Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET) organized the 2nd ceremony of Best Teachers Award ceremony in which around 45 teachers were given the Best Teacher Award in recognition of their outstanding performance. The ceremony was attended by the Dean, FoE&CE, Prof Dr Muhammad Aamir, Chairmen, Directors, HODs, faculty members and others.

Speaking on the auspicious occasion, Chancellor of Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology, Jawaid Anwar, said that Teaching is an important and noble profession. Teacher is a pillar of the society who prepares a brigade of qualified and civilized individuals who may significantly contribute to the society. Teacher has a huge impact on Students and help them engage in lifelong learning. SSUET is fully dedicated for its commitment towards education and character building of students. We strive to create a difference in the society with unique style of education and vocational trainings. Our goal is to give tribute and reward to outstanding educators for eminence and effectiveness of their teaching, their specialized leadership, their engagement with the community, and their potential for even greater hand-outs to the healthy development aspects of educational programs.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Vali Uddin said that the purpose of the award to teachers is to recognize contribution of the teachers with extra ordinary skills, who through their commitment improved the quality of education and enriched the lives of their students. We appreciate and acknowledge educators to reward them for their overall performance and achievement. SSUET made unique criteria based on KPI (Key Performance Indicator) to consider the faculty members for the award. We try to facilitate faculty to adopt modern teaching skills and encourage them to promote research culture at the campus.

Earlier presenting welcome speech to the ceremony audiance, Registrar SSUET Syed Sarfraz Ali said that the purpose of the Teachers Award was to recognize and reward the significant contribution by the teachers to enhance the quality of learning and teaching in the university.

Related: SSUET observes Quaid Day

International Women’s Day (IWD) was celebrated all across the world and so in Pakistan organizing hundreds of events paying tributes to the women. But these events, seminars, walks, and marches will not improve the situation of women’s education in the country where the gap between girls’ and boys’ enrollment in schools is second lowest in South Asia.

The alarming condition of girls’ education in Pakistan is perhaps the most important issue which should have been discussed on the eve of IWD but still, this point of concern was missing at all the major celebrations of the Day.

With all the good slogans and positive campaigns by the federal and provincial government, the state of education is that over 5.1 million primary school-aged children are out of school in Pakistan – the third highest number of out-of-school children in the world – and 63% of them are girls.

Several reports about the worsening state of education especially about girls’ education have been published so far but very few practical actions were taken. Although these reports help gather figures, data and real on-the-ground situations, the political leadership, and bureaucracy are up to something else than education.

A recent report titled, “Public Investment in Education: An Appraisal of SDG 4 in Pakistan” explained the alarming situation with facts, figures and data and claimed that the Pakistan government has legislated for education for all, education remains drastically under-funded at 2.4% of GDP, a decrease from 2.7% in the preceding year – despite a government commitment of 4%. At this rate of funding and progress, there is no way Pakistan will achieve its commitment to education for all.

Enrollment

According to the report, Pakistan’s gap between girls’ and boys’ enrolment is, after Afghanistan’s, the widest in South Asia. Not only the divide based on gender is grave, but also poverty is a serious concern and determinant of low literacy rates. In Pakistan, the literacy rate of poor rural males is 64 per cent, compared to 14 percent for their female counterparts (UNESCO, 2016). Overall, for every 100 girls enrolled at the primary level in Pakistan, 60 girls of the same age are out-of-school while for every 100 girls enrolled at the secondary level, 223 are out of school (Khan, Asim Bashir, 2020).

A recent study, “Girls’ Education & Covid-19 in Pakistan,” suggests that girls’ access to formal education in Pakistan is further expected to regress as a result of the steep decline in household incomes. With many households still struggling with the financial toll experienced during the initial lockdown phase, many girls of school-going age are expected to either enter labour to supplement their household incomes or simply be withheld from returning to school to curtail household expenses, (Malala Fund, 2020).

There is also an acute lack of girls’ schools at every educational level compared to the institutes dedicated to boys’ education. As per the most recent Pakistan Education Statistics 2017-18 (2021), of the 119,813 same-sex primary schools in the country, only 43,741 or 36 percent are for girls. At the secondary and higher secondary level, this percentage stands collectively at 46 percent.

Budget

A look at the year-on-year analysis reveals that despite being a nationally adopted, high-priority target, despite Pakistan’s alarmingly poor performance in this specific area, gender parity has received little to no investment between 2015-2021. During the budget announcements made for the year 2021-22, Punjab and Sindh allocated, 1.07 percent and 2.64 percent of their education budgets respectively for specific schemes aimed at enhancing girls’ access to formal education. The federal government and Balochistan, on the other hand, announced no specific schemes at all.

Balochistan’s inability to earmark a single rupee for interventions to increase girls’ access to educational opportunities is specifically troublesome as the province has one of the highest percentages of out-of-school girls in Pakistan. At the secondary level, for instance, for every 100 enrolled girls, 666 girls of the same age are out-of-school (Khan, Asim Bashir 2020). Although Khyber Pakhtunkhwa did announce allocating 70 percent of its education development budget at the secondary level to enhance girls’ access to education, based on the review of documents, it is not possible to demarcate the precise amount that has been allocated for this purpose.

Targets

The government sets targets for education in the light of the United Nation’s SDGs which state that by 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes. The target was also set as 100 percent enrollment of boys and girls by 2030.

According to the government of Pakistan, the total enrollment level of pre-primary in the public sector was 4,391,144. Out of 4,391,144 pre-primary students, 2,440,838 are boys, and 1,950,306 are girls. It shows that 56% of enrolled students are boys, and 44% are girls. Further breakdown of these statistics into urban and rural enrollment levels reveals an almost similar percentage of enrollment among boys and girls, i.e. in rural schools 57% are boys and 43% are girls.

Experts Overview

Renowned educationist and CEO Ibtidah for Education Zeeba Hashmi told Academia that the basic barrier to girls’ education is not just financial, but cultural, coupled with a lack of security as well. We have high primary level schools, but not enough investment in secondary or high schools, prompting families to either arrange for expensive logistics or pull girls out of schools. Many don’t want to take the security risk of sending girls to far-flung areas. They feel insecure.

She added that the afternoon school program also turned out to be a flop for girls’ education because the timings were unsuitable. Also, a lack of understanding of what barriers are and what solutions can be explored in terms of demand generation for education for girls, are the reasons why we see no push for the cause. To me, political apathy towards education is also a reason why we see dismal service availability. We need to revamp the policy-making process and look out for more intrinsic solutions for education from the community’s perspective, rather than imposing top to down frameworks assuming they’re applicable in all contexts.

Related: Google trained women developers under Women Techmakers initiative

By Arsalan Haidar

A seminar and walk were organized at the University of Okara (UoO) in connection with International Women Day. With the theme “DigitalAll: Innovation & Technology for Gender Equality”, the seminar was attended by a large number of female teachers and students.

The guest speakers of the event included the District Police Officer (DPO) Okara, Mansoor Aman, Principal, Divisional Public School (DPS) Okara, Sarwat Hassan and Sumaira Mazhar Rana, a renowned social worker of the district. The event was presided over by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Dr Sajid Rashid Ahmad, and the Chief Organizer was Dr Nasrin Akhtar, Director Career Counselling at the UO.

Addressing to the participants, Prof Sajid Rashid told that no institution or state could prosper without the active participation of women. “The ratio of female students at the campus is 70 percent and this is our asset. We are preparing them in a way that they can help building a peaceful and prosperous society.”

The DPO said that they were going to develop a “Tahafuz Markaz” at the district in order to solve the problems of the vulnerable sections, especially women on priority.

Dr Nasrin highlighted the importance of advanced information and communication technologies in the inclusion of women in the social mainstream and the reduction of gender discrimination.

Sarwat and Sumaira encouraged the female students to actively contribute to all walks of life and get themselves recognized.

At the end of the seminar, shields were distributed among the guest speakers and the organizing team. Walk and plantation were also done.

Related: Kashmir Day activities held at Okara University

To provide skill education to disabled beggars, Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) and Punjab Police signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The ceremony was held at IG Office, Old Anarkali, Lahore where Senior Director General TEVTA Akhtar Abbas Bharwana and Inspector General of Punjab Police Dr Usman Anwar signed the document. As per the agreement, TEVTA will help Punjab Police in imparting skill education to disabled beggars.

While addressing on occasion, Akhtar Abbas Bharwana said that TEVTA is the largest organization providing vocational and technical education. The project will help the Punjab government to control the increasing numbers of beggars across the province, he said adding that the disabled beggars will be brought to the TEVTA institutions with the help of the Punjab Police where training sessions will be held for beggars.

He said that after learning the skills these people can earn respectable earnings.

Government of Punjab took the first step toward eradication of beggary and Department of Social Welfare established a Beggar’s Home in Lahore in the year 2014. The home has the capacity to accommodate 50 persons at a time.

All particulars of each beggar are recorded in a register and later interviewed by Social Welfare Officer who prepares the case history of each beggar.

Most of the beggars probably do not have identity cards therefore, NADRA is taken on board for special provision and preparation of the identity cards of these beggars. To extract authentic information from them, their families is contacted.

Related: TEVTA inaugurates Skill Park Momento

An awareness walk was organized on International Women’s Day under the auspices of Punjab University (PU) Department of Gender Studies.

On this occasion, PU VC Prof Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, Chairperson Department of Gender Studies Prof Dr Raana Malik, faculty members and students were present. In his address, Dr Niaz Ahmad said that Islam has given many rights to women. He said that women are the heads of many important positions in Punjab University. He said that Pakistani women are very talented who can move forward by working harder. He said that chairperson Doctoral Program Coordination Committee (DPCC), director of external linkages, director of the regional integration center and other departments are being led by women in the university, which is an example of equal rights.

Dr Raana Malik said that it is good for women to have important positions in Punjab University, for which the Vice Chancellor deserves credit. The participants of the walk carried awareness posters about women’s freedom and fundamental rights. Meanwhile, under the auspices of Punjab University Institute of Applied Psychology, in collaboration with National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), mobile van service was provided for making female student ID cards.

In his message, Director General NADRA, Lahore Major (R) Syed Saqlain Bukhari said that a special NADRA registration van has been provided for female students on International Women’s Day. Director IAP Prof Dr Rafia Rafique thanked the NADRA team for supporting the students for ID cards.

Related: PU organizes seminar on ‘Media and Public Health’

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, events were organized in various departments of the Islamia University Bahawalpur (IUB).

A special walk was organized under the chairmanship of the Chairman of the Department of Political Science Prof Dr Musavir Hussain Bukhari. Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Athar Mahboob took a special part in the walk. A special seminar was also jointly organized by the Department of Social Work, Fatima Jinnah Women Leadership Center and IUB Social Welfare Society in Ghulam Mohammad Ghotvi Hall.

The seminar was presided over by Prof Dr Rubina Bhatti, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences. The theme of the seminar was “Digital Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality” , this year’s theme of the United Nations. Prof Dr Rubina Bhatti said that the IUB is providing a favorable environment for women along with education and training. The University has the facilities of modern Day Care Centre, Enhancing Centre, Women Development Centre, Harassment Cell, Fatima Jinnah Women Leadership Center and Common Rooms. At present, 55% women students are studying in IUB.

Dr Asif Naveed Ranjha, Chairman Social Work Department, while presenting the welcome speech, said that the government is making great efforts to give women an active role in the society and many measures are being taken for the convenience of the working women which is being accepted globally. Our women are role models in courage, bravery and courage and are doing outstanding work in all walks of life.

Related: 3rd BLCF kicks off at IUB

Founder Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) / Packages Group Syed Babar Ali paid tribute to founder of University of Management and Technology (UMT) Dr Hassan Sohaib Murad on his visit to address a session on “Future Leaders with Business Leaders”.

Minister of Local Government and Member Board of Governors of UMT/ILM Trust Ibrahim Hasan Murad also accompanied Syed Babar Ali as a chief guest speaker. Professor Dr Sohail Qureshi, UMT senior leadership, faculty and a large number of students were also present on this occasion.

The purpose of organizing the event was the interaction of future leaders with eminent business leaders so that they can get guidance for their successful and bright future.

Addressing the seminar, Founder LUMS paid tribute to the educational efforts of Founder UMT Dr Hasan Murad Shaheed. He also appreciated Ibrahim Murad’s intellect and vision for providing quality education to the youth, providing skill based training and running UMT as a non-profit institution. Mr Syed Babar said that today’s parents pay more attention only to the education of their children, while their grooming is neglected. He also added that there is no shortcut or formula for success, the only way is to work hard and move forward. Never be afraid of failure, but face the failure with truth and move forward fearlessly, he shared. Syed Babar advised the students to do a job before becoming a good entrepreneur.

Ibrahim Murad Minister Local Government / Member Board of Governors UMT in his address welcomed Syed Babar Ali to UMT and said that people like Syed Babar are an asset of our country and it is a great honor for UMT students to seek guidance from him.

At the end of the ceremony, Minister Local Government / Member Board of Governors UMT Ibrahim Murad presented a souvenir to Founder LUMS Syed Babar Ali.

Related: President Arif Alvi at UMT terms education vital for growth

The 24th Conference of the Islamic World Academy of Sciences (IAS), has urged the OIC member states to invest at least One Percent of their GDP in research in science, technology and innovation (STI) for socio-economic development.

The expert-participants have called on OIC member states for the inclusion of enquiry-based education to enhance creativity, curiosity and problem solving for building-capacity in STI and enriching human resources.

They were speaking in the concluding session of the 24th Conference of the IAS on “Challenges to Promote Science & Technology for Socio-Economic Development in OIC Countries” held at the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi (UoK) on Wednesday.

Prof Dr M Iqbal Choudhary, Director of the ICCBS, and COMSTECH Coordinator-General, and IAS President Prof Adnan Badran (Jordan), addressed the concluding session.

The conference was organized in collaboration with the Islamic World Academy of Sciences, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), and ICCBS, University of Karachi. Eminent scientists from various countries, especially from the Islamic World, including Jordan, Pakistan, Malaysia, Iran, Palestine, Bangladesh, Morocco, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Germany, USA, Singapore and Australia attended the conference.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Iqbal Choudhary pointed out that there was a dire need to bridge the gap between the academia and industry in the OIC member states for joint R&D leading to socio-economic development.

Countries in the Muslim World are required to create technology parks and incubators to commercialize the delivery of research and innovations into start-up SMEs and enhance diversification of new materials and quality control, he said.

Prof Iqbal Choudhary said, “Science is like a ‘one language’ which unites the whole humanity”. Through science and technology nations can bridge the gap, and engage themselves in a productive and useful dialogue for common human values, he said.

He also informed the participants about various programs and initiatives of COMSTECH, which included the largest research fellowships program in the OIC region.

Prof Adnan Badran urged the OIC member states to create a consortium for a sustainable triangle of energy-water-food security linked to IAS platform to network reputable research centers in OIC countries for self-reliance and meeting the SDGs, and called on COMSTECH to increase their mobility grants to scientists from LDCs to centers of excellence for training and research in combating poverty and hunger.

The IAS president also urged the OIC member states to align cooperation and collaboration with private sector on achieving a sustainable triangle of food security, for future generations.

Academia and research centers of OIC member states should encourage interdisciplinary research to deal with “common” problems of the Islamic world, including fields of humanity and social sciences as climate change, the triangle for sustainability, population, poverty, Medicare etc., he said.

Related: Our mission is to promote ‘Made in OIC’ and ‘Made in Pakistan