Tag: universities

  • Govt to distribute 100,000 laptops under Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme

    Govt to distribute 100,000 laptops under Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme

    About 100,000 students enrolled in government universities and colleges will soon receive free laptops as part of the Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme, according to the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) for Youth Affairs, Shaza Fatima Khawaja.

    She said in a Monday interview with APP that the programme will only award young people with high-quality laptops based on their merit.

    “These laptops will be provided to all Ph.D. and postgraduate students, while the top performers in undergraduate programmes will also be included in the scheme,” she said.

    The SAPM claimed that the laptop program’s allotted quota for Balochistan students has been doubled, along with quotas for students who are disabled and 50 per cent of the program’s allotted quota for women. Prime Minister Skilled Programme will provide skills and information technology training to up to 100,000 youth.

    She claimed that the Pakistan Muslim League (N) government launched the Prime Minister Youth Program in 2013, which had six steps for empowering youth.

    Khawaja rejected the impression of closing the Prime Minister Youth Loan Scheme terming it wrong, and added, the restructuring of this program has been done under which the loan limit has been revised.

    “Now the youth will be provided interest-free loans up to Rs500,000, while loans from Rs500,000 to Rs7,500,000 will be provided on easy terms,” she told APP.

    She emphasised the urgent need to provide these youth with skills education in line with market needs by stating that 20 lakh graduates enter the market each year after completing their education.

  • 17 female students from Pakistan to participate in Energy Scholars Programme in Qatar

    17 female students from Pakistan to participate in Energy Scholars Programme in Qatar

    The US Mission Pakistan has confirmed the commencement of the inaugural four-week Future of Women in Energy Scholars Programme of the US-Pakistan Women’s Council (USPWC). Beginning June 5, 17 outstanding Pakistani female university students will take part in this certificate programme to learn about working in the energy sector.

    By giving young women the chance to study energy issues and energy infrastructure at Texas A&M University’s Qatar campus, this programme will encourage women’s participation and leadership in Pakistan’s energy sector.

    Following their two-week programme in Qatar, the students will return to Pakistan for a two-week familiarisation trip to learn about Pakistan’s energy sector from key Pakistani public and private-sector organisations in Islamabad and Lahore.

    Enrolled Pakistani female students are presently pursuing bachelor’s degrees in science and engineering at private and public universities across the country.

    The US Mission is assisting Pakistani women in pursuing career opportunities in the energy sector and in developing networks for a prosperous future through this programme. “The USPWC Future of Women in Energy Scholars Program will give young women hands-on experience in the energy sector,” said USPWC Executive Director Radhika Prabhu.

  • Sindh revives student unions after three decades

    Sindh revives student unions after three decades

    The Sindh Assembly on Friday unanimously passed the Sindh Students Union Bill 2019 to revive student unions. According to the bill, a student union will be formed in every private and government educational institute.

    Students will be able to vote for or participate in the student union, according to the bill. The bill defines the student union as “a body or association of students of any educational institution by whatever name called for promoting the general interests of its members as students for academic, disciplinary, extra-curricular or other matters related to the affairs of the students in the educational institutions”.

    As per the bill, students would be able to form a union with seven to 11 student members through elections every year. The union will have representation in the institute’s syndicate, senate, and anti-harassment committee.

    The bill states that no student will be allowed to use or keep firearms on campus. The bill states that educational institutes will decide the rules and regulations related to the union two months after the bill is passed.

    During General Ziaul Haq’s military government, student unions were banned throughout the country in 1984.

  • ‘Universities should research disastrous effects that western culture has on family life’: PM Khan

    ‘Universities should research disastrous effects that western culture has on family life’: PM Khan

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Monday, during the inauguration ceremony of Al-Qadir University’s academic blocks, said that Pakistan’s youth was confused about itself in today’s world.

    He said young Pakistanis studied the western culture and were misled by it.

    The premier urged universities to research the disastrous effects that western culture was having on family life, and spoke out against how pornographic material was widely available on smartphones these days.

    He said universities were important as they can help people make “informed choices”, which will help people make smarter and better choices.

    PM Khan’s statement from his speech earlier this week caught the attention of the Twitterati and the premier was heavily criticised for his remarks.

    Writer and Vlogger, Saadia Ahmed wrote, “The most harmful effects on Pakistan’s family system come from Pakistan’s family system itself.”

    A Twitter user tweeted, “Wish it was a country where harmful effects of family system on a person’s health was researched.”

    https://twitter.com/009barca/status/1466330905937690627

    Criticising the words of the premier a Twitter user wrote, “He’s trying his best to not get voted next year good for him.”

    https://twitter.com/sheilasjawani/status/1466358126400221185

    A Twitter user tweeted, “I wouldn’t be surprised if this guy creates a new discipline to study Pakistan’s Family System.”

  • ‘Research should be conducted on whether our divorces have increased and its impact,’ says PM Khan

    ‘Research should be conducted on whether our divorces have increased and its impact,’ says PM Khan

    Prime Minister Imran Khan, while addressing the Ashra-e-Rehmat-ul-Lil-Aalamin (PBUH) conference, announced the formation of the Rehmatul-lil-Aalameen Authority.

    According to Dawn, the scholars in the authority would be responsible for researching how best to disseminate lessons from the life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) to the masses.

    PM said Islam was a religion of peace and humanity and the West did not understand it so the authority would also be tasked with explaining Islam to the world. “When they educate the world about the Prophet’s (PBUH) life, people will understand that Islam is a religion of humanity,” the premier said.

    During PM Khan’s address, he announced that the authority will monitor the media [print and electronic], and be in charge of monitoring the schools’ curriculum and how the course on the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) biography was being taught.

    Furthermore, he said that the scholars would be responsible for carrying out and promoting research in universities.

    “Research should be conducted on topics such as whether our divorces have increased and what is the impact of this,” he added.

    However, the members of the authority haven’t been revealed yet. PM Khan said, “I will be the patron myself but we have started searching for a person who has written books of tafsir, has great command [over religion] and is a scholar for the chairman. There will be an international advisory board above him on which we will bring the Muslim world’s top scholars — we have looked at many names and are approaching them as well.”

  • APPLY: Five scholarships for women who want to leave Pakistan

    APPLY: Five scholarships for women who want to leave Pakistan

    The frightful mass sexual assault which took place on Independence day has shaken the women of this nation to its core. It has also made all Pakistani women comprehend that they are not safe even in broad light and ‘so called’ public areas. Don’t you think it is high time to take your decision into your own hands?

    As an undergraduate student, since this incident, I am afraid that what will happen once university opens. So with this thought, I researched and came across some exciting and wonderful opportunities for women to study abroad for session 2022-23.

    British Chevening scholarship

    This fully-funded program enables Pakistanis to pursue a one-year Master’s degree in the United Kingdom (UK). They will cover your one visa application and even airfare travel costs to and from the UK, but you must have a two-year work experience. The last date to apply is November 2nd, 2021.

    KAIST South Korea Scholarship

    One of the top Public universities, The KAIST (Korean Advanced Institute Of Science and Technology) is ranked #39 in QS Global World. Your full tuition fee, living expenses (per month), and medical health insurance are guaranteed under this scholarship for 2022-2023. You can apply for any level, their eligibility criteria are pretty simple.

    Fulbright program

    The scholarship operates in more than 160 countries worldwide. Under this, approximately 4,000 foreign students receive Fulbright scholarships each year. Pakistanis can not only apply for studies, but for work purposes scholarships as well. The deadline is in April, don’t miss this out.

    Türkiye Burslari Scholarships

    A government-funded, competitive scholarship program, awarded to students and researchers to pursue full-time or short-term programs at the top universities in Turkey. As a Pakistani resident, you will be given some preferences. A great opportunity for students.

    Hood College International Merit Scholarship 

    This college in the United States welcomes applications from qualified candidates holding a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, at least a 2.75-grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale or equivalent. It has multiple degree programs so one can apply to any.

    According to the ‘Global Gender Gap Report 2021’ published by the World Economic Forum (WEF), Pakistan ranked 153rd out of 156 countries on the gender parity index and seventh among eight countries in South Asia, only better than Afghanistan.

  • Fawad Chaudhry defends expelled couple

    Fawad Chaudhry defends expelled couple

    Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry has stepped in to defend the couple, who were expelled from a private university in Lahore for publicly expressing their love.

    “Every girl has the right to marry whoever she wishes,” said Fawad in a tweet. “Marrying with one’s own choice choice is the fundamental right given to women in Islam.”

    “The university administration should re-think their decision,” asserted the minister, adding “Treating women like property is against Islam.”

    Other prominent personalities who criticised the university for its decision included PPP’s Sharmila Faruqi, Shehzad Roy, Yasir Hussain and Shaniera Akram.

    https://twitter.com/ShehzadRoy/status/1370705950479355906?s=20

    The University of Lahore, on Friday, allegedly expelled two students for publicly expressing their love and proposing on university grounds. In a video that went viral on social media and created a stir online, a girl could be seen getting down on one knee and asking her partner to marry him with a bouquet of roses. The proposal ended with the two hugging each other.

    According to a notification, dated March 12, the two students were expelled for “[being] involved in gross misconduct and violation of university rules and were called to appear before the special disciplinary committee [but] failed to appear.”

  • Netizens angry after Lahore university allegedly expels students for public proposal

    Netizens angry after Lahore university allegedly expels students for public proposal

    A university in Lahore has allegedly expelled two students for a public proposal followed by a hug, according to a notification circulating on social media.

    As per details, the notification dated March 12 states that the two students, who can be seen in the video, “were involved in gross misconduct and violation of university rules and were called to appear before the special disciplinary committee [but] failed to appear.”

    The notification further said that both students are “debarred from entering premises of University of Lahore and all its sub-campuses.”

    Soon after the notification went viral social media, students and other users stepped in to defend the couple and trolled the university over the decision.

    https://twitter.com/DennisCricket_/status/1370313907911282693
    https://twitter.com/theabubkr/status/1370068830718980096

    https://twitter.com/MFraz72159347/status/1370332304476884995

    The Current made multiple attempts to contact the university administration but were unable to get through.

  • Peshawar University makes ‘shalwar kameez’ compulsory for female students

    The University of Peshawar has reinforced a dress code for students, first introduced in 2013.

    As per a notification issued by the university management, women must wear “white shalwar with kameez of their own choice, while men should wear decent/modest clothes.”

    The dress code is being implemented to “lessen the financial burden on the parents” said the university’s spokesperson while talking about the notification.

    Earlier in January, the Hazara University in Mansehra issued a new dress code for students, faculty members and administrative staff. In the notification, female students were advised to wear abaya/scarf/dupatta in neutral colours without any decorative material. The female students were also instructed to wear shalwar kameez with dupatta or chaddar.

  • Educational institutions to re-open on Sept 15?

    Educational institutions to re-open on Sept 15?

    Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood on Monday chaired a meeting of provincial education ministers to make a final decision on whether to reopen educational institutes across the country from September 15, The News reported.

    According to reports, the Higher Education Commission’s (HEC) chairperson and executive director, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Faisal Sultan, and officials of the health department were also present at the Inter-Provincial Education Ministers Conference (IPEMC), which aimed to compile the final recommendations regarding the opening of educational institutes.

    The recommendations to resume educational activities would be sent to the National Command Operation Centre (NCOC) for further deliberations among all the stakeholders.

    The meeting was set to also focus on finalising the standard operating procedures (SOPs) in this regard. Educational institutes across Pakistan had been shut down back on March 13 in a bid to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

    The Single National Curriculum (SNC), a short curriculum for the current academic year, examinations in 2021, and establishment of anti-harassment bodies in the provinces were also on the meeting’s agenda.

    A discussion on the transition plans related to the Basic Education Community Schools (BECS) and National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) was also planned for the IPEMC.

    In this regard, Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani said all educational institutes were to open between September 15 and 30.

    All classes starting Grade 9 and up, as well as all universities, would reopen from Sept 15, while Grade 6-8 classes would resume by Sept 22, Ghani said, adding, however, that pre-primary and primary classes would reopen on Sept 30.

    The provincial minister warned that the schools in any area that may witness a rise in the number of coronavirus cases would be closed.

    Wearing face masks would be mandatory in the schools and strict action was to be taken in case of violation of the coronavirus-related SOPs, he added.

    Moreover, Punjab Education Minister Dr Murad Raas said there would be “no double shift”.

    “Alternative day schedule to be followed by all public & private schools,” Raas said on Twitter.

    Separately, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the provincial education department has decided to conduct coronary tests on school staff and students.

    “Health Department’s teams will be visiting public and private educational institutions to conduct random tests of teachers / staff / students / canteen vendors and all those persons who are working within the premises of educational institutions in an effort to detect COVID-19 positive cases and prevent the spread of disease,” a notification shared on the Twitter account of the ruling PTI’s KP chapter stated.