Tag: college

  • Hey Pakistani students: is your university among the top 1,000 in the world?

    Hey Pakistani students: is your university among the top 1,000 in the world?

    The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by subject released its list for 2024 and 14 universities from Pakistan have made it in the top 1,000.

    It consists of more than 16,300 academic programmes, with an addition of over 600 in comparison to the previous year.

    The 2024 list consists of 55 separate subjects under five broad areas. In total, 1,559 institutions are included, with 64 universities being added for the first time.

    From Pakistan, the university programmes have qualified for Arts and Humanities, Engineering and Technology, Life Sciences and Medicine, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and Management.

    These have been ranked through various metrics, including academic reputation, employer reputation and the International Research Network (IRN) Index.

    The Pakistani universities among the top 1,000 universities are COMSATS University Islamabad, National University of Sciences and Technology, University of the Punjab, Bahria University, International Islamic University, Lahore University of Management Sciences, University of Karachi, University of Peshawar, Aga Khan University, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Government College University Faisalabad and University of Malakand.

  • Only 20 per cent students passed Inter Arts 1st year

    Only 20 per cent students passed Inter Arts 1st year

    The results for first-year (Part-I) examination announced by the Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK) raises concerns as more than 50 per cent of the students have failed.

    According to the inter board spokesperson, 72 per cent of the candidates failed in arts first year (private) and 80 per cent in arts (regular).

    He added that 11,046 candidates participated in the Arts (regular) exams in which only 2,298 candidates were successful while 2,795 candidates participated in the Arts private exams in which 792 candidates passed all the papers.

    Additionally, 63 per cent of the candidates failed in Commerce (private) as 1,986 candidates participated in the exams, out of which 744 candidates passed all the papers.

  • Security situation in Islamabad is under control: IG

    Security situation in Islamabad is under control: IG

    Islamabad Police’s Inspector General, Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan, has stated that the security situation in Islamabad is “under control”.

    His statement comes hours after it was reported by news platforms that educational institutions were unexpectedly shut over security concerns.

    Arab News reveals that parents received messages from schools on Monday morning “urging them to pick their children a few hours after they had dropped them off” for reasons pertaining to their “safety and security.”

    According to IG Islamabad, however, the situation is under control.

    “I would like to inform you that the security and law and order situation in Islamabad is currently under control,” Dr. Khan said in a video message posted on X (formerly Twitter).

    “As of now, there is no situation which should cause you to bring about any change in your [routine regarding] schools and colleges and usual way of life out of fear,” he added.

    He added that citizens should avoid moves that could threaten the security of the city.

    What happened earlier?

    On Monday morning, several educational institutes located in Islamabad reportedly closed until further notice amid security concerns.

    According to news reports, Bahria University, Air University, and National Defence University were shut down. Security, in particular areas of and around Margalla road, F-8, and F-10, had been beefed up.

    However, according to ARY News, a number of other schools and colleges were also shut down, adding that sources reported that threat alert suggested that ‘terror attacks’ were to be carried out by “female suicide bombers affiliated with the banned organisations between January 22-24″.

    Geo News reported that according to the Islamabad Police, security was already tight due to the upcoming elections and protests outside the Press Club. Additionally, search operations were conducted yesternight in certain areas.

  • Holidays are around the corner in Sindh

    The Sindh Department of Education has officially announced the winter vacation schedule for all educational institutions.

    Holidays will commence on December 22 and end on December 31.

    All private and government educational institutions, including universities, colleges, and schools in the province will reopen on January 1, 2024.

    The winter vacation 2023 in Sindh notification was issued on November 30.

    The holidays are being observed in accordance with the decision of the department’s annual steering committee, said the secretary of education.

  • Another exam, more cases of cheating

    Another exam, more cases of cheating

    After cases of cheating during MDCAT examination in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in September, the Public Service Commission examination has also been infiltrated with cheating.

    According to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public Service Commission, a test was held on June 24 for the recruitment of SDO in the Irrigation Department and CNW, during which 18 candidates were caught cheating.

    KP Public Service Commission officials also revealed that electronic devices, guides and other copy materials were recovered from the candidates during the examination.

    Examinations were cancelled and they have been banned from appearing for a period of one year to three years.

    The commission has issued a public notice for re-examination and the relevant test will be held again on December 23.

  • Peshawar students protest after schoolmate shot dead by robbers

    Peshawar students protest after schoolmate shot dead by robbers

    On Thursday, students from Edward College, Peshawar, gathered to protest against the murder of their fellow student who was killed in broad daylight on Wednesday.

    The 17-year-old student, Hasan Tariq, was on his way home after school in a rickshaw when two robbers stopped him and asked for his phone. Tariq, however, resisted, so they shot him on the spot.

    Dawn reported that the incident took place in the red zone area which encapsulates the provincial assembly, Peshawar High Court, Corps Commander House, Governor’s House and other government offices.

    The students demonstrated outside Peshawar Press Club, had closed Saddar Road for the time being, while some protested outside the provincial assembly.

    The young protesters held placards, chanted slogans, and raised concerns about the increasing crime rate in Peshawar. They also condemned the police administration and called for justice for their school-mate.

    Tariq’s parents were also present at the demonstration.

    Caretaker Chief Minister Mohammad Azam Khan has taken notice of the incident.

    According to a statement, he ordered suspension of the relevant station house officer and directed the police chief to submit a report into the student’s killing.

    “Those involved in the murder will be arrested and brought to justice,” Khan stated.

    Simultaneously, the caretaker minister for information, Feroze Jamal Shah Kakakhel, visited the Manga Dargai area of Charsadda district, the native village of Hasan Tariq.

    He also visited Edwards College and met with Principal Shujaat Ali Khan and other faculty members.

  • Peshawar students to campaign against use of drugs in educational institutions

    Peshawar students to campaign against use of drugs in educational institutions

    The students of the University of Agriculture in Peshawar have decided on starting a mission to prevent use of drugs in educational institutions.

    According to reports, the administration has become active to protect the students of the University of Agriculture from drugs. The Anti-Drug Awareness Committee held a meeting at the campus.

    According to experts present at the meeting, drugs give temporary relief by increasing hormones, but later they cause permanent destruction; adding that the addict becomes a burden on his family and society.

    The students have decided to join hands with the government and social organisations to play an active role in the anti-drug campaign.

    According to the report of a non-governmental organisation, 7.6 million people use drugs in Pakistan, including 78% men and 22% women.

  • Senate orders restoration of student unions in Islamabad universities

    Senate orders restoration of student unions in Islamabad universities

    The Senate Standing Committee on Education has approved the Islamabad Capital Student Union Bill 2023.

    The Committee passed Capital Student Union Bill 2023 in ‘principle’ in a meeting held under the chair of Senator Irfan Siddiqui on Wednesday.

    The committee members were asked to submit suggestions in a week.

    Senator Behrmand Tangi stated that “problems” are created with the lack of student unions in educational institutions in the universities. He gave an example of the University of Peshawar which was closed for three months due to protests.

    “The purpose of this bill is to give rights to the students. This is not a political bill. With this bill, the problems of teaching in the university will be solved,” he said.

    Similarly, senator Jam Mehtab Dahar believes that unionisation can reduce student protests in universities.

    A representative of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), however, suggested establishing councils instead of students’ unions.

  • Girls from Peshawar take lead in annual SSC examinations

    As results were declared by all educational boards in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, girls from Peshawar Model Schools secured the top three positions in the annual secondary school certificate (SSC) examinations.

    According to Dawn News, this is the first time in the history of the province that SSC examinations results were announced simultaneously by all the educational boards.

    Adan Shahid from Peshawar Model Girls High School-II Dalazak Road secured the first position by obtaining 1,086 marks out of 1,100. Lubna Alam of Peshawar Model School Charsadda is the runner up with 1,083 marks.

    The third position was taken by Aneeba Asad and Musfira Gul of PMS-II Dalazak Road by with 1,082 marks each.

    The four students not only topped the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education Peshawar but also secured maximum marks in all the boards in the province. 

    A formal ceremony was held at the Chief Minister’s House on Tuesday. Chief Minister Mohammad Azam Khan was chief guest on the occasion.

    According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s House, the overall success rate in the examination under the BISE Peshawar is 86 percent.

  • List of illegal, unrecognised universities across Pakistan made public

    List of illegal, unrecognised universities across Pakistan made public

    The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan recently released a list of illegal and ‘fake’ campuses of universities and higher education institutions across the country. According to the HEC, degrees obtained from these institutions will not be recognised by the commission. To ensure students across the country obtain valid degrees, the HEC has urged students to avoid seeking admission to these institutions.

    Colleges on the list range from local sounding institutions (for instance, the Quaid-e-Azam College of Information Technology), while others seem to present themselves as branches of international universities, such as the American University of London. Though funnily enough, no such university actually exists in London.

    The HEC is responsible for recognising degrees from both private and public chartered universities and higher education institutions in Pakistan. HEC also extends recognition to affiliated campuses. 

    The general public are advised to exercise caution and refrain from enrolling in any fake, illegal, or unrecognised universities/colleges. The HEC has published, and regularly updates, its list of accredited institutions, so if the institution you are enrolling for is not mentioned on the website, you will likely acquire an invalid degree by the end of it. 

    View the entire list of illegal universities and colleges on HEC’s website.