A colorful opening ceremony of 20th University Sports Gala and the 15th All Pakistan Football Championship (Final Round) mesmerized the audience at the University of Sargodha (UoS) on Tuesday. Prof. Dr. Anwar ul Haq Gillani, Member Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan, was the chief guest of the ceremony accompanied by Vice Chancellor University of Sargodha, Prof. Dr. Qaisar Abbas.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Professor Dr. Anwar ul Haq Gillani highlighted that participation in sports instills qualities such as time management, discipline, teamwork, cooperation, perseverance, and agility, which are essential not only in sports but also in academic pursuits. He stated that the Higher Education Commission is actively promoting sports activities in universities and providing ample opportunities for students to showcase their abilities in sports arenas.

Prof. Dr. Qaisar Abbas underscored the importance of promoting sports to build a mentally and physically healthy society. He mentioned that University of Sargodha is committed to engaging its students in healthy activities. He further stated that the annual Sports Gala symbolizes courage, morale, positive mindset, and enthusiasm among students.

He urged everyone to recognize the values that sports instill in individuals, such as discipline, teamwork, endurance, and fair play, which are crucial not only for becoming good athletes but also responsible citizens.
The Directorate of Sports, under the supervision of Higher Education, is organizing the All Pakistan Football Championship involving teams from more than 18 universities competing for the title.

Meanwhile, University Sports Gala includes competitions in cricket, football, shooting ball, basketball, handball, chess, table tennis, badminton, athletics, and tug of war for male students, while competitions in cricket, football, basketball, handball, chess, table tennis, badminton, athletics, and tug of war will be organized for female students.

The ceremony witnessed the presence of various dignitaries including Member Syndicate and Member Punjab Assembly Asim Sher Meekan, Former Member National Assembly Mohsin Shah Nawaz Ranjha, Pro Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Mian Ghulam Yaseen, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences Prof. Dr. Masood Sarwar Awan, Dean Faculty of Sciences Prof. Dr. Aamir Ali, Director Sports Ahmed Khan Haral, renowned trader Shahid Mahmood, heads of educational and administrative departments, teams from various universities participating in the Football Championship, and a large number of students.

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The University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (UAJK) stands as the proud host of the esteemed 42nd International Pakistan Congress of Zoology, convened at its King Abdullah Campus. Gathering distinguished vice-chancellors, esteemed faculty members, and over 1,000 delegates from universities nationwide, including Gilgit-Baltistan and the four provinces, this congress marks a pinnacle in the field’s discourse.

The opening ceremony, jointly orchestrated with the Pakistan Zoological Society, unfolded on Tuesday at the Auditorium of King Abdullah Campus, UAJK, graced by Speaker Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Chaudhary Latif Akbar, as the chief guest.

In his address, Speaker Chaudhary Latif Akbar lauded the relentless dedication of researchers in zoology, acknowledging their invaluable contributions to society. He expressed delight at the convergence of international and national scientists, esteemed faculty, and delegates from diverse regions, underscoring the congress’s potential to realize its objectives.

Highlighting the pressing global environmental challenges, Speaker Latif Akbar emphasized the imperative of safeguarding natural ecosystems. He urged concrete action and heightened awareness, particularly among the youth, to confront climate change and ensure sustainable stewardship for future generations.

Acknowledging the pivotal role of UAJK in hosting the congress, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Kaleem Abbasi expressed profound gratitude for the honor bestowed upon the university.

In his address, he highlighted the congress’s potential to pave new avenues of knowledge and research in the field of Zoology. Dr. Abbasi underscored the pivotal role of such gatherings in nurturing academic and professional growth, offering attendees the latest insights and developments in Zoology.

Furthermore, he commended the resilience of UAJK, particularly emphasizing its remarkable recovery post the 2005 earthquake, facilitated by the support of the Saudi government, which has enabled the establishment of state-of-the-art infrastructure and well-equipped laboratories.

Dr. A. R. Shakoori, President of the Zoological Society of Pakistan, echoed the sentiment of collaboration’s significance in advancing the field, while General Secretary Abdul Aziz Khan underscored the society’s commitment to fostering excellence in zoological education and research.

The inaugural ceremony also recognized stalwarts in the field, conferring Lifetime Achievement Awards upon distinguished individuals including Prof. Dr. Muhammad Naeem Khan, Vice Chancellor of University of Baltistan, Skardu, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Siddique Awan from UAJK, Prof. Dr. Javed Iqbal Qazi from University of Punjab, Lahore, and Prof. Dr. Nasreen Memon from University of Sindh, Jamshoro, alongside honoring Prof. Dr. Rifaat Sultana as Zoologist of the Year 2024.

Subsequent sessions, chaired by Prof. Dr. Anwar Al-Hassan Gilani and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Wajid, featured enlightening discussions by renowned scholars such as Dr. Telat YANIK from Ataturk University, Turkey, and Dr. Amael Borzee from Nanjing Forestry University, China, covering topics ranging from fish farming to amphibian conservation research.

The conference, hosting presentations on various aspects of Zoology including entomology, fisheries, environment, wildlife, and marine biology, promises to be a platform for scholarly exchange and academic enrichment, continuing until Thursday.

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The University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore has made a significant leap in its global standing, climbing to the 791-800 range in the QS World University Rankings. This marked improvement, particularly compared to its previous position in the 801-1000 bracket in 2023, underscores UET Lahore’s dedication to academic excellence and innovation.

Out of 1500 universities worldwide and 14 universities from Pakistan evaluated, this advancement highlights UET Lahore’s commitment to elevating its educational standards and solidifying its reputation as a leading institution in engineering and technology.

UET Lahore has achieved a remarkable feat in the QS World University Rankings by subject. Among the 14 Pakistani universities assessed, UET Lahore stands out in the domain of Engineering and Technology, securing the impressive position of 236. This significant advancement marks a notable improvement of 43 places from its previous ranking which was 279. In QS Asia Universities Ranking, UET Lahore has sustained its last year position at 179.

According to the latest QS ranking data, UET Lahore has improved its subject-wise world rankings considerably compared to 2023: Electrical & Electronic Engineering 201-250 compared to 251-300 last year; Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science & Information Systems remain the same at 251-300 and 401-450 respectively. UET Lahore has achieved its first-time rankings in the domains of Mathematics with a ranking range of 501-550, Business & Management Studies with a ranking range of 601-620, and in Physics and Astronomy with a ranking range of 601-640.

UET Lahore’s commendable rise in the rankings underscores its commitment to excellence and innovation in STEM, solidifying its reputation as a leading institution not only in Pakistan but also on the global stage. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the faculty, staff, and students of UET Lahore, and it sets a new benchmark for other institutions to aspire to.

Related: Pakistani Universities Shine in QS Subject Rankings 2024

Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan, provided an in-depth overview of the ongoing financial support for universities in Sindh. Addressing concerns surrounding the continuation of grants, Dr. Ahmed assured stakeholders that funding for educational institutions in Sindh would persist beyond the speculated deadline of June 1.

Dr. Ahmed delved into the historical context of the proposed suspension of grants to provincial universities, revealing its emergence during the tenure of former federal education secretary Waseem Ajmal. However, he clarified that this proposal remained in its initial stages and did not progress further.

Highlighting the regulatory framework governing such decisions, Dr. Ahmed emphasized the essential role of the Council of Common Interests in approving any potential cessation of grants to provincial universities. He reiterated the HEC’s staunch opposition to such a proposal, asserting that halting funding without proper authorization would violate established protocols.

Commending the proactive measures taken by the provincial government, Dr. Ahmed acknowledged a significant increase in the allocation of grants to universities in Sindh. He disclosed that reports indicated a substantial rise from the existing Rs. 26 billion to Rs. 40 billion, demonstrating a tangible commitment to strengthening higher education in the region.

Expressing optimism about the expected surge in funding, Dr. Ahmed anticipated a positive impact on the financial stability of universities. With the projected increase in grants, he envisioned the alleviation of financial challenges facing educational institutions and a subsequent enhancement of the academic landscape in Sindh.

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