In a bid to address pressing environmental concerns and explore sustainable energy solutions, Punjab University (PU) Institute of Energy and Environmental Engineering (IEEE) joined hands with the Energy Engineering Research & Development Centre, along with USPCASE, National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Islamabad, to organize a comprehensive seminar. The event, held at Punjab University, aimed to foster collaborative efforts towards practical, result-oriented solutions in the realms of energy and the environment.

The seminar served as a platform for experts and scholars to share valuable insights and discuss critical environmental topics, emphasizing the importance of technological and engineering innovations in tackling contemporary challenges. Dr. Asif Hussain Khoja and Dr. Abeera Ayaz Ansari, esteemed academics from USPCASE, NUST, delivered enlightening lectures on pivotal subjects including energy, fuels, and climate change.

Dr. Khoja and Dr. Ansari underscored the significance of leveraging indigenous resources and implementing innovative waste-to-energy solutions to mitigate environmental degradation and address energy needs sustainably. Dr. Ansari also spotlighted her groundbreaking research on the ecological challenges confronting Manchar Lake, emphasizing the urgent need for conservation efforts to preserve fragile ecosystems.

Dean Faculty of Electrical, Energy and Environmental Engineering, Prof. Dr. Hamed Sattar, commended the organizers for orchestrating a fruitful seminar that brought together stakeholders from academia, research, and industry. The participation of faculty members and students from diverse departments including IEEE, ICET, IPTE, and CEES underscored the interdisciplinary nature of the seminar and the collective commitment towards fostering sustainable practices.

The seminar not only provided a platform for knowledge exchange but also paved the way for potential collaborations and partnerships in advancing sustainable solutions for the energy and environmental sectors. As the world grapples with escalating environmental challenges, such collaborative initiatives serve as beacons of hope, driving concerted efforts towards a greener and more sustainable future.

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The federal government is poised to announce a four-year state of education emergency nationwide, aiming to address the issue of out-of-school children and various other challenges within the sector.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to make the declaration in the near future. Sources indicate that a conference slated for Tuesday, where the announcement was anticipated, has been postponed due to the Prime Minister’s prior commitments.

Pakistan is currently grappling with significant educational challenges, including 26.2 million out-of-school children and a low literacy rate of 62%. Additionally, concerns are raised about the government’s meager spending of 1.7% of GDP on education and disparities in essential facilities such as toilets, water, and boundary walls in schools nationwide.

Last month, Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training (MoFEPT) Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, after being briefed on the situation, expressed his intention to urge the Prime Minister and the federal cabinet to declare a national education emergency.

The impending National Conference on Education Emergency aims to devise strategies and initiatives for ensuring inclusive, quality education for all children. Despite its postponement, the conference underscores Pakistan’s commitment to addressing issues like out-of-school children and learning poverty, with the goal of supporting underperforming districts across the country.

Scheduled to be chaired by the Prime Minister, the event will bring together key stakeholders, including chief ministers, development partners, diplomats, and educationists, to collaborate on solutions. While initially set for April 30, the conference has been delayed by a week due to the Prime Minister’s prior engagement in Saudi Arabia.

Secretary of Education Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani emphasized the government’s commitment to improving the education sector, highlighting collaborative efforts between federal and provincial authorities to enact positive change.

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In a celebration of World Veterinary Day 2024, the Vets Care Club of the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore, organized a pioneering event titled “Veterinary Joint Venture 2024” at the UVAS City Campus. The event brought together esteemed professionals and experts from various fields to discuss critical issues concerning animal health, welfare, and the livestock sector.

Distinguished figures present at the event included Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Science, Prof. Dr. Aneela Zameer Durrani, Registrar Sajjad Hyder, Chief Executive Officer of Forward Solution, Dr. Asim Mehmood Khan, Managing Director of Big Bird, Abdul Kareem Bhatti, Dr. Farooq from the National Institute of Health, General Secretary of Lahore High Court Bar, Advocate Qadir Bakhsh Chahal, former General Secretary of Lahore High Court Bar, Ms. Sabahat Rizvi, Dr. Iftikhar, and General Manager of Egg Box, Mr. Tahir Jatthol.

The panelists delved into a range of topics, emphasizing the indispensable role of veterinarians as essential health workers. They shed light on the significance of animal welfare and the pressing need for comprehensive legislation to safeguard the well-being of animals. Moreover, critical issues affecting the livestock sector were thoroughly discussed, providing insights into potential solutions and avenues for improvement.

The seminar served as a platform for exchange and collaboration, fostering a spirit of joint effort towards addressing challenges within the veterinary and animal sciences domain. Participants engaged in lively discussions, sharing expertise and experiences to further the cause of animal health and welfare.

The “Veterinary Joint Venture 2024” stands as a testament to the commitment of UVAS and its affiliates to promote excellence in veterinary education, research, and practice. By bringing together stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, the event reinforced the importance of collective action in advancing the welfare of animals and the sustainability of the livestock sector.

As World Veterinary Day continues to be celebrated worldwide, initiatives like the “Veterinary Joint Venture 2024” underscore the crucial role of veterinarians and allied professionals in safeguarding the health and well-being of both animals and humans alike.

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The Government College University (GCU) Lahore Dramatics Club and AJOKA Theatre convened to deliberate on potential collaborations aimed at producing impactful plays and other joint initiatives aimed at engaging and educating audiences.

Chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Shazia Bashir and AJOKA Executive Director Shahid Nadeem, the meeting centered on leveraging drama and theatre as catalysts for social development.

Accompanying the esteemed leaders were GCU Advisor Students’ Affairs, M. Siddique Ahmad Awan, and Director Academic Planning and External Links, Dr. Fouzia Shahin.

Prof. Dr. Shazia Bashir underscored the power of entertainment media in conveying meaningful messages. She emphasized the historical significance of co-curricular activities such as debates and theatre in shaping the character and skills of GCU students.

Shahid Nadeem, Executive Director of AJOKA, shed light on prevailing challenges within the drama industry, highlighting the prevalent focus on ratings and profits at the expense of addressing societal needs. He affirmed that collaborations like the one between GCU and AJOKA can counteract this trend by producing content that both engages and educates.

Nadeem also expressed his pride in returning to GCU, his alma mater, which also boasts the late Madeeha Gauhar, founder of AJOKA, as an alumna.

As AJOKA Theatre celebrates its fortieth anniversary and GCU commemorates 160 years since its establishment, both institutions expressed their intention to formalize their partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding. The Vice-Chancellor extended an invitation to Mr. Nadeem to collaborate with GCU in establishing a department of Theatre Studies.

The meeting concluded with an optimistic outlook towards future collaborations, with both parties eager to harness the power of drama and theatre for social change and education.

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In a poignant critique of India’s maneuvers in the contested territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Professor Dr. Muhammad Kaleem Abbasi, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (UAJK), has drawn parallels between India’s tactics and those employed by Israel, accusing India of attempting to alter the demographic landscape of Muslim-majority regions.

Prof. Abbasi’s remarks came during the 5th Inter-University English Debate Competition, a collaborative effort between UAJK and the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Cell (JKLC). He articulated grave concerns over India’s actions, characterizing them as violations of international law and an infringement upon the right to self-determination.

Speaking to participants, Prof. Abbasi underscored the striking similarities between India and Israel’s strategies aimed at influencing population ratios in disputed territories to sway future plebiscites. He emphasized the crucial role of such platforms in educating youth about the Kashmir issue, urging a nuanced understanding rooted in its historical context.

Moreover, Prof. Abbasi condemned what he termed “water terrorism,” accusing India of leveraging vital resources to advance its agenda in the region. He contended that India’s endeavors to manipulate demographics and control water sources expose its ulterior motives and disregard for the rights of Kashmiris.

Dr. Raja Muhammad Sajjad Khan, Director of the Kashmir Policy Research Institute (KPRI), echoed Prof. Abbasi’s sentiments, stressing the importance of educating students about the intricacies of the Kashmir conflict and empowering them to express their perspectives effectively. Dr. Khan elaborated on the legal dimensions of the issue, urging students to exercise caution and precision in their discourse.

The competition witnessed spirited participation from numerous students, with Syeda Humira Hameed, Asma Abrar, and Ayman Abbasi emerging as standout contenders, according to the esteemed panel of judges. The judging panel, comprising distinguished academics including Prof. Dr. Syed Nadeem Haider Bukhari, Dr. Shahida Khalique, and Dr. Ayesha Rahman, evaluated participants’ performances rigorously.

Raja Muhammad Aslam Khan, Director of the JKLC, and Dr. Sharjeel Saeed, Director of Students Affairs at UAJK, provided valuable insights into the competition’s background and significance, enriching the dialogue on the Kashmir issue and reaffirming the commitment to fostering informed discourse among the youth.

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