman Dar, Dr. Muhammad Hameed, head of Archaeology Department , Punjab University and Mr. Mujeeb Khan, keeper of pre –Islamic art collection at Lahore Museum.

Students, faculty and guests showed a keen interest in the panel discussion on museums and appreciated Kinnaird College for Women and ICOM Pakistan to have arranged this very interesting and informative session on museums.

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Lahore (NUT-DESK)

After a forced hiatus of two years due to the pandemic THAAP has decided to hold the its annual THAAP Conference – 2022, in November. The theme of the 11th international THAAP conference is “Archaeology and Living Cultural Legacy of Harappa Civilization” and Scholars are invited to research, write, and present papers at the conference to be held on November 25, 26 & 27, 2022.

Interested scholars from all over the world are invited to participate and write a paper on the proposed theme; they have been asked to submit an abstract of no more than 300 words till 1st March 2022, at thaap.conference@gmail.com and pvandal59@gmail.com , outlining the thought, research and presentation that you will make at the Conference. The actual paper shall be 3000 to 4000 words. The Paper Selection Committee will inform the selected paper readers after which the complete paper will be due by Oct 2022.

The creative force behind Thaap conference, Pervaiz Vandal shared that the extent and age of the Harappa Civilization has been established by recent archaeology and culture studies as being more than 10,000 years old covering area beyond the immediate Indus Valley to Gujrat and Helmand region of India and Afghanistan. Language is a living carrier of cultural traditions and its study has thrown up important clues to the understanding of history of the Punjab, a sector of the region.

Harappa culture is the label now in common use to define the broader Indus Valley Civilization that with every new archaeological discovery and insight from culture studies never ceases to amaze with its beauty and complexity. The residents of this region are the inheritors of this unique culture that shows an unbroken link through centuries. There are present day facets of culture, belief systems, language that can be traced back to pre-Harappa times and help explain the particularity of our region and social behavior. The three day conference will give thought provoking details about the land of 5 (7) rivers, Punjab. The language script remains to be deciphered, there is no sustained long term program of archaeological investigation, there is lack of political coordination among the three countries that house the remains, and there is hesitation to accept Harappa Culture as a common heritage.

During the three day conference, various sessions of research paper reading, cultural talks and other literary gatherings will be held at THAAP secretariat. Writers, Scholars and Cultural lovers will attend the proceedings.

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Lahore (NUT-DESK)

School Education Department (SED), Punjab is the second largest department in terms of its administrative extensions, employing 400,000 teachers in more than 48,000 schools across the province. SED now releases highlights for its key achievements and initiatives from 2018 to date.

Punjab has one of the largest education systems in the world, and has a tremendous opportunity of moving forward towards a better future by transforming its education structures. Therefore building a strong and high-delivery education system was identified as a key goal by the government in 2018; in pursuit of amplifying human capital investment in the country.

Building on this mandate, the Education Ministry in Punjab started working diligently to identify gaps and to design impact-driven interventions to improve the system, which would later reflect on the overall education outcomes of the province. The government started working towards three goalposts; to improve access, equity and governance in the milieu of school education in Punjab.

HRMIS – With the injunction to eliminate extortion and corruption, the leadership galvanized the development of an integrated Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS). HRMIS brought process transformation, enabling transparent and efficient management of teachers’ transfers, promotions, leaves and pensions. The system also incorporated electronic submission of ACR; the annual progress report of the teachers and field formations. Extensive digitization enabled the department to eliminate corruption of billions of rupees every year. Till date, 3,550,381 leaves, 7,559 retirements have been electronically processed. 162341 applications have been received for teachers’ transfers and total 81577 transfer orders have been processed. Similarly, total 74352 license requests have been received and 44770 licenses have been issued to the private schools, affording a revenue of more than PkR 80 million to the national exchequer. Besides, 434,746 ACRs have been electronically submitted, stamping out the margins of bribery and nepotism, which were largely prevalent in a paper and peoples intensive traditional system.

SNC – Another key policy initiative of PTI’s leadership is the Single National Curriculum (SNC), which aims to bridge the stark educational quality gap based on the socio-economic background of the students. Unlike the perception that some have about SNC, it is open to feedback and changes have been continuously incorporated based on the recommendations and suggestions from the stakeholders and general public.

Mandatory Quran Classes – Another substantial initiative is the mandatory Quran classes in schools; from grade 1 till 8^th. During these classes, recitation of the Holy Quran will be ensured with the translation. Many have misrepresented Islam – the religion of peace, both among the rest of the world and our younger generation, so it is crucial to teach children the real spirit of the religion. In the long run this is going to help us counter extremist ideologies and to be able to raise a generation who comprehends the original spirit and substance of the religion they are associated with.

Insaf Afternoon School Programme – Furthermore, the Insaf Afternoon School Programme (IASP) has been launched to improve access to free quality education for every child across Punjab. Through this programme the infrastructure related costs connected to such a massive goal have been eliminated proving it to be an example of resource optimization, affording the government savings of around PKR 240 billion. This has been done by upgrading primary schools to elementary levels in afternoon shifts. As part of the first phase, 7008 primary schools have been upgraded to elementary level, whereas in the next phase elementary schools will be upgraded to secondary levels.

Transgender Education – Under PTI’s vision of inclusive education system, School Education Department (SED) Punjab has launched dedicated schools for transgender community, which is catering to classes from primary to high school. After receiving an overwhelming response in Multan, Mr. Murad Raas, Minister for School Education, Punjab decided to scale up the initiative starting by establishing schools in Punjab’s nine divisional headquarters. Two of these schools will be operational in Lahore by February 2022.

The initiative does not imply to bar children from transgender community to attend regular schools, instead the intervention is aimed at bridging the social gap and addressing the perception barriers, affecting the choice to have formal education, of transgender community.  

Under the current leadership, School Education Department (SED) Punjab is going to launch few more mega-scale initiatives, addressing to the issue of increasing access to quality education. The focus is going to remain on inculcating digital solutions at each level of service delivery in order to ensure sustainability and scalability.

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Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Inspector General of Police Punjab Rao Sardar Ali Khan has said that Punjab Police is working with educational institutions to eradicate intolerance in the society and promote community policing.  Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Punjab Police and Government College University Lahore was signed by IG Punjab and Vice Chancellor Government College University. Under the MOU, 50 students of Government College University will do internship in Punjab Police Internship Program.  Rao Sardar Ali Khan said that in 10-week internship program, students would be attached in various branches including investigation, operations, legal so that they could complete their research work as well as secure practical experience about police working.  

IG Punjab said that under the MoU, children of police martyrs would be admitted in Government College University on priority basis.  Rao Sardar Ali Khan said that Government College University is my alma mater, a culture of research is being promoted in police with collaboration of educational institutions.  In this regard, opportunity of internship in police offices is being given to students of different universities and educational institutions.   IG Punjab said that earlier, students from LUMS, NUST and Punjab Universities have completed police internship program.  Punjab Police is undertaking MoUs with all major universities of the province in phases.  Students of educational institutions will also be given the opportunity of internship in police offices.  He expressed these views while talking at the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Internship between Punjab Police and Government College University at Central Police here today.   IG Punjab Rao Sardar Ali Khan and Vice Chancellor Government College University Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi signed the MoU.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor Government College University Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi appreciated the sacrifices and services of the Punjab Police.  He said that police officers and officials who protect lives and properties of people are revered by all nation.   Vice Chancellor GC University said that all possible facilities would be provided to the children of Martyred Police in Government College University.  The ceremony was attended by Additional IG Training, DIG Research and Development and AIG Training and R&D while faculty members of Government College University were also present on the occasion.

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Lahore (NUT-DESK)

The government on Tuesday extended the last date to submit applications for the Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarship Programme until December 31. 

In a statement issued, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Dr Sania Nishtar said the decision has been taken in order to facilitate the maximum number of deserving students to apply for this opportunity.

The Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarships are for students who belong to low-income families, whose monthly income is less than Rs45,000, and marginalised regions to assist them in their undergraduate studies.

Who is eligible?

Per the details mentioned on the Higher Education Commission (HEC) website, scholarships are offered for:

• Newly admitted students of Fall 2021 session in HEC recognised public sector university
• Students fulfilling criteria of need and provide authentic information required under the project’s policy.
• Admissions secured on merit only. Merit means that the student has fulfilled the admission criteria of the institution in which he/she intends to study.
• Degree programmes allowed by the HEC.
• The age limit set by the institution’s regulations, i.e. the maximum age of the eligibility for the scholarship is the same as the maximum age for applying for admission in undergraduate programs at the HEI.

All students are required to apply through HEC online application system: https://ehsaas.hec.gov.pk/

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Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Professor Dr Samra Mohsin Khan presented a paper titled “Trade, Peshawar and development of Mohalla Sethian” at THAAP on Friday 26^th  November. She traced the expansion of trade during the early modern period ca 1500-1800 and the impact it had on the growth and development on the city of Peshawar and in particular the fortunes of leading trading family the Sethis of Peshawar. Trade between the Subcontinent and Central Asia has a tradition going back centuries and it got a particular stimulus after the Turk, Pathan and other tribes from the Central Asia came to settle in Punjab and India. Professing the Muslim faith they brought in their wake scholars and soofis who spread the message of Islam and in the process encouraged the interaction of the populations of the region.

The city of Peshawar was the major beneficiary of this exchange and trade. Professor Samra traced the growth of the city and its two main gates, the Kabuli gate and the Lahori Gate emphasizing the trade route and the logistic pattern. Caravan Serais were an important link in the trade and Professor Samra explained in good details the establishment of the various serais over a period  of time.

She illustrated her talk with the examples of the Havelis of the Sethi family and traced their history and the prosperity they enjoyed. The Havelis are an excellent example of Architecture that reflects the local culture and climate and should be the example to study and emulate by the local present day architects and their students.

Professor Sajida Haider Vandal, former Principal National College of Arts and CEO of THAAP moderated the session and praised the work done by Professor Samra. She said she was proud of her student, colleague and fellow teacher and was happy to note and appreciate the maturing  of Professor Samra into a scholar of international standing.

It was a well-attended talk with an active and interested audience who enlivened the event with animated discussion.

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LAHORE (NUT-DESK)

THAAP held a enlightening talk, in collaboration with Bazm-e-Alam, on RE-IMAGINING CURRICULUM IN PAKISTAN at Thaap secreteriat Gulberg Lahore. Speaking on the occasion Professor Dr Waseem Anwar, a person of vast teaching experience who spent long years at the FC College and FC University and is currently at the Kinnaird College for Women, emphasized the need for a fresh and unbiased look at Curriculum to be taught in Pakistan. In his opinion the curriculum has to have a humanistic base; it must be pluralistic and must be honestly implemented.

Dr Farooq Bajwa, Lawyer and Policy Planner, with a deep interest in the promotion of Punjabi emphasized the need to introduce education at all levels, in particular the Primary level in the mother tongue of the student. He informed the audience that all evidence shows that students learn and comprehend best in the language that they are most familiar with, which is the Mother Tongue. He gave the example of Patiala University where all subjects were taught in Punjabi.

Ms Baela Jamil, the CEO of Idara-e-Taleem o Aagahi(ITA) mentioned the issue of curriculum which lies at the heart of any education program of a country. Dr Baela Jamil has extensive experience in education delivery and management. She emphasized that every child is an individual and the attempts to make all students into a uniform mold is not desirable and even harmful for the children. She said we have inherited confusion and continue to live that state.

Mr Waqas Halim an expert in technology of education delivery elaborated on how technology is making delivery of education easier and faster. He said he felt optimistic because of the avenues being opened up by technology.

The session was moderated by Dr Hasnain Javed, who made very pertinent remarks and comments.

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Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Huawei in collaboration with the Higher Commission of Pakistan has opened registrations for the Huawei Middle East ICT Competitions 2021. This is the 6th time the event is happening in Pakistan. Through the Competition, the company aims to provide students with a platform to compete and exchange ideas in order to enhance their ICT knowledge, practical and application skills, and raise their innovation awareness.

The competition is also a platform that facilitates connections between international talent as well as the collaboration between governmental organizations, higher educational institutions, training agencies, and enterprises, thus promoting the education, growth, and employment of ICT talent. National competitiveness will be increased through developing ICT talent in Pakistan. Upgrades of teaching methods and connectivity with the industrial development will be focused upon. This will direct the students to perceive employer’s perspective by developing their ICT knowledge.

Throughout the Huawei ICT Competition stages, contestants receive the latest updates on emerging technologies that are reshaping Pakistan’s digital economy. These include Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, the Internet of Things (IoT), and most importantly 5G broadband—seen as a crucial digital-service enabler. The competition is a unique opportunity for students to test their abilities in these cutting-edge fields, and helps colleges and universities to better understand the talent requirements of today’s top businesses and government leaders.

Roadshows and awareness sessions are to be conducted at 50+ colleges and universities all around Pakistan. The number of registrations reached 15000+ last year, which was the highest record in four years, it was also the first time the competition was held online, due to the restrictions placed by Covid-19.Additionally, the Pakistani team won first prize in the regional competition.

Following the launch of the competition, the preliminary and national finals will be held in October, with the regional finals taking place in November of 2021. The competition covers an array of courses like Datacom, Security, Wlan, 5G, Cloud, storage and AI, to name a few. The winners of the regional competition will win 20,000 USD, a Huawei certification trophy, internship opportunities and the Huawei Matepads.

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