Tag: student

  • 12-year-old beats Einstein and Stephen Hawking in IQ test

    12-year-old beats Einstein and Stephen Hawking in IQ test

    A 12-year-old British student has surpassed famous scientists Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking in intelligence, scoring more than the two in an IQ test.

    Devon schoolboy Rory Bidwell achieved the maximum score of 162 on the Cattell III-B test – despite not having prepared for it.

    Both Einstein and Stephen Hawking are said to have scores around 160.

    Rory found the test “pretty easy,” his dad said, and had no problem finishing it in the time limit.

    Abby Bidwell, the British student’s mother, said her son was very calm during the test and even took a leisurely stroll to the toilet during one section.

    His father, James Bidwell, told Sky News the family’s first reaction to the score was “That’s a big number – what does that actually mean?”.

    A bit of Googling revealed Einstein and Stephen Hawking are both said to have had IQs of around 160. That was when it started to sink in that it was “really quite impressive,” Mr Bidwell said.

    “We’ve always known he’s an incredibly bright lad. This just puts it in context.”

  • What is Canada’s new visa policy for students?

    What is Canada’s new visa policy for students?

    As per official data, last year Canada issued nearly one million study permits, about three times that of a decade ago, and now they are changing their policy.

    In response to a housing shortage aggravated by explosive growth in foreign student numbers, Canada has announced a temporary two-year cap on the intake of international students.

    Last year, the country issued nearly one million study permits, triple the figures from a decade ago, according to government data. The new proposal aims to reduce the intake by almost a third.

    Canada’s Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, revealed that the Liberal government will implement a two-year cap on student visas, resulting in the issuance of approximately 364,000 visas in 2024.

    The plan also includes limitations on post-graduate work permits for foreign students, potentially encouraging them to return to their home countries.

    Previously viewed as a straightforward path to permanent residency, these permits will now be subject to stricter regulations.

    However, those pursuing master’s or post-doctorate programs will still be eligible for a three-year work permit.

    Additionally, spouses of international students enrolled in undergraduate and college programs will no longer be eligible for permits, Miller stated.

    The acceptance of new study permit applications in 2025 will be reassessed at the end of the current year.

    The government’s decision comes in response to the surge in international students, creating a housing crisis and driving up rents across the country.

    December 2023 saw a 7.7 per cent year-on-year increase in rents nationwide, according to Statscan. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s popularity has been dented mainly due to the affordability crisis, and opposition Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre has taken a commanding lead over Trudeau in opinion polls ahead of an election next year.

    Concerns about the quality of education provided by some institutions have also prompted the government to reevaluate its immigration policies.

    The move will not only affect the housing market but will also have economic implications. International students contribute approximately C$22 billion ($16.4 billion) annually to the Canadian economy.

    This decision will likely impact educational institutions that expanded their campuses in anticipation of a continuous influx of students.

    Ontario, the most populous province, has been the primary recipient of international students. Some businesses, including restaurants and the retail sector, have warned of potential labor shortages due to the cap on foreign students.

    Canada’s move will have repercussions for Canadian banks, as international students are required to have Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs) of over C$20,000, covering living expenses.

    Most foreign students, approximately 40%, hail from India, with China coming in second at around 12%, based on official data from 2022.

    In response to these changes, the University of Toronto has expressed its readiness to collaborate with all levels of government to ensure that the allocation of study permits considers institutions like U of T and addresses challenges in the system.

  • 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.

  • Great-grandmother, 92, goes to school in India

    Great-grandmother, 92, goes to school in India

    A 92-year-old great-grandmother from India goes to school for the first time in her life.

    Salima Khan, a resident of Bulandshahr in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, said that there were no schools in her village when she was a girl.

    Born around the year 1931, Khan got married at the age of 14.

    She always longed to read and write but her dream could not come true for the longest time.

    In 2023, six months ago, Salima Khan started school alongside classmates eight decades younger than her. Her grandson’s wife accompanies her to classes.

    Her story came to light when a video of her counting from one to 100 made rounds on social media.

    Speaking to Times of India, she said, “My grandchildren used to trick me into giving them extra money as I couldn’t count currency notes. Those days are gone.”

    School headmistress Pratibha Sharma stated that the teachers were initially “hesitant” but they realised how much “passion” the nonagenarian had for studying.

    “We didn’t have the heart to refuse her,”she said.

    According to Sharma, Khan’s story has inspired 25 women from her village to enroll in classes including two of her daughters-in-law.

  • A class nine student attempts suicide, jumps off school building in Lahore, severely injured

    A class nine student attempts suicide, jumps off school building in Lahore, severely injured

    A 14-year-old student jumped from the third floor of his school building in Lahore on Monday, and received a severe injury to the spinal cord.

    The student is in class nine and is enrolled in a private school in Township, Lahore.

    According to details, the student had a fight with an older student in class ten. The school administration decided to punish him by not allowing him to take the exam and asked him to stand outside the classroom during the examination.

    The student’s father accused a teacher of misbehaving with his son which forced him to take the extreme step of attempting suicide.

    He said, “The teacher told my son that his career is over.”

    The victim received an injury to the spinal cord and doctors are not hopeful for his recovery.

    The school principal, Ahsanullah Waqas took action by suspending two teachers. He said the punishment given to the student was a regular punishment given to misbehaving students.

    Notice of the incident has been taken by Chief Secretary Punjab and the school has been ordered to submit a response by February 16.

    According to the District Education Authority, a proposal was also in consideration to revoke the license or closure of the school.

  • Corporal punishment allegedly led to the death of a teenage student in Lahore

    Corporal punishment allegedly led to the death of a teenage student in Lahore

    Lahore Police has filed a first information report (FIR) against several teachers, for allegedly beating a student to death, ARY News has reported.

    The FIR was registered after the victim’s father, Wajid Hussain, lodged a complaint at Badami Bagh Police Station Lahore. As per the complaint, the 14-year-old Hamza died after being subjected to corporal punishment by his teachers.

    The complaint further states that the father found his son in an unconscious state as teacher Mohammad Majid, along with his colleagues, subjected him to torture. The student was rushed to Mayo Hospital and he died there two days latter.

    As per details, the accused have left the area and the police is trying to locate them.

  • Student from Swat invents vibrating ‘smart shoes’ for visually impaired

    A matric student from Swat has invented  “smart shoes” for visually impaired people that warn them with a sound or vibration about any obstacle on their path within a radius of 120 centimeters.

    The 17-year-old told Arab News he had an interest in repairing and fixing damaged battery-operated toys and this is how he entered the world of innovation.

    “Visually impaired people will no longer need walking sticks or guides after smart shoes acquire popularity,” Wasiullah said.

    “The shoes are fixed with ultrasonic sensor and Arduino board to keep blind people safe while they are walking. Such individuals can get prior notification of any looming hindrance.”

    Physics teacher Muhammad Farooq said Wasiullah was his most bright student and that he had planned to design a new type of wheelchair to help visually impaired people navigate their surroundings, but he could not afford its financial constraints. 

    Financial problems did not hold him back and he came up with “vibrating shoes” instead.

    “I still believe he has the potential to emerge as a leading scientist if he gets proper coaching and opportunity,” Farooq said.

    “Smart shoes for visually impaired people are available in foreign countries,” Farooq said. “But their prices are beyond the reach for many in Pakistan. The government should own the project because the shoes Wasiullah has made are comparatively cheaper and more affordable.”

    Mian Sayed, a social activist from Swat, has seen Wasiullah’s smart shoes and is positive that they could even become an export product. 

    Wasiullah said the price of a pair of his smart shoes can be fixed at Rs4,500 ($26), but he would not be able to manage production himself as he also needs to finance his studies himself. 

    An opportunity may come from the local government.

    Sajid Shah, head of the provincial directorate general of science, told Arab News the shoes will soon be evaluated by experts.

    “After evaluation by our scientists,” he said, “our department will promote the project of smart shoes invented by Wasiullah for commercial purposes.” 

  • Police arrest cleric for allegedly raping teenage student

    Police have arrested a seminary teacher accused of raping and torturing a student in Rawalpindi’s Pirwadhai.

    As per reports, the Pirwadhai police registered a first information report (FIR) against Mufti Shahnawaz Ahmed on the complaint of the victim’s father. He has been booked in another case for resisting arrest.

    He had gotten pre-arrest interim bail from the relevant court to avoid arrest.

    Rawalpindi Police wrote in a tweet that the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Investigation and Superintendent of Police (SP) Rawal will supervise the probe, while merit will be ensured. The victim’s father stated that he had received a phone call from the management of the seminary, asking him to pick up his daughter who had fainted.

    The young girl told what had happened after she regained her consciousness saying the teacher had been trying to harass her for the past several months.

    She said that the teacher tortured her after she resisted his attempts of sexual harassment. She was then given a drug after which she fainted and didn’t remember what happened after that, the complainant said.

  • Mufti Aziz-ur-Rehman admits he raped student, claim police

    According to Geo News, Mufti Aziz-ur-Rehman has confessed that he raped his student. He was arrested by Lahore Police on Sunday from Mianwali after a video went viral on social media in which Mufti Aziz could be seen sexually assaulting one of his madrassa (seminary) students.

    According to details shared by police sources, Mufti Aziz confessed that the video was not fake and said that he was secretly filmed by his student. Mufti Aziz said after the video went viral, he panicked. He also admitted that his sons then threatened the victim. He said that he did not want to leave the madrassa, which is why he made a video denying that he raped his student after the management asked him to go.

    Read more- When a Mufti rapes, why do we silence the victim?

    Mufti Aziz hid in Township, Sheikhupura and Faisalabad with the help of some of his students but was found in Mianwali as his phone was being traced along with his sons.

  • Police arrest Khairpur teacher for raping, filming minor students

    Police arrest Khairpur teacher for raping, filming minor students

    The Sindh Police have arrested a retired schoolteacher for allegedly raping minor students, many of whom he tutored at a private property in Khairpur. The suspect was caught on Friday evening after escaping arrest earlier.

    https://twitter.com/sindhpolicedmc/status/1284107833399824384?s=20

    According to details, Sukkur range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Fida Hussain Mastoi said police had raided the suspect’s hometown but he managed to escape. The DIG also confirmed the scandal that went viral on social media.

    The suspect, who was a government schoolteacher, had recently retired. He was accused of raping one of his students, recording the act and then circulating it on social media. He has also been accused of forcing his students to commit sodomy with each other. It is pertinent to mention here that all students at his tuition centre were between the ages of 10 and 12.

    After the news gained traction on social media, social activists, journalists and other members of the civil society expressed their outrage on the matter and demanded the authorities take strict action against the suspect.

    https://twitter.com/SameenaERana/status/1284028366019072002?s=20
    https://twitter.com/M_Osamaa_/status/1284188092656689155?s=20

    Mehwish Hayat also took to Twitter to applaud the Sindh Police for taking swift action.