pakistan’s it pros capable of contributing to national

January-March 2021

Seerat Counters Hate Speech through Decisive Action

HEC Teams Visit Universities for Performance Evaluation

Another 75 Pakistanis to Pursue PhD in Queen Mary University of London

HEC, NPB Collaborate for Enhancing Academia’s Role in Police Reforms





Pakistan’s IT Pros Capable of Contributing to National Development: President Alvi


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Graphic Designer Raja Ahmad Nadeem

Reporter Syed Muhammad Ittifaq

EditorAayesha Ikram

Higher Education Commission, Pakistan

News & Views is published after every

three months. No part of this publication

may be reproduced in any form without

prior written permission of the publisher.

The views expressed by authors in the

articles are their sole responsibility and

not of HEC. The Commission would like

to thank all the institutions and

individuals who contributed information

and photographs for this Magazine.

contentNews & Views (January-March 2021)

HEC’s New PhD & Undergraduate

Policies to Produce Quality Graduates

16 Years of HEC-USAID Need-based

Scholarship Programme

‘Women Empowerment Part of HEC’s

Agenda’

NTC to Formulate Recommendations for

National Education Policy

NAHE holds Roundtable Discussions on

Faculty Development

NAHE Capacity Enhancement Session

for IPFP Fellows

NAHE Organises E-Office Training for

Employees

thRiphah holds 5 Int’l Conference on

Islamic Business

COMSATS Develop Incinerator to

Handle Hospital Waste

COMSATS, CMYK Sign MoU for

Collaborative Research

SSUET to Support HASWA in Producing

Low-Cost Prosthetic Limbs

Indus University Webinar on Assessment

in Online Education

Ziauddin University Develops 3D Virtual

Dissection Table

Steps, Policies Needed to Safeguard

Global Environmental Commons

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Expressions of Extremists Don’t Define any Nation: President Arif Alvi

Education to End Hate Speech, Intolerance, Bigotry Rising around the World: Chairman

Education Key to Promote Inclusivity in Multi-faith Societies: Executive Director

Need for Building Resilience against Online, Offline Hate Speech: UN Special Adviser


inclusive, and empathetic

communities in Pakistan

through tools like active and

continuous intersectional

participations, dialogue, and

collaboration. It was linked to

the implementation of the Plan

of Action for religious leaders

and actors to prevent

incitement to violence that

could lead to atrocity crimes

and the UN Strategy and Plan

of Action on Hate Speech.

It also aimed to contribute to

achieving the Sustainable

Development Goals (SDGs), in

particular SDG16 on building

peaceful, inclusive and just

societies.

Education Commission (HEC),

Pakistan. The introductory

webinars continued for three

days to cover six sessions on

topics like Seerat of the last

Prophet Hadhrat Muhammad,

peace be upon him (PBUH),

minorities, and the role of

youth in combating hate

speech.

Twenty four speakers from

three continents, i.e., Asia,

America, and Europe, including

representatives of minorities

and youth, expressed their

views during the sessions.

The series of webinars aimed

at encouraging peaceful,

The expressions of extremists

anywhere in the world must

not be taken as a specimen or

an impression to define or

understand a particular

nation.

This was stated by President of

Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi while

inaugurating the series of

webinars entitled, “Nurturing

Peaceful, Respectful and

Inclusive Societies in Pakistan:

Seerat Counters Hate Speech

through Decisive Action”,

jointly organised by the United

Nations Office on Genocide

Prevention and the

Responsibility to Protect

(OSAPG) and the Higher

HEC-UN Webinar Series

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Minorities have Equal Stake in & Love for Pakistan: Speakers

The minorities of Pakistan love the country as much as the Muslim

majority does, and they have the equal stake in the vision of

Pakistan, said the speakers during the second day of a series of

webinars entitled, “Nurturing Peaceful, Respectful and Inclusive

Societies in Pakistan: Seerat Counters Hate Speech through

Decisive Action”.

Representatives of different Pakistani minorities, including

Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Kalashas, Parsi and Baha’i

communities addressed the webinars, jointly organised by the

Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan and the United

Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to

Protect.

Dr. Amineh Hoti, former Project Director Seerat Chairs, HEC,

moderated the webinars. She stressed the need for promoting

empathy and respect for each other. She said the majority must

include and respect the minorities, adding that the majority and

minorities must joint hands to fight hate speech and all the

negative and discriminative attitudes and behaviours to

marginalise specific groups of people. She emphasised measures

to ensure justice and inclusivity in the society of Pakistan.

Dr. Simona Cruciani, Political Affairs Officer at the UN Office on

Genocide Prevention, shared the definition of hate speech, saying

that there was no international legal definition of hate speech,

and the characterization of what is ‘hateful’ is controversial and

disputed.

In the context of the UN document, the UN Strategy and Plan of

Action on Hate Speech, the term hate speech is understood as

any kind of communication in speech, writing or behaviour, that

attacks or uses pejorative or discriminatory language with

reference to a person or a group on the basis of who they are, in

other words, based on their religion, ethnicity, nationality, race,

colour, descent, gender or other identity factor.

This is often rooted in, and generates intolerance and hatred and,

in certain contexts, can be demeaning and divisive. She reiterated

that the UN was committed to countering hate speech globally

with the cooperation of its partners. She said that the UN

Secretary-General was very much concerned about the ‘tsunami

of hate speech’, especially the online trends of spreading hatred

during the pandemic.

She said that the UN was struggling to foster an environment of

tolerance towards diversity, social cohesion, and dialogue wherein

freedom of opinion and human rights were honoured. The UN

was closely working with the victim groups to cope with

Dr. Alvi said it was incumbent

on all of us to present the true

principles of Islam that counter

all kinds of religious, ethnic

and gender hatred,

marginalisation, discrimination,

and inequality. He said that

Arabs had a patriarchal society

wherein slavery was common,

yet the Last Prophet Hadhrat

Muhammad (PBUH)

encouraged people to break

the chains of slavery.

He maintained that the Last

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

taught and emphasised on

forgiveness, putting

compensation a secondary and

vengeance a last resort in case

of any confrontation.

He said that the Last Prophet

Hadhrat Muhammad (PBUH)

laid emphasis on adopting a

just approach in financial

affairs to set up an

economically just society. He

mentioned that the father of

the Pakistani nation,

Muhammad Ali Jinnah, was

also a staunch advocate of

unity and peaceful

coexistence.

The President said that making

Pakistan a model of the State

of Madinah, as envisioned by

the Prime Minister of Pakistan

Imran Khan, was the final goal.

He underlined that lack of

communication generated

phobias among individuals,

states, and nations, yet

cooperative and peaceful

discussions, as enshrined in the

UN Charter, were the key to

address these phobias. He

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stated that hate speech should

have no standing in Pakistan.

“We need to make sure that

the laws isolating communities

must be condemned.”

Highlighting the role of media,

he stressed the need for

judiciously handling the

‘weapons of misinformation’

and communicating to the

world that Pakistan was a

peaceful country, and the

Muslims around the world

were peaceful.

In his remarks, Chairman HEC

Tariq Banuri stressed the need

for promoting education to

give an end to hate speech,

intolerance, and bigotry rising

around the world. He said that

the waves of extremism could

be stemmed by adopting the

true teachings of the Last

Prophet (PBUH).

Mentioning the Prime

Minister’s vision about making

Pakistan the State of Madinah,

he quoted him as saying that:

“If people know the true

history of Islam, they would

not only recognise it, but will

also embrace it.”

The Chairman underlined that

the teachings of Holy Prophet

brought about a massive

transformation in the society

that led to subsequent

measures like establishment of

Baitul Hikmah, also known as

the Grand Library of Baghdad.

He shared with the participants

that HEC introduced new

programmes in the

undergraduate education

stigmatization, discrimination,

and targeting of specific

groups, she revealed.

In his remarks, Dr. Safdar Ali

Shah said that Pakistan was a

land of diversity, as its people

accepted, respected, and

embraced the existence of

diverse religious and ethnic

communities. “The soil of

Pakistan inherited diversity.”

He shed light on the ancient

civilizations homed by the land

of Pakistan, including Mehr

Garh, Indus Valley Civilization,

and Gandhara Civilization.

He said that Sikhism flourished

in the presence of Islam and

Hinduism in the united India,

while four relics of Buddha

were also found in the soil of

Pakistan.

Regarding Taxila, a significant

archaeological city in Punjab,

he said that the city witnessed

many cultures prospering and expanding. He said that Sufi saints

of the land promoted the philosophy of humanism.

Addressing the webinar, Mr. Isphanyar Bhandara, a former

Member of Parliament, who represented the Parsi community of

Pakistan, said that the minorities of Pakistan decided at the time

of independence in 1947 to become Pakistanis by choice. He said

that the minorities had equal stake in Pakistan and they equally

loved the country. He said that Muhammad Ali Jinnah, firmly

believed in religious tolerance, diversity, and acceptance of all

religions.

Mr. Bhandara said there were some people, who had gone astray

and fueled discrimination between the majority and minorities,

yet it was “never too late” for them rectify. He underlined a few

factors that caused the segregation and discrimination, including

the geopolitical situation of the region and deficiencies in the

school education system.

He emphasised that the Government must take practical

measures to create awareness about the importance of minorities

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policy to bring together the

true history and civilization of

the Islamic society. The new

policy is inclined towards

promoting greater interaction

and engagement between a

teacher and a student on the

pattern of Sufi episteme.

He explained that this concept

was based on the practice of

the past, when students from

all over the world would flock

to the learned people, like

Sufis.

Executive Director HEC Dr.

Shaista Sohail highlighted the

significance of the webinars on

the teachings in the Seerat of

the Last Prophet (PBUH)

regarding hate speech,

unsophisticated behaviours,

words and gestures, and

inconsiderate, selfish and

unkind attitudes.

She said that Islam gives due

respect to the life and property

of every human being, men

and women alike, and it

preached that the conflicts can

be addressed by forging

forgiveness and forbearance.

The Victory of Makkah was a

perfect precedent of

forgiveness and tolerance, she

affirmed.

The Executive Director said

that the Seerat disapproved of

the behaviours inciting people

to hatred for others. There is a

strong need for adopting the

manners and etiquettes,

taught by the Last Prophet

(PBUH), nationally and globally

to ensure peace and interfaith

harmony. She also mentioned

and their contribution to the development of Pakistan. He

proposed to the Government to increase job quota, in addition to

increasing seats in the legislature, for the minorities.

He stressed the need for naming roads and highways after

minority leaders to acknowledge their services to the country. The

teachers must be trained and the curricula must be reviewed to

promote religious tolerance and respect for minorities, he

emphasised.

He noted that media had a very powerful role in the society, so

the media houses should be mandated to give some time to

educate about people about various religions, portraying positive

picture of the minority groups. “I firmly believe that protecting

and accepting minorities will help project a good of image of

Pakistan.”

Representing the Christians, Dr. Sara Safdar, former Dean at

Peshawar University, highlighted the role of Christian community

in the development of Pakistan, the rights of minorities, and the

challenges being faced by the minorities. She said the Christian

community had a great contribution to the foundation of

Pakistan, as it fully supported Mr. Jinnah at the time of his

struggle for an independent homeland. “Special attention must

be paid to address the gaps in protection of minorities’ rights.”

She added that steps must be taken to facilitate dialogues

between the Government and minorities so that the minorities

were enabled to express themselves. She also underlined the

importance of unbiased media reporting to promote interfaith

harmony.

Major Harchan Singh from the Sikh community shared a

presentation on the philosophy of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the

fostering of Sikhism in Pakistan, his love for Pakistan, and the

Kartarpur Corridor as a bridge of peace. He said that the Guru of

Sikhism was strongly against all the artificially created divisions

and discrimination. He quoted the Guru as saying: “caste of a

person is based on what he does.”

He said that a significant part of the Sikh history was linked to

places located in Pakistan, including historical Gurdwaras,

associated with different events of Guru Nanak’s life. He said that

there were around 20,000 Sikhs scattered across Pakistan.

He said that he inherited patriotism and nationalism from his

father. He also highlighted the importance of opening the

Kartarpur Corridor to the Sikhs living in India who could now

easily offer pilgrimage to Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Baba

Guru Nanak.

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different remarkable

developments from the life of

the Last Prophet (PBUH), like

the Hilful Fudul (the Alliance of

Excellence), the Mawakhat-e-

Madinah (the brotherhood

among the Muslims of

Madinah), and the Treaty of

Hudaybiyya as an example of

the steps taken for peaceful

coexistence.

She said that Quaid-e-Azam

Muhammad Ali Jinnah also

had the vision to promote

peaceful coexistence and

communal harmony, assuring

the minorities of their rights.

On this occasion, UN Special

Adviser Ms. Alice Wairimu

Nderitu emphasised that the

United Nations was committed

to using education as a tool to

counter hate speech.

“Education highlights

difference between good and

bad, right and wrong, and true

and false.” She said that

promotion of quality education

and establishment of peace,

justice and strong institutions

were among the UNDP’s

Sustainable Development

Goals (SDGs).

None of the SDGs to establish

inclusive and resilient societies

by 2030 can be achieved

without promotion of

education, she affirmed. She

also acknowledged the world’s

overall response to COVID-19.

She said that the past decade

witnessed an increase in access

to education, however there

was still a lot to be done in this

Dr. Seema Nake, who represented Baha’i community, a staunch

advocate of interfaith harmony, said that one must treat others

the way one wanted oneself to be treated. She said that Pakistani

youth had great abilities and they could play a positive role in

combatting hate speech and discriminative segregation and

isolation. She emphasised that the well-being of mankind was

unattainable until unity was firmly established.

She said that the human beings were duty bound to build the

essential relationship that were binding them as one family. She

hoped that the discussions in the webinars would find expression

in action. She also presented a few recommendations to make

the HEC-UN efforts more productive, like steps to engage all the

concerned, including youth, in a dialogue process for the cause.

“We have to reflect on moral character development and spiritual

empowerment of every child in Pakistan.” She asserted that

diversity could become a means for social development in

Pakistan.

Syed Gul Kalasha, a representative of Kalasha community,

depicted the history of Kalash, and said that the community had

been living in Kalash, Chirtal, for the past 3000 years. She said

that the majority of Muslims living over there loved and

respected them. “We can perform our rituals and follow our

customs and traditions in peace and harmony.”

She said that hate speech never eliminated hate, rather love and

compassion brought peace and harmony in the region. She

stressed the need for teaching of tolerance towards religions

from schools. “The madrassahs, schools and media can play an

important role to eliminating hatred in the society,” she

concluded, while laying emphasis on practical steps.

Pushpa Kumari, a representative of Hindu community, said that

the white colour in the Pakistani flag depicted the diversity and

the rights of minorities. She said that the Hindus celebrated Holi,

Diwali, and Eid, together with their country fellows without any

hurdles.

She urged that the people must be sensitised about the basic

human rights and the constitutional rights through curricula. She

said that the customs and cultures of diverse communities

needed to be promoted, as this would help promoting peaceful

coexistence. “We have to show the world that the Pakistanis,

whichever religion and ethnicity they belong to, are a one

nation.”

A Buddhist by religion, Rajkumari Troya Roy Khisa, highlighted

salient aspects of Buddhism, saying that non-violence was the

highest moral virtue. She said that the Government of Pakistan

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was always supportive of Buddhist tourism, adding that the

Buddhist sites reflected the rich cultural heritage of Pakistan.

She said that Buddhism preached its followers to avoid creating

sufferings and problems for others. She affirmed that everyone

was responsible for his or her deeds, as every action brought

results. “Let’s try to live in harmony and help humanity to live

together.”

Youth on Peaceful Coexistence, Harmony

A session of the webinar assembled Pakistani youth from various

backgrounds, including Rohananiyyih Nabilzadeh, Nadine

Murtaza, Anjum Malik and Maliha Javed Khan. The young

speakers shed light on different aspects of life amidst

multiculturalism.

Nabilzadeh said that youth had

a great potential and talent

that needed to be channelised.

She said that the youth must

aspire for spiritual and

intellectual growth. “Service to

humanity is the service to

God.” She emphasised practical

measures for attaining peace.

Nadine Murtaza dilated on her

initiative of ‘Schooling Pakistan’

that was aimed at educating

people by inculcating the

importance of extensive study

instead of sticking to textbooks. She said that children must be

equipped with the right tools to address the challenges they

might face.

Ms. Anjum Malik underscored the significance of countering hate

speech through effective use of digital means. She said that hate

speech affected every member of society at different levels and

ways. She stressed formulation of an intersectional strategy to

involve in interfaith dialogue for harmony. Youth must be made

stakeholders for peace, she concluded.

Maliha Khan highlighted the role of technology in reaching out to

wide audience to educate them about the need for mutual

harmony for a peaceful soceity. She appreciated the HEC’s efforts,

and the initiatives of various other entities to keep the continuity

of learning intact in the COVID pandemic. She thought that the

content taught at schools, colleges and universities played as a

key message to advocate inclusivity.

direction. She appreciated the

Government of Pakistan for its

commitment to achieve the

goal of ensuring free and

compulsory education for all,

as per the Constitution of

Pakistan.

She observed that the

governments around the world

had a strong role in combating

the increased exclusion and

stigmatisation of communities

and groups, especially on the

social media platforms.

She emphasised that the

majority and the minority need

to join hands to wipe out hate

speech and fulfil the

responsibility to protect the

marginalised segments of

societies. She also highlighted

the role of Pakistani youth in

elimination of discrimination

by capitalising education.

Dr. Asad Zaman, former Vice

Chancellor Pakistan Institute of

Development Economics, Dr.

Ayesha Rafique, faculty

member of Fatima Jinnah

Women University, and Dr.

Aayesha Leghari, author of

Creativity, Dr. Amineh Hoti,

former Project Director for

Seerat Chairs, HEC, and Dr.

Simona Cruciani, Political

Affairs Officer at the UN Office

on Genocide Prevention and

the Responsibility to Protect,

also spoke on the occasion.

The UN and the HEC aim to

follow these webinars in a few

months with another set of

sessions giving more time to

speakers in order to allow

supportive in-depth impact.

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The new Undergraduate Education Policy 2020

and the PhD Policy are aimed to protect students’

right to acquire quality education and to increase

the value of higher education degrees nationally

and internationally.

This was stated by Chairman Higher Education

Commission (HEC) Mr. Tariq Banuri while

addressing a news conference.

The Chairman said that there was a mismatch

between the education system and the industry

needs, which rightly raised concerns pertaining to

a lack of marketable skills in the graduates

produced by Pakistani universities.

He said that the Undergraduate Education Policy

2020 has been formulated to address these

concerns, adding that the policy will promote

practical competence and general education

skills in addition to the traditional focus on

discipline-based curriculum”. "To promote

practical competency of students, the universities

will ensure that their graduates acquire a nine-

week internship in addition to going through an

extracurricular training before obtaining

degrees.”

Mr. Banuri said that the universities must be

committed to produce qualified graduates,

whose overall level of knowledge and

competence is up to the mark. He informed the

HEC’s New PhD & Undergraduate Policies to Produce Quality Graduates

media persons that the professional accreditation

councils are being strengthened to improve the

quality of disciplinary education. “Our intention is

to improve the quality of our graduates and the

confidence of employers in the worth of our

degrees.”

Regarding the structure of undergraduate

education, he said that the two-year BA/BSc and

MA/MSc programmes have been phased out to

shift towards four-year BS programmes, and the

Associate Degree programme, a credit-based

system, has replaced the two-year BA/BSc

degree, however the students who want to

continue their studies can have a bridge to the

four-year BS programme.

Elaborating the new PhD Policy, Mr. Banuri said

that it has been upgraded in line with the

international best practices and is applicable stfrom 1 January, 2021. He said that the BS

graduates can now directly take admission in

PhD programmes and in a different discipline if

universities find them ‘prepared’ and ‘committed’.

The Chairman explained that preparedness

means that the students have enough

knowledge, competence, and previous academic

training enabling them to succeed in a PhD

programme. “The universities will also assess the

applicants’ commitment to the discipline,” he

added.

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Apart from the admission criteria, the PhD

students will have to go through a thorough

evaluation before they complete their studies.

Likewise, the teaching and mentoring system has

also been reorganised on the pattern of ancient

Sufi episteme, so that students may better

benefit from their teachers and mentors.


The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has

successfully concluded evaluation visits of three

HEC recognised higher education institutions

through Institutional Performance Evaluation (IPE)

and Postgraduate Programme Review (PGPR).

The universities evaluated by Quality Assurance

Agency (QAA), HEC during three days visits

included University of Gujrat, University of Lakki

Marwat and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto

Medical University, Larkana. HEC will conduct

evaluation of 15 institutions/universities by June

2021. IPE is a holistic review of an institution or a

university, in which its overall performance is

evaluated on the basis of 11 IPE standards, which

are Mission Statement and Goals, Planning and

Evaluation, Organisation and Governance,

Integrity, Faculty, Students, Institutional

Resources, Academic Programmes and Curricula,

Public Disclosure & Transparency, Assessment

and Quality Assurance and Student Support

Services. Likewise, in PGPR, an institution or a

university is reviewed to check whether or not it

is implementing HEC minimum criteria for

launching MS/MPhil and PhD programmes.

The purpose of these evaluations is to bring

improvement in higher education sector so that

ultimate objective of quality could be achieved.

These evaluations are conducted by engaging

peers from other universities including Vice

Chancellors/Rectors and academia not below

Associate Professors as well as Directors of

Quality Enhancement Cells (QECs). This

endeavour will definitely help to improve the

state of quality in higher education institutions.

He said that the universities may choose to have

BS or MS/MPhil as the minimum criteria for

admissions, however, the minimum requirement

for admission in PhD programmes is a BS degree.

If the PhD students come directly from BS

programmes, they may be required to complete

closely interact with their supervisors. The

Chairman informed the media that the two

policies were formulated after thorough

deliberations and consultations with the relevant

stakeholders including Vice Chancellors,

professors, and educationists.

a larger number of credit hours compared to

those who have previously completed MS/MPhil

degrees.

The policy requires the scholars to study 50 per

cent of courses in the university that covers two

years in residence, so that the students can

There was a mismatch between the education system and the industry needs, which rightly raised concerns pertaining to a lack of marketable skills in the graduates produced by Pakistani universities.

The Undergraduate Education Policy 2020 has been formulated to address these concerns. The policy will promote practical

competence and general education skills, in addition to the traditional focus on discipline-based curriculum.

9

President Dr. Arif Alvi has said

that Pakistan is on the path of

rapid growth of e-commerce,

tele-health, and e-finance, and

is moving towards a robust

digital economy.

He said this while addressing

the inauguration ceremony of stthe five-day 51 Asia-Pacific

Advanced Network (APAN)

meeting virtually hosted by

Pakistan Education and

Research Network (PERN).

Pakistan hosted the APAN

meeting for the first time.

APAN meetings are organied

twice a year where its members

and other interested

participants come together in

working groups, workshops,

technology sessions,

committees and plenary

sessions to demonstrate and

discuss advances in technology

and applications, research

collaboration, knowledge

discovery and sharing for a

better future.

The President said that

Information and

Communications Technologies

(ICTs) had already spread to

every social and economic

sector, but the Covid-19

pandemic has made them even

more essential.

To respond to this challenge,

Pakistan has a comprehensive

liberalization policy for the

development of ICTs. As a

result, all indicators have

stPERN hosts 51 APAN meeting


registered rapid growth.

Pakistan has achieved a tele-

density of 83 percent, with

almost 176 million cellular

phone users out of a total

population of 220 million.

At the same time, the number

of broadband subscribers had

risen to 93 million, while

informational exports have

increased by 35 per cent each

year in the last three years.

Dr. Alvi appreciated the

contribution of the Higher

Education Commission (HEC)

in the promotion of ICTs in the

country.

Pakistan has over 300,000

English speaking IT

professionals, 13 software

development parks, and more

than 20,000 IT engineers and

graduates. “Pakistani IT

professionals and graduates

have the potential to work for

country’s development as well

as serving companies abroad.

And there is still a tremendous

need for a large number of IT

graduates in the country.”

The President observed that

situation arising out of

pandemic has strengthened

the IT-based communication

through different platforms.

Because of the level of

institutional commitment,

Pakistani universities were able

very quickly to turn to digital

means and distance learning

modes of information delivery.

HEC has provided students

with access to over 60,000

books and other digital

material. Besides enabling

them to continue their

educational activities during

the pandemic, it also helped

equip students with skills and

knowledge necessary to keep

pace with the world in the era

of Artificial Intelligence, Block-

chain technology, software

10

technology, and cloud

computing. He hoped that the

HEC-APAN collaboration will

grow further in all strategic

areas, including commerce,

communication, and

education.

As people are able, more than

before, to communicate,

exchange knowledge and to

exchange financial information,

so this will improve the

country’s economy in many

ways.

Chairman HEC Tariq Banuri

said that HEC is a proud

partner of APAN, as the two

entities were learning from

each other’s experiences to

move forward during the

information age, and especially

in the situation caused by

pandemic.

stHe hoped that the 51 APAN

meeting will come up with a

proactive agenda for

education. “We will learn

together and move forward,

while not only dealing with

these challenges but also

prospering amidst them.” Mr.

Banuri highlighted HEC’s ICT-

based research initiatives,

including establishment of

PERN, smart classrooms, wide

access to digital libraries, and

rapid adoption of Learning

Management System (LMS).

“PERN has enabled Pakistan to

rise to the challenge posed by

the pandemic.”

He said that PERN has not only

connected Pakistani

universities with each other, it

had also provided them with

connectivity across the Asia-

Pacific region. Efforts are now

underway to connect colleges

across the country.

In his welcome address, Chair

APAN, Prof. Jilong Wang

reiterated the Network’s vision

for development of Asia-Pacific

region. He said that APAN is

promoting and facilitating

network-enabled research and

education activities, including

research collaboration,

knowledge discovery and

sharing, tele-health and natural

disaster mitigation.

It is pertinent to mention here

that PERN links all universities

and other academic and

research organisations, and

provides access to researchers

to a fully integrated

communication system,

including accessibility to the

global research and education

networks through physical

Trans Eurasia Information

Network (TEIN) connectivity

and community driven Asia

Pacific Advanced Network

(APAN) membership.

These networks have become a

key driver for promotion and

facilitation of network-enabled

research and education

activities.

11

The Higher Education

Commission (HEC), Pakistan

and Queen Mary University of

London (QMUL) have signed a

Memorandum of Agreement

for 75 HEC scholars to pursue

their PhD degrees from QMUL

in the next five years.

In this connection, the British

Council Pakistan organised a

virtual signing ceremony.

Executive Director, HEC, Dr.

Shaista Sohail and Vice

Principal, International

Education, QMUL, Prof. Colin

Grant signed the agreement.

HEC and QMUL have been co-

funding PhD scholars since

2016, as the two sides signed

the first Memorandum of

Agreement in September 2016

to nurture a collaborative

partnership to provide high

quality research training to

Pakistani PhD students at

QMUL.

Under the first agreement, 35

scholars have proceeded for

pursuing doctoral degrees in

various fields. About half of

these scholars opted fields of

Engineering and Technology

which is much needed field in

Pakistan.

Another group of scholars are

pursuing higher education in

the field of biological sciences

which will help to improve the

research culture in the field of

biological sciences in Pakistan.


Similarly, a good number of

HEC scholars are studying in

diverse fields of social science

who are expected to

contribute towards the

improvement of social

constructs of our society.

Now as part of the new

agreement, 75 more scholars

will be selected in different

fields of studies to pursue their

PhDs from QUML.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr.

Shaista appreciated the

QMUL’s cooperation and

support to Pakistani scholars.

She hoped that the bilateral

cooperation will pave the way

for achieving a larger national

goal of human development.

“There is no medium better

than the education to improve

perceptions about each other.”

She said that Pakistani scholars

are fortunate enough to have

the opportunity to study at

QMUL, as such opportunities

enhanced educational as well

as cultural experiences.

She appreciated the role of

QMUL administration for

offering generous tuition

waiver to HEC selected

scholars through this

agreement. She also

recognised the efforts of

QMUL team led by Prof. Grant,

and comprised Ms. Flora

McKay, PhD Recruitment

Manager, QMUL, Dr. Dr Felicity

Shelley, PhD Recruitment

Manager, Partnerships and

Sponsor Relations Manager,

QMUL, and Ms. Sarah Pervez,

Head of Higher Education and

Skills, British Council for their

contribution towards the

collaboration between HEC

and QMUL.

She also congratulated HEC

team led by Dr. Hassan Jalil

Shah, Advisor Human Resource

Development, HEC, Ms.

Aayesha Ikram, Director

General, Human Resource

Development, HEC, and Dr.

Arshad Bashir, Project Director,

Overseas Scholarships, HEC, for

success of the project.

12

Prof. Grant gave a

comprehensive overview of

QMUL and its unique academic

and research credentials.

During his presentation, he

acknowledged the role of HEC

and Pakistani scholars in

enriching intellectual and

research environment at

QMUL. He also showcased the

great achievements

accomplished by alumni of

QMUL for the entire globe. In

his remarks, Country Head,

British Council, Mr. Amir

Ramzan highlighted the role of

British Council in collaboration

between HEC and QMUL.

The Higher Education Commission (HEC),

Pakistan and the US Agency for International

Development (USAID) celebrated the th16 anniversary of Merit and Needs-Based

Scholarship Programme (MNBSP), which is

administered in partnership with the United

States Government.

In this connection, a virtual interactive session

was held with the MNBSP scholarship recipients,

in which the HEC and USAID also recognised the

academic and professional achievements of the

programme beneficiaries.

Under the MNBSP, over 5,300 scholarships have

so far been awarded to students since the

inception of this programme in 2004. More than

half of the scholarships have been awarded to

female students. The programme also trained

over 400 financial aid staff from these partner

institutions.

The MNBSP awards scholarships to study

agriculture, engineering, medical sciences, and

social sciences. Recipients are eligible to study at

30 private and public partner universities across

the country.

Addressing the participants, Chairman HEC Tariq

Banuri said that the HEC’s vision and resultant

endeavours are aimed to boost a trained and

skilled human resource and to unleash the

creative potential of Pakistani youth for

developing a knowledge-based economy.

“I am pleased to share that USAID has been our

partner in achieving our goals. Most importantly,

the programme is in consonance with the HEC’s

16 Years of HEC-USAID Need-based Scholarship Programme mission for provision of quality, affordable and

accessible tertiary education to the youth.” He

hoped that the level of cooperation with USAID

in higher education sector will continue. He

assured the USAID that HEC will diligently

continue to play its part in supporting all such

future endeavours. He wished the MNBSP alumni

and scholarship recipients success in their study

as well as professional endeavours.

In her remarks, Mission Director USAID Julie

Koenen observed that: “Individuals make

healthier, more economically advantageous life

choices and are more likely to engage in their

communities when they have access to the

quality education.” She said that the partnership

with HEC for the past 16 years through the

flagship MNBSP has opened opportunities for

financially deserving students. She mentioned

that 53% scholarships are awarded to females,

thus increasing confidence and employability of

young people from low-income settings.

“I would also like to thank the leadership of

Higher Education Commission, Pakistan, for its

dedication and efforts in implementing the

programme successfully for the past 16 years.”

The event also contained short remarks by six

scholarship recipients, who described the

challenges, as well as their personal and

professional achievements. The event also

included discussion on several themes, including

the challenges and opportunities of women’s

education in Pakistan, particularly in rural areas;

the importance of education in women’s

empowerment; and the USAID’s role in

supporting higher education in Pakistan.

13

The Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan

is committed to creating a conducive and enabling

environment for women to acquire higher

education and garner their full potential, as

women education and empowerment leads to a

prosperous nation.

This was stated by Executive Director HEC, Dr.

Shaista Sohail while addressing a virtual ceremony

organised on the occasion of International

Women’s Day to celebrate achievements of female

beneficiaries of HEC-USAID Merit and Needs-

based Scholarships and motivate young women to

acquire higher education. Students and alumni

from different partner universities of Sindh

participated in the online interactive session.

Alumni of the programme shared their

achievements, experiences, and future plans to

inspire the women of less-developed areas to

acquire higher education.

In partnership with HEC, the USAID is offering

scholarships to financially disadvantaged students

to study in 30 partner universities across Pakistan,

where 50% of the scholarships are reserved for

female students.

Dr. Shaista said that women empowerment and

gender equality were also a part of the HEC’s

agenda, adding that the Higher Education Vision

2025 also envisaged educated and empowered

women. She stated that HEC was encouraging

female students, researchers and faculty members

in availing its scholarship and research grants. She

underlined that HEC followed a zero tolerance

policy against women harassment at higher

education institutions. She said that the USAID was

HEC, USAID Celebrate International Women’s Day

‘Women Empowerment Part of HEC’s Agenda’

hand in glove with HEC to contribute to women

empowerment through educational endeavours.

In his remarks, Director Offices of Education,

USAID, Mr. Mark Sorensen highlighted the

importance of women empowerment in

development of a country. He said that the USAID

Merit and Needs-based Scholarship Programme

was aimed to educate and empower the

marginalised women of less-developed areas of

Pakistan. He said that Pakistan needed more

female engineers, entrepreneurs, doctors, teachers,

scientists, and professional experts.

Adviser Human Resource Development, HEC Dr.

Hassan Jalil Shah said that the USAID programme

provided scholarships for meritorious, but

financially disadvantaged, students since 2004.

Under the programme’s first phase, 1,807

scholarships were given in fields of Agriculture and

Business. He added that second phase of the

programme was launched in 2013 at a total

estimated cost of US$23.1 million. He said that 570

scholarships were awarded to students from

different less-developed areas of Sindh, as the

programme opened doors to talented students

from across Pakistan. He added that the USAID

also organised capacity building workshops to

equip students for future challenges.

USAID Director for Sindh and Balochistan Mr. Jim

Parys stressed the need for efforts to ensure

women’s economic and social independence. He

appreciated the HEC administration for

collaborating with the USAID in implementing its

MNBS programme. This is a major development,

contributing to a ‘Roshan Pakistan’, he remarked.

14

NTC to Formulate Recommendations for National Education Policy

The National Technology Council (NTC) has

decided to formulate recommendations

regarding technology education and associated

skills for assimilation in the upcoming national

education policy.

This was decided in a virtual meeting of NTC,

headed by Chairman NTC Mr. Imtiaz Hussain

Gillani. A large number of Vice Chancellors,

Rectors, and technology experts attended the

meeting.

It was decided that a meeting will be held at the

University of Engineering and Technology (UET),

Taxila soon, with Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar, Vice-

Chancellor National Skills University (NSU),

Islamabad in the chair to formulate the

recommendations.

Addressing the meeting, Chairman NTC Mr.

Gillani said that a joint committee of the Ministry

of Federal Education & Professional Training,

Higher Education Commission (HEC), and NTC

was developing a career path for creation of job

opportunities for Engineering Technologists in

the country.

The technology education experts highlighted

the importance of technical education, stressing

the need for integration of the NTC proposals in

the national education policy being formulated

by the Ministry of Federal Education and

Professional Training. In view of the

government's deep interest in technology

education and the emerging global demands,

they stressed that technology and skill education

must be on top of the government’s agenda.

The Higher Education Commission (HEC),

Pakistan and the National Police Bureau (NPB)

have agreed to enhance cooperation between

police organisations and country’s higher

education institutions and encouraging

academia to play a proactive role in extending

meaningful guidance for reforms through

relevant research.

In this connection, a Letter of Intent (LoI) was

signed by Dr. Shaista Sohail, Executive Director

HEC and Dr. Syed Ejaz Hussain, Director General

NPB, Ministry of Interior, Islamabad.

Police reforms and involvement of academia for

informed policy decisions has emerged as a top

priority in the Government’s commitment for

strengthening police institutions. Through this

LoI, HEC and NPB intend to facilitate

collaboration in research projects between

researchers and the law enforcement agencies

associated with NPB, so as to harness the

research potential of academic institutions as


well as solve real world problems through

carefully designed and properly implemented

research activities.

Under this collaboration, inter alia, universities

will be encouraged to approach NPB for joint

workshops, seminars, focused group discussions,

competitions, and involvement of student

volunteers for community work.

HEC will incorporate the contents related to

public safety, frequently applied police laws,

criminal procedure and fundamental

constitutional rights in one of the mandatory

General Education courses that HEC is

developing for undergraduate students.

Similarly, NPB will offer unpaid internships to

students, whenever and wherever possible. It will

also provide access to crime data regarding

research to MPhil and PhD scholars, subject to

necessary protections with respect to privacy

and confidentiality.

15

capacity building, institution-level capacity

enhancement and empowering higher education

institutions to self-regulate and deliver quality

learning for faculty.

Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Shaheed

Benazir Bhutto University Dr. Tayyaba Zarif

emphasised the need to contextualise trainings

to ensure that they fulfilled the needs of

universities to address their specific needs.

NAHE holds Roundtable Discussions on Faculty Development

Vice Chancellor, Karakoram International

University Dr. Attaullah Shah pointed out the

urgent need for equipping faculty with

technological and teaching skills in this new

context of online learning including the need

to train faculty on effectively conducting

assessments beyond final and midterm exams.

Chief Executive, Advance HE in UK Alison

Johns shared an international context of

capacity building institutions which was

debated by the participants.

Provincial Workshop/Roundtable

The first provincial workshop/roundtable was

held to identify faculty development needs in

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Representatives from universities including

those from the Quality Enhancement Cells in

universities across the province were in

attendance including Buner, Karak, Malakand,

Haripur, Peshawar and former FATA.

During the event, participants were able to

debate and discuss urgent faculty

development needs unique to their contexts,

potential collaborations between public and

private sector universities and the role NAHE

16

from all provinces, ICT and Gilgit-Baltistan

attended the workshop. In view of the necessary

COVID-19 safety measures, some participants

joined the workshop in person, while the

majority joined it virtually.

During the event, participants were able to

debate and discuss urgent faculty development

needs in Pakistan, as well as avenues for

collaboration and support with NAHE in the

future.

Welcoming the participants, Rector NAHE, Dr.

Shaheen Sardar Ali shed light on the importance

of collaboration for excellence in teaching and

learning in the higher education sector. She said

that it was very important to seek the views of

NAHE stakeholders, the academia overall, in

order to make the Academy's work more

effective. She asserted that NAHE would help

provide a platform for faculty development units

across the country in addition to working

together with them to bridge gaps. “The

pandemic has its costs but also provides an

opportunity to improve and innovate.”

Vice Provost Aga Khan University Dr. Anjum

Halai said that NAHE could provide support in

three key areas, including individual-level

NAHE organised the first of a series of

workshops entitled, “Collaboration for Excellence

– A Roundtable on Developing Linkages for

Faculty Development in Higher Education”. The

series of these workshops was one of multiple

NAHE endeavours to facilitate capacity building

of faculty in HEIs.

Representatives of 17 faculty development units

and departments of higher education institutions

During the events, participants were able to debate and discuss urgent faculty development needs unique to their contexts, potential collaborations between public and private sector universities and the role NAHE can play to contribute to the professional development of

their faculties.

can play to contribute to the professional

development of their faculties.

Dr. Shaheen Sardar Ali, Rector NAHE, thanked the

participants for making the trip to Peshawar and

taking time to participate in these challenging

times. She identified both challenges and

opportunities identified in the national higher

education landscape as a result of COVID-19.

Universities were able to share their varying

experiences of capacity building in their

respective institutions. Teaching philosophy and

methodology, online capability and research

mentorship were among the most common

problems in capacity identified by the

universities. However, there was a great spirit of

collaboration and a willingness to create a

community of practice to improve the quality of

learning available in HEIs across Khyber

Pakhtunkhwa. Sharing of resources, identifying

strengths and all that public and private

institutions can offer to each other under the

guidance of NAHE were possibilities discussed.

Over the next few months, members of the NAHE

team will travel to Karachi, Lahore, and Sargodha

to conduct additional roundtables and hopefully

include representatives from all provinces and

regions of Pakistan.

NAHE is established as a stand-alone,

autonomous institution operating under the

auspices of HEC to improve the quality of

teaching, research, and governance in Higher

Education Institutions (HEIs) across Pakistan.

This series of workshops is one of the multiple

ongoing NAHE endeavors to facilitate capacity

building of faculty in HEIs.

NAHE Capacity Enhancement Session for IPFP Fellows

NAHE held a capacity enhancement session

“Reflective Practice in Teaching and Learning”

for Fellows of the Interim Placement of Fresh

PhDs Programme (IPFP). Over 200 IPFP Fellows

from higher education institutions across

Pakistan attended the virtual workshop.

As the IPFP Fellows go through their placements

at universities and institutions across Pakistan,

NAHE intends to touch base with them, refresh

parts of their learning through the National

Faculty Development Programme and assess

effectiveness of this Programme.

To this end, NAHE collaborated with members of

NFDP 2020 instructional team to conduct this

session and draw reflections on the NFDP with

successfully placed IPFP fellows.

The session was attended by Rector NAHE Dr.

Shaheen Sardar Ali, Lead Consultant Fellowship

and Academic Leadership Programme, NAHE,

Dr. Shazia Awan, and Assistant Professor Dr.

Sana Waheed. Sessions like this are part of the

continuing professional development approach

adopted by NAHE. Fellows were given mini-

workshops on reflective practice, teaching,

student-centered learning, and learner-

engagement in online classes.

During the event, fellows shared their unique

experiences of working through a pandemic and

navigating courses online. They also participated

in learning activities and reflective sessions with

Dr. Shazia Awan (NAHE/Dalhousie University)

and Dr. Sana Waheed (NUST).

One of the NFDP graduates reflected on how

she relied on WhatsApp to conduct classes and

learning activities and keep her students

engaged. Fellows shared their stories of

creativity and dedication.

Dr. Sana Waheed assured fellows that the NFDP

has provided them with the tools they need to

deliver student-centered learnings in their work;

she further advised them to take a look, consult

their network of IPFP fellows and adapt.

17

Dr. Shazia Awan took the participants through

what it meant to be a reflective practitioner and

how being one can help them think through the

wider impact of their teaching practice.

In 2020, NAHE conducted a rigorous academic

teaching course, the National Faculty

Development Programme (NFDP), for almost

500 freshly graduated PhDs.

The month-long course was designed to

prepare NFDP Fellows for teaching and research

duties required by their places of work under

the Interim Placement of Fresh PhDs (IPFP)

programme.

The IPFP was launched in 2009 with the

objective of providing opportunities for

employment to selected fresh PhDs for one year

NAHE Organises E-Office Training for Employees

NAHE organised a hands-on training for e-office

to top-up virtual trainings provided on the

subject in conjunction with the National

Information Technology Board (NITB).

HEC staff was now able to benefit from a

practical training with onsite instructors to

answer questions and practically work through

problems respective employees were facing.

Members from the Faculty Affairs Division were

trained in the first round, while other HEC

divisions will receive similar top-up training in

the weeks to come.

Mr. Muhammad Raza Chohan, Director General,

Faculty Affairs appreciated NAHE for conducted

this training as well as Mr. Saif ur Rehman from

NITB for conducting an interactive and effective

session. E-office is an electronic system of office

and operational management which will help

make functions more efficient and improve

accountability at HEC. The programme is being

implemented across various ministries in the

government and has been approved by the

Federal Cabinet and the Nation e-Government

Council.

The instructor was able to showcase unique

features of the e-office system, inclusive of

databases of all government offices, ministries,

and officers. The potential benefits for this are

environmental as well as practical because with

its proper utilization, there will be flexibility in

where employees can work from. This will help

support staff as services increasingly move

online and ensure efficiency, consistency, and

transparency across the board.

18

as Assistant Professors against vacant TTS

(Tenure Track System) positions in public or

private universities. During the placement, the

host universities are expected to advertise these

positions and give equal opportunity to the IPFP

faculty for securing permanent positions in

BPS/TTS pay scales. The programme also

supports universities in attracting emerging

scholars, reducing search costs and providing

necessary experience to potential candidates.

NAHE is established as a stand-alone,

autonomous institution operating under the

auspices of HEC to improve the quality of

teaching, research, and governance in Higher

Education Institutions (HEIs) across Pakistan.

This series of workshops is one of multiple

ongoing NAHE endeavors to facilitate capacity

building of faculty in HEIs.

As the IPFP Fellows go through their placements at universities and institutions across Pakistan, NAHE intends to touch base with them,

refresh parts of their learning through the National Faculty Development Programme and assess effectiveness of this Programme.

Riphah International University organised a thwebinar entitled, “5 International Conference on

Islamic Business (ICIB)” under the theme of

moving to social, ethical and responsible finance

by the Islamic banking and finance institutions

(IBFIs).

Renowned Islamic economists, financial experts,

researchers and jurists from prestigious

institutions around the world made keynote

addresses and presented papers on the need for

and potential of moving to social finance by the

IBFIs.

The speakers noted that the prevailing banking

and finance systems transferred the wealth to

the financial sector operating on interest and

trading in absolute risk. In the backdrop of the

failure of the Millennium Development Goals

(MDGs), the United Nations moved to Value-

Based Intermediation (VBI) and social finance

with Sustainable development goals (SDGs).

The UN’s 2030 agenda seeks to achieve 17 vital

SDGs and 169 specific targets, encompassing the

social, economic and environmental dimensions

of development. The SDGs’ agenda for human

dignity, and ‘to leave no one behind’, is in line

with the principles and objectives of

development from Islamic perspective.

The conference drew a number of conclusions

and made recommendations for regulators and

practitioners of Islamic banking and finance,

policymakers and the states. The speakers said

that Islamic finance was a system that sought

fairness, equity, justice to all stakeholders,

disclosure and transparency, compassion and

cooperation, even with the competing parties.

The Islamic finance principles could enhance

resilience in financial system and positively

contribute to achieving the SDGs, particularly for

financial inclusion. They observed that all the

activities in Islamic finance would result in

genuine economic transactions through trade

finance, leasing, partnership, securitisation vide

asset-backed investment instruments, equity

take-ups and fund management. In that way, it

could directly contribute to a stable socio-

economic growth and shared prosperity, also

acclaimed by the SDGs related 2030 agenda.

The Value-Based Intermediation, the experts

said, focused on entrepreneurial functions to

support SMEs, micro businesses, financing

projects of community welfare, self-governance

for taking care of society’s welfare. They said

that the IBFIs might also explore the potential of

Fintech and Blockchain, also in line with the UN’s

SDGs, that could go long way in enhancing

financial and social inclusion.

The conference urged the Government of

Pakistan and the State Bank of Pakistan to

transform the whole economy as required by the

Constitution of Pakistan to interest free system.

For this Riba case being discussed in the Shariat

Courts of Pakistan may be finally decided

advising the State to Islamize the financial

system of Pakistan. It stressed the need for

strengthening the link between finance and the

real economy.

Among others, the speakers included Mr. Omar

Mustafa Ansari, Secretary General of AAOIFI

Bahrain, Dr. Zamir Iqbal, Vice President of Islamic

Development Bank (IDB) Jeddah, Dr. Mohammad

Akram Laldin, Executive Director of ISRA,

Malaysia, Dr. Kabir Hassan of the University of

New Orleans US; Dr. Mehmet Asutay, Director of

Durham Centre for Islamic Economics and

Finance UK, Dr. Necdet Sensoy of the Istanbul

Commerce University, and Prof. Dr. Toseef Azid

of Qasim University, Saudi Arabia.

thRiphah holds 5 Int’l Conference on Islamic Business

Speakers say the Islamic Financial Principles Can Contribute to Achieving SDGs

19

The COMSATS University,

Abbottabad campus, has

developed Particulate Matter

Emission Control System for

Hospital Waste Incineration

Process, as the hospital waste

has become a serious problem

due to inadequate disposal of

medical waste in the

developing countries. The

medical waste causes serious

COMSATS Develop Incinerator to Handle Hospital Waste

health issues including

hepatitis, AIDS and other fatal

diseases.

Handling such hazardous

waste by incineration can

destroy all pathogens and

reduce the toxicity of toxic

compounds at high

temperature. One of the major

pollutant from incineration

process is particulate matters,

which are responsible for

carrying carcinogenic

compounds and toxic heavy

metals. To handle such

pollutants, the Environmental

Technology Group at the

Environmental Sciences

Department, COMSATS

University, Abbottabad

campus, has designed and

manufactured the incinerator

with pollution control devices

installed at Azam Memorial

Hospital, Havellian.

In this project, the main focus

area is to control emission of

condensable particulate

matters (CFM) and filterable

particulate matter (FPM). Two

treatment systems were

installed as water scrubber and

fabric filter to control the CPM

and FPM.

The Department of Chemical Engineering,

COMSATS University, Lahore campus, has signed

a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with

CMYK Research & Development, a chemical-

based product manufacturing company in

Gujranwala. The purpose of the MoU is to

promote bilateral collaborative research on

development and a large-scale production of

different processes and products. The

collaboration envisages to benefit the society

with sustainable industrial growth and innovative

local products. The agreement will lead to

development and commercialisation of different

processes and products.

COMSATS, CMYK Sign MoU for Collaborative Research

20

Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology

(SSUET) has joined hands with Healthcare and

Social Welfare Association (HASWA) to produce

low-cost prosthetic limbs.

Under the bilateral agreement, the university will

provide technical and strategic support to

HASWA to produce high quality, automatic and

low-cost limbs.

In this connection, the SSUT held a session at the

campus to demonstrate the automatic prosthetic

limb so far developed in collaboration with

HASWA.

Addressing the session, Chancellor SSUET Jawaid

Anwar said that it was really a tear-jerking

experience to see a person with no limbs.

However, prosthetic limbs may help such people

a lot to restore their confidence and become

independent. “SSUET is working on the project

to help the needy and deserving persons by

joining hands with HASWA to develop a fully

SSUET to Support HASWA in Producing Low-Cost Prosthetic Limbs

automatic prosthetic limb. SSUET strongly

supports HASWA to help the poor.”

On the occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Vali

Uddin said that SSUET aimed to work with other

organisations and institutions on different

projects in order to broaden its horizon. He

appreciated the SSUET faculty to carry forward

the vision of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan in developing

a society with healthy norms.

Mr. Akbar Ismail, who represented HASWA, said

that every human being had a right to a healthy

happy life. “HASWA provides free prosthetic

artificial limbs and calipers to the needy and

deserving persons.” He informed that more than

18,000 people benefited from HASWA so far.

Chairperson Biomedical Engineering

Department, Engr. Dr. Sarmad Shams said that

SSUET’s technical team was working on to make

the limbs, which are light, easily adjustable and

very easy to use.

Indus University Webinar on Assessment in Online EducationThe Indus University, Quality Enhancement Cell,

organised a webinar on “Assessment in Online

Education” to deliberate on procedures and

techniques for formative and summative

assessments. Managing Director, Quality

Assurance Agency, Higher Education

Commission, Dr. Nadia Tahir was the keynote

speaker.

Dr. Nadia Tahir explained the challenges faced

related to assessment in the online education

during COVID-19.

Director Quality & Accreditation, Jinnah Sindh

Medical University, Dr. Muhammad Abdul Wahid

Usmani, shed light on various assessment

techniques. He said that assessment was a

necessary element of learning and must not be

taken for granted. He also stressed the need for

faculty training to ensure effective online

assessment.

The seminar was attended by representatives of

Quality Enhancement Cells (QECs) of 47 higher

education institutions, including Institute of

Business Administration (IBA), Institute of

Business Management (IoBM), Dow University of

Health Sciences, Baqai Medical University,

SZABIST (Karachi and Hyderabad Campus), and

Iqra University, to name a few.

21

Ziauddin University Develops 3D Virtual Dissection TableZiauddin University Develops 3D Virtual Dissection Table

The Department of Anatomy at Ziauddin

University has introduced Pakistan’s first ever 3D

Virtual Dissection Table known as Anatomage.

Chancellor Ziauddin University Dr. Asim Hussain

inaugurated the Anatomage Table and the newly

constructed Digital Anatomy Lab.

Addressing the top management of Ziauddin

University, Dr. Asim Hussain said “it is for the very

first time in the history of Pakistan that a

university has introduced a 3D virtual dissection

table. It will be taken to all the campuses of

Ziauddin University as well as hospitals to take

students towards technology-based learning.

MRI and CT scan can also be done with this

virtual dissection table, he said. “We are

introducing the new ways of teaching and

learning by using such useful machines and

technology in Ziauddin University.” He said that

the Anatomage Table was the most

technologically advanced 3D anatomy

visualisation and virtual dissection tool and was

being adopted by many of the world’s leading

medical schools and institutions. He noted that

the Anatomage Table combined with its

renowned radiology software and clinical content

distinguished it from any other imaging system.

The Anatomage Table is the only fully segmented

real human 3D anatomy system. Users can

visualise anatomy exactly as they would on a

fresh dead body. Individual structures are

reconstructed in accurate 3D, resulting in an

unprecedented level of real accurate anatomy,

dissectible in 3D. The table allows for exploration

and learning of human anatomy beyond what

any cadaver could offer.

The Table allows students to interact with the

young and well-preserved digital cadavers

instead of aged and degenerated bodies.

Vice Chair, Karachi Research Chair, Greenwich

University, Mr. Ali Jillani represented Pakistan at

the World Social Forum webinar on "Climate

Change in South Asia; Way Forward for Equity

and Justice Informed Governance.”

Speakers from other countries like Bangladesh,

Sri Lanka, India and Nepal expressed their views

on the way forward for climate governance with

equity and justice.

They also discussed the Global Sustainable

Development Report 2019, which highlighted

the absence of data on over 60% of the

environmental indicators, with several countries

‘Steps, Policies Needed to Safeguard Global Environmental Commons’

experiencing regressive patterns in climate

governance in the Asian Pacific region. Mr. Jillani

said that multilateral systems must protect the

inviolability of Global Environmental Commons

(GECs) through stronger public sector

commitment, appropriate policies e.g., Polluters

Pay Act, Progressive Carbon Taxation, Removal of

Fossil subsidies, among others.

He stressed that retrogressive taxation regime

should be enacted for corporations mainly

responsible for Greenhouse Gase emissions (like

Exxon and Shell) to finance developing countries

requiring estimated $75 billion per year by 2030

to cope with climate change.

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pakistan’s it pros capable of contributing to national

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