I have been marketing for education providers for about eleven years now. For ten of

those years I have avoided going to Pakistan. The avoidance was essentially from fear, a fear which is quite common within western countries due to the way in which the media portrays Pakistan. I fell into the trap of judging the book by its cover, believing what the media

expects us to believe.I just returned and to be honest my perception of Pakistan changed from the moment I landed in Islamabad. I found the airport and its processes to be among the best in the sub-continent. It was clean, organised and efficient - having extensively traveled in the region, this is not always the case. In fact the opposite can be seen in other places in the region.My “initiation day” in Pakistan did involve some anti-government protests. The only real impact was it took a bit longer to get from the airport to hotel. Well organised diversions were put in place but as an added bonus I got see some of the villages between the airport and central Islamabad, villages which I would not have seen on a regular trip.From the moment I confirmed my trip to Pakistan the common phrase was “stay safe”. At no point of this trip did I feel unsafe or under threat

during my stay. The only exception to this was if you were to mention the agent that I was with who was trying to break a few land speed records on the excellent highways between Lahore and Multan.The standouts for me on this trip:

Wahga Border - I was luckyenough to be in Lahore for national holiday. On this day I had the privileged of visiting the Wahga Border. This was easily the most intense and competitive experience I have been to in my life - I have also visited the Olympics and Asia Cup final soccer - these events aren’t close to what happens here. It is a ceremony but a massively competitive one - who has the loudest speaker system? who has the biggest flag pole? who can sing the longest? who can lift their legs higher when marching? and the list goes on.

Highways - these are some ofthe best quality roads that I have traveled on in the world. Very efficient and largely future proof - unlike Australia they have builtfour lanes in each way to ensure

the highway is good for today but also good for tomorrow. (always ask about the speeding fine budget of your host, this will give a good indication of how quickly you will get to your destination)

Food - as you probably know Ido like a good feed. When I travel I take my inspiration from Anthony Bourdain - no reservations. During my two weeks I didn’t really find anything that I didn’t enjoy, although it was a bit of a meat festival in Pakistan.

Hospitality - The hospitality is very similar to other areas in the sub-continent, which is second to none around the world. As a guest you get treated like a king and people will go out of their way to accommodate any requests.

Architecture - this ranges from the historical significant, traditional through to the ultra modern. I was genuinely expecting nothing particularly modern in the entire country, I was totally wrong.It is safe to say my impression of

Pakistan has changed significantly from the impression that I had two weeks ago. I incorrectly judged the Pakistan by its misreported cover. During my trip I was asked to describe Pakistan in one word - the word which I used was“misunderstood”. I now havesomewhat of understanding, anunderstanding which doesn’t nowreflect the way that western media portrays the country.As promised during a number of presentations at various universities in Pakistan, I will happily promote Pakistan from the perspective which I have experienced firsthand. This article is the first stage in the process.If you do get a chance, please visit as you will be pleasantly surprised. I was.

Written by Mr.Stefan HofmannThe writer is regional marketing manager at Education Centre Australia and visited Pakistan recently. In this article he has judged the country from what the western media have portrayed the country to be. What he found when he arrived was the total opposite of what was portrayed

From being one of the most glorified all rounders in cricket and leading the Pakistan

cricket team to a World Cup win to becoming a philanthropist and the country’s prime minister, here’s a look at highlights from Imran Khan’s life and career. Prime Minister Imran Khan will launch the “largest ever needs-based” scholarship programme on Monday, he announced. ‘Ehsaas for Students’ is another project of the government’s social welfare programme Ehsaas

and aims to provide scholarships to about 200,000 students from lower income families over the next four years. The government will award 50,000 scholarships every year, half of which will be granted to women, the prime minister said in a tweet. “I will launch the largest ever needs-based undergraduate scholarship programme in the history of Pakistan today. 200,000 scholarships will be awarded over the next 4 years, 50,000 every year, 50% of these for women to promote

human capital development under my @Ehsaas_Pk umbrella,” the premier said.

“I will launch the largest ever needs-based undergraduate scholarship programme in the history of Pakistan today,” says PM Imran Khan. The project aims to “ensure that no student is deprived of education because of financial need”. Scholarships will be awarded to students admitted to any public sector university “on merit”, whose family income is “below poverty threshold”. The programme also encourages differently-abled students to apply and/or those who hail from rural or remote areas. The scholarship would cover the students’ tuition fee and also provide them a stipend. The deadline to apply for scholarships is December 10.

Ehsaas is an ambitious social safety and poverty alleviation programme launched by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government. Since the launch of the programme earlier this year, the prime minister has inaugurated multiple welfare projects under Ehsaas’ umbrella including Ehsaas-Saylani Langar Scheme and Panah-gah in order to provide food and shelter to the poor.

IDP EDUCATION OPENS THREE OFFICES IN PAKISTAN

Global education agency IDP Educa-tion has announced it has entered the Pakistani market to provide its services to students seeking to study abroad. With three new of-fices – in Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi – specialist counsellors will assist students wishing to study in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, UK and the US. “Studying overseas can provide a platform for professional and personal suc-cess,” Imad Chaoui, IDP’s Middle East regional director said. “We are delighted to extend our world-leading services for students in Pakistan to help them achieve their international education goals,” he said. Humayun Bin Akram, Pakistan country manager for IDP, noted that many of IDP’s counsellors have ex-perience studying overseas, mean-ing they are specially placed to help students. “Many of our counsellors have been international students themselves, so we understand the real challenges and opportunities that come with studying overseas,” Bin Akram explained. “We partner with leading universities and insti-tutions across Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United King-dom and the United States, to help make sure students are supported at every step throughout their in-ternational education journey.”

‘CEG LAUNCHES TWO PROGRAMS AT ILLINOIS TECH’

Cambridge Education Group has announced the launch of two new programs for international students at Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. It will offer international students the opportunity to progress into the second year of their chosen undergraduate or the third semester of a graduate degree at the private research University.

FORMER NAVITAS EXECS LAUNCH NEW COMPANY

There is a new company enter-ing the pathway sector, and the ex-ecutives behind the new brand have over 200 years of experience in that business. Camino Global Education is being led by John Wood, former CEO of university partnerships at Navitas, and Peter Larsen, who co-founded Navitas (then known as IBT) with Rod Jones in 1994. “We’re in negotiations with a number of university partners globally, but we’re in no rush,” Wood told The PIE News. “We want to ensure that the partners that choose us and that we choose them, that we actually do deliver for both of us.” With a sea-soned leadership team of six, Cami-no is planning on making an impact in what is already a fairly competi-tive field of private companies part-nering with universities for specific services tailored towards interna-tional students.

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Mr. Shafqat Mahmood, Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training met UNESCO Director General Ms. Audrey Azoulay at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. They discussed Pakistan and UNESCO partnership in the fields of education, culture, science and communication. The Ambassador of Pakistan to France and Pakistan’s Per-

manent Representative to UNESCO Mr. Moin ul Haque was also present during the meeting.

The Minister apprised the Director General about the steps taken by Pakistan for delivering quality and equi-table education focusing on uniform curriculum, teacher training, upgrading school infrastructure and technical & vocational training. The Minister sought UNESCO techni-cal advice and validation of Pakistan initiative to develop uniform new national curriculum and for the promotion of technical and vocational training. The Minister also briefed the Director General about the rich culture heritage of Pak-istan and new projects relating to mapping of all heritage and archaeological sites of Pakistan and the publication of coffee table book regarding cultural sites along Grand Trunk road. He sought UNESCO’s assistance for conserva-tion and protection of these historical sites.

Shafqat expresses concern with unesco director general about education of children

in IOK

GTI migrant program welcomed by HEIs, but concerns over skills shortages remain

Russia to simplify work rights for international students

UUKi publishes guide for businesses employing international students in the UK

Estonia augments its post-study work offer

Universities Australia has welcomed the introduction of a new government global

talent program set to recruit 5,000 high-skilled migrants, saying it will support the country’s knowledge economy. However, skills shortages at various levels of experience still remain, according to the Committee

for Economic Development of Australia. Launched at the beginning of November by immigration minister David Coleman, the ‘Global Talent Independent’ program will focus on attracting talent working in seven “future-focused fields” such as AgTech, FinTech, MedTech, advanced digital, data science and ICT. Applicants who work in one of the sectors and who are likely to earn more than AUS$149,000 per year, will be fast-tracked into permanent citizenship, and the program aims to bring in 5,000 migrants between July 2019 and June 2020.

International students will be able to work while studying in Russia without needing to file additional

documentation thanks to a new bill that is being introduced in the upper house of the Russian Parliament. It is expected to be passed before the end of the year. Russia hopes that offering improved work rights will increase its attractiveness as a study destination. “Recently, the Russian government prepared a proposal enabling international students to work up to four hours per day or 20 hours per week outside university without a supplementary permit. “The adoption of this law for the next fall semester will considerably increase the interest of young foreign people in studying and working in Russia.” According to IIE, in 2019 there were over 334,000 international students in Russia, of which around 300,000

were enrolled in undergraduate or postgraduate courses. The most popular in-country destinations are Moscow and Saint Petersburg. The country is the seventh most popular destination for international students worldwide. Of the top 10 destinations, almost all allow students to work while studying, although some such as Japan, require an additional permit.

A guide explaining the UK’s new post-study work

rights in an effort to ensure employers at businesses across the country have the information they need to employ international graduates from UK institutions has been published by Universities UK International. The guide aims to help employers navigate the immigration system and runs through the main considerations for businesses as they think about visas.

The Estonian government is keen to augment

the post-study work opportunities it offers international students and it is running targeted networking events to facilitate job offers for its international graduates with businesses in the country. Indian student intake is modest but represents growth of 3000% during the past decade. The country, named “most digitally advanced society in the world” by one tech title, is syncing the work of the “Work in Estonia” and “Study in Estonia” consortia, via student networking receptions.

Don’t judge a book by its cover

Find out the details on most prestigious Scholarships by Australian Government for Pakistani Students. The Deadline is 30th April.

Best tips and techniques to make your Visa Application successful in first attempt.

Wonderful experience for Study Abroad

LATVIA05Scholarships for top studentsNo IELTS/TOFEL in some Institutions

MAR2021

After education consider the option of starting your own small business. Why not create

employment instead of asking for employment. Make an honest living by contributing something useful. Entrepreneurship (starting and successfully running a business) is one of the highest forms of Personal development. The following issues must be considered before starting on your own.

What is required? Evaluate your skills, strengths/weaknesses Every small business demands many skills in addition to strong management and organizational skills. To evaluate yourself objectively, ask a close sincere friend for objective assessment of your skills.

Have the right attitudeThe right attitude is very important. If your mind set tells you that the only respectable career is Govt. job or large corporation then you don’t have the right attitude for entrepreneurship. In self-employment your self-esteem has to come from within not from glossy job titles.

Experience You may start a business without experience, but most small businesses succeed when entrepreneurs have relevant experience. Many entrepreneurs work as employee for some time and then start on their own. They learn the tricks of the business working as an employee.

Have a planPoor planning is responsible for most business failures. You can improve your chances of success with good planning, preparation, and insight. The plan should ideally be in writing. The plan should address the following questions • What service or product does

your business provide and what needs does it fill?

• Who are your potentialcustomers and why will theypurchase it from you?

• How will you reach yourpotential customers?

• Where will you get the financial resources to start yourbusiness?

RiskIn business, there are no guarantees. There is simply no way to eliminate all the risks associated with a business - but you can improve your chances of success with good planning. In our society failure is stigmatized. You have to be brave; remember nothing worthwhile is gained without risking failure.An other factor to consider is that you would be without any income for some time because businesses rarely yield profits from the start.

Problem Solving Skills + Creativity You are likely to encounter new problems almost every single day. You will need problem solving skills and you need to be creative to think up new solutions to the new problems that will keep coming up. People Skills Business owners need to develop working relationships with a variety of people including customers, staff, bankers, and professionals such as lawyers, accountants or consultants. Can you deal with a demanding client, an unreliable vendor, or a cranky receptionist if your business interests demand it?

Decision Making SkillYou will be required to make decisions constantly - often quickly, independently, and under pressure.

Find a gap (Niche)All businesses fulfill some Need. Find the need you can fulfill profitably, better than anybody else. Find a need that is not being satisfied by other businesses. To succeed, entrepreneurs must attract and retain a growing base of satisfied customers. Marketing is based on the importance of customers to a business All company policies and activities should be directed toward satisfying customer needs.

Persistence Persistence is the single largest factor of success. Don’t quit too easily.

Hard workIf you are getting into small business for taking it easy, you are in the wrong place. Great physical and emotional stamina is required for business success.

Benefits All the effort that goes into self- employment is not without reward. You get the following major benefits:- • You will be your own boss.

It is an immensely satisfyingexperience.

• Earning and growth potentialare far greater in Self-employment.

ChallengesDealing with Government officials You will need great amount of patience, tact (and unfortunately sometimes bribe) to deal with government officials and department. If you know somebody important that is a great help.

FinanceInstitutional finance is not easy to find for small business, particularly at start up stage. Your business has to be self-financed or from family and friends. There are institutions like SMEDA or SME bank which provide services and financing. You

may do further exploring on the net to find out about such institutions.

Useful Sites The Site mentioned at number 1 it is very useful in getting basic information about starting business. Though the site is of US origin but it is relevant for Pakistan also. • www.sba.gov/starting_

business/index.html• www.smebank.org• www.smeda.org/

The writer is a teacher by profession and write on personal development areas. He can be reached at abidipd@yahoo.com

PAKISTAN’S FIRST NEWSPAPER ON HIGHER EDUCATION & SCHOLARSHIPS

Ed i tor ia ls 02EDITORIAL

Shaping up youth a ray of hope

Perhaps among the least cherished ideals we Pakistanis can relish is the education sector when it comes to our literacy rate compared to any other country of Asia. Sadly, Pakistan’s literacy rate is abysmally low as compared to the eye-opening literacy rates of other Asian countries. In fact education is essential if we are to give birth to a pluralistic, harmonious and prosperous Pakistan. Currently, the majority of the country’s population falls within the youth-age bracket of 15-24 years. According to a United Nations Development Programme report, 64 per cent of Pakistan’s population is below age 30. That makes it the second youngest country in South Asia, after Afghanistan, and one of the youngest in the world.At present, Pakistan stands at a crossroads and critical juncture. There is inadequate intersection and convergence between Pakistan’s national and provincial education and the youth policy frameworks in terms of transformational and sustainable socio-economic growth. In order to address the challenges of economic development, education should be the lynchpin for broader and more inclusive socio-economic development. Therefore, the role of education for advancement cannot be ruled out. And the quality of educational institutions, which serve as a barometer of progress and advancement, is something that really matters when eyeing the achievement of future targets. Alluding to the standards and quality of education, the university ranking seems an epitome and a noticeable yardstick if seen in the perspective of the future youth. Almost 10 per cent of the youth in Pakistan are unemployed and have no vocational and/or technical skills. Purposely, the

establishment of skill-grooming centres with an aim to inculcate market-oriented modern skills in the youth, especially to train and equip them is need of hour. And, yet, the issue has not been paid serious attention. Evidently, unskilled population means more jobless people. Therefore, technical education needs priority handling by the government. What is actually needed direly is Pakistan choose to equip the youth with proper knowledge, skills, social awareness and enthusiasm for the much-needed socio-economic development. Aside from it, memorandums of understanding (MoU) should be signed with highly-advanced industrialized countries as the viable solution towards this end. This option will not only bring prosperity, social cohesion, harmony, and peace to society, but also help overcome the multifarious challenges that contemporary Pakistani society is at present facing.To quote from Nelson Mandela, education is the most important weapon that you can use to change the world. Undoubtedly, education carries utmost importance because it is an engine of development, progress and prosperity for any nation. There is a need for implementation of a national education policy and the Vision 2030 education goals. An analysis of education policy suggests that at the policy level, there are several admirable ideas but practically there are some shortcomings also. It may not be possible for the government at the moment to implement a uniform education system in the country, but a uniform curriculum can be introduced in educational institutions which would provide equal opportunities to students of both rural and urban areas equally to compete in the job market.

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Child Labour is a crime against humanity. At this juncture I am reminded of a very moving

story about one of the world’s great-est humanitarians Abraham Lincoln. The time, at which this episode took place, Lincoln was a candidate for a congress seat. And on that day, he had an important election speech to deliver. But he also had a far greater task to perform.

A noble cause to fight for.

He cancelled his election speech and entered the jam-packed court, which was already in session. Unnoticed, he sat down in the last row. The case be-ing ended, the District Attorney rose and moved the trial of John Wilson for murder. There was a stir through the courtroom. In the doorway ap-peared the Sheriff, leading a childish figure, a boy of ten, dressed in poor homemade clothes. He was pale and desperately frightened. The judge faced the criminal, paused pityingly and steadied himself. “Have you a lawyer?” He asked. The lad shook his unkempt yellow head. “No, I dunno anybody. I ain’t got- Money- to pay”.

The boy was in tears, his widowed mother was sobbing near him. “Do you wish the court to assign you a counsel?” In the stillness a boot scraped the floor. The man in the back seat rose, “May it please your honour” he said. “I am a lawyer. I should be glad to act as a Counsel for the Defense”. The Judge looked for a moment at the loose-hung, tow-ering figure. “What is your name?” He asked. The man answered qui-etly “Abraham Lincoln”. Lincoln, who gave his life to abolish slavery, had come that day to re-pay a debt.

Years back, when he was a struggling non-entity, the family of the then well to do little boy, then a baby, had given Lincoln solace and succor. Sub-sequently, the boy’s father died and the family was in a miserable state of abject poverty. The boy, John had to work due to force of circumstances, in a farm of one heartless man who was Shaughnessy by name. He was a cruel tormentor. One day, he started beating the boy so mercilessly that the desperate defenseless boy struck his tormentor’s head with a pitch-fork. The man died after some time.

The boy was charged for murder. This was the story. It was commonly said that the boy was doomed; No lawyer, even a smart one could get him off after some seemingly con-vincing evidence. But in the court-room that day was no ordinary man. It was the great Lincoln, the unique humanist, who had come, jeopardiz-ing his future career by canceling his election speech, for a great cause- even greater than his own magnifi-cence.

“Gentlemen of the jury,” began Abra-ham Lincoln. I am going to try this case in a manner not customary in courts. I shall not call witnesses; the little prisoner over there is all the witness I want. I shall not argue. You know that at an age when this boy’s hands should have held schoolbooks or a fishing rod, they held the man’s tool that was his undoing; you know how a grown man goaded the child till in desperation he used the tool at hand. All I ask is that you deal with the little fellow, as you would have other men deal in such a case with little fellow’s of your own at home. Before the verdict, for a second, per-haps, no one breathed in that packed mass. ‘Not guilty’ was the verdict.

It was a momentous Victory for a great cause. The cause of tormented and exploited ‘Johns’ of America.

My story is an inspiration from the former. It is about the ‘Asims’ of Paki-stan. A familiar figure in the homes of Pakistan. The not so lucky ones in the houses. I differentiate because cold callous concrete houses consist of ruthlessness.

For one such house Asim worked. His mother was a widow and she washed dishes and clothes for her ‘Begum Sahiba’ who had suggested this couple for Asim’s employment. Asim had formerly tried his hand as a motor mechanic, but as circum-stances would have it his boss had closed his workshop because of lack of funds.

After getting the job, Asim worked for Amina and Aslam where he was required to do all the dirty and hard jobs. To clean the bathrooms, to sweep outdoors in the harsh sum-mer sun of Karachi. On the face of it

everything seemed fine. His masters bullied him sometimes. They wouldfeed him with leftovers and not give him new clothes to wear, although he tore his own clothes doing the dirty work. Maybe, it was because poor Asim had not experienced the luxury of life. He could not tell that he was being dealt with severely. Amina was a frustrated woman. Aslam had two wives and she hated sharing him with his other wife. Maybe this was the reason for her being so cruel. One ill-fated day, Amina entered the house and heard a noise in the kitch-en. A glass had slipped from Asim’s hands and was in splinters.

In a rage, she ignited a matchstick and placed it on Asim’s hands. Singed he ran out, followed by Amina who seemed in a frenzy. Luckily, for him, she was heavy and could not move as fast as he.

In his mother’s embrace he told his story, to his mother’s mistress who listened patiently. She could not even think that Amina could do this to Asim. She was determined to amend the wrong done to him.

She went to Amina’s house, but Am-ina completely denied that she had been cruel. She knew Amina was scared of being blamed publicly. So Asim’s mother’s mistress threatened Amina to compensate Asim for her ill-doings or she would go to the Po-lice.

Amina was asked to pay a handsome amount to Asim for a life-time in lieu of her attempt to burn Asim’s hand, which escaped several burns be-cause of him not loosing his senses and wrapping up his hand tightly so that no air was left to blow the flame.

Asim’s mother’s won the money and with that money Asim joined school with zeal to become something, and look after his mother. ____________________

Zeenat Iqbal Hakimjee is Islamabad based freelance journal-ist and she writes about inspirational and motivational stories. She can be reached at zeenat.hakimjee@gmail.com

The Hands Deserve The Books

I always thought Peter Drucker’s SMART goals will work for my benefit when I commenced work

coming out of a family in which fe-males, generally do not work. How-ever I learnt that what we read in books might not work for us , more so, when we want to climb the cor-porate ladder. So I toiled and came to the conclusion, maybe I need to develop my OWN SMART goals which will be, with due apologies, be a bit different than what books tell us. So here are my SMART goals especially for the young, powerful females who are coming out of the university and searching for help.

S= shock absorberYou got to be the best and you got to do twice as much as a male in your toes. Why do I say this? Its not that a

female does not find equality at the workplace. It is that she has the so-ciety too acting as a speed breaker. Decide wisely and be prepared for shocks.

M= meticulousYou have to be meticulous at work and not dilly dally. This is a hard learnt fact. Be it making files all day, or direct marketing calls, your me-ticulous nature and the zeal you put into it takes you places.

A=activeYour ears should be open along with your eye. Be on the lookout for op-portunities to learn new things. most HR policies say ‘we provide work shadowing as a mentoring to employees’ i say you live by it. The MAX you can learn is via observa-

tion and you can only do that if you are active.

R= resilientBeing resilient is very very impor-tant when you are a fresh starter female. There will be pressures of all kinds; home commitments, fam-ily events gathering that clash with a work engagement… learn to man-age both and for that make sure you have a process ready for each of your responsibilities.

T=timeThe biological and the professional clocks ALWAYS work in the opposite directions. At 25 you are due for a big career jump but you also have to get married. Look for inspirations around you who have achieved more in less time. Remember you can always do this if you have your process sorted.

The writer is a social entrepreneur focused on the areas of financial in-clusion, enterprise development and diversity. She can be reached at noorulain.zafer@gmail.com

What have I learnt since starting work at 15?

EntrepreneurshipDo your own thingBy: Abid Sharif

A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa that allows a person to travel to any members of

the Schengen Area, per stays up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes. The Schengen visa is the most common visa for Europe. It enables its holder to enter, freely travel within, and leave the Schengen zone from any of the Schengen member countries. There are no border controls within the Schengen Zone. However, if you are planning to study, work, or live in one of the Schengen countries for more than 90 days, then you must apply for a national visa of that European country and not a Schengen Visa. Over 14.2 million people used their Schengen visa in 2018 to travel around Europe.

Travel Documents and Entry Requirements for non-EU NationalsYou will have to present several documents at the Schengen port of entry, in order to be permitted to enter, if you are a non-EU/Schengen country national, regardless if you are a visa-exempt or not.The documents you need to provide when entering the Schengen Area are as follows:

Valid Passport. Issued within the previous 10 years and valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave the EU.Schengen Visa. If you are a national of one of the third countries in need of a visa.

EU/Schengen border officials may also ask for other information and documents such as sufficient funds, proof of accommodation, how long you intend to stay, round-trip airline ticket, purpose of your entry, travel insurance, invitation letter, etc.Please, make sure that the border officer gives you an entry stamp in your passport when you enter the Schengen area. Without a stamp, you could be fined or detained.

Which Europe Countries issue Schengen Visas?The Schengen zone includes the 26 countries that have signed the Schengen agreement, which allows citizens of member countries to travel within the zone freely, without passing through passport and border control. Each member country of the

Schengen zone can issue Schengen visas.There are another 19 other countries that are not part of the Schengen Zone, yet they allow foreign citizens of other non-Schengen countries to enter and stay in their territories, only by showing a valid multiple-entry Schengen Visa. You do not need a national visa issued from these countries to enter, transit or stay in their territory temporarily.

Schengen Visa Types for Short-Term Visits in EuropeYou need to apply for a Schengen Visa if you intend to visit one or more European countries of this area for the following reasons:• Business purposes.• Visiting friends and family.

• Tourism and holidays.• Cultural and sport events.• Airport transit and transit

for seafarers.• Official visit.• Medical reasons.• Short-term study and

research purposes. Depending on your reasons for visiting the Schengen countries and the frequency of your visits, the Schengen consulate can issue you a single-entry visa, double-entry visa, or a multiple-entry visa.The validity of your single-entry visa depends on the number of days you stated you are going to be in the Schengen zone on your visa application form and the actual decision of the consulate that issues you the Schengen visa.If you are a frequent traveler you may apply to obtain an EU visa valid for

up to 5 years, but you have to keep in mind that you cannot stay within the Schengen Area for more than 90 days in a 180-day period of time even if you hold a multiple-entry visa for Europe valid for up to 5 years.

How to Apply for a Visa to Enter Europe?To apply for a Schengen Visa to travel to Europe, you first need to figure out whether you need one or not depending on the purpose of your travel and nationality. If you do, then you have to put together your travel plan, how many days you plan to be in the zone, the countries you are going to visit (if more than one), the country where you are going to enter, and the country where you’re going to exit.

How Much Does a European Visa Cost?The cost of a Schengen visa fee is €60 per adults. Still, depending on the age of the applicant, nationality and some other factors, there are categories that will have to pay a lower fee or no fee at all.

What is a Flight Itinerary for EU Visa Application?Flight itinerary is a confirmed document, which can be verified online about the schedule of a given flight.

What is Travel Insurance for Schengen Visa?Your Travel Medical Insurance should be valid for your whole stay in the Schengen Area, with a minimal coverage of 30,000 EUR for medical emergencies.

What is a Proof of Accommodation for Visa application?You are required to submit a confirmed document that shows

where you will be accommodated for your whole trip in the Schengen Area.

How to Apply for a Schengen Visa Around the World?For more information about visa requirements and application process for US, UK, Canadian and Australian residents, please read the following articles:

Schengen Visa FeesWhen applying for a Schengen visa there is a non-refundable mandatory visa fee every applicant must pay.The Schengen visa costs vary depending on the type of visa and age of the applicant as well as some other exceptions stated below in the text. The Schengen visa fee can be paid in the designated consulate/embassy via cash, debit or credit card. However, some consulates may not allow you to pay by credit card

SCHENGEN AREA The World’s Largest Visa Free Zone1

1. Austria2. Belgium3. Czech Republic4. Denmark5. Estonia6. Finland7. France8. Germany9. Greece10. Hungary11. Iceland12. Italy13. Latvia14. Liechtenstein15. Lithuania16. Luxembourg17. Malta18. Netherlands19. Norway20. Poland21. Portugal22. Slovakia23. Slovenia24. Spain25. Sweden26. Switzerland

The following documents are required for a Business Schengen visa application:• Visa application form. Fully completed and signed.You may download visa applica-tion form from https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/download-schengen-visa-application-form/• Two recently taken photos must be attached. Both photos must be taken within the last three months, according to the Schengen visa photo require-ments.• A valid passport. It should valid for at least three more months beyond the date you plan to leave Schengen area. Older passports with visas on them (if you have any).• Round trip reservation or itinerary It must include dates and flight numbers specifying entry and exit from the Schen-gen area. You can use the visa consultation services like this one. These guys can handle most of your business visa mandatory requirements such as flight itin-eraries, hotel reservations along with free consultation over email.• Travel insurance policy. A document that proves you have travel health insurance for the whole Schengen territory, with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros in case of any medical

emergency as illnesses, accidents and even repatriation in case of death.• Proof of accommoda-tion. A document that shows where you will be accommo-dated throughout your stay in Schengen. This could be a hotel booking, a rental agreement, or a letter of invitation from a host at whose house you will be staying.• Proof of financial means. Evidence that you have enough money to support yourself finan-cially during your Business trip in Europe. This can be one of the following:o Bank account statement – that shows you have enough money in your account for the trip. The statement shall be no older than 3 months.o Sponsorship Letter – by another person that confirms they will be financially support-ing your trip to the Schengen. In order for this letter to be valid, it must be accompanied by a bank statement of the sponsor, no older than three months.o A combination of your bank account statement and a letter of sponsorship.• Proof of paid visa fee.• Cover letter. Explaining the purpose of the visit to the Schengen country.• A short profile of the ap-

plicants working place.• Letter from employer. Meticulously describing the pur-pose of the travel as well as the itinerary of the days spend within the Schengen zone.• Invitation letter. Written by the partner company in the Schengen zone, faxed also to the corresponding consulate. This letter has to appear as an invita-tion to attend meetings or other relevant events matching trade, industry or work.• Proof of financial means. It must be stated either in the employer’s letter or the partner company’s invitation that one of both parties will be covering the applicant’s travel expenses dur-ing his/her stay in the Schengen Zone.• If there were previous trade relations between the two companies proof of such an event.• For employees:o Employment contract.o Current bank statement of the latest 6 months.o Leave permission from the employer.o Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary.• For the self-employed:o A copy of your business license.o Company bank statement of the latest 6 months.o Income Tax Return (ITR).

PAKISTAN’S FIRST NEWSPAPER ON HIGHER EDUCATION & SCHOLARSHIPS

Immigration 03

It’s Crazy Easy To Immigrate To

•It is possible to live the life of your

dreams now, and decide about making it permanent later.

~Let’s find out where – there is a country for every taste to live.

7COUNTRIES

The lifestyle in Mexico is more relaxed thanother first-world countries. Don’t forget thebeach and the delicious local cuisine! Youcan immediately apply for a permanent res-ident visa, which has no expiration date andgrants you the ability to work. To qualify,you need to show a monthly net income ofaround $1,826 as an individual..

Panama is a welcoming country that

wants its guests to feel like part of

the family. It’s got all the nature you

could ever want in the form of clean,

soft beaches, rich farmland, thick

rainforests, and green mountains.

It also has cozy small towns plus

the modern and exciting capital of

Panama City. The U.S dollar is Pana-

ma’s official currency.

Costa Rica has the second largest number of rivers and water bodies anywhere in the world with over 300 species of hummingbird! Costa Rica is a wonderful place for retirees, offering a visa pro-gram that welcomes older folks with at least $1,000/month in income. For the working set, you will need a job to settle there and it has a lot of job opportunities, especially around tourism and teaching English.

Roatán isn’t a country unto itself, but for those seeking remote island living, it may be just what the doctor ordered. Located 35 miles off the coast of Honduras,

Roatán boasts sugar-sand beaches, peaceful bays, and a stunning mountainous interior per-fect for hiking. The infrastructure is also strong, so you won’t need to sacrifice the creature comforts you’re used to.

Nicaragua is

a beautiful

tropical locale with people who will wel-

come you. It has the lowest crime rate of

any Central American country. The bar

for Nicaragua’s retirement program is

surprisingly low, requiring only $600 per

month in income. You don’t even tech-

nically need to be retired, as Nicaragua

issues these visas to people of any age

who are self-employed or own a small

hotel or restaurant in the country.

But moving againinto a place that’s not just in-viting, but warmand inviting,the Seychellesis a group of115 gorgeousislands in the western In-dian Ocean. All you will needupon arrival in the Seychelles is a passport. Thereare no visa requirements for moving there. If afterfive years of residence you want to make it offi-cial, you will be eligible to apply for citizenship – aslong as you haven’t gotten into any legal troubleduring that time. Cashed up expats can cut theirwait time for citizenship to one year if they investat least $1 million USD.

There’s not much to worry about in Belize, a place where you can both dive a bar-rier reef and exploreancient Mayan ruinsin one day. With avery low cost of liv-ing, Belize is trulyyour oyster. You needonly live in Belize fora year before becom-ing eligible for per-manent residence. All you need to do isenter the country ona visitor visa and re-new it every month until you hit 50 con-secutive weeks in Belize.

Mexico

Panama

CostaRica

Roatan

Nicaragua

Belize

Seychelles

NEWS & POLICIES UPDATES

European Commission Says Croatia Is on the Way to Join the Schengen AreaThe European Commission asserted that Croatia has taken the necessary measures to ensure that the conditions for the application of all the Schengen rules and standards are met. It also confirms that Croatia has made the necessary efforts to make sure that the criteria for the application of Schengen rules in external border management are met.Now, on Commission’s invitation, the EU Council has to discuss the former’s communication with the aim of integrating Croatia into the Schengen area.

Schengen Visa Holders Now Eligible for Saudi Arabia’s Tourist e-VisaIf you have a Schengen visa, you can now apply for Saudi Arabia’s new Tourist e-Visa.Last month, Saudi Arabia launched a Tourist e-Visa, a first for the Kingdom which so far did not allow foreigners to enter simply for tourism purposes. Those eligible for Saudi Arabia’s new Tourist e-Visa included all SchengenArea nationals as well as the USA,Australia, Japan, South Korea,South Africa, Malaysia, Singapore,and Brunei.However, according to newregulations that were announcedlast week, the list of who can applyfor the new Tourist e-Visa has beenextended to include all visa holdersof the original eligible countries.This means, if you have a Schengenvisa and want to visit Saudi Arabia,you can simply get the new e-Visa,rather than apply through thelonger and more complicatedroute at Saudi Arabian diplomaticmissions. The new Tourist e-Visaallows the holder multiple entriesinto the kingdom and is valid forone year. The maximum durationthat one can stay in Saudi Arabiaconsecutively is 90 days, but nomore than 180 days overall. Youcan apply for the visa online andpay a fee of about $120, includinghealth insurance. You only needyour passport and visa.

EU Approves Visa Facilitation Plan with BelarusLess than a month after the Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko decided to sign the visa facilitation and readmission agreements with the European Union, asserting that Belarus has completed all the domestic procedures for the signing to take place, European Union ambassadors approved the visa-facilitation plan with Belarus.Though the move does not automatically guarantee a new visa scheme will come into effect, it is a huge step that could eventually lead to easier traveling to the Schengen Member Countries for the passport holders of Belarus.Now, for the move to be completed the European parliament should also approve the plane. The EU Council then will make a decision by qualified majority. Finally, the National Assembly of Belarus must ratify both agreements, and then Minsk and Brussels can sign them. After the visa facilitation plans come into force Belarus passport holder traveling to the Schengen territory for short-term purposes as tourism and business will have to pay a visa fee of €35 instead of €60 as it is now.

Visa Guide

How to Apply for

BUSINESS SCHENGEN VISA?Schengen refers to the EU passport-free zone that covers most of the European countries. It’s the largest free travel area in the world.

BUSINESS SCHENGEN VISA Traveling to Europe for Business Purposes

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PAKISTAN’S FIRST NEWSPAPER ON HIGHER EDUCATION & SCHOLARSHIPS

Study Abroad 04Digital edition available:www.educationscenario.com

Plaksha University aims to bridge the gap between employers and educators. It

has now announced the Plaksha Tech Leaders Fellowship, a one-year, full-time residential programme at the Gurugram campus that offers scholarships to 60 students. By Athira NairIndian scriptures state River Saraswati, synonymous with learning, originated from a Plaksha (Sanskrit word for the ficus tree), which grew at the foothills of the Sivaliks. So, it made sense when Plaksha, which denotes a tree from which a river of learning flows, nurturing everything that it touches, was chosen as the name for a university. But Plaksha University is not just another educational institute among the hundreds in India. The institute has a story like no other in the world: 45 entrepreneurs and chief executives came together to raise Rs 2,000 crore for Plaksha. This is at least four times the amount that the government spends to set up an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). As per a recent report by Aspiring Minds, 80 percent of Indian engineers are not fit for any job in the knowledge economy. Worried about the current state of employability among graduates, 45 top entrepreneurs and CXOs built this institute to bridge the gap between employers and educators. All programmes and courses at the university are designed by the leaders along with a special academic advisory board. The university will launch its first Tech Leaders Fellowship Programme at its Gurugram campus in collaboration with universities, including UC Berkeley, Purdue University, MIT, and University of Pennsylvania, as well as tech companies like Google and IBM among others. Their bachelor’s degree course will launch in 2021. The Fellowship programme is open to candidates including fresh graduates and experienced professionals. How Plaksha was born Bringing dozens of leaders together for such an effort needs time and energy, and more importantly, a strong vision to implement. Mohit Thukral, Founder and Trustee of Plaksha University (and Founder and Managing Partner at BPM platform Vivtera), spoke to YourStory about the journey over the last few years. The idea of reimagining higher education in technology was seeded around mid-2015 when Mohit got together with Neeraj Aggarwal, Chairman, Asia Pacific, Boston Consulting Group; Vineet Gupta, Co-founder and MD, Jamboree Education; Ashish Gupta, Founder of Benori Knowledge; and Manas Fuloria, Co-founder and CEO of Nagarro.“We felt there was not only a need to change what is taught in engineering colleges in India but also to change the way it is taught,” Mohit says. After months of meetings and brainstorming, the idea of a technology university took shape. The core team ideated on the gaps it should address and the problems it could solve. “Every few years, there is a massive shift in technologies. Right now, there is a lot of buzz around AI and data science. But there is no educational programme to train you for it,” Mohit explains.Plaksha aims to be not “just another

engineering school”. It wants to empower students to solve challenges in the next industrial revolution, especially in India. The team researched the industrial changes possible in the next four years. “The question was how to bring tech into key areas globally. We talked to academia in India and the US for this,” Mohit recounts. Plaksha’s primary focus will be on problems specific to India, across sectors like urban planning, mobility, agriculture, hunger, transportation, etc. Alok Mittal, Co-founder and CEO of Indifi Technologies and Co-founder at Plaksha, tells YourStory that since India is a developing country, it needed a different agenda in research and development (R&D) than the US. “In scaling (solutions) for a large population like that of India, tech helps bring down the price points. On the other hand, students should keep updating themselves, as what they learn today may not be relevant in 10-20 years,” he adds.After two years of iterations, research in best practices, and discussions with experts, Plaksha was born in early 2018. Building a team of veterans Once the core team built its vision, they started talking to people outside the core group in 2017. “We got great support and encouragement. Gradually, people who shared the vision and philosophy started coming together, and the tribe grew.” The current 45 members include CP Gurnani, MD and CEO, Tech Mahindra; Vineet Nayyar, former executive vice chairman, Tech Mahindra; Ashish Gupta, Co-founder, Helion Ventures; Pankaj Chaddah, Co-founder of Zomato; Ritesh Malik, Founder of Innov8; Pallav Nandhani, Founder of Fushiocharts, and Gaggan Hasteer, VP (Content Engineering) at Netflix, among others.Pankaj, who left Zomato last year, was looking to do something new after building the foodtech unicorn for 10 years, when he heard of Plaksha from Neeraj. Pankaj tells YourStory, “The idea of Plaksha resonated with me. I strongly believe that higher education in India needs to be reinvented, and I wanted to be part of this great, capable team.” Pankaj has been involved with creating the first batch of students for the fellowship programme in the past four months. Having people from diverse fields

have helped shape the strategies of Plaksha. Mohit elaborates, “Each one of us has built a successful company or is currently running one. Many are part of the ‘technology change’ being witnessed today and know the pulse of ‘technology change’ across verticals, including IT, ecommerce, fintech, consulting, education, venture capital, and products.” But how do 45 people – with diverse experiences, ideas, and perspectives – manage to reach consensus in crucial decisions regarding Plaksha? Mohit says they have an internal system, wherein subgroups of founders run different work streams. “This works as everyone has one common goal: to build a world class university with collective philanthropy. Sometimes it does take a bit longer to reach a consensus; it took us nine months to decide on the name because once decided it couldn’t be changed. But mostly, things move fairly fast,” he says. All members join in for the team’s meetings, at least virtually.Unique offerings Team Plaksha believes that interdisciplinary education with computer science at the core will enable students to do better. According to Mohit, pedagogy must motivate constant experimenting instead of focusing on credits and grades. “At Plaksha, students will be given real-world, complex problems to solve so that they learn to deal with uncertainty.” Mohit says, the curriculum will also expose students to liberal arts, design thinking, and emphasise on leadership. Aspiring students at Plaksha have to take an online test for conceptual understanding of technical fundamentals, and attend an interview. The fellowship programme will select 60 students through a rigorous screening process and provide scholarships to all 60 of them: 20 will receive 100 percent scholarship; 20 will be granted a 50 percent scholarship and the remaining 20 students will get a 25 percent scholarship, based on merit and financial situation. (Merit is decided on the basis of performance during the selection process, past academic record, demonstrated passion for technology, and qualities like leadership and creativity. Means are decided based on financial background, assets, and liabilities, as well as any serious medical or

personal challenges that impact the financial situation.) The fellowship programme has collaborated with chief scientists and academicians from global universities to provide experiential learning for students. It aims to provide them with real-world challenges and access to best of technologies to learn advanced AI and ML. “Rather than specific tools, we will train them in conceptual learning so that they can adapt to any tool,” Alok adds. The one-year programme is divided into eight academic terms spanning six weeks each. The specific modules of experiential learning are Challenge Labs and Industry Capstones. The former is developed under Sutardja Center of Entrepreneurship and Technology, University of California, and mimics real-world tech venture creation.Alok says design thinking is devised for the context of each problem. “At the Challenge Labs, fellowship students will learn to solve problems across different tracks like health or finance (as they choose). They will make product solutions on the specific contexts, like inclusion and product designing in the financial domain.” As the programme encourages entrepreneurship, students will work in teams to create startup ideas - to address broad needs of an industry or social challenge, conduct market validation, and pitch to an investor. Additionally, the curricuum will touch upon ethics and policy. Alok states, “Tech is fast paced, and impacts different ecosystems. Policy often lags so students must have a view on impacts on society and interventions from policymakers.” A team of experts The members of the academic advisory board are leaders from top global universities, including Shankar Sastry, Former Dean of Engineering, UC Berkeley; Ashish Nanda, Former Director of IIM-Ahmedabad; Anant Agarwal, CEO of edX and Professor at MIT; and BN Jain, Former Vice-Chancellor of BITS Pilani and Former Deputy Director of IIT-Delhi, among others. They design the programme and curriculum, and find opportunities of international collaboration. Mohit says apart from academicians, industry veterans and practitioners of AI and data science will share their wisdom with students. The Tech Leader Fellowship will begin in the Gurugram campus on August 1, 2019. Out of the total project cost of Rs 2,000 crore for Plaksha University, Rs 350 crore is allocated for phase one. Each founder has contributed, and the team is now getting support from corporates like Mphasis and RBS. They are approaching more MNCs, especially as part of their CSR projects. The Plaksha team hopes to increase their strength of 45 to more than 100 people in the next three years. Mohit opines that this is the hardest challenge in building Plaksha. “How do we get a solid global and local faculty to teach students at Plaksha? How do we train talent from across India and later globally? How do we get more people excited about this initiative and to join us? These thoughts are what keep us ideating constantly,” Mohit says. For a cause like this, the hardest challenge also happens to be the most exciting part.

Why choose Italy?

Apart from the country’s reputation for mouthwa-tering pasta and pizza,

why do so many international students choose to expand their professional careers in Italy? Well, with some of the world’s top business schools and the most Instagrammable gap year destinations, is it any wonder that international learners flock by their thousands to Italian universities?

What are the basic stu-dent visa requirements?

Student visas for your Italian

study abroad adventure are is-sued by Italian Embassies and consular posts in your country of origin or permanent residence. If you’re a non-EU student, you’re required to obtain a student visa prior to entering Italy. However, if you’re a student from the European Union (EU), you can enter Italy with a valid passport or ID card and are permitted to complete a university degree in Italy without a visa for as long as you wish.But if you’re an EU student, you must register with the local Questura (police station) to obtain a residence permit.What documents do I need to prepare? Every year, the Ministry

for Education, University and Research (MIUR) in Italy publish the rules for foreign students’ access to university courses. As you can see, the official docu-ment for the entry procedures of international students to higher education courses in Italy for 2018-2019 is written in Italian.

However, these are the resources you’re expected to have upon your student visa application as outlined by Study in Italy (SII):

» One recent passport-size pho-tograph

» A complete entry applicationform

» A travel document valid for at

least three months after your visa ends

» Enrollment or pre-enrollmentin a university course and aletter to prove this

» Proof that you have arrangedyour accommodation in Italy

» Proof that you have financialsupport (at least € 448.07 permonth for the academic year,a total of € 5824.91 per year)

» Adequate insurance coveragefor medical treatment andhospitalisation

» Proof of the availability of thefinancial means needed forrepatriation

» Proof of adequate knowledgeof Italian or English accordingto the language of the pro-

gramme

Please note that if you’re an EU citizen or come from EFTA coun-tries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland), you must not apply for a residence permit. However, if you are going to stay in Italy for mote than a three-month period, you should register with the local Anagrafe (Register Office).

What if I want to work during my studies?

Great news, for EU citizens – you’re free to work without a visa and for non-EU citizens, you’re allowed to work but must

apply for a suitable work permit. The bad news is that your work-ing hours should not exceed more than 20 hours a week during the semester. Therefore, you’re not likely to earn enough to cover your tuition fees but you will have enough time to study and earn your degree! Once in-ternational students have found a job and wish to apply for a work permit at the local immi-gration office, they must show a signed copy of their employment contract.So, from all of us here at Study International, we wish you Bu-ona Fortuna! And we hope you enjoy your academic adventure in Italy…

How to secure a student visa for ItalyDo you want to experience a study abroad adventure in Italy but you’re concerned about the visa process?

If yes, have no fear! Study International has a list of valuable tips to help you on your way…

by: Malva Izquierdo Miller

Studying abroad is not an easy task when it comes to cultural shock and home sickness. However, by adopting some typical

measures you may overcome these hurdles a little bit.•

Constantly researchDon’t stop applying and looking for opportunities, even if they are not entirely academic, like volunteering projects, exchange

programmes or workshops, they still give you experience in the application process.

•Get used to being turned down

It is possible that a couple of years will pass by before you receive the much anticipated “you have been approved”. But don’t worry,

it’s usually like that. •

Keep tryingThere are always new and better options, you just have to know where to look. Also applying for the same universities where you

were not chosen doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad idea after all. •

Write and describeI advise you to write a couple of pages about what you study

and why you like it, You could write different versions if you are interested in different fields and that will save you time.

•Accumulate stories

Any short course, workshop or work experience in your field will give you more chance of standing out when you apply for a

scholarship. •

Save money for the unexpectedYou may not be lucky enough to get a scholarship that covers all the expenses and even if it is like that, there are some external

aspects that you would need to cover like getting the visa, language sufficiency test, paperwork, health insurance and even books.

•Read the small print

When you finally find the perfect opportunity, read all the information about the process before you get too excited or even apply. Sometimes they may cover a small percentage of your fees

or just one free term or they may even ask for a fee to review your application.

•Research everything about the course you chose

You not only have to know everything about the university you are applying for but also about what you are going to study, because

that demonstrates how interested you are about it and how much you want the scholarship. Especially when you get to the interview step and people may ask you “why did you choose this university

or this course?” if you don’t research enough that question can catch you off guard.

Top Tips on Applying to Study

Abroad

The story of how 45 entrepreneurs pooled together Rs 2,000 Cr to launch a tech university and make India future-ready

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PAKISTAN’S FIRST NEWSPAPER ON HIGHER EDUCATION & SCHOLARSHIPS

Destination 05A multi ethnic country, Latvia,

rich in cultural and educational traditions sees its role as bridge

connecting Asia and Europe. Many higher institutions in Latvia are mem-bers of international cooperation within several different fields of study. Universities offer English taught edu-cation courses to bachelors, masters and doctoral level programs. Its uni-versities are producing high quality IT and engineering graduates with very reasonable fees. Research wise Latvia is advanced in the fields of chemistry, medicine and materials science, with latest developments in renewable energy, computer programming, and agriculture. Research activities take place within universities, university hospitals and scientific institutes. In-ternational students looking to study in Latvia and want to spend time in country’s capital Riga, which is rich in culture and range of attractive points.Latvia is a country in Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is considered as one of the Baltic states since its in-dependence. Border by Estonia in the Northern region, Lithuania in the Southern, Belarus in the Southeast and Russia in East. A high quality medical service for a price that is very beneficial is offered here, being between two to ten times lower than in some Western Euro-pean countries. Every year thousands of people from Scandinavia, Russia, and Western Europe come to Latvia to regain their health and beauty. A moderate climate, highly qualified professionals, and the availability of modern technology ensure success-ful treatment and recovery.

Why Pakistani stu-dents should study in Latvia–––––––––––Latvia is a very beautiful country with picturesque landscapes featuring riv-ers, rolling hills, and lakes. It provides a favourable atmosphere for learning. That’s why many international stu-dents want to study there. The coun-try has high quality education system with universities and colleges that meet the international standards. To introduce reforms in the educa-tion system is top priority of Latvian Government. Some programs are as-sisted by state, the government offers scholarships to deserving students.

According to a survey report , Paki-stan needs atleast 10’000 phds in near future.

Literacy rate in Latvia is 99.9%. State provides the finance to minority schools. Education is free and com-pulsory until age 16. University of Lat-via (1919), the Latvia University of Ag-riculture (1939), and Riga Technology University (1990) are notable institu-tions. In top research institutes of country, Latvian Academy of Sciences is included in (1946). The Stockholm School of Economics was opened in 1994 in Riga.

Education in Latvia–––––––––––Higher education system is divided into three levels: Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate studies. If student has earned Masters degree then he is qualified for Doctoral program and it takes three to four years of advanced studies leading to the preparation of a thesis. Academic year generally starts in the month of September.In the public universities the instruc-tion is given in Latvian language, but the program for foreign students are taught and designed in English lan-guage. Latvia uses a national credit point sys-tem in higher education. One Latvian national credit point is defined as a one-week full-time study workload. The average full-time workload of an academic year in most higher educa-tion programmes is 40 credits. The Latvian credit point system is compat-ible with ECTS. The number of ECTS credits is found by multiplying the number of Latvian credit points by a factor of 1.5.Professional higher education pro-grammes leading to a professional master’s degree consist of no less than 40 (60 ECTS) credits, of which:

• up-to-date achievements in the field - in theory and in practice ≥7 (10,5 ECTS) credits,

• practical placements ≥6 (9 ECTS) credits,

• state examinations including the-sis ≥20 (30 ECTS) credit

• research training, courses of de-sign, management, psychology etc.

• Duration of full-time studies is 2-4 semesters (1-2 years).

The objectives of professional higher education are to provide fully knowl-edge in a particular field, preparing graduates for design or improvement of systems, products and technolo-gies, as well as to prepare them for creative, research and teaching activi-ties in this field.First-level professional higher edu-cation (college) programmes com-prise 80-120 national credit points (120-180 ECTS) credits. These pro-grammes are targeted mostly to the labour market. Graduates of the first-level programmes can continue their studies in related second-level pro-fessional programmes or professional bachelor programmes.Second-level professional higher education programmes can include

either at least 40 national credit points (60 ECTS) for holders of the bachelor’s degree or at least 160 na-tional credit points (240 ECTS) for sec-ondary school leavers. In both cases programmes should include a practi-cal placement of at least 26 national credit points (39 ECTS) and gradu-ation examinations including thesis of not less than 10 national credit points(15 ECTS).Studies in medicine, dentistry and pharmacy professional studies (5 and 6 year studies), are equal to the master’s degree and graduates of these programmes can continue their studies in doctoral level programmes.The degree of master or equivalent is required for admission to doctoral studies. A doctoral degree is awarded after public defence of a doctoral the-sis and successfully passed exams in the chosen scientific discipline. The doctoral thesis has to include results of original research and new insights in the scientific discipline. The dura-tion of doctoral studies is 3-4 years.

Subjects guidelines for Pakistani stu-dents –––––––––––Universities in Latvia offer opportuni-ties for students to follow whatever subjects they wish to study. Here is wide variety of courses to study in English which Pakistani students can choose to study according to their previous study background and years of study. You can visit the official website and choose most relevant course: https://www.study.eu/country/latvia

• Medicine• Art and Technology• Media, communication and arts

as well• Business studies• Humanities• Social sciences• Computer sciences• Economics and business• Business Administration• Sociology of organizations and

public administration

All these subjects have a very good scope in Pakistan.Riga Stradins University is best choice, to study Medicine and Thera-py. It has the largest proportion of in-ternational students in Latvia. 25% of students come here from more than 50 different countries. University of Latvia provides a wide variety of programs almost 37 cur-rently, Latvia is the largest University, almost 100 years old, and teaches a number of courses in English, includ-ing medicine and dentistry. Website: Rsu.lvUniversity of Agriculture For Gradu-ation and Masters in Social sciences, and Computer Science and Technolo-gy-Latvia University of Agriculture can be preferred. For detailed informa-tion you can visit the website: eng.llu.lv

Riga Technical University offers Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral pro-grams in disciplines of; Engineering & Technology (9 programs), Business management, Humanities, natural sciences and social sciences. Web-site: rty.lv

Further information can be got from website: https://www.study.eu/country/latvia

Scholarships Guide –––––––––––Like other national and international universities in world, there are many universities in Latvia which offers funded scholarship to faculty as well as international students for:• studies in Latvian higher educa-

tion institutions,• research work in Latvian higher

education institutions,• as well as for participation in sum-

mer schools organized by Latvian higher education institutions.

Who Can Apply Citizens from coun-tries who have signed an agreement on co-operation in education and sci-ence as well as citizens from countries that offer scholarships for Latvian stu-dents, researchers and teaching staff without formal agreements on co-operation in education and science. To find out more about these scholar-ships visit the official site of study in Latvia: www.studyinLatvia.lvBasically there are three types of scholarships which Latvian universi-ties offer:

Only academic and scientific staff of foreign higher education and re-search institutions is eligible candi-dates for the Latvian state fellowship for research. The fellowship is granted for a time period of up to 5 months. The amount of the Latvian fellowship is 30, 00 EUR per day and 300,00 EUR for accommodation per month.The fellowship holder is expected to stay in Latvia for the full duration of the proposed period.The amount of the Latvian state schol-arship for studies is: for bachelor`s and master`s students 500 Euro per month, for PhD students – 670 EUR per month.The Latvian scholarship cannot be awarded concurrently with other scholarships. Scholarships for bachelor`s and master`s studies are granted for one academic year –a time period up to 10 months (for PhD-students – up to 11 months). If a student wants to con-tinue her/his studies in Latvia for one more year, she/he has to re-apply for the Latvian scholarship. The Latvian scholarship can be awarded not more than for two consecutive terms to one individual.All applications are evaluated and the final decision on granting scholar-ships is made by the evaluation com-mittee of VIAA. The list of accepted candidates is published on the web-site of VIAA www.viaa.gov.lv/scholar-ships. Then all candidates receive an official decision finally.

Financial costs for Pakistani student to study in Latvia–––––––––––Mainly it depends on the institution and the programme which a student is studying. Some Graduation programme are cost less than 1600 Euro per year (246,400 Rs as 1 euro =154Rs.). Medi-cal studies are somehow expensive like Dentistry which costs 15000 Euro per year and Executive MBA degree costs 25600Euro per year. For business and medicine studies 2000 to 6000 Euro per annum it costs.

Detailed information on the Tuition fee is available on the website: http://www.studyinlatvia.eu/en/studies/tuiton-fees

How to apply for Admission in Lat-vian University?–––––––––––There are some requirements for in-

ternational students to get enrolled in the institutions of higher education of Latvia. Those are as:• The students’ secondary educa-

tion certificates must meet the Letvians education standards. Students’ Level of knowledge must correspond to the level of knowledge required for admis-sion to the higher education in-stitutions.

• Student must have language pro-ficiency in which the program is being offered.

Academic Information Centre evalu-ates the certificates of applicants. The school determines to which study programme the partial studies abroad correspond, in what mode

the student can continue the studies in the respective study program and, if necessary, what additional require-ments must be met in order to con-tinue studies in the respective study programm in Latvia. Higher education establishments ask all students for marks obtained in secondary school in subjects that are relevant to the studies to which they are applying. For example, for studying medicine, the secondary education certificate must contain a mark in biology and chemistry and additional entrance ex-ams may also be required. The knowl-edge of the foreign student is tested according to general regulations ap-plying to all students, and it must cor-respond to entrance requirements of the respective school of higher edu-cation.Like other International universities, Latvian Higher education institutes does not strictly ask for internation-ally recognized language tests i.e. IELTS, TOFEL. Student only needs a good knowledge of language. During discussions the language skills of stu-dents are checked.Admission deadlines vary from insti-tution to institution. Applicant who wants to get admission needs to con-tact and send application form direct to the institution in which he or she wants to study.Like other International universities, Latvian Higher education institutes does not strictly ask for internation-ally recognized language tests i.e. IELTS, TOFEL. Student only needs a good knowledge of language. During discussions the language skills of stu-dents are checked.

Start of Academic Year–––––––––––Academic year in higher education mostly starts in September and di-vided into two semesters- Autumn and Spring. Autumn semester lasts from September to January. Spring semester starts in February and ends

in May. In July and August there are vacations. Duration of professional higher study is 8 semesters’ not less than 40 credits. Duration for Doctoral study is 3 to 4 years.

The website address for informa-tion is: http://www.studyinlatvia.lv/higher_education_latvia

Required Documents for Internation-al students Additional requirements on what other documents need to be submit-ted are determined by each individu-al education establishment according to the entrance regulations adopted by the Senate of the school.

• Original documents required from students.

• Passport• Photos with white

background35/45size• Bachelors, masters certificates

and transcripts (translated intoEnglish)

• Grades• IELTS, TOEFL (if any university

asks)• CvWhen these documents will be re-ceived, ESL will proceed it. After that applicant will receive a conditional acceptance letter and invoice for paying Application fee. (be careful while transferring the fee). Payment will go directly to the university’s ac-counts. Application fee: 180 -300 Euro, depends on course and univer-sity. After that possibility is to face a skype interview or online tests.( for non confident student university will help in training for skype interview. All educational documents will be sent to Academic Information Centre for verification by the University. Its duration will be 2 to 4 weeks.(some universities do not require AIC). Upon receiving AIC statement, the univer-sity will provide the following:• Admission letter (final)• Study contractInvoice for tuition fee around 2000-3400 Euro depends on course and university. (Tuition fee and security is refundable in case of visa rejection)

How to Apply for Student Visa for Latvia?–––––––––––After the payment of tuition fee , Ap-plication for residence permit is sub-mitted. Only Bachelor level applicants will send the following original docu-ments to the ESL byDHL or courier.• Data page of passport • 3 photos with white background• Bank statement of 5000 Euro.

Name, surname, date of birth, passport number, amount in euroshould be mentioned in bank sol-vency certificate.(int. Debit card from same bank)

• Police clearance certificate• Residence permit form ESL will

provide. It must be signed with blue pen.

• Signed study contract• Any legal document such as mar-

riage certificate, name change af-fidavit needs Apostille

• Rest of the documents university will provide. like study contract, invitation letter, accommodation contract,

• Payment for residence permit fee should be transferred to the uni-versity. (non refundable)

• Fee: 355 Euro for 5 working days,214 Euro10 working days, 72 Euro for 30 days

After this process, the relevant uni-versity will provide the following visa supporting documentsInvitation letter (bachelor level)Invitation letter, visa grantee letter, accommodation confirmation letter (masters level)After that next step is to contact Lat-vian embassy in Pakistan .Bachelor applicant will appear with residence permit, Fee, Original documents. Master level applicants will appear for visa interview,C type visa applica-tion form-ESL.(Generally it takes 15 to 30 days to proceed visa process)The Latvia visa can be applied from Toshkent in Uzbekistan. To get Latvian visa, you apply for a Schengen visa for a stay not exceeding to 90 days in any

Wonderful country for study abroad

IMPORTANT: Despite comprehensive, compact and easy-to-understand guidelines provided in this article for your first-hand knowledge and information about all you have always wanted to know, if still you feel any difficulty you are welcome to contact: info@educationscenario.com. And we will be very happy to respond to you promptly and warmly.

5 AMAZING THINGS YOU PROBABLY DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT

LATVIA

1. Browsing is rapidLatvia’s internet speeds are amongthe fastest in the world, averaging13.8MB/s, compared to 11.6 in theUK, 11.9 in the US, 7.5 in France,3.4 in Brazil and 1.7 in Egypt.

2. They love their capitalNearly 1 in 3 of Latvia’s two millionresidents lives in the capital, Riga,sometimes described as the Parisof the North.

3. It’s wateryLatvia has 12,000 rivers and 3,000small lakes – perfect if you likemessing about in boats.

4. And has sandy beachesIt’s a decent bet for an offbeatbeach holiday, if you don’t mindthe chilly water, with 330 milesof sandy beaches. Just west ofRiga lies Jurmala, a summerholiday favourite of Brezhnev andKhrushchev. Temperatures can top20C in high summer, so you mighteven need sun cream.

5. It’s wildAround 54 per cent of Latvia isforest, making it one of Europe’sgreenest countries, while 10 percent is bog (so pack your wellies).Binoculars might be useful too – it’shome to black storks, lesser spottedeagles, otters, beaver, lynx, andwolves, and great concentrationsof deer, wild boar, elk and red fox.

Fast FactsPopulation 1.94 millionOfficial Language LatvianCalling code 37 Currency EuroArea 24,938 sq mileCapital Rigamineral resources Gupsum,sand,

clay and peat oil Governance Democratic RepublicCities: Riga,Cesis,

Daugavpils, jurmala, Kuldiga,Liepaja,

Weather average -10c, 20c in summer, mild humid weather

Living CostAccording to the Latvian Central Bureau for Statistics, the average expenditure for a single member in the Riga region of Latvia (reported in 2015) are collectively 299.48 Euro per month in which housing, water, electricity bills, transport, health, Cafe and Restaurants, communications.

Food: 82.40 EuroHousing, water, electricity, gasand other fuels 48.25 EuroTransport 38.61 EuroRecreation and Culture 23.62 EurosHealth 18.91 EuroClothing and footwear 17.45 EuroMiscellaneous goods and restaurants 14.03 EuroCafes and Restaurants 14.03 EuroHousehold equipment, furnishing 13.81 EuroTobacco 9.49 EuroEducation 4.41 Euro

Scholarships for top students

NO IELTS/TOFEL in some INSTITUTIONSAdvance Research Programs

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180 day period. The Schengen visa is valid for 26 countries, means you can freely travel between any of the Schengen state countries. Latvia visa fee in Pakistan is 60 Euro means 9240 s.

Part time work opportunities for Pakistani Students–––––––––––Pakistani/ International students can do part time job during study in Lat-via. Students are allowed to do work during studies so that they can meet their daily expenses. Students can work on their residence permit, they don’t need student work permit in Latvia separately.Most of the job opportunities are available in capital city Riga. In Riga there are better jobs in food process-ing industry, wood products work-shops, textile industries, processed metal industry etc. Riga is an indus-trial city, for this there are more op-portunities than other cities. In other cities you can find job in restaurants, hotel, food bars, cafes, shopping malls, hair salons, newspaper distri-bution etc. The Beautiful and small country Lat-via is situated in Northern Europe containing all beauties of Europe. The green fields, clean atmosphere, fresh air of Baltic sea and beautiful cities Latvia is a good place to study in abroad. The beaches of Latvia are very beautiful and played major role in in the economy of the country. Lat-vians are very interesting and soft na-ture people. They welcome tourists and international students. Study in Latvia is more compatible for you due to affording tution fees and economi-cal cost of living. We have provided some useful information and benefits for individuals who hope to pursue.

Study With

UNITEC

Auckland is rated the third most liveable city in the world, not just for its huge variety of activities but for its safety, cleanliness, infrastructure, welcoming people and climate. By studying here, you’ll not only get a great education but also an action-packed lifestyle.Being away from home also encourages you to develop critical life skills and makes you more independent. We understand the challenges our international students face and we have lots of support in place for you.

Work while you study:Students on a student visa can work up to 20 hours per week during semester and 40 hours during vacations. Unitec’s Career Centre offers career consultancy to help our students �ind part-time or full-time work.

Opportunity to settle permanently in NZ International students may be allowed to work and eventually gain residency depending on what you study and the study duration as long as you satisfy a few immigration criteria. For more information, please see https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand- visas/apply-for-a-visa

Our teaching method brings together world-class contemporary applied teaching practices to maximize your career opportunities in today’s global economy. We also offer over 160 study options ranging from Accounting to Zoo-keeping at Unitec! You may visit http://www.unitec.ac.nz/career-and-study-options for details.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

CAREER & STUDY OPTIONS

& Develop Your Skills For The

Future

Hands-on LearningWork experience, industry placements, and hands-on practice at our campus are part of the curriculum. We make sure you graduate with the professional and vocational skills that employers need in New Zealand and overseas.

Industry InvolvementWe work closely with the industry, which means visits from guest lecturers and programs that are up to date with the latest information. Many of our tutors are experts in their �ields and you will bene�it from their professional experience and industry connections.

A Social CommunityUnitec is a lively place to be, with different activities and events almost every day. Enjoy a concert, art show, free BBQ or sports tournament, or simply take some time out at the beautiful Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae.

Lots of SupportUnitec students come from many different backgrounds and there are lots of services to help you settle in and succeed. We offer international student services, provide pastoral care and create a support network for you academically and socially.

The advantages of enrolling with us are:

Representative in PakistanHorizon International - Foreign Education Consultants49 Shadman Mall of�ice 501 502, 5th Floor shadman Market Lahore, Ph: 042-37503852-3 Fax:-42-37503851, Web: www.hi.edu.pk Email: ali.meer@hi.edu.pkPieronline Certi�ied Agent: QEAC: C122 - ISANA Certi�ied Agent

PAKISTAN’S FIRST NEWSPAPER ON HIGHER EDUCATION & SCHOLARSHIPS

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PAKISTAN’S FIRST NEWSPAPER ON HIGHER EDUCATION & SCHOLARSHIPS

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PAKISTAN’S FIRST NEWSPAPER ON HIGHER EDUCATION & SCHOLARSHIPS

Career Counseling 08

It’s a structure of progression we are often told to follow: school, uni, job, retire. We are all fed the

idea from childhood that one leads to the other, but for most of us, life is never that regimented.You had dreams of gaining your degree, stepping straight into young professional life and launching your career, but somehow it hasn’t quite worked out that way. Here you are, degree-in-hand but no job in sight.It is hard to stay positive when everyone else seems to have a plan but just remind yourself of these 5 things and hopefully, you will see a little sun through those grey rain-

clouds.

1. You’ve got timeto work it outYou have a degree – congrats! That’s brilliant, so stop beating yourself upover not having a perfect job already.No one is expecting you to have your whole life figured out yet – they’re all too worried about their own livesanyway, trust us.If you don’t know what your ‘perfect’job looks like yet, that’s okay too.Get a job in a local business makingcoffee or tea shop or any restaurantbusiness to make ends meet, andspend some time thinking about

what is best for you. Not all of us know what exactly we want to do – we’re all making it up as we go along too, even if it might not seem that way from the outside.

2. You have time to dowhat you want to doBefore you are sucked into a lifeof full-time work until you retireat (let’s face it, the way the world’sgoing) a very old age, you have thechance to use your youth to explore.Travelling isn’t for everyone, but youdon’t have to go to another continentwith a heavy backpack full of clothes to explore.

Find out more about yourself by trying new things, whether that does involve hoisting a sagging backpack the size of you round the world or simply trying a new class you never had time for like cooking or yoga.Despite what the world may have you believe, there is no formula to follow, you can do what is best for you at your own pace.

3. You made connections at universityRemember all those universityfellows and professors you know?Don’t forget about them now youhave finished university – they are bound to be helpful in your futureprofessional life too.Without even meaning to – or probably even realising it – youwill have built up a pretty healthynetwork of people throughout youruniversity days.

4. Job applications aregood for youIt is highly unlikely your first job out of university will be the only job you ever have. So, why is being turned down for jobs beneficial? It gives you a lot more practice.You may have felt a tiny pang of jealousy when someone from your course landed a job at the top company in your sector, but he might struggle later on. More job applications (hopefully) means more interviews, more interviews mean more experience and more experience means more confidence and preparedness for next time.Tailoring your CV and writing unique

covering letters takes a lot of thought and effort. Don’t feel disheartened if you have applied for 100 jobs with no success – unfortunately, it happens. But learn from your mistakes and ask for feedback and try again (and again and again and again if that’s what it takes). The more you try, the better you’ll get.The same goes for interviews. Most employers care more about you than they do about your qualifications. Granted, your qualifications and experience help you get the interview but once you’re sat in that interview chair, the way you come across is vital. The more practice you have, the calmer, and consequently better, you’ll be.

5. Don’t compareyourself to othersYeah, okay, Steve’s great and Amandafrom your flat in first-year posts pictures of her flash looking desk inthe city every day but whether ornot you believe it, you’re pretty greattoo. Just because you aren’t followingthe exact same path as anyone elsedoesn’t mean your path is wrong. Itmight take you a few years to findthe right job but that doesn’t makeyou any less worthy of it. So don’tfeel bad if all your peers are landingtheir dream jobs before you all eventhrow that mortarboard cap in theair. Be patient, keep at it, and yourtime will come.

Written by Isabelle Bilton

5THINGS TO REMEMBERif you don’t get a job straight out of university

Recruitment IELTS

Benefits of Using an Education Agent or Consultant

Disadvantages of Using an Agent or Consultant

NEVER SAY THESE

5 PHRASES TO YOUR CHILDREN

Every true parent will con-firm this: raising a child is the most difficult task in life.

And they are right! Raising a child is something special, sacred and powerful, just like the bond be-tween the parents and their chil-dren. However, to keep this bond alive, both parents and children must invest a lot of time and emo-tion and maintain communication.

The way our parents deal with us plays an important role in the for-mation of our personality. The way we are raised shapes our behav-ioural and emotional profile and that is something that is stored deep within us. However, parents sometimes make mistakes. Every parent who really loves their child will do anything to make the world a better place for their loved ones. Not every parent chooses the right way to do that. Continue reading to find out what five phrases you should never say to your child. Especially #3!

1. Big boys/girls are never afraid!This is just not true and you know it. If you say this, your children will only become afraid to show their feelings. You have to support your children and explain to them that there is nothing they need to be afraid of, given that they are safe and secure.

2. You are not as beauti-ful/good/smart as you should be!This is a big mistake because you make your children insecure and they will think they are not good enough. Instead, you have to teach your children to love themselves.

3. Stop crying immediately!We all have the right to show how we feel, so if they want to cry, let them cry without shouting at them. Instead, ask them why they are crying and give them a hug.

4. Why is it so difficult to _____?If you ask this, your child will feel unworthy and unable to do something right. Instead, show your children how they should do things.

5. I can’t believe you did that!It is very selfish to need your child to feel bad because you are disap-pointed. Still, you have to explain to your child what they did wrong and why.

We hope that this advice will help you create a better bond with your children and make it easier, but be aware that being a parent is the hardest thing to do. Parents make mistakes and will always continue to make mistakes. They can only try to learn from their mistakes and not to repeat them.

Courtesy: ww.factaholics.com

IELTS means International English Language Testing System. It is a test of the English-language proficiency and is held across the globe.The test is designed to assess the language ability of non-native speak-ers of English who intend to study or work where English is the language of communication. It covers all four language skills, which are considered pillars for learning English:

(i) Listening(ii) Reading(iii) Writing(iv) Speaking.

TEST FORMATIELTS has two modules: General Training and Academic. The General Training module is usually taken by people who want to emigrate, and the Academic module is taken by people who want to study abroad. It is essential that you check with the receiving country or institution to find out which module you need to take.Remember: All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking modules but different Reading and Writing modules. There is a choice between Academic and General Training in the Reading and Writing Modules.

ACADEMIC GENERAL TRAINING

Listening 4 sections; 40 questions. 30 minutes

4 sections; 40 questions. 30 minutes

Reading 3 sections; 40 questions3 long texts 1 hour

3 sections; 40 questions3 long texts 1 hour

Writing 2 tasks1 hour

2 tasks1 hour

Speaking 3 sections11 - 14 minutes

3 sections11 - 14 minutes

THE ACADEMIC READING TESTThis is a 1 hour test in 3 sections with 40 questions based on 1 reading text per section (i.e.: 3 reading texts). The length of the Academic reading test will be between 2000 and 2750 words.Remember: Candidates are given a question-paper and an answer paper. They may write on the question pa-per but they may not remove it from the test room after the test. All an-swers must be put onto the reading answer-sheet before the end of the hour - there is no extra time after the 1 hour set for the academic reading test for the transfer of answers to the answer paper.

THE ACADEMIC WRITING TESTThe Academic Writing Test is of 1 hour duration. Candidates are re-quired to do 2 tasks.The Academic Writing Task 1 asks the candidate to describe in his or her own words factual information given to the candidate in pictorial form(s). The pictorial form(s) could

be a line graph, a bar chart, a pie chart, a table or a picture describing a process. There could be a combina-tion of these input forms. Candidates must write a minimum of 150 words.The Academic Writing Task 2 asks the candidate to write an essay on a general academic topic. Candidates must write a minimum of 250 words.

THE ACADEMIC SPEAKING TESTThe IELTS Academic Speaking Test is the same for both the AC and GT modules. The test is conducted with 1 examiner and 1 candidate. The Aca-demic Speaking test is recorded. The Academic Speaking Test is divided into 3 sections.

THE ACADEMIC LISTENING TESTThe IELTS Academic Listening Test is the same for the AC and GT mod-ules. The candidates will listen to a tape and answer a series of ques-tions. The tape will be played ONCE only. The Academic Listening Test is in four sections with 10 questions in each (i.e. a total of 40 questions) and will last for about 30 minutes with an extra 10 minutes at the end to trans-

fer answers to the answer sheet.

Key facts:• Test remains valid for 2 years• There are two examination bod-

ies for IELTS: 1. British Council 2.IDP Australia

• The IELTS Test Centres in Paki-stan’s big cities are Lahore, Kara-chi and Islamabad.

• You must try to register for IELTS test at least 2 months before your chosen test date as later on youmay find difficulty in finding a seat.

• You can check for IELTS resultsafter 13 days of your test.

• IELTS checks your written, spo-ken, reading and speaking abilityin English.

• You can repeat the test as oftenas you like to improve your score.

The band score systemThe IELTS nine-band score system grades scores consistently. It is se-cure, benchmarked and understood worldwide. Test materials are de-signed carefully so that every version of the test is of a comparable level of difficulty.

TIPS AND TECHNIQUE TO SCORE HIGH• Break your IELTS lessons down

into sections. Try to identify

which sections of the test are strong ones and which are weak. After that you can spare more study time on areas you find more hard. But make sure that you do not ignore any areas, so continue to do lesser practice even on your stronger sections.

• Watch English news, talk showsand most importantly Englishfilms of your interest and try to understand the conversation. Atfirst, you will feel irritation but with the passage of time you willbe comfortable hearing English.

• Get some IELTS sample test Cas-settes or CDs, or download somesample tests from Internet andpractise as much as you can.

• During the test if you missedhearing some answer, leave it and listen more carefully to the nextconversation. The fact is that ifyou start thinking on the previ-ous word, you will probably missthe next answer. Try to guess themissing answer at the end.

• Try to speak in English with yourfamily and friends and during ev-eryday talk. Try to improve your

pronunciation and accent by watching English news and mov-ies. Current articles from news-papers are also helpful for the second section of the test.

• Speak yourself in English in frontof a mirror and try to build yourconfidence and grip on English speaking.

• In front of examiner, speak self-confidently and clearly even if you think you are not right. Ex-aminers will score for your con-fidence.

• Time limitation is a major prob-lem in this test so try to manageyour time in this test. Get hold ofthe test by doing as many prac-tice tests as you can. Many prac-tice tests are available on inter-net as well. Search for ‘free IELTSreading tests’ and you will find a lot of results.

• Read the answers first instead of reading of the paragraph.

• Don’t read a paragraph thor-oughly except the sentenceswhich relate to questions, justtake a fast look on paragraph, tryto get the main idea of paragraphand always underline the impor-tant relevant sentences in theparagraph which are close to thequestions.

• Answer the easier questions first.

The benefits and disadvantages of using an education agent for Study in Australia

One of the hardest decisions you will have to make about your studies in Australia is

where to study. Which institution is best for you? Your family and friends may be able to help but making the final decision and applying to an institution can be difficult. This is why many students get help from an education agent. Here are some tips for using an education agent.

• Education agents can give youa lot of information about thevarious universities in Australia.After discussing what kind ofinstitution you are looking for,they will help you sort throughyour options to find the right institution and course for you.

• Qualified education agents have an excellent knowledge of theAustralian tertiary educationsector and can provide you withall the information you needabout the application processand what studying in Australia isreally like.

• Education agents will help you tocomplete the application formsand will deal directly with theinstitution on your behalf, whichwill take some of the work out ofthe application process for you.Education agents may also helpyou apply for a student visa.

• You don’t have to pay for theservice that education agentsprovide because institutions paythem a commission. However,you will still need to pay anapplication fee to the institution.

• They may be biased becauseinstitutions pay education agents a commission once the studenthas enrolled (which can be up to10 per cent of an internationalstudent’s first-year fees), they may be inclined to suggestinstitutions that pay them ahigher commission.

• They may not be showing you allthe options since some education agents represent only a fewAustralian institutions and willtherefore not show you the fullrange of institutions on offer.Having a limited choice may leadyou to choosing an institutionthat doesn’t quite meet yourneeds and expectations.

• You will need to take someprecautions to ensure that theagent is qualified and approved by your chosen institution; youwill need to do some research.You can search for your agent onthe Department of Immigrationand Citizenship website to ensure they are qualified and check on your preferred educationprovider’s website to ensure thatthey are recognised.

• Australia has recently amendedinternational student legislation,making it compulsory for education providers to keep a list of agents who act on their behalf.

Qualified education agents can make the application process a lot smoother and easier, so it is a great option to use one if you are unsure about applying for an institution. The main thing to remember when using an education agent is to keep your needs in mind and make sure that they are being considered and met by the agent. Try to explore as many op-tions as possible to ensure that you can make an informed decision and that your agent is qualified and ac-credited. The best way to find an edu-cation agent is by selecting an agent listed on your preferred institution’s website, checking out reputable agencies online (with IDP being one of the most established) or attending an international education fair.

What,after all, is

IELTS?How to

score high in the test?

Attention Parents!

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PAKISTAN’S FIRST NEWSPAPER ON HIGHER EDUCATION & SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarship 09

If you fail to qualify for fully-funded university scholarships, consider enrolling in universities

that are tuition free or charge low tuition fees or those offering tuition fee waivers. Countries like Norway, Austria, Germany, Finland, and Sweden offer different types of free/low tuition schemes and tuition waivers for international students

NORWAY Norwegian state universities and university colleges as a rule do not charge tuition fees to all students including international students. This applies to all levels, including undergraduate studies, Masters programmes and Ph.D. programmes. However, students will have to pay a semester fee of NOK 300-600 each semester.

AUSTRIA If you are an non-EU/EEA student, federal/public universities in Austria only charge about 363.36-726.72 Euros per semester for tuition fees

plus 19.20 Euros for student union membership fee “ÖH-Beitrag” and the student accident insurance fee.

GERMANY In some Federal States, Universities will charge a semester contribution (about 50 euros) and/or administration fees (about 50 euros). This tuition fee structure can change in the future. Unlike undergraduate studies, most Master’s studies in Germany come with tuition fees, but they’re not as high as in other countries. On the other hand, doctoral studies at German universities are in principle free. PhD students are charged tuition only after completing their first six semesters but they are required to pay a semester contribution of approximately 150-200 euros per semester.

FINLAND Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students has been introduced from autumn 2017 onwards for English-taught Bachelor’s or Master’s programmes. Only Doctoral level

studies will remain free of tuition fees, regardless of your nationality. Estimated living expenses of a single student in Finland average around 700-900 Euros per month.

SWEDENApplication and tuition fees apply for those who are not citizens of an EU/EEA/Nordic country or Switzerland studying at the bachelor’s or master’s level. The Swedish Institute and a significant number of Universities offer full and partial scholarships in the form of tuition waivers for international students.

In applying for scholarships, it is important to realize certain truths about scholarships as well as truths about yourself. Am I really qualified for an international scholarship? Are my qualifications enough?

The Hard Truth about ScholarshipsOne important thing you should know about scholarships is that they are not given out just to anyone who asks, requests, or begs for it.

Am I Qualified for an International Scholarship?

Although it is true that your disadvantaged situation initially qualifies you for a scholarship (that’s why there are minority scholarships, scholarships based on financial need, developing country scholarships), you will still have to satisfy other qualifications set by the scholarship provider.

Are my Qualifications Enough?Even if you meet the minimum qualifications of the scholarship, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get a scholarship. Yes, good qualification improve your chances but still, there

will be hundreds or thousands of you with the same qualifications applying for the same scholarship. Thus, scholarship providers set up scholarship criteria to filter out the best students who will get the scholarship.

A Simple TestHere’s a simple way to test your chances in getting a scholarship. Answer truthfully: have you met at least the minimum scholarship qualifications outlined above? If yes, then you have a good chance in getting a scholarship. If no, then you would have tougher chances in getting a scholarship; either you find a way to meet the qualifications set by the scholarship provider or find other scholarships that doesn’t require strict qualifications.

Free AssessmentHopefully, this post helped you to gain new perspective about applying for a scholarship and what it requires from you. However, if you still want to know about your chances or eligibility for some specific scholarships, our experts are available to guide you and even you may get free assessment by sending your CV at scholarship@educationscenario.com

Fulbright Foreign Student Program in USAUSA Government

Masters/PhD Degrees Deadline: varies, Feb-Oct 2020

Study in: USA

Official Scholarship Website:http://foreign.fulbrightonline.org/about/foreign-fulbright

Australia Awards ScholarshipsAustralian Government

Bachelors/Masters/PhD DegreesDeadline: 30 Apr 2020 (annual)

Study in: Australia

Official Scholarship Website:http://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/australia-awards

/Pages/australia-awards-scholarships.aspx

PHD SCHOLARSHIPSEiffel Scholarships in France for International Students

French GovernmentMasters/PhD Degree

Deadline: 9 Jan 2020 (annual)Study in: France

Course starts AY 2020-2021

Official Scholarship Website: http://www.campusfrance.org/en/eiffel

15th November 2019: Islamabad, As a follow-up of signed MOU with Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) Islamabad, QAU Alumni Association has announced to double the need based scholarships for enrolled students at QAU Islamabad. It was decided during the core committee meeting of QAU Alumni Association held at Islamabad Club. It was decided that as per the latest information provided by the QAU Scholarship Office that 5.5 Million PKR has been donated through official account of QAU Alumni Association (being operated by QAU administration) for award of scholarships and more than 1.5 Million PKR has been donated for direct payment of university fee and hostel dues. During next phase, with the cooperation of the senior

Alumni members, this amount will be doubled. It was also informed that due to the efforts and facilitation of QAU Alumni Association, a formal MOU was signed between QAU administration and Pakistan Bait ul Maal and as a result of this agreement, more than 1500 scholarships have been awarded at QAU Islamabad so far. During the meeting, over the request of QAU, it was also decided to extend maximum cooperation for establishment of first ever Accessibility Centre for the physically challenges students of QAU at Central Library of Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad. It is worth mentioning that QAU Alumni Association has been serving the needy students of QAU, on receiving the formal requests from University,

for the last two decades since its inception in 200. The Association is working effectively in convening the Alumni functions, linking students with industry by providing jobs, internships and networking opportunities. The association has tirelessly worked for the last two decades to support University while engaging senior Alumni at highest prestigious offices. The journey has just begun. The torch bearers of this volunteer Organization put their sweat and blood with now efforts to add new young leadership to take this important and model association forward. Press release by: Murtaza Noor Secretary General QAU Alumni Association Pakistan 0300-9840120

There are now a number of Universities offering online degrees/courses for free. The

first such University is University of the People which is a tuition-free, non-profit, accredited online university dedicated to opening access to higher education globally. University of the People offers online Associates and Bachelors Degrees in Business Administration, Health Science, and Computer Science, as well as an MBA program

This was followed by an initiative of MIT and Harvard called edX which is a learning platform that gives students from any country the opportunity to take free online courses offered by three premier Universities in the US – Harvard, MIT, and UC Berkeley and about 50+ Universities and institutions.

• University of the People Tuition Free DegreesUniversity of the People offers online, accredited, tuition-free, American university degrees in business administration and

computer science. The programs are taught by world-class professors hailing from universities such as NYU, Harvard, Oxford and more in a supportive virtual small classroom setting. UoPeople prepares its students for employment by offering internship and mentoring programs to gain hands-on experience with its partners such as HP and Microsoft; in addition to academic study of the industry.

• Commonwealth Distance Learning ScholarshipsThe Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships support candidates from developing commonwealth countries to study 30+ Master’s degree courses that are either offered in partnership with universities in developing countries, or delivered directly by UK institutions. The scholarships cover the tuition fees.

• Edinburgh Global Distance Learning ScholarshipsThe University of Edinburgh will offer 11 scholarships to citizens of selected developing countries to pursue one of the 30+ distance learning Master’s programmes offered by the University Each scholarship will cover the full tuition fees over three years.

• edX Free Online Courses at Premier UniversitiesedX is a learning platform that gives students from any country

the opportunity to take free online courses offered by premier Universities around the world. The course are available to anyone in the world – from any demographic – who has interest in advancing their own knowledge. With the exception of professional education courses, edX courses are free for everyone. Some courses have a fee for verified certificates but are free to audit.

• CourseraCoursera is an education company that partners with the top universities and organizations in the world to offer courses online for anyone to take, for free. Currently, they offer courses in a wide range of topics, spanning the Humanities, Medicine, Biology, Social Sciences, Mathematics, Business, Computer Science, and many others.

• Khan AcademyKhan Academy is a not-for-profit with the goal of changing education for the better by providing a free world-class education for anyone anywhere. With a library of over 4,500 videos on everything from arithmetic to physics, finance, and history and hundreds of skills to practice, Khan Academy will help you learn what you want, when you want, at your own pace.

• Academic EarthAcademic Earth believes everyone deserves access to a world-class education. The platform offers a comprehensive collection of free online courses from the world’s top universities.

TOP 5 COUNTRIES WHERE

TUITION IS FREE

ONLINE TUITION-FREE UNIVERSITIES

SCHOLARSHIPS TIP

“AM I QUALIFIED FOR A SCHOLARSHIP?”

TOP 5 SCHOLARSHIPS TO APPLY IN 2020

QAU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES TO DOUBLE THE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR QAU STUDENTS

Digital edition available:www.educationscenario.com

In Italy, all international students are entitled to the same financial assistance services as Italian

students based on same requisites of financial means and/or merit. There are government scholarships at the national and regional level to which international students can apply for. In addition to that some Italian Universities also offer scholarship programmes for international students. Italian Government Scholarships for Foreign StudentsThe Italian Government awards scholarships for studying in Italy to foreign citizens. The scholarships are offered for the following type of courses: Master’s Degree (Laurea Magistrale 2° ciclo), Courses of Higher Education in Arts, Music, and Dance (AFAM), PhD program, Research under academic supervision (Progetti in co-tutela), and Italian Language and Culture Courses. The scholarship includes tuition fees, health insurance and a monthly allowance. It is only possible to apply for three, six, or nine month scholarships.

EDISU Piemonte ScholarshipsStudents including non-EU international students enrolled in a full-time Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, Single Cycle Master’s degree, or PhD Degree courses at one of the Universities of Piedmont (i.e. The Politecnico of Torino, the University of Torino, the University

of Eastern Piedmont) can apply for EDISU scholarships if they meet the merit and economic requirements of the competition. Part-time students can apply if enrolled in a bachelor’s degree. The scholarship amount varies depending on many conditions. Accommodation service can also be granted to non-resident students.

Bologna University Study Grants for International StudentsThe University of Bologna offers study grants to deserving international students who wish to register for First Cycle (Bachelors), Second Cycle (Masters) or Single Cycle Degree Programmes at the University of Bologna. Each study grant is awarded for one academic year and amounts to a total of €11,059 and full tuition fee waivers.

University of Pavia International Scholarships for Developing Country StudentsThe University of Pavia (UNIPV), in order to promote international cooperation with the Developing Countries, offers scholarships to outstanding students from developing countries to study a Master’s Degree Programme taught in English at the University. Each scholarship is worth about €8,000.

Bocconi Merit and International AwardsBocconi University offers merit-based scholarships to international students enrolling in any eligible Bachelor’s Program or Master of Science Program at Bocconi. The scholarship includes half to full tuition waiver worth up to €12,000 per year for Bachelor’s Program and up to €13,000 per year for Master’s of Science Program.

Politecnico de Milano Merit-Based Scholarships for International StudentsEvery year, Politecnico di Milano offers a number of merit based scholarships to the most talented international candidates admitted to a Master of Science programme. Students obtaining a scholarship will have to pay only an administrative fee of about €200. Scholarships of €5.000 to €10.000 per year may also be awarded plus the tuition fee waiver.

Politecnico di Torino International ScholarshipsThe Politecnico di Torino offers scholarships to international students to attend academic programs in certain fields such as Engineering and Architecture.

University of Padova Scholarships for All Degree CoursesThe University of Padova can handle regional funds to finance low-income students, both Italian and foreign, who have a good academic record and pursuing a degree at the University. The scholarship consists partly of money and partly of services, such as accommodation or meals at the University canteens.

Scuola Normale Superiore PhD ScholarshipsScuola Normale Superiore is offering 78 fully funded PhD scholarships to both Italian citizens and students from outside Italy. All students admitted to the PhD program receive full financial support including tuition, fees, and a cost-of-living scholarship.

Grab full Scholarships in

ITALY

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PAKISTAN’S FIRST NEWSPAPER ON HIGHER EDUCATION & SCHOLARSHIPS

10

How this expo is unique?

40 plus Study Destina-tions under one roof making this expo more attractive for aspiring students to visit and reap the benefits.

1

2A large number of Partners and Supporters along with their endorsement and support to promote their respective countries and affiliates making it the most authentic event of the year.

4The Higher Education Confer-ence will be an integral part of the event managed by the higher education authorities and professional bodies.

3The first-ever Dedicated ‘Scholarships Pavilion’ in the expo alluring and facilitat-ing for free assessment for their eligibility and ultimate guidance to apply.

5Seminars, professional training workshops and networking activities will be the co-located events of the expo.

6Establishing a network of contacts with professionals, recruiters, academia, diplomats and student counsellors from across the country.

7 Interaction and networking (B2B pre-arranged meet-ings) with potential fran-chisers from around the country under one roof for your service or products with ensured results.

8Media Partner, Digital Marketing Partner, Academ-ic Associations and profes-sional bodies will be the main stakeholders at this expo.

For Participants & Visitors

• An exclusive education event covering major and small cities simultaneously.

• Parents and guardians will be encouraged to be a part of this major career decision.

• With more than 80 per cent satisfied regular participants makes the event even more unique.

• And exclusive event in which more than 40 leading institutions will be present.

• An opportunity for networking with local, national and international business partners.

• Definitely, it is the best time to interact with a bulk of potential recruitment market in one go.

• Most cost-effective event of the country with a range of promotional options available.

For Students

• An opportunity to interact with more than 70 elite institutions gathered under one roof.

• The largest participation of more than 40 study destinations in a single event.

• No entry and career counselling fee.

• Free information material will be available by the participants for students for their guidance and processing.

• Face-to-face meeting and guidance from experts for free assessment in Scholarships Pavilion.

• Free presentations on career counselling by famed career experts.

Be a part of PAKISTAN’S BIGGESTEDUCATION EVENT

Attractions

Gujranwala • Faisalabad • Sargodha27 - JANUARY - 2020SHELTON HOTEL - GT ROAD

28 - JANUARY - 2020ROYALTON HOTEL - CANAL ROAD

29 - JANUARY - 2020PAK CONTINENTAL HOTEL - COLLEGE ROAD

For Sponsorship & ParticipationOrganizer: Partner Organizations:

0332 4288077 | 0321 4455215info@educationscenario.com

Meet with the o�cial representatives of top ranked universities under one roof.

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Many people struggle to keep their weight in check as they get older. Now new research has uncovered why that is: lipid turnover in the fat tissue decreases during aging and makes it easier to gain weight, even if we don’t eat more or exercise less than before. Many people struggle to keep their weight in check as they get older. Now new research at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden has uncovered why that is: Lipid turnover in the fat tissue decreases during ageing and makes it easier to gain weight, even if we don’t eat more or exercise less than before. The study is published in the journal Nature Medicine.

UNC researchers have created an injectable multi-drug delivery system that is removable, biode-gradable and effective for up to a year in some cases. The author says the ability to administer multiple drugs with this implant is an important advancement in this research. A new study published today in Nature Communications shows a promising alternative for

those who have to take a daily pill regimen. Targeting HIV treatment and prevention, researchers across multiple departments at the Univer-sity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill collaborated on a seven-year study in animals to make a better inject-able drug implant that can combine multiple drugs and is ultra-long-acting, while also addressing many of the challenges faced with current

HIV treatment and prevention methods.“There is no FDA-approved or mar-keted technology for long-acting prevention of HIV, and we are the first to use this delivery method with multiple antiretroviral drugs,” said Rahima Benhabbour, PhD, MSc, first author of the study and as-sistant professor in the UNC_NCSU Joint Department of Biomedi-cal Engineering. “To have an HIV prevention treatment that consists of an injection once or twice a year would make an incredible impact for patients.” She added, “This technology is not only promising for HIV, but for any kind of condi-tion that requires a daily intake of medication. We’re talking about a safe, removable, long-lasting injec-tion that takes away the burden of adhering to a daily medication regimen.” Antiretroviral drugs are used in both prevention and treat-ment of HIV, and multiple types are used in combination to counteract resistance to any one antiretroviral drug. These drugs need to be taken consistently every day. There are many obstacles that stand in the way of adherence to these medica-tion regimens. Benhabbour says this especially applies to otherwise healthy people trying to prevent infection.

In research that validates what many parents and educators suspect, students whose grades are below average could boost their results if they devoted less time to Facebook and other social networking sites. The study, led by Dr James Wakefield from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), looked at the amount of time first-year university students spent on Facebook, and the impact it had on their grades. The research showed that while high achieving students were not affected by the amount of time on Facebook, below average students had significantly lower grades with greater Facebook use. “Our research shows time spent on social networking platforms puts lower academic achievers at higher risk of failing their course,” Dr Wakefield says. Students taking part in the study spent on average nearly two hours a day on Facebook, however

some were on the social networking site in excess of eight hours a day. “Lower achieving students may already be grappling with self-regulation and focus, so it seems time spent on Facebook provides a further distraction from studies,” Dr Wakefield says. “We found that if they used Facebook for three hours a day -- not substantially higher than the average of just under two hours -- the difference was around six marks in a 60 mark exam or 10%.” The research, recently published in Computers & Education with co-author Dr Jessica Frawley from the University of Sydney, aims to help educators better understand the impact of social networking use on a student’s educational achievement. While the research applies to

university students studying STEM and business degrees, it is likely to also be relevant to high school students who use social media.More than 500 students enrolled in the first year subject ‘Introductory Accounting’ at an Australian university took part in the study, with an average age of 19. Researchers assessed the students’ general academic achievement using their weighted average mark (WAM) across all of their studies, and surveyed them about their Facebook use.They also controlled for other factors that might influence their achievement, such as whether they were planning to major in accounting, as well as their age and gender.

More than 30 million people in the United States wrongly believe they are allergic to penicillin -- resulting in millions of dollars in added health care costs, adverse side effects from the use of more powerful antibiotics and a risk in the rise of dangerous antibiotic resistant infections. This misconception and public health threat could be corrected, said Christopher M. Bland, clinical as-sociate professor at the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy, by asking those who say they are aller-gic to penicillin to answer a simple one-page questionnaire and, if nec-essary, take a penicillin allergy skin test, or PAST.

A team of researchers has uncov-ered the basis of stem rust pathogen Ug99’s wide virulence, attacking a direct threat to the world wheat sup-ply. Stem rust is a devastating wheat disease that has caused famines and undermined economies around the world for centuries. One particu-lar strain of the stem rust fungus, dubbed “Ug99,” threatens the global wheat supply because it can attack

more than 80% of all varieties plant-ed across the world. The ability of Ug99 to attack so many wheat vari-eties has confounded scientists and farmers since its discovery in Africa two decades ago. Now, a team of re-searchers has uncovered the basis of Ug99’s wide virulence by examining the pathogen’s genome. They deter-mined that the pathogen’s ability to attack so many wheats can be traced to a rarely observed phenomenon where two different rust strains fuse together and exchange intact nuclei. This event creates a hybrid strain with a wider host range than its orig-inal parents.

The season that an earthquake oc-curs could affect the extent of ground failure and destruction that the event brings, according to a new look at two historical earthquakes that oc-curred about 100 years ago near Al-maty, Kazakhstan.The season that an earthquake oc-curs could affect the extent of ground failure and destruction that the event brings, according to a new look at two historical earthquakes that oc-curred about 100 years ago near Al-maty, Kazakhstan.In a paper published in Seismological Research Letters, researchers con-clude that the June 1887 magnitude 7.3 Verny earthquake and the nearby January 1911 magnitude 7.8 Kemin earthquake likely produced similar shaking. However, the 1911 earth-quake caused significantly more

ground failure, probably due to a shallow frozen ground layer that was present during the winter months. The frozen layer may have inhibited the drainage of pore-pressure excess through the surface during the earth-quake, causing liquefaction at depth. In effect, the frozen layer extending about one meter below the surface “was a sealant layer that was not al-lowing the pore pressure to diffuse,” explained Stefano Parolai, a co-au-thor of the paper at the Istituto Na-zionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale in Italy. The findings suggest seismologists should incor-porate potential seasonal differences in soil characteristics “as they are making probabilistic liquefaction or ground failure assessments,” added co-author Denis Sandron, also at the Istituto Nazionale.

Researchers developed a tool called Geneva (short for Ge-netic Evasion), which auto-

matically learns to circumvent cen-sorship. Tested in China, India and Kazakhstan, Geneva found dozens of ways to circumvent censorship by exploiting gaps in censors’ logic and finding bugs that the researchers say would have been virtually impossible to find manually. Internet censorship by authoritarian governments pro-hibits free and open access to infor-mation for millions of people around the world. Attempts to evade such censorship have turned into a contin-ually escalating race to keep up with ever-changing, increasingly sophisti-cated internet censorship. Censoring

regimes have had the advantage in that race, because researchers must manually search for ways to circum-vent censorship, a process that takes considerable time. New work led by University of Maryland computer scientists could shift the balance of the censorship race. The researchers developed a tool called Geneva (short for Genetic Evasion), which automat-ically learns how to circumvent cen-sorship. Tested in China, India and Kazakhstan, Geneva found dozens of ways to circumvent censorship by exploiting gaps in censors’ logic and finding bugs that the researchers say would have been virtually impossible for humans to find manually.

Characteristics beyond intelligence can factor into someone’s ability to succeed, according to research. New findings, which come from analyz-ing data from more than 11,000 West Point cadets, both strengthen early theories about grit and point to other attributes key to long-term achievement.People often ask University of Pennsylvania psychologist Angela Duckworth what predicts success.It’s an understandable question, giv-en the pioneering work Duckworth has done in the area of grit, a char-acteristic often described as putting passion and perseverance toward important long-term personal goals. But new research from Duckworth and colleagues at Duke University

and the United States Military Acad-emy reveals that the answer may not be so straightforward. In a prospec-tive, longitudinal study of more than 11,000 West Point cadets, the research team discovered that both cognitive and non-cognitive factors can predict long-term achievement, with characteristics like intelligence, grit, and physical capacity each influ-encing a person’s ability to succeed in different ways. The researchers published their findings in the Pro-ceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

PAKISTAN’S FIRST NEWSPAPER ON HIGHER EDUCATION & SCHOLARSHIPS

Research 11Long-acting injectable multi-drug implant shows promise for HIV prevention and treatmentSource: University of North Carolina Health Care

Quitting facebook could boost exam resultsSource:University of Technology Sydney

Think you’re allergic to penicillin? You are probably wrong, study suggestsSource: University of Georgia

Origin of deadly wheat pathogen revealedSource:University of Minnesota

Earthquake impact can be affected by seasonal factors, historical study showsSource:Seismological Society of America

New artificial intelligence system automatically evolves to evade internet censorshipSource:Seismological Society of America

Researchers used a rotary evapo-rator to coax non-chiral molecules to form supermolecules of a spe-cific helicity. This work may be used to synthesize cheaper phar-maceuticals, and also explain how the handedness of biomolecules originated A research team at The University of Tokyo has reproduc-ibly synthesized staircase-like supramolecules of a single hand-edness, or chirality, using stan-dard laboratory equipment. By gradually removing the solvent from a rotating solution contain-ing non-chiral precursors, they were able to produce helixes that twist preferentially in a particular direction. This research may lead to new and cheaper drug produc-tion methods, as well as finally addressing one of the lingering

quandaries about how life began. One of the most striking features of the molecules most important to life -- including DNA, proteins, and sugars -- is that they have a “handedness,” referred to as chi-rality. That is, all living organisms chose to rely on one molecule, while the non-superimposable mirror image does nothing. This is a little like owning a dog that will only fetch your left-handed gloves, while completely ignoring the right-handed ones. It becomes even more puzzling when you consider that chiral pairs behave identically chemically. This makes it extremely difficult to produce just one kind of chiral molecule when starting with nonchiral pre-cursors.

A new spin on

LIFE’S ORIGIN?Source: Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo

What factors predict success?Source: University of Pennsylvania

Why people gain weight as they get olderSource: Karolinska Institute

Digital edition available:www.educationscenario.com

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In collaboration with United Nations and other partner organizations and universities, 3rd Edition of International Students Convention and Expo 2019 held on 26th to 29th October 2019 in Karachi.

Report by: Sonia Akmal Qureshi

It comprised of Expo, Student Art and Literary Festival, Competitions, Panel Discussion,

Model United Nations and Startup competition.

On 26th October 2019, 15 Competitions were held including Scrabble, solo singing, Inter university declamation, theater performance, short film making, badminton, tug of war, Table Tennis, Arm Wrestling, Business model,Chess,Fifa1.9, Cs 1.6, Pub g mobile and Speed programming at different venues of Karachi

3rd International Student Convention and Expo Ended successfully

Universities big winners as state invests in space tech

The first historic meeting of Senate, University of Baltistan, Skardu, GB, was successfully held in Islamabad

The New Zealand government is investing NZ$3 million (US$1.9 million) in the

development of various space technologies, including an alternative environmentally friendly propulsion system and ocean and coastal monitoring satellites, reports 1newsnow. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment funded six New Zealand research projects, with NZ$500,000 going to each, through

its Catalyst Fund, which supports strategic partnerships in satellite and space vehicle technologies. International Science Partnerships Manager Simon Rae said the investment will help to develop the capability of New Zealand’s space sector. “These partnerships enable New Zealand’s researchers to gain access to a wider range of experience and resources than they can currently access domestically,” he said.

Prof. Dr. Naveed A. Malik, For-mer Rector, Virtual University & Chairman Senate; Prof. Dr.

Muhammad Naeem Khan, VC, UOBS; Mr. Afzal Ali Shigri, Former I.G. Police, Sindh; Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali Shah, VC, QAU; Prof. Dr. Naeem Tariq Na-rejo, HOD & Former Registrar & CE, University of Sindh, Jamshoro; Prof. Dr. Farkhanda Manzoor, Former VC & HOD, LCWU; Prof. Dr. Muhammad Idrees, Former VC, Hazara University & Professor CEMB, PU; Prof. Dr. Tau-qeer Warraich, Director, University of Mianwali & Ms. Mehreen Gillani, Chief P&D, Ministry of KA&GB at-tended the first maiden Senate meet-ing held at Pakistan Academy of Sci-ence, Islamabad.Mr. Shakir Shamim, Treasurer, UOBS & Rao Muhammad Sharif, Former Treasurer, UOBS attended the meet-ing as Co-opted Members. Mr. Wasim Ullah Jan Malik, Registrar, UOBS suc-cessfully conducted the proceedings of the meeting as Secretary Senate. Senate meeting appreciated and praised the comprehensive PPT pre-sentation given by VC as excellent. The Senate constituted the Selection Board & approved the budget for years, 20017-18, 2018-19 & 2019-20.Senate also endorsed the recommen-dations of F&P Committee, Academic

Council, Syndicate & Affiliation Com-mittee. Senate further approved the establishment of UOBS Hussainabad Campus, UOBS Anchan Campus, UOBS City Campus & PD offices in Skardu. The establishment of UOBS Liaison Office & Winter Campus at Islamabad was also endorsed & ap-proved by the Senate.Senate praised the Master Plan & building designs prepared by PD & Consultants for the construction of UOBS New University Campus (de-velopment project worth Rs. 1750 millions) at Sarfaranga.The Senate approved the anticipato-ry orders regarding the appointment of Principal Officers (Registrar, CE, Treasurer, PD & Director Academics) issued by the VC from time to time.The Senate lauded various successes of university and highly commended the vision, efforts, hard work & dedi-cation shown by VC & his energetic team of young officers & faculty.Vice Chancellor, UOBS thanked the Senate for approval of extensive agenda items pertaining to various academic programs, infrastructure & faculty development, administration & finance.The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the Chair & Members Sen-ate followed by a group photograph & delicious lunch.

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PAKISTAN’S FIRST NEWSPAPER ON HIGHER EDUCATION & SCHOLARSHIPS