LCBDDA Announces Apprentice Program for Young Graduates

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Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Lahore Central Business District Development Authority (LCBDDA) also known as Central Business District Punjab (CBD Punjab) announces the country’s most unique graduate development program for young graduates and through this apprentice program, the youth can transform themselves into certified professionals. In this fiscal year only, there will be hundreds of apprentices placed in different batches and top performers from each batch will be given permanent slots, based on their respective performances.

The program will offer 12 soft skill training programs and 10 hard skill training programs which includes personal and professional skill development courses. It is a great step in a new direction, providing an innovative approach in developing practical solutions for a better employment breakthroughs for the youth. Announcing “The Apprentice” program at Lahore College Women University, Dr. Shahbaz Gill – Special Assistant to PM on Political Communication said, “Prime Minister Mr. Imran Khan believes in developing institutions, in Lahore only, the Central Business District (CBD Punjab) and RUDA are developing institutions that are in tune with modern requirements which will create millions of jobs and I promise, to give jobs to female students of Lahore College in these institutions”. In this regard, The CBD Punjab HR team will soon initiate a Job Fair and interview female students of Lahore College for the said program.

Taking about this Apprentice Program CEO of LCBDDA – Imran Amin said: “This program will help the youth of Punjab to choose their professional fields by going through focused skill based training session for a better prospect. LCBDDA urges young graduates to register themselves in this program to get professional training relevant to their field of interest and create better employment working opportunities ahead.” Through this program, equal opportunities will be ensured for both male and female top performers which will lead them towards a permanent job placement and it will also give the youth of Punjab, the confidence and the experience to work in a professional environment.

Systems Limited and the National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences (FAST)

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Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) Karachi Campus have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for collaboration to provide the students with the necessary training and development to meet the expectations of the future talent demands. 

The MoU was signed in the presence of Naureen Anwar, SVP/Head of Special Projects – Systems Limited, Ovais Khan, SVP/Head of Integration Frameworks – Systems Limited, Adeel Ahmed Chatha, Manager Industrial & Academia Linkages – Systems Limited, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Atif Tahir, Director – FAST Karachi, Prof. Dr. Jawwad Shamsi, Dean – FAST School of Computing, Prof. Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Memon, Head – FAST School of Computing and Dr. Muhammad Saad, Focal person – FAST ORIC.

The collaboration intends to support academic endeavors while broadening students’ practical understanding. Students at the FAST – Karachi Campus will have the opportunity to work with team of Systems Limited. It will bridge the gap between academia and industry by providing tech-market experience to the students throughout their degree program at FAST. It intends to work on curriculum advancement by cooperative efforts of university professors and Systems experts, considering current market trends and future industry demands. In addition, FAST final year students will have an opportunity to seek guidance from Systems experts to gain an industrial perspective for their Final Year Projects (FYPs). 

This collaboration will provide a platform to advance research projects focused on emerging technologies. SL Ambassadors at FAST will be appointed to coordinate activities and events, talent hunt campaigns, and industrial visits of teachers and students, as well as tech-based competitions, to evaluate and improve students’ technical abilities.

Asif Peer, CEO at Systems Limited, shed light on the collaboration, “We are excited to collaborate with FAST Karachi as part of our academic initiative to develop, groom and provide young talent with a fulfilling working experience. We aim to work towards developing self-awareness amongst fresh graduates. Our vision is to provide relevant knowledge and resources to the students to prepare them for future market needs.”

Naureen Anwar, SVP/Head of Special Projects at Systems Limited, also shed light on this occasion, “This MOU between Systems Limited and FAST Karachi is a mutually focused effort to bridge the gap between industry and academia in order to strengthen Pakistan’s software innovation capacity. The linkages between industry and academia will provide multiple opportunities for students and faculty to optimize industry specific and market-oriented learning and development with the help of Systems’ professionals. It will help in exploring various avenues of collaboration in order to address future challenges and excel in the most innovation-intensive industry.”

Prof Dr Muhammad Atif Tahir, Director – FAST Karachi Campus, shared his vision at the moment, “I am very pleased that the FAST-NUCES, Karachi Campus and Systems Limited have signed the Memorandum of Understanding to enhance cooperation between the industry and academia. We as the university have the job to give state of the art knowledge to our students. Partnership building with software companies like Systems is key to achieve learning objectives of our university.”

Shah Rukh Khan makes first digital appearance after Aryan Khan debacle

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is returning to normalcy after tough few months of his son Aryan Khan’s arrest. The actor was recently spotted in an exclusive video by a car brand, where the actor congratulated the company’s new brand ambassadors. 

The video, that officially released on Wednesday, instantly excited the star’s eager fans who were waiting to see him since months.

Shah Rukh wore a round-neck T-shirt along with a jacket and kept his tied back.

“Finally sir ke dharshan ho hee gaya (Finally, we got a glimpse of Shah Rukh),” a fan tweeted in excitement. “Waiting to see him on the big screen,” added another. 

Take a look:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXgCYgPPxUM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

 

‘Ms Marvel’ was a wonderful experience, says Fawad Khan

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Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Fawad Khan recently confirmed that he will be seen in the upcoming Ms Marvel series alongside Iman Vellani and Brie Larson, saying it was a “wonderful experience”.

The Kapoor & Sons star opened up about being a part of the Marvel show while talking to Indian publication Film Companion.

When asked whether he was a part of the show, he simply replied, “Yeah, I am,” before adding, “I can’t deny that or lie about it because they have put out the news themselves.”

Reports of Fawad’s casting first did rounds earlier in June when his name was added to the show’s IMDP page, however, Marvel had not commented.

He stayed mum about any other details but did not shy away from sharing his experience on set, calling it “wonderful”.

“It was good fun. The cast that I worked with, the people that I worked with, it was good fun, but I am sorry, I cannot say anything more than that at this point in time,” he said.

Pakistani-Canadian actor Iman Vellani, who will essay the role of Ms. Marvel aka Kamala Khan, is leading the series with Hollywood superstar Brie Larson also joining the cast as she reprises her role as Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel.

The series will be helmed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Meera Menon, Bilall Fallah and Adil El Arbi.

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Babar, Rizwan break Pakistan’s partnership record against West Indies

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Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Pakistan’s opening duo Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan on Thursday added more feathers to their caps by breaking records as batting partners and as individual batters with remarkable performance against West Indies in the third T20I.

Babar Azam scored 79 off 53, while Muhammad Rizwan smashed 87 off 45 as they scored 158 for the first wicket.

The opening stand of 158 was a 6th-century stand between the pair — the most by any batting partners in T20Is. They surpassed Indian batting partners Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul who have the 5th century stands to their credit — both the pair partnered together in 27 innings.

Among these six-century partnerships, three have come while batting second. No other pair has such a record while chasing the target.

During the innings of 87, Mohammad Rizwan also became the first cricketer to score overall 2,000 T20 runs in a calendar year. He had earlier surpassed West Indies Chris Gayle in the list of most T20 runs in a calendar year.

He ended the year with 2,036 runs, smashing 18 half-centuries and a century in T20 cricket this year. Of a total of 2,036 T20 runs, 1,326 were scored in T20Is, also the most by a cricketer in a calendar year.

During the innings, Rizwan smashed three sixes, taking his total T20I 6s tally in 2021 to 42. He set a new record of most sixes in a calendar year, surpassing New Zealand’s Martin Guptill who smashed 41 in the same year.

Rizwan also stormed 119 fours in the year to become the only player to smash over 100 boundaries in a calendar year.

Skipper Babar Azam also smashed a half-century today and became the first player to achieve 20 scores of 50 or more in overall T20 cricket in a calendar year. Babar’s tally also includes three scores in double figures.

Babar finished the year 2021 with 939 runs, standing right behind Rizwan in the list of most runs this year and also in the list of most runs in a calendar year.

Their performance helped Pakistan chase the target of 208 comfortably to register Pakistan’s highest successful chases in T20Is. The score is also the highest ever T20I score at the National Stadium Karachi.

Mushk Kaleem ties the knot in a Nikk-endi

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Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Famous Model Mushk Kaleem, who tied the knot with beau Nadir Zia in an intimate Nikkah ceremony followed by a Mehendi event in Karachi. They named their fusion event, Nikkendi.

For their close-knit Nikkah ceremony, the bride wore a Maria B. number and the couple colour-coordinated in traditional whites and made a lovely couple. The duo shared pictures after sealing the deal, looking fully in love, ready to begin the new journey together.

Moreover, for the Mehendi, Mushk opted for a gold embellished deep pink lehenga choli by celebrated designer Ali Xeeshan and Nadir stayed in his white shalwar kurta with gold buttons.

Earlier this month, the model asked everyone to “save the dates” for her wedding. With one event down, the couple will move forward to celebrate their union with a wedding ceremony on December 17 followed by a reception on December 18.

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Imran Abbas announces mother’s demise in a heartbreaking post

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Lahore (NUt-DESK)

Actor Imran Abbas on Wednesday announced the demise of his mother in a heartbreaking Instagram post. The renowned star shared a picture of him kissing his mother’s foot, sharing he has lost his ‘Jannat’ (Paradise). He had lost his father on the same date in 2019.

“Alwida Meri Maa (Farewell, my mother),” he shared, adding, “I won’t be able to kiss these feet anymore. Lost my “Jannat” (paradise) today on December 15, the same date I lost my father two years back. Please recite Surah-e-Fateha for her.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXgmegkoP9v/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Many shared condolences and sent heartfelt wishes his way. Celebs such as Sajal Aly, Mashal Khan, Sanam Jung and Turkish actor Celel Al took to social media and lent him support.

On Mother’s Day this year, the Tum Kon Piya actor shared the same picture and had written, “May I always keep kissing your feet till I am alive. Happy Mother’s Day to every mother around the world.”

In 2019, on his father’s passing away, Imran had shared that he was going through the darkest time of his life.

Abbas then emphasised how important it was to be grateful to our parents before there was no room left for gratitude. “Please value your parents because there is no one in this whole universe like them. Give them your love and time, that’s all they want, otherwise, we are just left with regrets and remorse,” concluded the star.

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Pakistani Mobile manufacturers eyeing the innovation strategies.

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-Technology)

In recent years, mobile technology has been utilized in an increasingly wide range of business scenarios, from enabling employees to perform office work on-the-go, to enhancing sales activities and improving productivity in the workplace. Each day, new projects launch that engage mobile devices in fields that, until now, have not fully utilized mobile — such as transportation, construction, healthcare, and agriculture.

As mobile phone industry booms across the globe, the expectations of local customers are evolving as well with the younger generation demanding state-of-the-art technology. This has encouraged mobile phone companies to equip their devices with faster and more capable processors to meet the growing demand of multi-tasking, work from home and smooth communication.

“Users now look for smarter phones that can play audio while looking at pictures and answering the text at same time,” OPPO South-Asia Marketing Director Kevin Hu said on the sidelines of Annual INNO Day 2021.

Talking to Press, Tecno Pack Electronics CEO Aamir Allawala highlighted that Pakistan’s smartphone market was expanding, although it was dominated by phones having basic features.

Giving details about the market share, he said that the feature phones – ranging from $6 to $20 per unit – made up around 53% of the market while smartphones’ share stood at 47%.

“Among smartphones, 70% are priced below $100 per unit,” he added.

He projected that around 90% of all mobile phones sold in the country would be made locally by January 2022.

Regarding localisation, he said that “the first step of any industry is assembly of the final product and that has been done.”

All major global brands including Samsung, Nokia, Tecno, Infinix, Oppo, Vivo, Xiaomi, Itel would be assembled locally, Allawala said.

“A total of 50,000 new jobs have been created already,” he underlined, adding that the next step was the localisation of mobile components as defined under the Mobile Device Manufacturing Policy.

Eventually, Pakistan is moving towards export of mobile phones on the back of cheap labour compared to other regional countries, he said.

“After Device Identification Registration Blocking System (DIRBS), all businesses came into the ambit of the official economy,” Allawala said, adding that this encouraged global brands to set up their assembly plants locally.

Echoing his views, ICT expert Parvez Iftikhar underlined that DIRBS played a critical role in creating the local industry. The system effectively curbed smuggling of completely built up (CBU) mobile phones which aided the local assemblers, he highlighted.

SI Global CEO Noman Ahmed Said was of the view that global smartphone brands had a huge potential in Pakistan.

“Mobile Device Manufacturing Authorisation has also been granted to 19 foreign and local companies for the production of mobile devices locally,” he revealed.

“The cost of manufacturing in Pakistan is still high, but the plan can be viable if the government gives tax rebate, supports manufacturing and ensures policies to attract foreign direct investments,” he remarked.

The mobile phone subscriber base in Pakistan crossed 140 million recently, he said, adding that with the introduction of 3G/ 4G services in the country, the number of smartphone users was also skyrocketing.

With such favourable conditions, Chinese brands are also trying to gain a foothold in the Pakistani market, he underlined. In recent years, many international smartphone players have entered the market including Oppo, Huawei, Lenovo etc, he said.

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Mastercard partners with Ravi Urban Development

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Mastercard partners with Ravi Urban Development Authority to build cashless economic zone

 Collaboration will simplify everyday payments for RUDA residents and drive transformation across Pakistan

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Mastercard has signed a strategic partnership with the Pakistan’s Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) to transform the community into a cashless economic zone and drive digital transformation in the country.

The collaboration will see Mastercard deploy its smart city solutions in the urban development project to enable residents, merchants and authorities to connect simply and seamlessly through digital channels. Citizens will be able to make everyday payments as well as pay for bills and utility services through automated portals.

Through the partnership, RUDA will achieve efficiencies across its various processes including fee collection and other administrative services. RUDA intends to develop urban areas of the province into sustainable, livable and well-managed engines of economic growth. Mastercard will support RUDA in achieving this vision and establish a cashless framework within the community’s blueprint.

Commenting on the partnership, Khalid Elgibali, Division President, Middle East & North Africa, Mastercard, said: “As Pakistan embraces the power of digital payments, Mastercard is committed to driving digital transformation in the country through our strategic public-private-partnerships. We are working with the government across various sectors to digitize the nation’s economic infrastructure and offer citizens and communities a seamless smart city experience. The collaboration with RUDA is a milestone moment in this journey as we look to power a fully cashless community that offers convenience, simplicity and security.”

The Chief Executive Officer of RUDA, Mr. Imran Amin said: “Mastercard has a stellar track record of powering cashless communities in several economic hubs around the world. We value the expertise that they will bring as we look to power RUDA with the flexibility and safety of smart economic solutions. The collaboration is a testament to Pakistan’s progress as a developing digital hub in the Middle East and North Africa region.”

The collaboration is the latest in a series of strategic partnerships that have cemented Mastercard’s role as a key enabler of digitization across Pakistan. Earlier this year, Mastercard announced its partnership with Special Technology Zone to develop the country’s first cash-free zones and advance the country’s technology sector.

TECNO engages customers in another round of fun and gifting activities

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Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Keeping in view the hype of the new Camon 18 series among online customers and fans, TECNO decided to arrange fun activities for all its offline and walk-in consumers. The activities are in full swing with multiple gift prices and discounts on the latest Camon 18 series in key marketplaces nationwide till December 18, 2021.

TECNO has created its name in Pakistan as one of the most customer-engaging brands. There will be multiple activities being performed such as arm wrestling, open challenge singing competition, and many more fun-filled entertainments. These activities are being performed five times a day where the winners get a discount of PKR 1000/- on the purchase of any Camon 18 series phone. A total of five discounts will be given in a day, making it PKR 5000 daily.

Moreover, on the purchase of Camon 18 Premier, one earbud (TWS) will be given to the customer. With Camon 18 P, the consumer gets a pair of TECNO TWS, whereas, with the Camon 18T the buyer gets one B.T Speaker or any alternate gift from the retailer. Furthermore, every Camon 18 series purchaser and the walk-in customers will be able to participate in the online lucky draw to win grand prizes including Electric Kettles, Temperature Bottles, Power Banks, LED TV, and Gimbal.

On top of the premium features and excellent camera technology of the Camon 18 series, this is a great chance to get a free gift and special discounts from your favorite brand. The most anticipated series from TECNO comes with all this and much more. So head over to your nearest retailer and test your luck today.