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HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION 

NEWSLETTER 

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December 2005 Vol. 3 No. 12 Regd. No. 35 

Inside News 

 

 

 

 

 

Strict Implementation of Building Codes Stressed 

Scholarships for Students 

Online Lecturing and IP based Video Conferencing Tested 

Higher Education Data on Website 

HEC Establishes 15 Resource Centres for Faculty Development 

More inside …

EVENT 

International Earthquake Rehabilitation Conference 

Strict Implementation of Building Codes Stressed 

Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, Chairman Higher Education Commission 

(HEC) has said that future construction of buildings, particularly in 

earthquake affected areas needs to be tailored to our local needs and 

problems. 

Formation of building codes and 

their proper implementation is, 

therefore essential so that in future 

we can prevent our country from 

further human and financial losses, 

he said. 

He was addressing the inaugural 

session of a two-day International 

Earthquake Rehabilitation 

Conference on “Seismology, 

Structure and Codes” as chief guest 

at HEC Auditorium, Islamabad. The 

Conference was organized by the 

NWFP University of Engineering and 

Technology, Peshawar in 

collaboration with Higher Education 

Commission, Islamabad. 

Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman offered all 

possible financial assistance from 

the HEC for developing constructive 

projects laid out by the participants 

of the Conference. He further stated 

that National Centre of Excellence in 

Geology at University of Peshawar 

would be strengthened with more 

skilled faculty, equipment and 

resources. For the purpose, a 

substantial amount has already 

been allocated for the Centre. 

Syed Imtiaz Hussain Gilani, Vice- 

Chancellor, NWFP University of 

Engineering and Technology, 

Peshawar, in his opening speech 

stated the objectives of the 

Conference which included getting 

international experts involved to 

share their experience in hazard 

assessment and present the 

recommendations for 

reconstruction and designing 

Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, Chairman HEC and Mr. Imtiaz Hussain Gilani make 

inaugural speeches at the Conference. 

building codes that are relevant to 

our local needs. He revealed that 

UET Peshawar has already taken a 

lead in establishing the national 

earthquake, engineering centre 

funded by the HEC. 

This Centre will basically work for 

faculty development, need-based 

research and strategy for building 

structures. 

He also mentioned that some 

construction has already been 

started in affected areas without any 

proper strategy. He urged the 

participants to come up with solid 

recommendations, so that they 

could be strictly followed during 

reconstruction phase. 

The Vice-Chancellor said that the 

Conference is aimed to bring in 

experts from the related field and to 

start the debate so that best-fit 

solutions for the reconstruction and 

rehabilitation phase could be found. 

This is the first of a series of six 

thematic workshops that will be 

conducted under the aegis of HEC. 

The recommendations will be 

presented to HEC for 

implementation, he added. 

Major General Nadeem, Vice- 

Chairman of General Staff (VCGS) 

presented an overview of damages 

and management strategy of 

Federal Relief Commission. He 

stressed the need to design building 

codes as early as possible before the 

reconstruction of affected areas 

starts. 

The Conference was attended by 

almost 200 participants from 

different institutions, organizations 

and departments of Pakistan such as 

Geological Survey of Pakistan 

(GSP), National Institute of Science 

and Technology (NUST), Works and 

Services Department, Centre of 

Excellence in Geology, Peshawar, 

University of Science and 

Technology Lahore, University of 

Science and Technology Taxila, 

Pakistan Atomic Energy 

Commission, Military College of 

Engineering (MCE) Risalpur, 

National Institute of Transportation 

(NIT) Risalpur, Allama Iqbal Open 

University and Ghulam Ishaq Khan 

(GIK) institute Topi. 

Researchers, professionals and 

building code regulators for the 

Earthquake Engineering Research 

Institute, (EERI), which is the 

recognized national authoritative 

source for earthquake risk reduction 

in USA, attended the Conference. 

The participants perceived the need 

for developing national building 

codes, as well as its enforcement 

through proper legislation. The 

group also recognized the need for 

public awareness programmes 

having training and counselling 

components, so that general public 

can handle such situations in future. 

It was strongly recommended that 

Pakistan should strengthen its 

2 

Commission Newsletter

EVENT 

emergency disaster management 

system to make easy and rapid 

access to affected areas. The need 

for new tectonic maps was also felt 

and one group recommended the 

redesigning of tectonic maps with 

improved proper attributes and 

strain rates. 

Moreover, earthquake hazard 

assessment, another group 

recommended, should be taken up 

on national scale as long-term 

process, which should be supported 

by research and nation 

wide instrumentation. 

In this regard, a task 

force should be 

appointed to propose 

the first version of 

hazard maps to serve 

the basis of hazard 

zonaton map to be 

incorporated in the new 

earthquake resistant 

design code. 

the rest of countries. “Similarly less 

information about loading rates in 

Pakistan is available”, she said 

adding that an earthquake beneath 

a large city in Pakistan could kill 

more than one million people. 

Elaborating the topic 'Geological and 

tectonics of Northern Pakistan with 

respect to earthquake' Ahmed 

Hussain from Geological Survey of 

Pakistan said that the October 8 

earthquake was triggered by 

Balakot-Bagh thrust which is an 

Vulnerability Assessment of 

Masonry Structures”. 

Prof. Dr. Miha Tomazevic from 

Earthquake Engineering Institute 

Ljubljana, Slovenia spoke on 

“Seismic Design and Retrofitting of 

Masonry Structures”. He stressed 

the need for verification of 

structures which are necessary for 

checking their resistance against 

earthquakes. 

He further said that rules and 

procedures should be 

considered in the design of 

new as well as re-design of 

existing masonry 

structures. 

Dr. Mona Lisa, from Quaidi-Azam 

University, 

Islamabad spoke on 

seismic activity and 

seismic hazard 

assessment along main 

boundary thrust (MBT), 

Pakistan. 

Chairing the first 

technical session, Dr. 

Asif Ali Khan Director 

Centre of Excellence in 

Geology, Peshawar highlighted the 

need of future construction of 

buildings particularly in affected 

areas. 

Giving presentation on 'Seismic 

Disaster Mitigation in Pakistan' Prof. 

Dr. Qaiser Ali, NWFP UET Peshawar 

said that low seismic capacity 

buildings are due to low quality 

material, improper design and 

construction or building constructed 

on loose oil etc, will make the 

structure vulnerable to collapse 

during on earthquake. 

He emphasized both long and shortterm 

measures and proper 

structural assessment before 

making scientific buildings. 

Speaking on 'Seismic Hazards and 

Tectonics of Pakistan' Rebecca 

Bendick, University of Montana, 

USA was of the view that insufficient 

data is available about earthquake 

recurrence rates in Pakistan than 

Maj. Gen. Nadeem, Vice-Chairman of General Staff (VCGS) 

presents an overview of relief operation. 

offshoot of main boundary. The 

epicenter of the aftershocks 

suggests that the fault may be 

extending towards Alai area in 

northwest direction. 

Mr. Zahid Ali (MSSP, PINSTECH) 

speaking on the 'Seismology of 

Kashmir earthquake 2005' said that 

preparedness is necessary as 

compared to prediction. Building 

codes should be adopted and more 

work needed to fault features. 

Second Technical Session on 

“Structures and Codes” was chaired 

by Prof. Dr. Mohsin Iqbal. During this 

session international experts spoke 

and shared technical statistics of 

seismic hazards and vulnerability. 

Dr. Claudius Strobia, from European 

Centre for Training and Research in 

Earthquake Engineering, Italy spoke 

on “Seismic Hazards Assessment 

and Importance of Soil 

Characteristics”. Dr. Andrea Penna 

presented statistics on “Seismic 

Engr. Saif Hussain from 

EERI, USA presented an 

overview of “US Seismic 

Codes Development 

Process and Implementation 

Strategies”. He said that US codes 

and guidelines are comprehensive, 

however, a performance based 

approach during designing is 

necessary to consider because most 

building codes are not performance 

based. In Pakistan, he added, for the 

time being these building codes can 

be used for construction with few 

amendments. 

Dr. Sohail Naqvi chaired the third 

technical session on “Structures 

Codes”. During this session, 

international speakers presented 

their papers on different topics. Prof. 

Dr. Mustafa Erdik from Earthquake 

Engineering Research Institute, USA 

in his presentation on “Urban 

Earthquake Risk and Mitigation”, 

said that learning from other 

countries to cope with such 

situations was also important. 

It was imperative that certain 

preparedness and emergency 

Commission Newsletter 3

EVENT 

procedures were used by a careful 

comprehensive evaluation of 

earthquake damages, he added. 

Speaking on “Rehabilitation 

Reconstruction Iranian experience 

after Bam” Bijan Khazai, from 

Earthquake Engineering Research 

Institute, USA, stressed that 

material and technology to be used 

for rehabilitation must be 

indigenous and should suit the local 

needs and no external designs 

solution should be imposed. 

Prof. Dr. Zoran Milutinovic, Institute 

of Earthquake Engineering and 

Seismology, Macedonia shared his 

experience on planning for disaster 

preparedness/management. 

He stated that disaster is not only a 

physical loss problem, but a socioeconomic 

event on a national scale. 

Therefore the need to plan ahead to 

prevent the country from such a 

devastating loss 

in future is critical 

to follow. 

Prof. Dr. Nuray 

Aydinoglu, 

Department of 

Earthquake 

Engineering 

B o g a z i c i 

University, 

Istanbul, Turkey 

shared Turkish 

experience in 

post earthquake 

rehabilitation. 

He said that 

Turkish government designed a 

national Recovery/Preparedness 

Programme with the support of 

World Bank and European Union. He 

emphasized the need for new 

legislation in engineering, 

architecture, building design and 

construction control. 

Participants of the Conference 

shared their comments and 

suggestions during the group 

discussion, followed by working 

session based on four themes 

including Seismic Hazard 

Assessment, headed by Dr. Mustafa 

A future 

earthquake could 

kill more than a 

million people 

Erdik, Seismic Vulnerability of 

Structures, by Prof. Dr. Miha 

Tomazevic, Building Codes 

Development and Implementation, 

by Dr. Nuray Aydinoglu and fourth 

theme was Disaster Management 

headed by Prof. Dr. Zoran 

Milutinovic. 

Dr. Atta-ur Rehman while speaking 

at the concluding session, said that 

financial assistance from 

international community and 

technical expertise is coming to 

Pakistan, but, it is the time for 

universities and higher learning 

institutions to play their part. 

The earthquake engineers, 

seismologists, geologists and 

researchers, he said, from the 

related field should come forward 

and come up with guidelines and 

proposals so that during the 

reconstruction phase, these 

guidelines should be taken into 

consideration. 

In future, 

Pakistan should 

have some 

p r o p e r 

mechanism to 

cope with such 

situations he 

continued. 

He appreciated 

the efforts of 

UET Peshawar in 

taking the lead 

in involving 

international 

experts and 

suggesting 

solutions to the government. 

He announced that a task force will 

be formed under the supervision of 

Vice Chancellor NWFP UET Engr. 

Syed Imtiaz Hussain Gilani that 

would forward these proposals to 

HEC for financial support. 

He also said that a plan of action will 

be made to strictly follow these 

recommendations laid down by the 

participants of the Conference. 

Scholarship for 

Meritorious Students 

HEC has announced a need based 

scholarship programme for those 

students who are studying in first 

professional year and have secured 

admission or expected to get 

admission in specific disciplines of 

medical and life sciences offered by 

top universities of Pakistan and it is 

difficult for them to pursue their 

education because of financial 

constraints. 

The disciplines for which the 

scholarship slot has been allocated 

are Pharmacy (150 Scholarships), 

Bio-Technology and Bio-Medics (75 

scholarships), Genetics (55 

scholarships), and Medical & Life 

Sciences (20 scholarships). This 

programme is specifically for undergraduate 

and graduate levels and do 

not cover MPhil or PhD level of 

studies. 

The universities selected for this 

particular programme include 

University of Karachi, University of 

Sindh, Jamshoro, Mehran University 

of Engineering and Technology, 

Jamshoro, University of the Punjab, 

Lahore, Government College 

University, Lahore, Lahore College 

for Women University, Lahore, 

Islamia University, Bahawalpur, 

Bahauddin Zakariya University, 

Multan, University of Sargodha, 

Government College University, 

Faisalabad, University of Peshawar, 

University of Balochistan, Quetta 

Students, who have secured 

admission or are expected to get 

admission in the above mentioned 

disciplines and universities during 

academic session of 2005-2006, 

2006-2007 and 2007-08, are 

eligible to apply for the 

scholarships. The scholarship 

covers full tuition fee, living 

expenses, transportation, books. 

Further details are available at HEC 

website www.hec.gov.pk. Mr. Jalil 

Ahmed, DG (SV&QA) or Mr. Salman 

Farid Programme Coordinator, HEC, 

Islamabad may be contacted via e- 

mail: nbs3@hec.gov.pk. 

4 


EVENT 

HEC Sets Criteria for Affiliation of Colleges 

The Higher Education Commission has approved uniform criteria for 

affiliation of public/private colleges with the public sector 

universities and degree awarding institutions of Pakistan. 

Major decisions to promote quality 

of higher education were taken in 

th 

the Commission's 9 meeting held 

on November 26, in Islamabad. 

Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, Chairman 

HEC presided over the meeting. 

These criteria were developed after 

extensive consultation with all the 

stakeholders by the Quality 

Assurance Committee constituted 

by the HEC. The 

Commission 

also approved 

the criteria of 

approval of 

journals to be 

recognized by 

the HEC and 

constituted a 

Sub-Committee 

for preparing a 

list of HEC 

a p p r o v e d 

journals. The 

Sub-Committee 

will submit its recommendations 

shortly. 

The Commission members 

appreciated the report of the Sub- 

Committee constituted by the 

Chairman HEC to review and 

evaluate the existing MPhil and PhD 

programmes of the universities and 

directed the HEC to obtain clear 

timeframe from the universities 

/degree awarding institutes by 

which they will improve and come 

up to the standard prescribed by the 

HEC in terms of faculty, 

infrastructure/laboratories, 

qualification, admission 

procedures, course conduct and 

examination. The Commission 

directed that release of funds to the 

Chairman HEC and Commission Members deliberate matters at its 9th Meeting. 

non-compliant public sector 

universities and degree awarding 

institutions should be curtailed. 

The Commission also directed the 

HEC to initiate a programme for 

approval of departments of 

universities/institutes where PhD 

studies could be offered according 

to the set criteria to bring our PhD 

studies at par with world class 

degrees. 

The members who attended the 

meeting included Dr. M. Akram 

Sheikh, Deputy Chairman Planning 

Commission, Mr. Shehr Yar Khan, 

Acting Secretary, Ministry of 

Science and Technology, Lt. Gen 

(Retd) Muhammad Akram Khan, 

Vice-Chancellor UET, Lahore, Prof. 

Dr. Qasim Jan, Vice-Chancellor, 

QAU, Islamabad, Dr. Shahid Amjad 

Chaudhry, Rector Lahore School of 

Economics, Lahore, Mr. Nazir 

Saeed, Special 

Secretary, Higher 

E d u c a t i o n , 

Government of the 

Punjab, Dr. Anwar 

Nasim, Adviser 

S c i e n c e , 

COMSTECH, 

Islamabad, Prof. 

Abdul Matin, Ex-VC, 

P e s h a w a r 

University, Prof. Dr. 

Saadia Chishti, Exmember, 

Council of 

Islamic Ideology, 

Mrs. Nadira Panjwani, Chairperson, 

Panjwani Foundation and Trusts, 

Karachi, Mr. Shahzad Alam, Chief 

Executive of Unitech Electronic 

(Pvt) Ltd. Lahore and Dr. S. Sohail 

H. Naqvi, Executive Director, HEC. 

AIT to Increase Academic Assistance 

The Asian Institute of Technology 

(AIT) Thailand aims at expanding its 

academic assistance to more 

educational institutions of Pakistan. 

This was stated by Prof. Said 

Irandoust, President AIT, Bangkok, 

who met Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, 

Chairman HEC in November at the 

Commission's Secretariat. 

Prof. Irandoust, with his two 

member delegation, lauded the 

efforts and initiatives being taken by 

the HEC. He stated that AIT will 

facilitate COMSATS in the fields of 

Information Technology and 

Telecommunication as a first step 

and the students enrolled under this 

programme will get AIT degree. 

During the meeting, AIT and HEC 

both agreed to further cooperate in 

higher education sector, Prof. Dr. 

Atta-ur-Rahman appreciated AIT's 

efforts for facilitating Pakistani 

institutions of higher learning in 

different advanced technological 

areas. 

“As we are already in touch with AIT 

and we will feel comfortable if more 

facilities from it are available to our 

universities and institutions of 

higher learning,” he said. 

After briefing of HEC initiatives, 

Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman 

emphasized that the fields to be 

enriched in the country were 

industrial designing, industrial 

biotechnology, telecommunication, 

material sciences and application of 

information technology. 

In this regard AIT could be capable 

of providing Pakistan a bridge to 

develop these particular fields. 


EVENT 

Accreditation Council for Teacher Education Formed 

Higher Education Commission has 

constituted Pakistan Accreditation 

Council for Teacher Education 

(PACTE) to carry out accreditation of 

institutions including their 

departments, faculties and 

disciplines giving them appropriate 

ratings. 

In this regard a high level meeting, 

chaired by HEC Executive Director 

Professor Dr. S. Sohail H. Naqvi, was 

held at HEC headquarters. 

It was unanimously decided that all 

accreditation granted by the Council 

(PACTE) would be used as 

assurance for quality in teachers 

education degree programme of 

different educational institutions. 

Accreditation would be a mandatory 

process for all relevant academic 

programmes offered by public and 

private sector institutions. The 

incentive for obtaining such 

accreditation would help enhance 

recognition in the teaching 

community. 

NACTE would systematize and 

execute a comprehensive process of 

accreditation teacher education 

degree programmes and would also 

assist and advise teachers 

education institutions in planning 

their academic and professional 

programmes. 

The major functions of the NACTE 

would be not only to study and 

develop policies and process for 

accreditation of teacher education 

programmes leading to degree but 

also to lay down a criterion on which 

teacher education degree 

programmes would be assessed. 

It would be responsible of inspecting 

all such teacher education 

institutions for ascertaining whether 

those institutions are functioning in 

accordance with the provision of 

relevant universities regulations 

and practices. 

PACTE will also approve a list of 

auditors in the field of Education to 

participate in the process of 

accreditation of Teacher Education 

Degree Programmes and will 

constitute an Accreditation 

Inspection Committee (AIC) to 

conduct peer review of Teacher 

Education degree programmes. 

The Council will be a good 

instrument to protect and promote 

the interest of all stakeholders for 

providing quality education in the 

field of Teacher Education. 

HEC to Establish a Model Centre of English Language 

Teaching and Research 

HEC will initiate a Model Centre of 

English Language Teaching and 

Research (CLTR) in Islamabad and 

the programme will be expanded to 

other cities. The decision was made 

in the meeting of National 

Committee in English (NCE) held at 

HEC Regional Centre Lahore. It has 

been decided that the criteria for 

establishing this model centre 

would be finalized by NCE based on 

the recommendations made by it 

through its sub-committees. 

It has also been decided that the 

NCE would undertake a pilot project 

on online training, language 

learning and creating interactive 

groups for training. 

Prof. Dr. Riaz Hussain Qureshi 

Adviser (QA&LI) HEC, in his 

inaugural remarks emphasized the 

importance of English for graduate 

and post-graduate students of 

professional and general 

institutions of higher education in 

Pakistan. He requested the NCE to 

come up an action plan for 

implementation by the HEC to 

overcome this deficiency. 

He desired that NCE should 

coordinate with institutions of 

higher education for improving the 

standard of English language 

Committee to Look Into 

Fake Degrees Issue 

Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, Chairman 

HEC, has constituted a four-member 

committee to look into the issue of 

fake degrees awarded in the name 

of public and private sector 

universities and institutions of 

Pakistan. 

Justice (Retd) Saleem Akhtar will be 

the Chairman of the Committee 

while Prof. Dr. S.I.Ali, former Vice- 

Chancellor, University of Karachi, 

Prof. Dr. Anwar Gillani from Aga 

Khan University Karachi and Prof. 

Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui, Vice- 

Chancellor, University of Karachi 

have been nominated members of 

the said Committee. 

The Committee has been assigned 

not only to look into the issue of fake 

degrees in totality, but also to probe 

specific cases on receipt of 

complaints and recommend steps to 

be taken by HEC in each case. 

The Committee will work in close 

coordination with the Quality 

Assurance Committee (QAC) of HEC 

and shall take suo-moto action if any 

irregularity comes to its notice. 

teaching and learning in Pakistan. 

The meeting was attended by Prof. 

Dr. Riaz Hussain Qureshi, Adviser 

(QA & LI), Higher Education 

Commission and NCE members, Dr. 

Samina Qadir (FJWU), Dr. Shahid 

Siddiqui (LUMS), Dr. Sabiha 

Mansoor (AKU), Dr. Rubina Kamran 

(NUML), Ms. Saira Abbas (BUQ), Mr. 

Umar Farooq (AIOU), Dr. Raja 

Naseem Akhtar (JKU), Ms. Saba 

Khalil (VU), Prof. Amra Raza (Punjab 

University), Prof. Kaleem Raza (KU), 

Khurram Shahzad (Coordinator, 

NCE & PDO ELTR project, Mr. Ejazur-Rahman 

(PDO ETR project) and 

Mr. Naveed Hussain Shah (SAELTR 

project) while Prof. Zakiya Sarwar 

from University of Karachi chaired 

the meeting. 

6 


QUALITY ENHANCEMENT 

Online Lecturing and IP-based Video 

Conferencing Tested 

The Higher Education Commission, Islamabad has initiated a project 

entitled “Online Lecturing and Net-Meeting using IP-based Video 

Conferencing System” which aims at providing interactive and online 

lecturing services to all the public sector universities. 

Higher Education Data on 

Website 

The Higher Education Commission 

has decided to place the country's 

higher education data on its official 

website. 

Video conferencing is an extremely 

useful method of communication 

because it saves people the time, 

In order to perform this 

demonstration session successfully 

universities/institutes were 

The website contains all the 

information provided by 101 

universities and degree-awarding 

institutions about their last three 

years' activities. 

Information posted on the website, 

besides other relevant data, 

contains gender-wise enrolment, 

details about faculty, academic 

programmes and graduates 

produced by the public and private 

sector universities and degree 

awarding institutions of Pakistan. 

View of sites connected through video conferencing 

expense, travel and can often 

accomplish many of the things a 

physical meeting can. Though not 

new, the technology has the 

potential of becoming ground 

breaking as a communication tool 

for Pakistani universities. In the 

first phase of the project 24 

universities/ degree awarding 

institutions are being provided with 

these facilities at a cost of Rs.100 

million. 

Six companies have bid for the 

tender and gave three live 

demonstrations in November for 

evaluation on technical grounds. 

As part of the overall technical 

evaluation process these vendors 

were asked to provide a live 

demonstration of their quoted 

products as well as the proposed 

solution. For this purpose they setup 

their video conferencing system 

at least three sites at different 

locations. The project is envisioned 

for PERN-connected universities/ 

institutions. 

requested to arrange and provide a 

conference room/lecture room to 

set-up these video conferencing 

equipments for this demonstration. 

In this connection the video 

conferencing set-up was arranged 

at six locations across Pakistan, 

including HEJ Karachi, COMSATS 

Mr. Anwaar Amjad, IT Consultant & 

Dr. Faiz Ishaq, Dean Computer Sciences 

COMSATS view conferencing session. 

Institute of Information Technology, 

Liaquat University of Medical and 

Health Sciences, University of 

Peshawar, UET, Lahore and Higher 

Education Commission, Islamabad. 

The Commission has requested 

educationists, teachers, students 

and the masses to cooperate in 

updating this information. 

Information on enrollment covers 

the period of three years from 2001- 

02 to 2003-4. 

HEC Approves Rs 17.23 

million Project 

HEC has approved a development 

project worth Rs 17.23 million for 

University of Veterinary and Animal 

Sciences (UVAS) Lahore. 

The project “Provision of Hostel for 

Visiting Faculty at UVAS” will be 

completed in 12 months. Under the 

project, a hostel will be constructed 

for accommodating at least 10-15 

foreign visiting faculty members. 

Other facilities will also be provided. 

These facilities will help improve 

quality of teaching and research. 

The UVAS is already working with 

HEC for Foreign Faculty Hiring 

Programme and has provided need 

assessment for various disciplines. 

Since establishment of the 

University in 2002, over a dozen 

expatriate Pakistani veterinary 

experts have visited the UVAS and 

delivered lectures. 


WORKSHOP 

HEC Establishes 15 Resource Centres for Faculty Development 

The Higher Education Commission 

plans to establish 15 faculty 

development resource centres at 

different public sector universities of 

Pakistan. 

HEC has taken this step by 

identifying the need and challenges 

of the professional development of 

teachers at higher education level 

through intensive in-service training 

as it is an inevitable pre-requisite to 

improve the quality of education. 

National Academy of Higher 

Education (NAHE) of the HEC has 

taken this initiative in order to 

provide facilities of professional 

development to maximum faculties 

of the universities. For the purpose 

Faculty Development Courses would 

be started at 15 centres under NAHE 

throughout the country. 

In this regard a meeting of 

coordinators of Resource Centres 

was held at HEC, Islamabad. Prof. 

Dr. S. Sohail H. Naqvi, Executive 

Director HEC chaired the meeting. 

He expressed his gratitude and 

appreciation for the centres for 

exhibiting full devotion in arranging 

the courses which fulfill the 

requirement of teachers' 

professional growth through 

pedagogical training in an efficient 

and effective manner. 

He assured the meeting that there 

will be no compromise on quality 

and training will be provided to the 

teachers which will equip them with 

the skills essential for teaching 

learning in the classrooms of 21st 

century. 

These centres have been 

established at Department of 

Education, Islamia University, 

Bahawalpur, Department of 

Education, Bahauddin Zakariya 

University, Multan, Sindh 

Agriculture University, Tandojam, 

NWFP University of Engineering & 

Technology, Peshawar, Kohat 

University of Science & Technology, 

Kohat, University of AJ&K, 

Muzaffarabad, Dow University of 

Health Sciences, Karachi, Institute 

of Administrative Sciences, 

University of the Punjab, Lahore, 

Balochistan University of 

Engineering & Technology Khuzdar, 

University of Agriculture, 

Faisalabad, Balochistan University 

of IT & Management Sciences, 

Quetta, Sardar Bahadur Khan 

Women University, Quetta, 

Institute of Education and 

Research, University of the Punjab, 

Lahore, National University of 

Modern Languages, Islamabad, 

Institute of Education and 

Research, University of the 

Peshawar and Lahore College for 

Women University, Lahore. 

Keeping in view the importance of 

training in communication and 

pedagogical skills, Staff 

Development Courses at these 

centres would be mandatory for the 

newly appointed teachers of the 

universities as well as degree 

awarding institutions. This initiative 

would be started with consultation 

of the VCs and the authorities 

concerned. Formative evaluation of 

the course would be conducted on 

regular basis and the courses would 

be monitored properly so that 

cushion action could be taken to 

remove the deficiencies. 

PCM and Logical Framework Workshop 

The European Commission's Asia- 

Link Programme organized a four - 

day workshop on Project Cycle 

Management (PCM) and Logical 

Framework Approach for projects 

under Asia Link in Karachi from 

November 24-27, 2005. 

A group of 50 participants from 

higher educational institutions 

across Pakistan took part in the 

workshop, which was facilitated by 

German CPM experts and 

facilitators. 

Mr. Mohammad Ashraf (Director 

Planning), Dr. Muhammad Mazhar 

Saeed (Director Planning), Mr. Fida 

Husssain (Director Learning 

Innovation), Mr. Rana Shafiq 

(Project Director), Ms. Shehla 

Rizwan (Project Manager) and Mr. 

Anees Sadozai (Project Manager) 

from HEC attended the workshop. 

The Asia-Link Programme is a higher 

education programme that was set 

up by the EU in 2002 to promote 

regional and multilateral networking 

between higher education 

institutions in EU member states 

and South Asia, South-East Asia and 

China. The Programme has until 

now selected 126 projects for 

funding, bringing together higher 

education institutions in 

partnerships to develop human 

resources, draw up new curricula, 

and improve administration. 

A series of five pilot capacity 

building workshops taking place in 

Asia financed by the Asia-Link 

Programme have been carried out in 

November 2005. The objective of 

these capacity building workshops 

was to develop and enhance the 

skills of representatives of Asian 

higher education institutions in the 

principles of project design and 

project management, including the 

logical framework approach. 

The purpose of this workshop was to 

make potential grant applicants 

familiar with the European 

Commission's project management 

instruments and procedure and 

enhance the capacity for project 

management among successful 

applicants and project partners 

under the Asia Link programme. 

The participating team of HEC will 

conduct a similar workshop session 

for the rest of the concerned HEC 

employees. The schedule of the 

training workshop will be displayed 

on the HEC website. 

8 


INTERVIEW 

Recently an interview of Dr. Rahman 

was taken for HEC Newsletter who 

gave his opinion about the education 

system prevailing in Pakistan while 

comparing it with those of the 

developed nations. 

Although he strongly criticized the 

previous governments regarding 

their policies for the education 

sector, he was 

hopeful that the 

p r e s e n t 

government had 

taken good 

steps to improve 

the standard of 

education in the 

country. 

“ I f t h e 

successive 

governments 

had given due 

importance to 

the education 

sector, the 

scenario at 

present would 

have been very 

much different. 

But the policies adopted by the 

present government, especially 

concerning higher education, are 

steps in the right direction. We 

should not underestimate our 

manpower or resources. The things 

needed are commitment and 

sincerity”, he said. 

Talking about the different levels of 

education, he said although it not 

only exists in Pakistan yet this 

discrimination has a very bad impact 

on the overall situation. He said that 

the government should try to bring 

uniformity in the education system 

throughout the country. 

When asked about the reforms in 

the madressah education, Dr. 

Rahman disagreed with the idea 

that courses of religious schools 

should be revamped. He stressed 

that there are other factors and not 

‘Language Policy Needs Change’ 

By Waseem Khaliqdad 

Dr. Tariq Rahman is a noted linguist who has achieved international recognition on the basis of his 

remarkable research work. He is a Distinguished National Professor whose books and articles are widely 

quoted in national and international literature. 

the religious education which leads 

to extremism or hatred. He clarified 

that this system is similar to that of 

catholic schools in the West where 

purely religious education is 

imparted. 

“Extremism has risen in the recent 

years however these schools have 

been imparting education for last 

many centuries”, he added. 

Dr. Rahman, a linguist of 

international repute, while talking 

about the importance of language in 

education, emphasized the vital role 

that language plays in the 

dissemination of knowledge. He 

deplored the little attention being 

given to the study and research in 

the field of linguistics. 

Emphasizing the need to give 

importance to provincial languages, 

he said that the language policy in 

Pakistan has favoured English in 

elitist interests. It has also favoured 

Urdu mainly in order to save the 

State from the assumed centripetal 

forces of language-based ethnicity. 

Therefore, this importance has 

weakened other languages of the 

country. 

Most people who know Dr. Tariq 

Dr Rahman has MA, M.Lit and PhD 

degrees from British universities. He 

has been a Fulbright Scholar at the 

University of Texas and guest speaker 

in several American universities and 

has published about 80 research 

papers and nine books. One of his 

books, Language and Politics in 

Pakistan (1996) has been given two 

awards by the Government. His book 

Language, Ideology and Power 

(2002) is on language teaching and 

he is increasingly writing on education 

in Pakistan. He is also a reviewer of 

books and contributes articles to the 

press. He has lectured and 

contributed seminar papers in 

Pakistan and abroad. His recent book 

is titled Denizens of Alien Worlds: A 

Study of Education, Inequality and 

Polarization in Pakistan. 

Rahman as a scholar and a 

columnist are not aware of the fact 

that he has written three books of 

short stories. The Third Leg, his 

third collection, contains 24 stories, 

all symbolically significant, yet 

conventionally realistic. 

To a question he answered that 

language and literature are two 

different but 

interrelated 

branches of 

learning. “Both 

have their own 

importance but I 

am sorry to say 

t h a t a s 

compared to 

literature, least 

importance has 

been given to the 

s t u d y o f 

linguistics. 

Language has a 

considerable 

impact on the 

culture and 

society of its 

speakers. There 

is a need to 

realize the importance of this area of 

study and take necessary steps in 

this regard”, he stated. 

While talking about the various 

programmes of HEC in different 

fields, he lauded the initiatives 

taken by the Commission but 

suggested that instead of scattering 

funds to so many institutions, these 

should be concentrated to selected 

universities and making them a 

institutions of international repute. 

“Necessary funds may be provided 

to the universities throughout the 

country but it would be more 

practical to concentrate most of 

these funds to two or three 

universities thus trying to make 

them internationally recognized 

institutions. The other important 

Continued on Page 18 


ARTICLE 

Marketing E-resources to University Staff and Students 

By Amina Said 

Higher Education Commission's Digital Library Programme aims to support information requirements of the research 

sector in Pakistan, by empowering the academic community with relevant online information resources and providing 

them skills to utilize this information. Working in concert with various initiatives of the Commission, the greater goal is 

to support the development of indigenous human capacity to manage the transition to the information culture, and 

enhance Pakistan's participation in the global knowledge economy. 

The recent evolution in the way information is shared and distributed through ICTs, has 

opened windows of opportunity for researchers in Pakistan. Historically, our underresourced 

university researchers were dependent on remote document and journal 

delivery options, or personal journal subscriptions, to meet their research needs. 

Greater investments in the telecommunications infrastructure, coupled with partnerships 

with organizations such as INASP and the US National Academies have allowed HEC to 

provide a vast quantity of information to researchers in institutions across the country. 

Researchers in Pakistan, who previously had access to only a handful of print 

publications, are now able to access cutting edge of research information from a wide 

range of publishers including Springer, Elsevier, the American Chemical Society and many 

more. The expansion strategy of the programme is geared towards providing information 

relevant to the particular research needs of each institution. 

Presently, there are over 20,000 journals being provided through the Programme, and a 

recent survey from Elsevier publishing claimed that the programme now covers almost 

70% of the world's peer-reviewed scientific content. Participating institutions include an 

estimate of over 150 organizations that include public sector universities, private sector 

universities and other research and development institutions. More institutions are being 

added on a regular basis which portrays the ever expanding sphere of researchers and 

academicians who can benefit from this Programme. 

The provision of access to databases is, however, not enough. The Digital Library Programme has faced many 

challenges, the greatest of which has been spreading awareness and encouraging usage of the resources acquired. This 

is owing to the fact that these resources are being marketed in an environment that is limited in its understanding of 

digital libraries. Librarians are traditional in their approach towards library management, given their experience of 

operating out of hybrid libraries, and find the electronic world slightly overwhelming. 

Various promotional material has been developed to promote awareness of the resources, including posters and 

pamphlets. These have been distributed throughout the campuses of participating institutions. Institutions have 

ensured that this material is displayed in their libraries and that students can obtain this information readily. 

Bookmarks containing uniform resource locators of all publisher databases are also distributed so that students have 

promotional material at hand to refer back to when conducting their searches. 

A comprehensive website has been developed to support the promotion of the Digital Library Resources. The official 

website has also been launched in May 2005 in an effort to create awareness and provide users with a central point of 

DL resource information. The website offers a user-friendly interface and covers detailed content information for digital 

library users, general users, librarians, researchers and students. Publisher information is made readily available and 

subject strengths are outlined for easy reference. Each participating institution has its own page carrying information 

about registered resources and contact details for representatives. Students and university staff can view a listing of 

what resources are being provided to them and directly link to the Publisher databases to begin their search. 

The website also holds a number of useful links to open access resources and various other scientific search engines to 

encourage users to help users locate scientific information on the Web. A section containing frequently asked questions 

(FAQs) has been added, that responds to the basic queries of users wanting to learn about the concept and application 

of digital libraries. It also covers questions relating to membership and publisher participation information that are 

specific to this Programme. 

The Digital Library Team has held a number of trainings to create awareness of these resources and at the same time, 

impart the knowledge and skills required for the successful use of these online assets. The trainings have been 

10 


ARTICLE 

geographically spread through all the main regions of Pakistan, whereby teams of two or three members have actively 

conducted on-site promotion and training activities for users. 

User groups have been broadly defined into two categories; novice researchers conducting first time searches, and 

active researchers who are dynamically involved in research. The first group has been tackled by supplying general 

awareness training of what resources are available and simple concepts on how to search database interfaces. 

Target groups included students at Bachelors and Masters level, as well as faculty members and library staff. The 

second group received more subject specific awareness on the usage of resources. This group consisted mostly of PhD 

students and faculty members whose skills were refined through the training workshops. Achievements included 

introduction of users to the full range of electronic journals and scholarly databases available online, and those 

available specifically to their respective Institutions. The promotional material supplied and demonstration of the 

Digital Library website helped in clarifying where the information was to be sought. 

A priority initiative of the Digital Library Programme has been to introduce a one-window search interface known as the 

ELIN system. HEC and the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications have linked up with Lund 

Libraries, Sweden, to adapt and extend their existing Electronic Library Information Navigator (ELIN@) system so that 

it can be used by universities in Pakistan. 

Another recent initiative has been the development of a distance learning programme through which the Programme is 

to be promoted. The programme will involve development of content that can be supplied through the virtual university 

in the form of video tapes and broadcasted via the education channels acquired by the HEC. The team has fleshed out 

an outline that covers not only the basic digital library information but also explores resources in depth according to 

subject focus. Students will be able to learn the importance of the Digital Library and understand its effective 

application at their own pace from the comfort of their home or office. The television broadcasting will ensure deeper 

geographical penetration of information to students in relatively remote areas. 

The Knowledge Fair is an event that has been planned for the next year to celebrate all the research activities of HEC. 

The Festival will be organized in collaboration with HEC for students, academicians and researchers. The intent is to 

hold these events in major universities of Pakistan nationwide. This exhibition will not only promote the Digital Library 

Programme but it would also provide exposure for other programmes that have been chalked out for the enhancement 

of research capacity among the masses at a broader level. 

These activities are the milestones that promise the sustainability and growth of the Digital Library Programme in 

Pakistan. Our country has much to learn, yet, from those who are ahead in their expertise of managing and 

implementing Digital Libraries. It is established, however, that the need for e-resources is at its peak and countries 

must evolve their methods of communication and empower researchers by providing them with access to information. 

Orientation Course for HEC Employees 

The Learning Innovation Division 

st 

organized the 1 Training Course for 

newly inducted 

employees of 

HEC from 

October 24-26, 

2 0 0 5 . 

Participants 

included 31 

assistants and 

computer 

operators from 

different 

sections of HEC. 

The objective of 

the course was 

to introduce the 

participants to 

the working of HEC departments. 

Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad Member 

(O&P) inaugurated the course as 

chief guest 

a n d 

advised 

the new 

entrants 

to work 

w i t h 

dedication 

a n d 

devotion. 

T h e 

resource 

persons 

for the 

course 

were from 

Finance, 

Audit, Administration and Learning 

Dr. Riaz Hussain Qureshi shares his views 

with the participants. 

Innovation departments of the 

Commission. 

Prof. Dr. Riaz Hussain Qureshi, 

Adviser (QA&LI) was the chief guest 

on the concluding ceremony. While 

speaking to the gathering, he 

expressed satisfaction on the 

success of the course and advised 

the participants to work hard. 

He informed them that the Learning 

Innovation Department would 

continue to arrange similar courses 

in future to hone their professional 

development. 

Later on certificates were 

distributed among the participants. 


UNIVERSITY PAGE 

Steps Afoot to Harmonize Education: Musharraf 

The Government plans to increase budgetary allocation for primary 

education to four per cent and is taking steps to harmonise English 

and Urdu mediums of instruction to equip the younger generation 

with proficiency in both languages, President General Pervez 

Musharraf said while speaking at the 4th Postgraduate Convocation 

of the National University of Science and Technology (NUST). 

The President said the Government 

was working on a comprehensive 

plan to raise the literacy level and lay 

country. The President informed the 

students that five engineering 

universities would be set up in the 

COMSATS Demonstrates 

Telehealth Project in 

Tunis 

On the sidelines of the World 

Summit on Information Society 

(WSIS), in the capital of Tunisia, 

COMSATS with the support of 

Canadian Development Agency, 

IDRC, demonstrated live its 

telehealth project using modern 

information communication 

technologies (ICTs). 

a sound base for higher education. 

The President promised that with the 

rising revenue collection, the 

Government would keep increasing 

allocation for education every year. 

He said the increase in allocation 

from 2.6 per cent to 4 per cent for the 

primary level would help lay a solid 

foundation for higher education as 

“having a weak base with super 

structure at the highest level will not 

be sustainable”. 


was also looking into harmonizing 

English and Urdu mediums of 

instruction to end the confusion 

prevailing in the country. 

He said the existing system was 

making the students proficient in 

one language and poor in the other 

language. “The idea is to teach some 

subjects in English and some in Urdu 

in all schools,” he said, adding the 

students would be tested in both the 

languages. 


was also reviewing the current 

curricula and syllabi to bring about 

sectarian harmony and promote 

affinity and brotherhood in the 

country in collaboration with France, 

Germany, Austria and South Korea. 

Three technological universities 

were also being planned to be 

established and would take about 

five years to come on the ground. 

The President praised the standard 

of education at the NUST, saying it 

had produced professionals of 

international standard in the field of 

engineering, medical and 

management sciences. 

“You are the future and hope of 

Pakistan. We are a going generation, 

while you are a coming generation. 

We are passing the baton on to you 

when the country in on the rise,” he 

added. 

He also awarded Presidents Gold 

Medals to the top achievers as well 

as the best teacher and the best 

research scholar. 

The Resource Centre with medical 

specialists at Islamabad was linked 

up with the Abdullah Hospital at 

Skardu, which is operated by 

Baltistan Health and Education 

Foundation (BHEF). 

Visitors at the IDRC's exhibition 

booth daily witnessed online, the 

medical consultation of patients 

visiting the Telehealth Centre at the 

Hospital. The project serves as a 

model and learning experience for 

affordable quality healthcare in a 

remote area of the country, in 

particular Baltistan, Northern Areas. 

At present more than 550 patients 

have been examined over a period 

of six months by medical specialists 

i n t h e f i e l d s o f 

cardiology,gastroentrology, 

dermatology, nephrology and 

medicine. This ICT based project 

was represented by Mr. Tajammul 

Hussain and Dr. Azeema Farid of 

COMSATS, and participants at the 

World Summit took keen interest in 

the live coverage of the 

teleconsultations. 

UAAR Starts Construction 

of New Block, Hostel 

Construction of the extension of new 

academic block of University of Arid 

Agriculture, Rawalpindi (UAAR) has 

begun. The two storey building will 

be completed within next 18 months 

at an approximate cost of Rs. 40.53 

million. The earth breaking 

ceremony of the extension of the 

academic block was performed by 

Dr. Khalid Mahmood,V.C, UAAR. 

12 



Seminar on Socio-Economic Effects of 

Earthquake at QAU 

Pakistan may have to knock down a few buildings in all major cities 

that have not followed construction codes and cannot withstand 

further earthquakes, to show that the Government means business 

to bring the contractors to book. 

This was stated by Prof. Dr. Atta-ur- 

Rahman, Chairman HEC at the 

inaugural session of a national 

seminar on “Earthquake Calamity 

and its Socio-Economic Effects: 

Analysis and Recommendations” 

and its related issues confronting 

the nation after Oct 8th earthquake. 

Specifying the key reason for the 

massive devastation, Dr. Atta-ur- 

Rahman said that people were 

allowed to construct whatever and 

exception. 

He said that hazard assessment 

must be carried out as our part of 

the world had been declared 

sensitive to earthquakes by 

experts. 

Preparing for a jolt of over 11 on the 

Richter scale would be a waste of 

time, while hoping for a 6 or lesser 

would be unwise. Therefore 

dangerous buildings should be 

demolished. 

Dr. Qasim Jan, Vice Chancellor 

Quaid-i-Azam University, in his 

address said that the last few 

decades have seen a paradigm shift 

from relief response to risk 

management which is influencing 

the way disaster management 

programmes are planned, and 

financed. These efforts, he 

continued, claim a fraction of the 

resources allocated to 

humanitarian assistance, relief and 

post-disaster reconstruction. 

Dr. Hafiz-ur-Rehman, Dr. Qasim Jan and Dr. Atta-ur-Rehman 

at the Seminar 

organized by the Department of 

Anthropology, Quaid-i-Azam 

University, on November 24, 2005. 

The Seminar discussed and 

highlighted socio-economic impact 

wherever without following any 

building codes. Corruption and 

illiteracy, he said, lies behind many 

of the problems and ills the country 

faces at present and the havoc 

caused by the earthquake is no 

Call for Collective Efforts Against Climatic Changes 

Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, 

Chairman, HEC has stressed 

collective approach to overcome 

hazards in different forms posed by 

climatic and weather change. 

He was speaking as chief guest at 

the concluding session of a threeday 

international workshop on 

“Impact of Weather and Climate on 

Society Affairs” organized by 

COMSATS and Department of 

Meteorology on November 26, 2005. 

He said interaction should take place 

between the world's universities to 

learn from each other's experiences. 

HEC was introducing numerous 

programmes such as videoconferencing 

in which experienced 

professors worldwide would be able 

to share their experiences and 

expertise. However, he maintained 

that there should be realization on 

the part of the people as well that 

part of these changes have taken 

Dr. Hafiz ur Rahman, Head 

Department of Anthropology QAU 

while addressing the gathering said 

that while infrastructure 

rehabilitation is essential, the sociocultural 

and socio-economic 

rehabilitation is equally vital. 

It is essential that in addition to 

material relief, socio-cultural and 

psychological rehabilitation may be 

recognized as a major component, 

he concluded. 

place due to improper planning of 

developmental projects like 

establishment of industries etc. 

Speaking on the occasion, Federal 

Minister for Environment Maj (Retd) 

Tahir Iqbal said everyone should 

play a part in order to bring these 

climate changes back to normalcy. 

He said an institution should be 

established to find ways and means 

to check these changes which were 

posing potential threat to human 

beings. 



Workshop on Advances in Plant Physiology 

A three-day workshop on the 

Advances in Plant Physiology was 

held in the Department of Botany, 

University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 

from November 14-16, 2005. 

The objective of holding this 

workshop was to impart up-to-date 

knowledge of Plant Physiology to 

college and university teachers from 

all over the Punjab. Twenty five outstationed 

and five local 

college/university teachers 

participated in the workshop. The 

workshop was inaugurated by Prof. 

Dr. Bashir Ahmad, Vice-Chancellor, 

University of Agriculture, 

Faisalabad. 

In his inaugural address, Prof. Dr. 

Bashir Ahmad, said that as a 

consequence of greenhouse effect 

and global warming, there are huge 

changes in the ecosystems and 

environment. Plants are highly 

prone to these changes. 

He added that holding of this 

workshop is quite timely that will 

enable the participants to 

understand the intricate 

physiological processes undergoing 

in plants in the wake of rapidly 

changing environmental conditions. 

Dr. Muhammad Ashraf, Chairman 

Department of Botany, while 

describing the objectives of the 

workshop said that there is a large 

communication gap 

between the college 

teachers and those from 

universities that 

certainly needs to be 

diminished. 

Department of Botany, 

as a lead institution in 

Plant Physiology, 

realized the need to hold 

this workshop and hoped 

that the workshop would 

prove a source of 

learning to the 

participants, and they 

would be able to impart 

the new insights into plant 

physiology to their students, he 

added. 

Dr. Saadat Alia, Director Life 

Sciences, HEC Islamabad said that 

the Commission is playing an active 

role in promoting scientific and 

technological activities in the 

country. She described the primary 

objectives of establishing the Core 

Group in Life Sciences. She said that 

the group had so far sponsored 32 

workshops and more than 1500 

participants had been trained 

through them. She said that 

Prof. Dr. Bashir Ahmad, VC UAF presenting a shield to 

Dr. Saadat Aliya, Project Director Life Sciences HEC 

establishment of two Life Sciences 

Resource Centres in the country, 

one at the University of the Punjab, 

Lahore and the second at the 

University of Arid Agriculture, 

Rawalpindi, are important steps in 

this direction. At the end, the Dean 

Faculty of Sciences thanked the 

participants for attending the 

workshop. 

Pro-VC, New Zealand Varsity Visits UAAR 

Dr. Robert Anderson, Pro-Vice- 

Chancellor of Massey University, 

New Zealand along with Dr. Richard 

Archu and Dr. Alex C. P. Chu called 

on Dr. Khalid Mahmood Khan, Vice- 

Chancellor University of Arid 

Agriculture, Rawalpindi on October 

18, 2005. 

They held a meeting with Dr. Khalid 

Mahmood Khan and possible 

collaborations between the two 

varsities were discussed. Research 

led culture of the universities was 

the main focus of the discussion, 

especially, the need for producing 

relevant and usable research, of 

direct use and value to the 

community. 

Later in a formal consultation 

session with heads of the faculties 

and departments at UAAR, Dr. 

Robert Anderson, spelled out the 

possible broad areas, where Massey 

University can effectively 

collaborate with UAAR. 

He believed that exchange of 

scholars between the two varsities is 

required for development of more 

effective interaction. 

He said that at this time the world is 

facing highly competitive and 

shrinking market, therefore, 

educational institutions need to 

reorganize themselves for 

optimizing the use of available 

resources. 

He said that under the present 

global trends, the students are not 

attracted much towards agriculture 

and basic sciences and, therefore, 

courses need to be designed where 

management and information 

technology is hybridized with 

agricultural and pure sciences. 

Earlier Dr. Khalid Mahmood Khan 

gave a detailed presentation relating 

to existing infrastructure and the 

future short and long term vision of 

UAAR. 

14 



President AIT for Closer Collaboration 

With LCWU 

In a recent visit to Lahore College for 

Women University, Lahore, (LCWU) 

Mr. Irandoust, President AIT and Mr. 

Sanjeev Jayasinghe, Director 

Promotions identified areas in which 

joint research can be made possible. 

Curriculum development in various 

May to July to conduct seminars and 

workshops on Management 

Sciences. 

Prof. Dr. Bushra Mateen, Vice- 

Chancellor LCWU proposed sending 

more faculty members for the 

Doctoral Degree Programme in AIT. 

Bahria University to 

Accommodate AJK 

Students 

Bahria University has agreed to 

accommodate Azad Jammu Kashmir 

University students of Computer 

Science, Geology, Economics and 

English departments. 

The AJK University is holding talks 

with Rawalpindi and Islamabadbased 

public sector universities to 

adjust its students till the time it 

shifts back to Muzaffarabad. 

When the earthquake struck on 

October 8, both the old and new 

campuses of the university were 

totally damaged, while more than 

200 students were killed. 

The University has set up its camp 

office in Islamabad with its Vice- 

Chancellor and rest of the 

administrative staff coordinating 

efforts to settle their students in 

various local universities. 

AJK University officials revealed that 

Bahria University had accepted their 

request to accommodate their 

students. 

disciplines was also discussed. 

Mr. Irandous receives shield from Dr. Bushra Mateen 

Collaboration in Management 

Sciences, Nanotechnology & 

Microbiology was discussed in 

detail. LCWU signed an MOU in April 

2005 with AIT Bangkok. Three of its 

faculty members of Electronics 

Department are studying in AIT for 

PhD & Masters in Micro Electronics & 

Telecommunications. 

Heads of the two institutions 

discussed the possibility of AIT 

faculty members of visiting LCWU in 

Ms. Shaista Vine, Registrar, Dr. 

Farhat Saleemi, Dean of IT 

Department, & Dr. K. J. Cheema, 

Dean of Natural Sciences also took 

part in the discussion. 

The visitors were given a tour of the 

university's various departments 

including the IT & Science 

Department. They also visited the 

Central Research Laboratory and 

appreciated the state-of-the-art 

equipment available for research. A 

commemorative shield was 

presented to the President of AIT. 

In this regard, a five-member 

delegation of the AJK University led 

by its Vice-Chancellor Dr. Manzoor 

Hussain Khan met Rector Bahria 

University Vice Admiral Fayazur 

Rehman and discussed matters 

related to the academic and 

logistical support which Bahria 

University will provide to the 

students of the AJK. 

The students will start taking their 

classes for February (spring 

semester) in the Bahria University 

which will provide all academic as 

well as logistical support to them. 

HEC to Strengthen Engineering University in Peshawar 

HEC plans to strengthening satellite campuses of NWFP University of Engineering & Technology (UET) at Mardan, 

Bannu and Abbottabad. 

The project aims at strengthening teaching faculty by providing opportunities of foreign training to at least 22 scholars 

in Mardan, Bannu and Abbottabad campuses to carry out PhD studies in top foreign universities. A project amounting to 

Rs. 460 million submitted by HEC has been approved by the planning Commission in CDWP meeting. 


MONITOR 

Credit Hours for Agriculture Reviewed 

A joint meeting of Deans/Conveners of the National Curriculum Revision Committee in the discipline of agriculture was 

held in September 2005 at HEC, Regional Centre, Lahore to review the credit hours requirements for 4-year 

undergraduate degree programme in the discipline of agriculture to bring it at par with international standards. The 

meeting was chaired by Dr. Sohail H. Naqvi, Executive Director, HEC. 

Dr. Altaf Ali G. Sheikh, Adviser (Academic, R&D), HEC welcomed the participants and invited them to deliberate on the 

credit hours requirements proposed by different National Curriculum Revision Committee for 4-year bachelor degree in 

discipline of agriculture. 

Dr. Sohail Naqvi, briefed the meeting about the credit hours standards/requirements of various foreign universities 

including US, UK, for 4-year undergraduate degree programme. Participants of the meeting presented their existing 

scheme of studies and credit hours taught in their respective universities/colleges. 

After detailed discussion, the following scheme of studies were agreed to be adopted by all agricultural 

universities/colleges to bring harmony and uniformity in the 4-year undergraduate agriculture degree programme at 

national level. 

Scheme of Study for 4-Year BSc (Hons) Agriculture 

Mathematics / Biology 

Statistics 1 & 2 

Computers / IT 

Pak Studies 

Islamiat 

Communications Skills 

English 

Basic Agriculture 

6 credit hours 








Sub-Total 28 credit hours 

One subject from each of the following disciplines 

Agronomy 

Plant Breeding & Genetics 

Entomology 

Plant Pathology 

Food Technology 

Horticulture 

Soil Sciences 

Agriculture Economics 









Sub-Total 24 credit hours 

Additional courses having total of 21 t0 25 credit hours from disciplines mentioned below and above may be offered to 

students: Agriculture Extension, Forestry & Range Management, Animal Science, Marketing & Agri Business, Rural 

Development, Human Nutrition, Agriculture Chemistry, Agriculture Engineering and Water Management. 

Sub-Total 

Sub-Total during the first four semesters 

Semester 5, 6 & 7 19 Credit Hours each 

Final Semester 

21-25 credit hours 




Grand Total 


16 


MONITOR 

Mass Communication 

The preliminary meeting of the National Curriculum Revision Committee in Mass Communication was held in 

September, 2005 at HEC, Regional Centre, Lahore to devise the curriculum for BA (Hons) 4- year and MA (Hons). 

The National Curriculum Revision Commission strongly regretted the decision of the Federal Public Service Commission 

(FPSC) to reduce the weightage of Mass Communication from 200 to 100 marks at the competition and superior 

services examinations. 

It was noted with concern that while the discipline is being strengthened the world over, it is not being given due 

importance by the FPSC. The Committee requested HEC to take up the case with the FPSC to restore the previous mark 

weightage to the discipline. 

In view of the growing importance of media education in the present era, it was recommended that Mass 

Communication be introduced at Intermediate level. The Committee expressed concern over PEMRA's exorbitant fee 

structure for FM Radio licenses for purely educational purposes. The educational institutions are non-commercial 

institutions and Rs.130,000/- as license fee was unjustified. PEMRA may be asked to charge a nominal fee only to meet 

the actual processing expenditure. The present license and renewal fee may be waived off and reimbursed to the 

institutions, which have already paid the fee. 

The Committee was of the view that due to the practical and professional nature of the discipline of Mass 

Communication, the proposed four year BS programme may not be offered to the private candidates. The programme 

should be strictly run by the accredited institutions which have basic infrastructure for teaching and conducting 

practicals. Universities should be encouraged to upgrade and beef-up necessary facilities at their campuses. 

It was further suggested that a Pakistan Media Council, composed of media educators, be formed on the pattern of 

Pakistan Medical and Dental Council and Pakistan Engineering Council to ensure profession standards by issuing license 

to media professionals. 

Among other things the council will ensure that only Mass Communication graduates be offered jobs at media 

institutions. It was further suggested that the media executives be requested that only such candidates be absorbed in 

the profession who have been registered/licensed by the Media Council. The Council will also help in 

enforcement/implementation of HEC initiatives by all the member departments/universities to ensure uniformity in 

standards. 

The Committee also requested the HEC to allocate direct grant for establishment of FM Radio stations in departments of 

Mass Communication. Many departments have obtained FM Radio license from PEMRA and their radio project is 

pending for want of funds. Such universities are supposed to go on air within one year otherwise the licenses will stand 

cancelled. Since the process of PC-I is too lengthy and time consuming, HEC may consider provision of funds for radio 

under some other heads so that the radio can go on air within the stipulated time 

HEC GETS BERTH 

IN AFP 

M r . T a l a t 

Khurshed, DG 

(Sports) HEC has 

been elected as 

member of the 

E x e c u t i v e 

Committee of 

A t h l e t i c 

Federation of 

Pakistan (AFP) during its General 

Council election held on November 

2, 2005. 

The meeting was presided over by 

the Lt.Gen. Safdar Hussain, 

President of AFP. 

Frontiers in Medicinal 

Chemistry Published 

A new book entitled Frontiers in 

Medicinal Chemistry volume-II 

edited by Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, 

has been published in the 

Netherlands. 

The scope of the book covers all 

areas of medicinal chemistry, 

including developments in rational 

drug design, bio-organic chemistry, 

combinatorial chemistry, compound 

diversity measurements, drug 

absorption, drug distribution, 

metabolism, new and emerging 

drug targets, natural products, 

pharmacogenomics, 

chemoinformatics, and structureactivity 

relationships. 

Including Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, 

the other co-editor of the book is Mr. 

Allen B. Reitz from Johnson & 

Johnson Pharmaceutical Research 

and Development, Pennsylvania 

while the associate editors of the 

book are Mr. Iqbal Choudary, from 

International Centre for Chemical 

Sciences, University of Karachi and 

Cheryl P. Kordik, Johnson 

Pharmaceutical Research and 

Development, Pennsylvania, USA. 


MONITOR 

University of Karachi, Karachi 

Project: Strengthening of Umaer Basha Institute 

Of Information Technology (UBIT) 

Capital Cost: Rs. 39.300 million. 

DDWP Approved Projects and Programmes 

st 

Projects and programmes presented and approved in the 31 meeting of Departmental Development Working Party 

(DDWP) are as under: 

Karakurum International University, Gilgit 

Project: Immediate Need/Lab Equipment 

For Basic Science Departments 

Capital Cost: Rs 37.801 million. 

Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam 

Project: Development of Animal Product Technologies 

(Milk & Meat) at Faculty of Animal Husbandary and 

Veterinary Sciences 

Capital Cost: Rs 34.819 million. 

COMSTECH 

Project: National Training Facility 


Higher Education Commission 

Project: Staff Development Programme in P&D for P&D 

Officers of P&D Division, Finance Division 


COMSTECH 

Project: Thematic Workshop/Symposia in Frontier 

Technology 


Pakistan Institute of Engineering & Applied Sciences 

Project: Development of Bio-Photonics Laboratory 


Pakistan Institute of Engineering & Applied Sciences 

Project: Development of Metallurgy Laboratory 


CDWP Approved Programmes 

Project and programme presented and approved in the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) are as under: 

NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi 

Project: New Department & Student Facilities 

Capital Cost: Rs.486.00 million with foreign exchange 

cost of Rs 314.000 million. 

NWFP University of Engineering and Technology, 

Peshawar 

Project: Strengthening of Satellite Campuses 

Capital Cost: Rs.395.000 million with foreign exchange 

cost of Rs 150.300 million. 

University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore 

Project: Development of Main Campus 

Capital Cost: Rs.493.000 million. 

University of the Punjab, Lahore 

Project: Provision of Sports Facilities 

Capital Cost: Rs.92.484 million 

Continued from Page 9 

‘Language Policy Needs Change’ 

thing is that the academics should 

be given the responsibilities of 

governance and management of 

these institutions”, he stated. While 

praising HEC initiatives on different 

scholarship programmes, Dr. 

Rahman said a big opportunity has 

been provided to the students and 

teachers to excel in their fields. 

He also appreciated the various HEC 

Foreign Faculty Hiring Programme 

stating that there should be an 

interaction with the foreign scholars 

but underlined the need for avoiding 

any sort of discrimination between 

the foreign and local faculty as far as 

the incentives are concerned 

because it is causing resentment 

among the latter. 

He said that our researchers are 

capable of doing research in the 

respective fields that may be 

recognized at an international level 

provided they have the basic 

resources. 

18 


ANNOUNCEMENT 

'HEC Inks Pen Power’ 

Realizing the dearth of locally produced reference reading material and textbooks at the graduate & postgraduate level, 

the Higher Education Commission has embarked upon a project on “Monograph & Textbook Writing Scheme”. The 

Project is developed with the view to encourage authorship teachers, researcher and professional. 

Beneficiaries 

A teacher/ researcher/professional either in service- or retired from public or private sector intended to write a 

monograph/textbook would be expected to forward HEC an outline of his proposal on the prescribed Book Proposal 

submission proforma, through the proper channel. In case of retired person, he/she may submit two reference letters 

stating that he has either taught in a university/college or conducted research in research organization. 

Financial incentives 

Giving financial benefits of Rs.1,00,000/-for writing textbook at postgraduate level & Rs.80,000/-for monograph at the 

postgraduate level, 60,000/- for writing monograph at graduate level and also 100 books as gratis to the authors. 

Procedure to submit book proposals 

Just download the Format for Book Proposal Submission along with the project's guidelines at HEC website 

www.hec.gov.pk and to send the book proposals to address given below. 

Project Director 

(Monograph & Textbook) 

Publication Division, HEC Islamabad 

e-mail: tbrohi@hec.gov.pk 

Ph # 0519040501/9040509 

Post Vacant 

Chartered in 1983, Aga Khan University (AKU) Pakistan's first private international university, is committed to the 

provision of the highest standards of education, research and health services relevant to Pakistan and the region. The 

AKU Examination Board (AKU-EB) was established by Ordinance in November 2002 to offer high quality school and 

college examinations in English and Urdu, following the national curriculum, at an affordable cost. 

Applications are invited for the following position: 

Associate Director, AKU-Examination Board 

The Associate Director will be responsible in consultation with the Director for the effective management and 

administration of AKU-EB examinations, and for AKU-EB's relations with schools and other stakeholders. The appointee 

will have specific responsibility for managing the examination logistics unit and ensuring the timely and secure conduct 

of examinations and publication of results. 

Candidates must have a relevant postgraduate degree with formal qualifications in education. He/she should have 

demonstrable achievements in academic administration and extensive experience of working with central and 

provincial governments in public examining, teacher education, research or policy development. 

For further details and application procedure, 

please visit www.aku.edu 


ANNOUNCEMENT 

th 

56 Meeting of Nobel Laureates in Lindau (Germany) 

June 25-30, 2006 

A unique opportunity for talented graduates/young researchers to interact with 15-20 Nobel 

Prize Winners and about 500 fellow participants from over 30 countries in the field of 

Chemistry 

Sponsored by: 

HEC, PAEC and the Council in Lindau. 

Only for Pakistani nationals studying/working in Pakistan 

(Three groups have already participated in the last three Annual Meetings) 

Return air ticket and boarding/lodging for 1–2 weeks in Germany will be provided to 

the selected candidates 

. 

Academic Qualifications: 

MSc (Chemistry) or higher degree and having throughout first class academic career with 

merit positions in board/university examinations 

Age limit: 

30 years 

Application forms and other details are available at www.hec.gov.pk/pakmnl 

The applications (one copy by e-mail) should reach 

at the following address before 

10 th January, 2006 

Dr. N. M. Butt, S.I 

Representative in Pakistan, 

Council for the Meetings of Nobel Laureates in Lindau, 

and Visiting Professor PIEAS, P.O Nilore, Islamabad. 

Correspondence: 

Waqar A. Butt, 

Project Coordinator, 

Programme for the Interaction of Young Pakistani Scientists 

with Nobel Laureates in Lindau 

PINSTECH, P.O. Nilore, Islamabad. 

Ph: 051-2207722, 2207265, Fax: 051-9290275 

E-mail: waqar@pinstech.org.pk 

With Compliments of Publication Division 

A Newsletter of the Higher Education Commission, (Islamabad) PAKISTAN 

Contact: +92 51 9040 502, +92 51 9040 552 Fax: +92 51 9040 553 

E-mail: media@hec.gov.pk 

Electronic copy of Newsletter is available at www.hec.gov.pk 

Editor: Tahira Brohi; 

Assistant Editor: Aayesha Ikram; Graphic Artist: Raja Ahmad Nadeem; 

Reporter: Waseem Khaliqdad 

Composing: Munir Zaidi; Proof Reader: Riaz-ul-Haque 

Printed at HEC Printing Press.

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