BY ALI ARSHAD

LAHORE: The Vice Chancellor SearchCommittee started interviews of candidates forfour public sector universities of Punjab in thefirst week of January. The universities includePunjab University (PU), Lahore College forWomen University (LCWU), University ofSargodha (UoS) and Mian Nawaz SharifUniversity of Engineering and TechnologyMultan. Around 90 candidates were shortlisedfor interviews, with many candidates applied formore than one university.

For Punjab University Dr Mujahid Kamran

is a strong candidate with eight yearsexperience as VC. Making university apolitical,producing large number of PhDs, promotingresearch culture and strengthening theuniversity financially are among hisdistinctions. Dr Zakria Zakar, Dr ShahidMunir, Dr Zahid Taqi Butt, Dr Shahid Kamal,Malik Ehsan Ahmed and Dr Zaffar IqbalJadoon also appeared in interview among atotal 32 candidates, sources said.

For LCWU the strong hopefuls included DrRukhsana Kausar, Dr Sarah Shahid and DrUzma Qureshi, who is currently serving asacting vice chancellor. Earlier, Dr Rukhsana

Kauser had filed a complaint highlightingproblems in the last selection process, followingwhich CM didnt recomend appointment of anycandidate. Dr Rukhsan is still considered one ofthe strong candidates.

In UoS the most favourite candidate is DrZahoorul Hassan Dogar, who is currentlyserving as pro vice chancellor. Other stronghopefuls include Dean of BusinessAdministration Dr Maqbool Saial and DeanAgriculture Dr Muhammad Afzal.

For MNS-UET Multan there are many namesbut The Educationist and this scribe remainedunable to collect authentic data.

32

JANUARY, 2016 | ISSUE 1 | VOLUME 12 Price: Rs. 50 | Pages: 12 | www.educationist.com.pk | facebook.com/TheEducationistPK

Senator SM Zaffarawarded PhDhonorary degree

PAGE 03 PAGE 10

InternationalConference on SolidState Physics

Media shouldn’t criticize Nawaz-Modi meeting: Shami

LAHoRe:Advertisements of‘peers and babas’should be strictlybanned by thegovernment. pak-indiarelations shouldbe peacefulbecause both areatomic powers,problems can’t be

resolved in one meeting, for this a long plan isrequired and Kashmir issue must be resolvedstep by step. these views were expressed byrenowned journalist and Cpne presidentMujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami during an exclusiveinterview with the educationist.

INSIDE

Universities acts are outdated:UET VC Dr Fazal Khalid

LAHoRe: ouruniversities’ actsare not up-to-dateas per the modernrequirements andthere are manyissues due to theoutdated law, saiduniversity ofengineering andtechnology ViceChancellor prof Dr

Fazal Ahmed Khalid during an interview withthe educationist. “pakistan government ischanging policy to expand its nuclearprogram for power generation because manycountries’ big percentage of power generationis coming from nuclear sector.

Army cannot end terrorism: DrMehdi Hassain

LAHoRe: two mainproblems of pak-istani education arethe outdated cur-riculum and lack ofteachers’ training.government shouldincrease the socialstatus of teachers sothat more qualifiedteachers join theprofession. this was

stated by Dr Mehdi Hassan renowned journalistand media academician, in an interview withthe educationist. Dr Mehdi Hassan Army cannotend terrorism. they cannot kill each one of them. Forthis, the mind set of people needs to be changed. thereare rules of psychological warfare communication.

70,000 students getting educationin Ghazali Trust: Aamer Jafri

LAHoRe: ghazali ed-ucation trust chiefSyed Aamer Jafri hassaid that educationemergency is a mustto achieve the targetof progress of thecountry. He said nogovernment ever fo-cussed on education.in an exclusive in aninterview with the

educationist Aamer said ghazali education trustwas providing education to 70,000 students in 634schools in punjab, KpK and Balochistan. He said itwas a responsibility of the government to bring pri-vate school on one page with reference to fee issuein order to provide relief to the parents.

Vice Chancellorsselection is a hard task.

All eyes on legendrySyed Babar Ali, Search

Committee head

ContinueD on pAge 08

Editor: Shabbir Sarwar

STAFF REPORT

RAWALPINDI: Chief of the Army Staff(COAS) General Raheel Sharif has said thefear of terrorists in the people had beenreduced greatly and stressed the need foreducational investment for a better future.He awarded an honorary fellowship of theCollege of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan(CPSP) during the 49th convocation at theJinnah Convention Centre. Gen Raheel.

CPSP President Prof Zafarullah Chaudhrypraised Gen Raheel’s remarkableachievements against terrorism and formodernising the healthcare system in thePakistan Army.

CPSP, after 26 years, has given honoraryfellowship to someone as before it, formerpresident Gen. Ayub Khan, Prince KarimAga Khan and former PM Benazir Bhuttowere given this award.

Congratulating the graduating students,

the COAS said, “To steer this countrytowards success, we need to invest in ourfuture generations. To this end, everyindividual, especially the educatedprofessionals, have an enormousresponsibility. It is my belief that today’sFellows will rise and shine as the future ofPakistan.” Gen Raheel appreciated thecollege leadership for improving thepostgraduate medical education andhealthcare services in the country.

GEN. RAHEEL URGES INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION

Who is favourite where?

ContinueD on pAge 02

ContinueD on pAge 06

ContinueD on pAge 09

PU

candidatesDr Mujahid Kamran

24L

CW

U candidates

Dr Rukhsana Kausar

18

UoS candidates

Dr Zahoorul Hassan Dogar

17

MN

S-UE

T M

ultan

4 VCs selection: Committee headed by Syed Babur Ali conducts interviews of 90 candidates

WWW.EDUCATIONIST.COM.PK January, 201602 | IN FOCUS

INTERVIEW: MAHNOOR SHEIKH, NIBA KHALID AND AAM-INAH NADEEMPHOTOGRAPHY: MUHAMMAD AKBAR

Good educationi is the state’s responsibility.There are two major problems of education inPakistan: the outdated curriculum and lack ofteachers’ training. Also there is need toincrease the social status of teachers so thatmore qualified teachers can join theprofession., said Dr Mehdi Hassan during anexclusive interview with The Educationist.

The Educationist: Do tell us about your earlylife and education?Dr Mehdi Hassan: After migration, I camefrom India (Panipat) to Sahiwal. I got myearly education (school and college) fromSahiwal and shifted to Lahore in 1961.

The Educationist: From where did youcomplete you higher education?Dr Mehdi Hassan: I started my masters injournalism from PU. The journalism master’sdegree programme was started in PU in1960. I took admission in 1962 and passedout in 1964. In 1990, I got FulbrightScholarship for Colorado University.

The Educationist: How did you start yourpractical journalism?Dr Mehdi Hassan: I started my practicaljournalism from PPI (Pakistan PressInternational) and worked there for sevenyears. I was elected on different posts in PFUJ(Pakistan Federation of Union of Journalists)for 4 times during. In 1967 I was invited toteach at PU department of journalism. Sincethen I have taught in different institutionsi.e.PU for 30 years, Kinnaird College forWomen for 6 years and BNU as a DeanSchool of Media Studies for 12 years.

The Educationist: There is a visible gapbetween media industry and mediaacademia. When students go for job, theysay: “You know nothing”. How can we coverthis gap in order to produce requiredhuman resource?Dr Mehdi Hassan: As far as word “Nothing”isconcerned, the media people mistreat thestudents. The thing is theory is different frompractice. You cannot learn practical until youwork. When students get MBBS degree, they

have to work at hospital to become doctor.Similarly when they get engineering degree,they can’t become engineer unless theypractice. Same is the case with journalism.

The Educationist: How was your experienceat Kinnaird College?Dr Mehdi Hassan: When I used to go therefor teaching, I had a Fox wagon. Theinstitution had provided me a sticker to pasteon the car for parking. Later, when my sonstarted working in Karachi, he once took mycar. His friends were ready to buy the stickerfor even 5000 rupees. This is becauseKinnaird is considered one of the best andmost fashionable colleges for women datingback from partition (with laugh).

The Educationist: How do you see the

difference between private and governmentinstitutes?Dr Mehdi Hassan: Ideologically, I believethat good education is state’s responsibility. Itshould provide quality education ingovernment institutions similar to the kindof education provided in private institution.For instance, I worked at BNU (BeaconhouseNational University ) for 12 years, thestandard and resources are very good there,but the fee cannot be afforded by commonman of Pakistan which is very sad.

The Educationist: How was your experienceat ICS, Punjab University?Dr Mehdi Hassan: I don’t know if you wouldlike it or not but PU had a great influence ofJamat-e-Islami. They decide the policies. Myideologies are different from JI. First, I am asupporter of democracy and secondly, I amconvinced that the under-privileged peopleshould get the same rights as the privilegedones. Jamat-i-Islami opposed this. During thefirst martial law, when I was in college, I wasarrested for protesting against Ayub Khan.

During Zia’s period, they (JI) tried to dismissme from PU three times but I came backthrough High Court stay orders. I have beenagainst all military regimes as I am a memberof Human Rights Commission of Pakistanand had been its chairperson in 2012.

The Educationist: Sir, you have been ahuman rights activist throughout your life.How do you see the current status of humanrights in country?Dr Mehdi Hassan: In Pakistan, religiousminorities are not treated properly and are notgiven equal rights. Hindus from Baluchistan anda large number of Ahmadis migrated fromPakistan to Europe and America because of thepoor treatment and the fear they feel in Pakistan.Christian’s communities were set on fire and theaccused were not punished. All this damaged the

reputation of Pakistan. In democracy, there areno minorities as everybody is equal but religiousminorities are there, who have differences withthe mainstream. All this is related with thinkingand knowledge (of history). We have destroyedour history. In Pakistan, three things are verymuch oppressed--- History, Quaid-i-Azam andIslam, we treated them badly. I have said this anumber of times verbally and in written that ifwe revise Pakistan’s history, 60 to 70% of ourissues will be solved.

The Educationist: What would you like to sayon the growing ethical issues in media?Dr Mehdi Hassan: When I started mypractical journalism, there were editors forgate-keeping in every newspaper. There wasno need for gate keeping in TV as there wasonly one state-owned channel (PTV) whichfollowed the policies of the state. Innewspapers, there are news editors whodecide which news to publish and which not.For example, I wrote my first serious articlein 1960 which I gave to the news editor of‘IMROZ’ he read and returned it to me andsaid that you have used the word ‘MEIN’ (I)thrice. We publish the newspaper for ourreaders, not for you.Eliminate this “I”. Thesedays, you would have noticed that an averageof 130 columns are published in Urdunewspapers and all of them areoverwhelming with this “I”. They start with“Mein” and end with “Mein”. The institutionof gate-keeping has ended now, it is needed.

The Educationist: What do you think is thereason that media houses remain unable tomake a consensus on code of ethics?Dr Mehdi Hassan: Our economic conditionsare not well. The advertising revenue islimited. There is a throat-cut competitionamong channels to get the advertisements.And they violate the ethics for ads so thatthey can maintain their popularity.

The Educationist: What kind of complaintsyou receive working in PEMRA’s complaintcouncil?Dr Mehdi Hassan: I am the chairperson ofPEMRA’s Complaint Council for the past 6years but I never received any complaintregarding content. Our content lack ethics,and ethics should be made by the workers ofthat concerned field not the government.Private channels have not yet succeeded inmaking ethics.

The Educationist: How can we decreaseterrorism in Pakistan?Dr Mehdi Hassan: Army cannot end

terrorism. They cannot kill each one of them.For this, the mind set of people needs to bechanged. There are rules of psychologicalwarfare communication. “Will to dosomething and ability to do something, theseare two different things”. Psychologicalwarfare operatives are concerned with the will,that will to kill people should be ended amongenemy population. A total 83 such extremistorganizations are banned but they still keepon working. This process needs psychologicalwar and this is ignored by political parties andpolicy making institutions.

Religiosity has increased. We have createdour own religion. People have forgotten Quaid’sspeech of August 11, 1947. I revived this speechwith the help of German NGO in 1996-97. Idiscussed this speech so many times verballyand in written that my friends of PU startedsaying: Mehdi Hassan’s speech that Quaid gaveon August 11. Jinnah had said that there shouldbe no involvement of religion in State affairs. InEurope, for 100 years, Protestants andCatholics fought against each other, they onlydeveloped when they separated religion frompolitics. He (Jinnah) summed up beautifully bysaying“If you follow this policy, you will see thatafter some time, Hindus will cease to beHindus and Muslims will cease to be Muslims,not in the religious sense because religion is apersonal matter of faith for every individual butfor political purposes. All citizens of Pakistanwill have equal rights.”

The Educationist: What are the majorproblems of our education system?Dr Mehdi Hassan: There are two problems:the outdated Curriculum and the lack ofteachers’ training. Increase the social status ofteachers so that more qualified teachers jointhe profession.

The Educationist: What difference do you seein foreign and local journalists?Dr Mehdi Hassan: We do not study much.Our journalists think that we knoweverything. No one knows everything. Youhave to learn.

The Educationist: What advice would youlike to give to young journalists as qualityjournalism is considered to be sub-standardnow-a-days?Dr Mehdi Hassan: You create your ownstandards. It is impossible to get the standardof 25 years ago.

The Educationist: What would you do if youwere 25 years old at this time?Dr Mehdi Hassan: I am still 25 years old. Aperson who has been working for 50 years, isyoung (smiles and lits his cigar). g

‘Teachers’ social status should be increased’ g good education is State’s responsibility g outdated curriculum and teachers’ training are two main issues of our education system

DistinctionProf. Dr. Mehdi Hassan, MA, PhD injournalism, has served in 28 differentinstitutions of Pakistan including PunjabUniversity, Beaconhouse NationalUniversity, Kinnaird College for Womenand other civil and army institutions. Hehas published 16 books in Urdu andEnglish on Pakistan history, politics andworking of mass media in Pakistan. He haswritten a total of 5,000 columns. He alsovisited Colorado University as a Fulbrightscholar. He worked as a news commentatorand political analyst for PTV, radioPakistan, Voice of America, BBC, Voice ofGermany, Associated Press of America,Radio Tehran Iran and other privatetelevision channels of Pakistan. He isChairperson of PEMRA complaint councilfor Punjab. He was awarded Sitara-e-Imtiaz for literature in 2013. He has been amember of Press Club Lahore, member ofgoverning board of Human RightsCommission of Pakistan.

WWW.EDUCATIONIST.COM.PK January, 2016 IN FOCUS | 03

national Hero and scientist Dr AQ Khan, pu VC Dr Mujahid Kamran and punjab governor Malik RafiqueRajwana present an honouray doctorate degree to Senator SM Zaffar at 124th Convocation. pHeCchairman Dr nizamuddin, pu Registrar Dr Liquat Ali and Controller examinations Dr Shahid Munir alsopresent. (Right) Dr nizamuddin and Col (r) ikramullah cut the convocation cake. Law College principal DrShahiza Qureshi, gCu VC Dr Hassan Shah and uet VC Dr Fazal Khalid also present. photo: Sarfraz Ahmed

PU awards PhD degree to Senator SM Zaffar on recommendation of Dr AQ Khan

gCu Vice Chancellor prof Dr Hasan Shah, punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif and educationMinister Rana Mashood Ahmed at the international conference on China-pakistan economic Corridor.photo Credit: nadeem Malik

GCU: Conference on CPEC

the Forman Christian College (A Chartered university) held opening ceremony of FoRMun, a fourday, social and educational event on January 6, 2016. uS Consulate public Affairs officer RachelChan attended the ceremony as chief guest.

KARACHi: DHA Suffa university Vice Chancellor Rear Admiral (r) engr. prof. Dr. Sarfaraz Hussain withKaukab iqbal Chairman Consumers Association of pakistan, Muhammad Farooq Afzal, Ateeq urRahman, Ali nasir, Saima Sardar Khan and Mahmood tareen.

Debating and Recitations Society organized at discussion on "this House believes that theLahore Development program should be shut down." Renowned architect Kamil Khan Mumtaz,Hala Bashir (architecture faculty, nCA) and Waqqas Mir (lawyer) spoke from the propositionbench, while Khawaja Hassan (elected Mayor Lahore), uzair Shah (gM, Metro Bus Authority) andisrar Saeed (Chief engineer, LDA) spoke from the opposition bench. With both sides presentingstrong arguments, the 200+ audience had a hard time deciding the winner; the proposition won128-83!(in other pics) Ali Family Hall was inaugurated by LuMS pro-Chancellor Syed Babar Aliand his family. With over 750 female students currently residing on-campus, nearly 300 more willnow be able to find a spot within the Ali Family Hall. Syed Babar Ali dedicated his contribution inmaking of the female hostel, to his brothers and sisters. LUMS Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. SohailNaqvi pointed out how LuMS is continuously striving to help each and every student succeed,with a special focus towards female students.

LUMS debate and Ali Family Hall!

WWW.EDUCATIONIST.COM.PK January, 201604 | EDITORIAL

L ight is a form ofenergy and itemits from an

illuminated source inthe form of smallpackets, called photons.Apart from othernatural sources of light,the sun is the biggestsource of light and heat

on which human life is entirely dependent upon.Without light, the concept of life is quite difficultor even impossible. At night, we use artificiallights to illuminate our world. In daytime, we alsouse them where sunlight is blocked or cannotreach due to some obstacles or peculiar structures.

Artificial light has greatly benefited our livesfrom increasing the length of the productivity dayto the light-dependent recreational activities.However, when unnecessary and inefficientartificial outdoor lights become irritating andannoying, it is called light pollution and thispollution is a growing problem for both humansand other living creatures. Light pollutioncomprises many forms such as glare, lighttrespass, sky glow and over-illumination etc.

A study has found that Hong Kong is one of theworst cities in the world regarding light pollution

and the sky in many areas of it is 1200 timesbrighter than a normal dark sky due to excessamount of light produced by neon signs placed atdifferent shops, plazas, buildings, superstores andapartments. Researchers say that these signs areone of the contributing factors towards lightpollution. According to another scientific report,63% of the world population has become unableto see the Milky Way with unaided eye because oftheir accommodations in such areas where thenight sky is brighter than its threshold value. Notonly in cities but also in villages, it has becomevery difficult to spot stars at night due to sky glowcaused by light pollution.

Our 24-hour day/night body cycle is called thecircadian clock and is also affected by lightpollution which consequently disturbs manybiological activities of our body includinghormone production, brain wave pattern, cellregulation and many more. Disturbance in the

circadian clock is also associated with severalother human medical disorders.

Light pollution badly affects the lives of trees aswell. For example, prolonged exposure of artificiallights disturb the adjusting behaviour of treesagainst the seasonal variation to a great deal. Arecent research has revealed that light pollutionchanges the behaviour and breeding of reptiles,fish, birds, turtles, insects and other species of wild

life both in urban and rural areas. Anotherscientific study, undertaken on birds has shownthat bright electric lights of high-rise buildingsand communication towers attract birds anddisorient their flights. Each year millions of birdsare injured or killed owing to their collisions with

skyscrapers.Big cities these days have become places that

never sleep. Anyhow, research on light pollution isstill going on but people should be aware of thefactors causing light pollution and itsimplications. Researchers suggest that businessesdim their lights and turn them off earlier in theevening. Moreover, policies should be framed toreduce or eradicate light pollution because it isone of the factors which gives rise to globalwarming and a burgeoning threat to human andother biological lives.

The writer is Punjab University PhysicsDepartment Chairman and Member Syndicate on

professor seat. He can be reached at:hafizrafique42b1@hotmail.com)

T he biggest snag that usually comesin the way f optimum performanceof national institutions, especially

the government departments, is lackofinterest on the part of officials ingovernment schemes. Most often it hasbeen found that a large number of officialsin the government machinery are notmoved about the utility of beneficialprojects launched by the top politicalexecutives in line with their manifestoes ortheirpledges made with the public. Thislethargy and nonchalance, in turn breedsstagnation which isthe biggest impedimentin implementation. Almost the same hasbeen the case with the country’s educationsector for years as well as with theprovinces’ education sector following thepassage of 18th constitutional amendment.

However, in Punjab, the things havegone comparatively well rather excellently,courtesy the extraordinary abilities of ChiefMinister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif who

knows how to galvanize the work force. In the area of education in particular, the

CM has instilled the spirit of action andimplementation within the entireeducation system or, plainly speaking,within the education officialdom, rightfrom top to bottom. Actually, education isCM Shahbaz Sharif ’s passion.

Having closely interacted with the CMfor years and years together in my capacityof a media senior, I’ve found him quiterestless about educating the newgeneration in state-of-the-art technologies,modern science, literature and in all otherdisciplines worth the name. For thispurpose, the Punjab government has beensending talented students’ delegations torenowned universities of the Westincluding those of the United Kingdom. Toname one of these prestigious institutions,Oxford stands among the globallyrecognized educational institutions whichthe Pakistani students had the honor ofvisiting under Punjab CM’s foreign-orientation programme. And to the goodluck of student community, theprogramme initiated by Punjabgovernment gives equal attention to thosetalented students of other provinces whoseparents belong to the toiling, labour classand who are unable to pay for their fees.

It is this class that is being empoweredthrough educational empowerment of

their young ones who are being providedopportunities no less beneficial than theopportunities available in abundance tothe elite class. Chief Minister ShahbazSharif is on record having discussed thisterm ‘elite’ off and on with his utterancesgiving the feel of self-criticism (when hetalks about elite and its affluence, heusually admits before the public that hehimself belongs to this privileged andmoneyed class).

The most appreciable thing in this wholeexercise is the concept of educationalempowerment of the masses in generaland the usually deprived youth inparticular. The other appreciable thing isthat the Chief Minister and his deputieshave been successful in devising a systemof motivation, transparency andaccountability in the education sector thatis not only helping in removing thebottlenecks and red-tapism but is alsohelpful in building up a long-lasting, self-sustaining educational structure whosesuccess is not dependent on the whimsicaldecisions of one individual.

(The writer is Editor Reporting TheNews International, former Editor

Pakistan Times and a mediaacademician in PU and UMT. He can

be reached at:mianrehman1@gmail.com)

Editor: Shabbir SarwarAssociate Editor: Muhsen Naseem; Executive Editor: Dr. Ifra Iftikhar

email: editor@educationist.com.pkwww.educationist.com.pk - 136-J gulberg iii, Lahore

T he primary goal of universities is to produce newknowledge and advance the boundaries ofknowledge of mankind. However, in our country

we can see that neither the society nor the institutionsof higher learning are focusing or encouraging theirbasic duty. New knowledge is acquired throughdiscussion of ideas and challenging the establishednorms. Now in Pakistan we can see a very differentapproach. New ideas and the basic freedom ofexpression is repressed. This is evident from a recentincident in which a PhD student was penalised forexpressing his opinion about an event in his university.Only four lines written on Facebook had put KashanHaidar Gilani in the line of fire of the universityadministration. The decision was reverted later by thevice chancellor after the incident was highlightedwidely on the mainstream media of the country.

This incident and many others like it show theintolerance in our society and also at educationalinstitutions of the country. The management could havevery easily took the criticism constructively and in thefuture took the things pointed out by the students intoaccount. This would have helped the university inorganising better events. Instead, the university had thestudent submit an apology, which is mind boggling as itgoes against basic human rights, the Constitution ofPakistan, the purpose of higher learning institutions and,also and importantly, common sense.

Our universities should learn to listen to criticismand tolerate difference of opinion as these values arethe essence of research. A simple question here isthat if a different opinion is punished how can weresearch new ideas?

This incident was not the first and would not prove tobe the last of its kind. The higher-ups, policymakers,teachers and the government especially, should takenotice of this as it is not a small issue. It shows theweakness of our education system and our universities.One does not have to wonder about the reason whyPakistani universities are not producing quality researchwork. The environment of universities can act as acatalyst of social change and end extremism.

Our policymakers and vice chancellors should also takethis into account and provide a free thinking andencouraging environment to youth and scholars. This willnot only enhance the environment of universities, resultingin better scholarly work, but also will bring about a changein the Pakistani society rift with religious differences andintolerance. It is high time that we, as a nation, learn tolisten to criticism and change our society.

A PhD student andfreedom of expression

Education is CM Shahbaz Sharif’s passion!

Mian Saifur Rehman

Light pollution and its negative effects on human being

prof. Dr.M Hafiz Rafique

Hong Kong is one of theworst light polluted cities

with its sky 1200 timesbrighter than a normal

sky…..63% of worldpopulation has becomeunable to see the Milky

FUNErAL oF TrEES

FROM WHO REPORT

• Rabies is a vaccine-preventable viral disease which occurs in more than 150 countriesand territories.

• Dogs are the source of the vast majority of human rabies deaths.• Rabies elimination is feasible by vaccinating dogs.• Infection causes tens of thousands of deaths every year, mostly in

Asia and Africa.• 40% of people who are bitten by suspect rabid animals are

children under 15 years of age.• Immediate wound cleansing with soap and water after contact

with a suspect rabid animal can be life-saving.• Every year, more than 15 million people worldwide receive a post-

bite vaccination to prevent the disease; this is estimated to preventhundreds of thousands of rabies deaths annually.

Rabies is an infectious viral disease that is almost always fatalfollowing the onset of clinical signs. In more than 99% of humancases, the rabies virus is transmitted by domestic dogs. Rabies affectsdomestic and wild animals, and is spread to people through bites orscratches, usually via saliva.

Rabies is present on all continents with the exception ofAntarctica, but more than 95% of human deaths occur in Asia andAfrica.

Rabies is a neglected disease of poor and vulnerable populationswhose deaths are rarely reported and where human vaccines andimmunoglobulin are not readily available or accessible. It occursmainly in remote rural communities where children between the ageof 5–14 years are the most frequent victims.

The average cost of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can bethe cost of catastrophic expenses for poor populations, since a courseof PEP can cost US$ 40 in Africa and US$ 49 in Asia, where theaverage daily income is about US$ 1–2 per person.

PreventionEliminating rabies in dogs: Rabies is a vaccine-preventable disease.

Vaccinating dogs is the most cost-effective strategy for preventingrabies in people. Dog vaccination will drive down not only the deathsattributable to rabies but also the need for PEP as a part of dogbitepatient care.

Preventive immunization in people: The same safe and effectivevaccines can be used for pre-exposure immunization. This isrecommended for travellers spending a lot of time outdoors,especially in rural areas, involved in activities such as bicycling,camping, or hiking as well as for long-term travellers and expatriatesliving in areas with a significant risk of exposure.

Diagnosis: No tests are available to diagnose rabies infection inhumans before the onset of clinical disease, and unless the rabies-specific signs of hydrophobia or aerophobia are present, the clinicaldiagnosis may be difficult. Human rabies can be confirmedintra-vitam and post mortem by various diagnostic techniques aimed atdetecting whole virus, viral antigens or nucleic acids in infectedtissues (brain, skin, urine or saliva).

Transmission: People are usually infected following a deep bite orscratch by an infected animal. Dogs are the main host andtransmitter of rabies. They are the cause of human rabies deaths inAsia and Africa.

Local treatment of the wound: This involves first-aid of the woundthat includes immediate and thorough flushing and washing of thewound for a minimum of 15 minutes with soap and water, detergent,povidone iodine or other substances that kill the rabies virus.

WHO response: WHO, in close collaboration with the Food andAgriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the WorldOrganisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the Global Alliance forRabies Control, is raising awareness of and commitment toovercoming this persistent zoonosis in endemic countries.

WWW.EDUCATIONIST.COM.PK January, 2016 OPINION | 05

T he contemporary academic andmainstream understanding ofworld history is in many ways

Eurocentric. One can point to manyexamples where "other cultures" seem tobe underrepresented or in some waysundervalued in the media and populardiscourse. As Blaut mentions, theseperipheral histories are oftencharacterized as instinctual and in many

ways barbaric, as opposed to the dynamic and progressive histories ofthe West, and that they slowly declined in response to the rise of theWest. However, the question of Eurocentrism cannot be redressedsimply by granting credit wherever apologetic historians oranthropologists feel it is due, but by examining how the veryproduction of knowledge which became dominant now nearlyobscures the factual details, which can account for and debunk themyth of European superiority. It is the goal of this paper to show thatthe production of knowledge was a privilege afforded to the West bygrace of its more advanced industrial production. In other words, theWest is only advanced insofar as they have the power over producingthe knowledge which then defines what progress is. In order tounderstand how the West came to dominate the production ofknowledge, we need to first explore the specific historicalcircumstances which led the West to be the first to industrialize andaccumulate wealth in a violent and forceful manner, catapultingcapital as the dominant mode of production. The West did not rise orindustrialize because they were inherently more rational, moretechnologically adept or capable of conceiving some peculiar form ofcapitalism which succeeded. As Abu-Lughod points out, "Thereseemed no historical necessity that shifted the system in favor of theWest, nor was there any historical necessity that would haveprevented cultures in the Eastern regions from becoming progenitorsof a "modern" world system". Rather, the Frankenstein of capital wascalled into being by Europe precisely because of its decliningeconomic status in the 14th and 15th centuries simultaneously withmajor shifts taking place in the rest of the globe. The West, by nomeans invented capitalism; they merely propelled capital intodomination over other modes. In fact, as Wolf points out, thecapitalist mode could be found at earlier points in history existing inrelative symbiosis and competition with other modes. However, atthose points, crisis had not yet caused the productive forces toexplode. As Ibn Khaldun remarks on the commerce of pre-capitalisttimes, "European merchants did not (at that time) use their wealthas capital to acquire and transform the means of production and setthem in motion through the purchase of labor power offered for saleby a class of laborers".

Around the year A.D. 1300, Europe seemed to declineeconomically. Agriculture ceased to grow, perhaps because theavailable technology reached the limits of its productivity. Theclimate worsened and epidemics began affecting large numbers ofpeople debilitated by a poorer diet. Wolf refers to this moment as the"crisis of feudalism". Meanwhile, the trade systems of other regionsrendered relatively stable wealth. Abu-Lughod notes that thesubsystems of the thirteenth century were much more self-sufficientthan those of today and therefore less vitally dependent on oneanother for common survival. The homoeconomicus of Europeallowed all of its burgeoning nations to interact through the mediumof an abstract legal-Christian entity of the declining Holy RomanEmpire. These nations were at once inter-dependent on each other'strade and at the same time at competition with one another in orderto increase productivity. Thus, the crises in Europe affected all ofEurope, but did not affect the stability of trade elsewhere, such as inthe Middle East or China. The only way out of this crisis lay in the

discovery of new frontiers. It is within this historical context that wemust place European colonial conquests. As Abu-Lughod points out,"[Columbus' voyage] provided the nascent developing nations ofwestern Europe with the gold and silver they needed, both to settlethe long standing balance-of-payments deficits with the East and toserve as the basis for the rapid accumulation of capital". This capitalaccumulation process, extracting resources and generating wealthfrom the conquered regions, eventually became the chief motor ofEuropean technological and social change. The crisis of feudalismhad to be solved by locating and seizing resources available beyondthe European frontiers. Hence, the movement to the "New World,"establishment of forts and trading posts along the coasts of Africa,the entry into the Indian Ocean and the China Seas, the spread of thefur trade through the boreal forests of America and Asia. Newcommodities needed to constantly enter into the exchange in order toamass more and more capital. Primitive accumulation required notonly the seizure of resources but also their concentration,organization and allocation. Wolf elaborates, "These operations soonoutgrew the capacity of any single merchant firm or merchant guild,or of any single body of soldiers and offialdom." Thus, the emergingFrankenstein of capital required an overarching organization withrules and regulations, maintained and enforced by the state to rallythe surplus-producing populace to such goals. Therefore it wascolonialism, with all its wealth-amassing mechanisms, whichultimately financed the British industrialization, not some sort ofWestern miracle.

The history of colonialism is one of exploitation and violence. Thewealth that financed the rise of industry was not accumulatedthrough frugality but rather through conquest, enslavement, robbery,murder, in short, force. As Karl Marx writes in Capital, "they [thecapitalists] employ the power of the state…force is the midwife ofevery old society which is pregnant with a new one. It is itself aneconomic power." Socially speaking, "wealth" in capitalism is notgold or money but social power, the power of capital to commandpeoples' lives as labor. Thus in colonialism, the plundering of gold orother resources was secondary to the imposition of work on thecolonized and the use of the colonized to reinforce the imposition ofwork within the colonial country. Once enough capital had beenaccumulated to finance industrialization, the productive forcesexploded and gradually forced the rest of the world to be dominatedby the new relations of production and exchange. Previous feudalsociety withered away altogether in Europe as peasants were forced,through a series of bloody legislation such as land enclosures andlaws against vagrancy, to become laborers in the new system ofexchange. Primitive accumulation, therefore, was nothing else thanthe historical process of divorcing the worker from the means ofproduction. It is easy to see now how "the West" may have come todominate even the production of knowledge itself, manipulatinghistory simply to reinforce the ideological structures which keepcapital in place.

Those who were colonized, exploited and massacred aresystematically written out of history, their interests being passiveand peripheral to the "rise of the west." The relations ofproduction control our ideas, or at least control the production ofknowledge and the histories it constructs. The West has the abilityto force their knowledge-dominance on the rest of the world;therefore it is the West's idea of progress by which everything elseis based. There is really no egalitarian way of saying who is more"advanced" now because we only have one scheme by which tomeasure progress: the scheme of the people who had the meansand the motivation to colonize.

(The writer is student of Institute of Social and Cultural Studies,Punjab University. He can be reached at: yasirkayani1@gmail.com

Understanding world historyDog bites and Rabies

S ince 9/11, the world is underthreat of terror, US claimed thatOsama attacked World Trade

Center and caused 3000 deaths ofAmericans. In response US withUnited Nations planned to destroyterrorists from the roots. Iraq,Afghanistan, Pakistan and some otherMuslim countries became the target of

US, which resulted in around 1 milliondeaths of innocent people since 2001. This is US inhumanbehavior who claimed to a supporter of humanity and equality.Today, I aq has been destroyed totally but surprisingly after 12years of war former British prime minister apologized in 2015(on his supporting role in and) his inhuman act of war imposedin Iraq in 2003. Afghanistan is still in war and Pakistan isunwillingly involved in the imposed war against terrorism,which is still on. But today, Pakistan is going through theinternal conflicts as well. Paris attacks also reflect inhumanbehavior of France which started destroying Syria, same asIsrael doing in Palestine and India in Occupied Kashmir.

It has been more than a decade that Pakistan is involved inwar against terrorism and being an atomic power is the only

hope for Muslim countries. The suicidal bombing, attacksand firing in public places, mosques, educational institutesand sports grounds has worsened the image of Pakistan. Thesocial and development related activities has taken a stop dueto the series of inhuman behaviour which needs a full stop.

Salute to Pakistan Army, who is there on the border andprotecting us from internal and external harms. The last eraof has seen significant developments under the leadership ofthe then President Gen (r) Pervaiz Musharraf. Pakistan’simage started shining as there was rapid increase ininternational relations with regional/European countries,which has been proven by the help and donations provided bythe countries on a single call by Pakistan govt during worstever earthquake in 2005 and floods. Moreover, educationalinstitutions have seen magnificent developments, thedecentralization reforms were introduced in Pakistanin2001.Further, planning with US was continued to get rid ofterrorism as since 2001 every government is going throughthis extreme inhuman wave of terrorism.

In view of the above, a common man can easily differentiatebetween a human and inhuman but I have a question, “whatis the definition of the terrorist?” The answer is “Anyindividual, who with a specific purpose, harass other people.”

Involvement of educated people with Anti Terrorist Orgs. isthe example of terrorist.This is what the current super poweris doing with the Muslim countries in the name of waragainst terrorism and is supporting other EU countries tocontinue this war for no reason.

One year has passed since the incident of APS Peshawarattacks on 16-12-2015, candles blown, flowers to graves,walks held to pay tribute to martyred children and teachers,who were in classrooms. Here I want to draw attentiontowards those attackers, who undoubtedly will be callingthemselves successful but the ‘Martyrs of APS and the wholenation’ is asking a simple question to the attackers “Are YouReally Human?” If you are really human then you must beashamed of what you are and what you did.

Attacking children has demoralized humanity and by doingthis, it is understood and proven that this global war is notagainst terror and terrorism BUT now this war is actually“Human Vs Inhuman”.

Writer is a student of M.Phil Education Policy &Development (Sem-III), at the Institute of Social & Cultural

Studies, University of the Punjab, Lahore. He can be reachedat: salmanazam5@gmail.com

Salman Azam Siddiqui

Human vs inhuman: Does education really matter?

Yasir Kayani

WWW.EDUCATIONIST.COM.PK January, 201606 | INTERVIEW

INTERVIEW BY: ALI ARSHAD,PHOTOGRAPHY: ASIF JUTT

T he universityacts are notup-to-date as

per the modernrequirements to meetthe challenges facedby the universities andthe country. Pakistani

government is changing policy to expand itsnuclear programme for power generationbecause many countries’ big percentage ofpower generation is coming from the nuclearsector. These views were expressed byUniversity of Engineering and TechnologyVice Chancellor Prof Dr Fazal Ahmed Khalidduring an interview with The Educationist.He said, “Pakistan unfortunately generatesless than 1000mw power through nuclearenergy. In future we need nuclear powerplants of up to 6000 mw.” He said the govthas taken a good initiative to work with theChinese government in the field of nuclearenergy for power generation. We need moreschools of engineering and technology wherethe nuclear engineering would be the subjectof research and for the degree programmes.

The Educationist: Sir please do tell us aboutyour early life and education?Dr. Fazal Ahmad Khalid: I did mygraduation from UET Lahore,then I gotappointed in Pakistan Steel Mills and withinweeks, I got an opportunity for industrialtraining in Russia. Then I joined PCSIRLahore and after some time I got scholarshipfor my PhD from Oxford University. Thenupon return to Pakistan in 1994 I had joinedthe Ghulam Ihsaq Khan institute. GIK wasestablished in 1993 and I have spent 21 yearsthere so I have been part of its success story.GIK has really contributed to the promotionof education in Pakistan, especiallyengineering education and research. I can saythat three institutions are very important inmy progress and career UET Lahore,University of Oxford and GIK.

The Educationist: You are PhD inMetallurgical Engineering like Dr. AQ Khan,what is the scope of MetallurgicalEngineering in Pakistan?Dr. Fazal: Yes, I have completed my PhD inMetallurgical Engineering from OxfordUniversity. Then I joined Pakistan Steel Millsthat time steel mill was the prime institutionof the country. I can say that I am one of thefew people to get the opportunity to work inindustry and to continue research and alsowork in academia. I can relate my work andexperience and that has been very importantfor me to guide my students in research andhelping them in job placement.

Dr. AQ Khan is one of the only experts inPakistan. He has played an instrumental rolein the national development especially in thedefense of the Pakistan.I have also workedwith him. Dr. AQ Khan was project director,in fact when I was doing my postdoc I sawhim the first time as a leading scientist. Hewas the Interim Dean Metallurgical in GIK.

The Metallurgical Engineering changed inthe broad way. There are three importantfields in modern time, InformationTechnology, Bio Technology andNanotechnology. No nation can makeprogress without these. IT is already incommercial use but other two are in researchprocess.When these two will be

commercialized, we can see benefits beyondour imagination. I am also working withPakistan Engineering Council (PEC) onissues related to quality assurance inengineering and technology programmes.

The Educationist: Pakistan is a nuclearpower, how can we use nuclear energy forpeace and development purposes?Dr. Fazal: The government is changing policyto expand it to the field of nuclear technologyand use of nuclear energy in research forpower generation in particular. Manycountries’ big percentage of power generationis coming from the nuclear sector. Pakistanunfortunately generating power throughnuclear energy in a very limited way that isprobably less than 1000 mw. Now the govt hastaken a good initiative to work with theChinese govt in the field of nuclear energy forpower generation. We need more schools of

engineering and technology where the nuclearengineering would be the subject of researchand for the degree programmes. Only a fewinstitutions offering nuclear energy degree, itshould expand so that we can generate ourhuman resource for future need. In future weneed nuclear power plants of 1000 mw pluscapacity, may be we have to go for 6000 mw.We must also seek cooperation of other

countries developed in this field.

The Educationist: UET is the leadinginstitute of engineering and technology inPakistan but there is an impression that noinventions/innovations are by UET studentsand engineers. Would you like to defend?Dr. Fazal: Yes, you are very right. Let me firstsay that UET is the oldest and biggest

intuition of engineering and technology inthe country and we are contributingremarkably in the progress for Pakistan.When we see many senior students andcolleagues who are serving on key posts atnational level. In this context university hasplayed its role. UET got full support from thegovt for its functioning, research projects,development projects and new campuses. We

have students from all over the country. Wehave 400 plus foreign students from MiddleEast, Yemen, Sudan, Kuwait, Nigaria etc.

About innovation you had a question, Ithink it’s important for all universities in theworld and it is the focus in the curriculum inuniversities of the world. UET’s focus changedin the last summer we have changed the visionstatement of the university. We will focus onresearch. We would like to see our facultymore focused on research. When you areinnovator you are also a good entrepreneur, sowhen you combine technology, business andinnovation together you are not only good tobe hired for any organization, you are also in aposition to create jobs.

The Educationist: The Punjab govt isexecuting the Orange Line Metro Trainproject in Lahore with its camp office inUET. What would you say about this project?Dr. Fazal Ahmed Khalid: It’s a goodinitiative; we are already very late indevelopment of various sectors of economy.The reasons are that good facility for public isa good step towards progress. If you seedeveloped countries, the undergroundtransportation facility is available there forthe last 30-40 years.

The Educationist: How many PhDs areproduced by UET on the average every year? Dr. Fazal: We are just planning to hold aconvocation. I can tell you that our universityhas been a big resource in terms of producingengineers, technologist, and scientists in thepast 95 plus years. Current enrolment is12,000 in all campuses and total number of

University actsnot up-to-dateto meet challenges: Dr. Fazalg uet vice chancellor says pakistan needs more schools for nuclear energy research g We are producing less than 1000mw electricity through nuclear energy g in future we need upto 6000mwg Function of HeC and assignment of provincial HeCs need review g We need mechanism for HeC and pHeCs for national development g We are unable to evaluate our minerals g We are selling raw material on very low price g uet has changed its vision in last summer g We have decided to focus on research

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WWW.EDUCATIONIST.COM.PK January, 2016 INTERVIEW | 07

graduates is 41,500 till date. Master’s, M.Phildegree students’ numbers are 3,000 andthere are 150 PhD graduates who havecompleted degrees and research from UET.

The Educationist: Students say there is lackof facilitates in hostels and substandard fooditems. What is your take on it?Dr. Fazal: No, we are very careful for the last6 to 7 months in academic discipline, qualityof education and hygienic food in hostels. Iam quite regular visitor of hostels andpersonally take keen interest in hostels anddo whatever is possible on my part. We aretrying to do our level best.

The Educationist: A few months ago UETASA and other staff members were ready tostage a protest and gave a dharna(sit-in)against you for some demands. What aretheir demands? Are they justified? Dr. Fazal: (with anger) I don’t know suchkinds of things were exercising, I meet facultyand students every day, my doors are open foreveryone any time. They can come when I amavailable in my office. ASA representative ispresent here. You may ask him.

The Educationist: Pakistan is rich in naturalresources but there is no proper use of theresources. Mostly international companiesare interested in geological surveys, miningand excavation, why not our engineers takethis lead? Dr. Fazal Ahmed: Yes, I am fully agreed withyou. This is very unfortunate, first thing isthe policy and this is disconnected with theengineers, technologists and scientist. Weneed to bridge this gap, we need to talk topolicy makers and they need to talk toresearchers and scientists. We are makingmuch progress although we are blessed withnatural resources. Unfortunately, we are notable to evaluate our minerals and we are justselling the raw material on very low price,this is not good for the country. We have to

bring policy makers, universities and R&Don the same page. We have huge quantity ofiron, recodik. Inspite of using modernmachinery and technology we are not makingmuch progress. We need to do survey forshale gas but we cannot do unless we havemodern technology. Only USA is one of thecountry having modern technology toproduce shale gas. There is considerableamount of the oil in our country.

The Educationist: After 18th AmendmentPHECs have been set up in all provinces?What you say about PHECs formation andtheir work?Dr. Fazal: Devolution of higher education is agood thing. At the same time we have to seathe issue of national unity and be careful incurriculum development and degreesawarded by various universities certified bythe HEC. There is a need for review, what arethe functions of HEC and what assignmentsare to be carried out by PHECs. We need tohave a mechanism for both organizations in away that can bring national development.

We need to increase the budget ofeducation, 2% is not enough, it should be 4-6 % for higher education and then alsoproper allocation for research.

The Educationist: Three pro-vice chancellorsappointments in various universities is the idea

of PHEC chairman (Dr Nizamuddin). Whenand how you are going to make it realize? Dr. Fazal: In principal I agree with it becauseif you look at good universities in the world, Ithink you have to work in a way where therole of each position is very much defined.One of the things I can mention, ouruniversity acts are not up-to-date withrequirements of modern requirements andchallenges. If we can resolve these issues thenof course we can have three pro VCs. We needto refine and look at the universities acts; weneed to look at the governance model of theuniversities so that we can bring it in linewith the modern universities. A few weeksback I have attended a workshop of HECwith 20 VCs and they discussed theimportant issues like governance of theuniversities, funding, training programmes,

role of universities in the nationaldevelopment, which is a big challenge.

The Educationist: You were a student ofUET, now you are the vice chancellor. Howdo you feel? Dr. Fazal: Yes, it’s a great honour for me. Ireally feel privileged and I see it as a bigchallenge also. I must say that I am veryfortunate that I am equipped with my seniorcolleagues, faculty members, they are veryhelpful and cooperative.

The Educationist: One of the major issues ofthe Pakistan is energy crisis, both electricityand gas. UET is offering academic programmeof electrical and gas. What contribution UEThas made to get nation out of this crisis?Dr.Fazal Ahmad: I can respond in some

degree of satisfaction. The university isplaying small role in the recent thermalpower plant initative of the Punjab govt andthe chief minister. We have just started apostgraduate training programme with thecooperation of HSR China one of the biggestcompanies in the world to produce energy inthermal. They are constructing a thermalpower plant in Sahiwal by hiring 66engineers, who are under training in UET for5 months. Once they will complete trainingthey will go China, after one year they willcome back when thermal power plant wouldbe close to production. In this context theuniversity is playing a lead role to helpgraduates and establish linkages with theChinese for providing technical expertise. Weare getting our faculty up to date with thismodern technology.

Another initiative CPEC opportunity isgoing to be available and we would benefitfrom it. UET is also very active inDepartment of Energy of Govt the Punjab onvarious projects. We have a Center for EnergyResearch and Development and theprovincial govtis supporting us. We havetesting labs, in different field especially insolar technology, we are regularly providingtraining programmes, short courses in solarenergy. Some of these trainees are employedin Quaid-i-Azam Solar Power Plant inBahawalpur as well. g

University actsnot up-to-dateto meet challenges: Dr. Fazalg uet vice chancellor says pakistan needs more schools for nuclear energy research g We are producing less than 1000mw electricity through nuclear energy g in future we need upto 6000mwg Function of HeC and assignment of provincial HeCs need review g We need mechanism for HeC and pHeCs for national development g We are unable to evaluate our minerals g We are selling raw material on very low price g uet has changed its vision in last summer g We have decided to focus on research

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WWW.EDUCATIONIST.COM.PK January, 201608 | INTERVIEW

WWW.EDUCATIONIST.COM.PK January, 2016 NATIONAL | 09

INTERVIEW: SYEDA HEERA SHAHBAZ, MUQADDAS ILYAS,AMNA ZAFAR, SALMAN SIKANDARPHOTO CREDIT: NAGHMANA ASHIQ & DUNYA NEWS

A dvertisements of ‘peers and babas’ shouldbe strictly banned by government.PEMRA is not active in this regards it

should have strict laws. In our country judicialsystem is also not right so it should also beimproved. Pak-India relations should be peacefulbecause both are atomic power, problems can’t besolved in one meeting, for this a long plan isrequired and Kashmir issues must be resolved stepby step. These views were expressed by renownedjournalist and APNE President MujeeburRehman Shami during an exclusive interview withThe Educationist. Following are the details:

The Educationist: Sir, please tell us who inspiredyou to choose journalism as profession?Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami: I was ambitious tobecome a lawyer or a newspaper editor, who mustbe independent. When I was young I used to readnewspaper daily and usually went to library toread Naseem Hijazi, Molana Zafar Ali Khan,Hameed Nizami and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Iread “Qol-e-Faisal” of Maulana Abul Kalam,when I was in 9th which make me more aspiring.I did not choose the field of law because we werenot economically strong.

The Educationist: Should a journalist beunbiased? As a senior journalist what do youthink?Shami: A reporter should be unbiased but as ananalyst is give his own opinion that’s why he maybe biased. But you should give your opinion withproper facts and with suitable arguments. My TVprogramme Nuqta-e-Nazar is a model programmein this case.

The Educationist: Do journalists in Pakistan arepaid according to their work?Shami: Yes, they are paid according to their work.A hard worker always gets the fruit of his hardwork. I had started my career in 1986 and I hadbeen paid Rs 100 only. But I struggled in my lifeand achieved success. For an ambitious personnothing is a hurdle, so one should continue thejourney of struggle. One day he will be paid of hishard work.

The Educationist: As an Editor of PakistanNewspaper What do you think that journalism

profession is good for women or not. What do yousay about this?Shami: This field is good only for those womenwho work on screen and in offices. But field workis not suitable for women in Pakistan due to oursociety. It needs extra struggle and scourage.The Educationist: What is the image of Pakistanijournalists in other countries?Shami: We have very good image out there in theworld. Foreign journalists say in Pakistanjournalism is free. They are inspired of us andmany of our journalists are famous in the world.Indian journalists also say that Pakistanijournalsits are free as compared to their country.

The Educationist: There is a recent trend ofmaking dummies of politicians in TV shows forparody and mimicry. Is this good ethically?Shami: Personally, I am against this butpoliticians have no issue with this. If they haveissues they can raise voice against it but they arenot raising voice against it that shows they have noconcern with it.

The Educationist: If a newspaper publish a falsenews, upto what extent it’s credibility will suffer?Shami: If a newspaper publishes wrong news bymistake, then it must publish the regret of thatnews. But if a newspaper is continuouslypublishing wrong news its readership will beaffected. PEMRA is not active in this regards itshould have strict libel laws.In our country judicialsystem is also not right so it should also beimproved.

The Educationist: Your are publishing your ownDaily Pakistan. Why you are affiliated with DunyaMedia Group? You are doing talk show on DunyaNews TV and your articles are also published in itevery Sunday.Shami: (While raising his brows up) Yes, I havespecial relations with Mian Aamir Mehmood andI am doing TV program on Dunya channel as wellas my articles are also being published in DailyDunya. Many other newspapers also ask me forarticles but I rejected and accepted the offer ofDunya Group only.The Educationist: Imran Khan and Reham Khandivorce was their personal issue. Why mediahighlighted this matter very much?Shami: No one should involve in the personalmatters of others but Imran Khan is a famouspersonality that’s why people are interested toknow about him. His marriage was a news and

same was the case with his divorce. It was also anews.

The Educationist: Did you face any criticismduring your career?Shami: Yes, I faced it many times. As a journalist Icriticize others so when I can criticize any person,anyone can also do it.

The Educationist: As a president of CPNE Do youthink Newspapers publish advertisements againstmedia ethics. Why they do so?Shami: It is the responsibility of the people to goin press council if they observe any unethicaladvertisements. But usually newspaper avoid to doso.

The Educationist: Most classified advertisements,including fake ‘babas and peer’, wedding proposaland property ads are fake. What is theresponsibility of newspapers in this regard? Whatdo you say being president CPNE?Shami: No, we do proper investigation beforepublishing, we demand identity card of thatperson, but the advertisements of “peers andbabas’’ should be strictly banned by thegovernment. We in our Daily Pakistan neverpublish advertisements of “Babas and Peers”.

The Educationist: Do online journalism takingplace of print journalism?Shami: The role of a journalists can’t be denied inboth type. The role of a journalist is same in both.So in my opinion Online Journalism is not takingplace of Print Journalism because Journalists aredoing their duty what they have to do whether it isin Print or Online.The Educationist: Your relations with General Zia-ul-Haq were very good? Is it right?Shami: I got relief in his (Gen Zia-ul-Haq) periodas a journalist and I started weekly magazine(Zindagi). I was attached with him very much butthere was a conflict between us on the issue of conducting election. I demanded for elections but

he wanted to impose martial law. His governmentalso stopped my advertisements. The Educationist: What are major issues ofPakistan according to you?Shami: The major problem of Pakistan isterrorism which should be resolved as soon aspossible, beside this energy crisis and racism arealso main problems of the country. The Educationist: What you want to say aboutPak India relations?Shami: Pak-India relations should be peacefulbecause both are atomic power, neighbours andour relatives live cross border. So goodrelationships should be develop.The Educationist: Media analysts criticizingsudden visit of Indin PM Narinder Modi toPakistan? What do you say about this?Shami: We are Muslims and we respects ourguests. In this regard our prime minister treatedhim well. On the criticism of different analysts, Iwill say this problems can’t be solved in onemeeting, for this a long plan is required andKashmir and other serious issues must be resolvedstep by step in other meetings.The Educationist: What advice do you want togive to the future journalists?Shami: They must work hard as Hameed Nizamihas rightly said, “A journalist should must gainknowledge, must have information and must be ofgood character.” g

Media shouldn’t criticise Nawaz-Modi meeting: Shami g Cpne president says peMRA should have strict libel law g Advertisements of peers and babas should be strictly banned by govt

Dr. tahir-ul-Qadri, his son Dr. Hassan and Minhaj university Vice Chancellor prof. Dr Muhammad Aslamghauri pose for a photo after convocation.

gCu Faisalabad Media Dept head Salma Abmer with her phD supervisor Dr noshina Saleem, in-chargedirector pu iCS, after receiving her doctorate degree in Mass Communication. photo Credit Sarfraz

DistinctionMujeeb-ur-Rahman Shami graduated from

university of the punjab in 1964-65 and studied law atKarachi. His journalistic career spans over 45 years. Heestablished his own publishing house in 1974. He col-umn ‘Jalsa e Aam’ is very popular in urdu Journalism.

He was awarded tamgha-e-imtiaz by the president ofpakistan in 1993. He is chief editor of Daily “pakistan”,

since 1999. He is president of Council of pakistannewspaper editor (Cpne). He was also elected presi-dent of All pakistan newspapers Society (ApnS) and

president of the South Asia Free Media Association(SAFMA), pakistan Chapter. He very actively partici-

pates in social political, academic events.

Heera Shahbaz, Muqaddas ilyas, Amna Zafar and Salman Sikandar with Mujeebur Rehman Shami after interview

WWW.EDUCATIONIST.COM.PK January, 201610 | CONFERENCE

LAHORE: Punjab University Centre of Excellence in SolidState Physics organized International Conference on SolidState Physics (ICSSP’15). This conference held duringDecember 13-17, 2015 was attended by over 300 delegates fromPakistan, Malaysia, China, Australia, Brazil, UK, Korea andTurkey. ICSSP’15 was inaugurated by PU Vice Chancellor DrMujahid Kamran (S.I.). Prof Kamran, during his inauguraladdress, laid stress on quality of research within the country.He applauded the efforts of Director of the Centre, Prof. Dr.Shahzad Naseem, for providing a conducive researchenvironment for students.

Prof. Dr. MZ Butt, guest of honor, highlighted efforts of thePakistan Institute of Physics in furthering the teaching andresearch activities in the country. Dr. Saira Riaz (CSSP) at thisoccasion presented the highlights of ICSSP’13 and the majorachievements of Centre of Excellence in Solid State Physicsduring the last 5-6 years under the directorship of Prof. Dr.Shahzad Naseem.

Later on Prof. Dr. Mujahid Kamran and Prof. Dr. ShahzadNaseem signed an agreement with Prof. Dr. Liang He ofNanjing University for setting up WUN-SPIN network basein Pakistan at the Centre of Excellence in Solid State Physics,

PU. This is the first of its kind Centre in a developing countryand will help improve research output of Pakistan in theimportant field of Spintronics.

The conference covered all aspects of theoretical andexperimental Solid State Physics including magnetism,semiconductors, dielectrics, CNTs, metals & alloys, polymers,glasses, energy materials and bio-nanotechnology etc. Mainfocus of the event was to provide a platform to the youngresearchers to interact with the senior scientists of the field.Plenary lecture, entitled “Topological Insulators: Growth,Properties and Physics” was delivered by Prof. Dr. Liang He(China). Keynote speakers at the conference were Prof. Dr. XFHan (China), Prof. Dr. FA Khalid (Pakistan), Prof. Dr. MZ Butt(Pakistan), Prof. Dr. Walther Schwarzacher (UK), Prof. Dr.Paulo de Morais (Brazil), Prof. Dr. M Idrish Miah (Australia),Prof. Dr. SA Siddiqi (Pakistan), Prof. Dr. Noriah Bidin(Malaysia), Prof. Dr. M Zafar Iqbal (Pakistan), Prof. Dr. ASBhatti (Pakistan), Prof. Dr. Emre Guller (Turkey) and Prof. Dr.M Nawaz Tahir (Pakistan).

More than 40 researchers presented/ invited talks includingDr. Nida Iqbal (Malaysia), Dr. Saqlain Shah (FC College), Dr.Nasir Mahmood (UHS), Dr. Zakia Kanwal (LCWU), Dr.

Murtaza Saleem (LUMS), Dr. Nadeem Iqbal (PU), Dr.Shanawer Niaz (Turkey), Dr. Tariq Mahmood (CSSP), Dr.Iftikhar Ahmad (Malakand), Dr. Nisar Ahmed (NCP), Dr. MJavaid Iqbal (CSSP), Dr. S Mustansar Abbas (NCP), Dr. ImranSadiq (CSSP), Dr. HM Rafique (PU), Dr. Misbah ul Islam(BZU), Dr. M Sabieh Anwar (LUMS), Dr. Afaq Ahmed (CSSP),Dr. M Shahid Rafiq (UET), Dr. Ishaq Ahmed (NCP), Dr.Shumaila Islam (Malaysia), Dr. Shumaila Shahzadi (UET), Dr.Khurram Siraj (UET), Dr. M Akhyar Farrukh (GCU, Lahore),Dr. Naveed Ahmed (UoE), Dr. M Saeed Akhtar (CSSP), Dr. MAkram Raza (CSSP), Dr. Sadia Manzoor (CIIT), Dr. KhalidJaved (IOP, China), Dr. Raja Junaid Amjad (CIIT), Dr. SadiaSagher Iqbal (PU), Dr. M Asghar Hashmi (IUB), Dr. SafiaAnjum (LCWU), Dr. M Tanveer (PU), Dr. Shahid Atiq (CSSP),Dr. Farzana Majid (PU), Dr. M Naeem Ashiq (BZU), Dr.Shazia Bashir (GCU, Lahore), Dr. Zohra N Kayani (LCWU),Dr. S Sajjad Hussain (CSSP), Dr. Hadia Noor (CSSP) and Dr.Mahmood ul Hassan (PU).

Oral sessions included topics such as thin films,optoelectronics, hard and soft magnetic materials, synthesis andcharacterization, sol-gel, alloys and metals, ceramics anddielectrics, electronic devices, energy technology, etc.

Int’l Conference on Solid State Physicsg 347 papers presented g 350 delegates participate g Dr Shahzad naseem’s efforts lauded

pu VC Dr Mujahid Kamran addresses conference as Dr Shahzad naseem and Dr MZ Butt sit on stage. pu VC Dr Mujahid Kamran, Dr Zakria Butt, Dr Saadat Siddiqui, Dr Shahzad naseem and others.

prof. Dr. Liang He of nanjing university in a session uetLAHoRe VC Dr Fazal Ahmed Khalid participates in a session Dr Saadat Siddiqui , Dr Zakria Butt and Dr Mujahid Kamran

Conference secretary Dr Saira addresses a sessionDr Shahzad naseem and Dr Liang He exchange Mou documents

Dr Mujahid Kamran presents a shield to Dr Liang He Dr Shahzad naseem receives a shield from Dr Mujahid Kamran Dr Fazal Ahmed Khalid, Dr Khaleequr Rehman, foreign speakers

Dr Shahzad, Dr Saadat, Dr Zakria Butt and Dr Mujahid Kamran

WWW.EDUCATIONIST.COM.PK January, 2016 INTERVIEW | 11

INTERVIEW BY: SALMAN AALAM, NOOR-UL-AIN, MAROOFA CHOHAN AND AYESHA IRFAN

T he Information TechnologyUniversity (ITU)has a structure thatcombines the best features of both

public and private sector universities andaims to serve as a center for excellence inacademia, research, entrepreneurship andinnovation, said Farzana Shahid, DirectorAcademics ITU during an exclusive interviewwith The Educationist. Following areexcerpts from our discussion with her:

The Educationist: From Matric to Mastersyou had won distinctions inyour academiccareer. How you made this possible?FarzanaShahid: If I go backward and sharethat right from class 1, I obtained highestmarks in all subjects in my class (allsections). The credit goes to my mother whohad set high standards. Being a single child Ienjoyed all the luxuries but my mother had alist of very well defined Dos and Don’ts forme. I was very regular and cannot rememberif I had ever wasted time. I learntmultitasking in my childhood and keptpracticing even today.

The Educationist: What difference you see ineducation of foreign countries as comparedto Pakistan’s?Farzana Shahid: The level of compliance to thepolicies that ensure academic discipline resultingquality education varies. Pakistani studentsappear as high achievers in universities abroadfor being hard working and focused.

The Educationist: As a student andprofessional your achievements areremarkable. What is the secret of yoursuccess in all the phases of life?

Farzana Shahid: Obedience, honesty, hardwork and strong believe in Almighty Allah.

The Educationist: Besides studies you havewon 29 gold medals in debates. How muchco-curricular activities are important forstudents?Farzana Shahid: Study programs enlightenyou, co-curricular activities facilitate in thedevelopment of various domains of mind andpersonality such as intellectual development,emotional development, social development,

moral development and aestheticdevelopment. Creativity, enthusiasm, andenergetic, positive thinking are some of thefacets of personality development and theoutcomes of co-curricular activities.

The Educationist: What difference you see instudents of your time and now?Farzana Shahid: Students of my time had tospend a lot of time in the libraries to get relevantmaterial and references whereas today’s studentis living in the age of information.

The Educationist: You have worked in manyinstitutes in Pakistan,which was the besteducation system wise?Farzana Shahid: Beaconhouse School System

The Educationist: Where do you feelcomfortable to work in private sector or ingovernment sector & why?Farzana Shahid: I have been working inprivate sector for almost three decades. I owe

a lot to private sector for my professionalgrowth. I can adjust to any workplace if itdoesn’t believes in professionalism.

The Educationist: You got the award of "BestTeacher"& "Most Outstanding Principal"which techniques applied to achieve thethese distinctions?Farzana Shahid: Simply by working withutmost dedication and devotion withoutmaking tall claims. God has always beenverygracious.

The Educationist: You have worked asRegistrar in BNU. How was your experienceas a registrar?Farzana Shahid: In 2005 I was the first one(the only female register of a university) butnow there are many female registrars.Working with BNU was a wonderful and sofar the most rewarding experience. I grewprofessionally with BNU growing in 10 years.I had the honour to work with people who areliving legends in their respective fields. I havelearnt a lot from my two immediate bossesMr. Sartaj Aziz and Mr. Shahid Hafiz Kardar.

The Educationist: What was the best thingthat attracted you to join ITU?Farzana Shahid: ITU has a structure thatcombines the best features of both public andprivate sector universities and aims to serveas a center for excellence in academia,research, entrepreneurship and innovation.

The Educationist: Are you satisfied with theeducation system of Pakistan? If not whatreforms you want to bring in?Farzana Shahid: It is a very sensitive debate.In schools we have a variety of systems,divide between public and private, dividebetween Urdu medium and English medium,divide between O/A Levels, IB, AmericanHigh School Diploma and local SSC/HSCand so on. Why can’t we have our ownPakistani System of education at par withother internationalsystems? Why can’t wecondemn rote learning and work on thecomprehension? Why can’t we emphasize onacademic integrity at all levels? Why can’t wefocus on research?

The Educationist: You have worked on such alarger scale in many organizations in

Pakistan that seems impossible being awoman. As a woman what hurdles you facedfrom society & family?Farzana Shahid: Luckily none, my familyespecially my mother was a driving force. Myhusband is a strong support. If you havestrong family ties, you eventually become awell-knitted member of the society.

The Educationist: We have almost specialistsin all major fields why our education systemdoesn't produce good politicians?Farzana Shahid: I wish we had!AllamaIqbalonce saidin democracy votes arecounted not weighed.

The Educationist: What is the proudestmoment in your life?Farzana Shahid: When I first saw HolyKaaba.

The Educationist: What is the bestcompliment you have ever received?Farzana Shahid: “Farzana is trustworthy onecan trust blindly” This is too big an orderwhich sometime frightens me.

The Educationist: Who has been yourinspiration?Farzana Shahid: Holy Prophet (PBUH),mother and then Mrs. Nasreen MahmudKasuri(Chairperson Beaconhouse Group).

The Educationist: Being one of the mostsuccessful woman in Pakistan what message youwant to give to other women of the country?Farzana Shahid: Believe in yourself, workhard, never feel deprived or underprivileged.Whoever you are and wherever you are, youcan play a positive role in any capacityvaluing all ethical values. g

‘ITU aims to serve as a in academia’g Farzana Shahid says she learnt a lot from Sartaj Aziz, Shahid Hafiz Kardar and nasreen Mahmud Kasuri

• Served as Registrar inBeaconhouse NationalUniversity for 10 years.

• Served in Army Public Schools & Colleges, eBeaconhouse School System, e City School Networkand Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology.

• Received PresidentialAward of "Most TalentedStudent” for three years - 1977-79.

• Won 29 gold medals as student.• Won Farogh-e-Taleem Award ofGovtof Punjab• Served PTV (Quetta &Chaklala) as in 80's.• Member of South Asian University New Delhi India,

UNESCO Madanjeet Institute of South Asian Art(UMISA), HEC, PEEF & many other organizations.

Receiving Farogh-e-taleem Award from Begum Zakiya Shahnwaz.

Child Farzana receiving medal from Sadia Hafeez pirzada.

During a tV show on ptV as anchor. While hosting geography Quiz show from ptV Quetta.

nasreen Mahmud KasuriSartaj AzizShahid Hafiz Kardar

pReMieRe eDuCAtion neWSpApeR oF pAKiStAn

publisher and editor Shabbir Sarwar, printed at intekhab-e-Jadeed press, 8 Abbot Road, and circulated from 136-J gulberg iii, Lahore

Urdu at MA level introducedafter partition: Kh Zakria

LAHoRe: punjabuniversityCommittee for theLiterary History ofthe Muslims of thepakistan & indiaDirector prof DrKhawajaMuhammad Zakriahas said that urdulanguage at Master’slevel was introduced

after partition in punjab university in 1948 and the firstexamination of MA urdu was held in 1950. He wasaddressing the first ceremony of compiling oral historyof punjab university at Al-Raazi Hall here onWednesday. pu VC prof Dr Mujahid Kamran, Dr ZahurAhmad Azhar, Dr Syed Muhammad Akram, Drnaumana Amjad, Chief Librarian Haseeb Ahmadpracha, heads of various departments, facultymembers and a large number of students were presenton the occasion. Sharing his memories, Dr Zakria saidthat at the time when urdu language teaching wasintroduced, there was no teacher who had degree in

PEF announces educationvoucher scheme new schedule

LAHoRe: punjabeducationFoundation (peF)has announced thepartnershipagreements’signing schedule forthe private schoolsselected forpartnership with itseducation VoucherScheme (eVS).

Agreements will be signed with new schoolpartners from Faisalabad, Kasur, okara,Sheikhupura, Vehari, Bahawalnagar, Jhang andKhushab at Children’s Library Complex, Lahore onJanuary 12 & 13. While agreements with privateschools of Bahawalpur, RY Khan, Multan, Dg Khan,Lodhran, Rajanpur, Khanewal, and Muzaffargarhwill be signed at peF Regional office, Multan fromJanuary 12 to 16. the school owners have beendirected to turn up with all the required documentsfor signing partnership agreements.

UMT media students exhibition

LAHoRe: the Department of Media &Communication, university of Management andtechnology, organized "Final projects exhibition2016" of students under the supervision ofLecturer Saima Saqlain. the students displayedtheir projects on the themes: online journalism,intro to Social Media and Fundamentals ofSocial Sciences. guests were Dr. noshinaSaleem, in-charge Director pu institute ofCommunication Studies and Shabbir Sarwar. Dr. Farasat Rasool chairperson of uMt Media &Communication Department and Dr. noshinaSaleem inaugurated the exhibition. DrMuhammad Khalid and tayab Bhtti were alsopresent Later, they visited students projectstalls and asked students regarding theirproject. the guests highly appreciated thestudent efforts . -Staff Report

LAHORE: The Govt College University Fine ArtsDepartment Friday, celebrating GCU 153rd Founders Day,unveiled the handmade pencil portraits of all its 25principals who served from January 1, 1864 to 2002.

Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Hassan Amir Shah inaugurated theexhibition titled “Founders’ Day Exhibition” at the MinhasArt Gallery. He said these legendary academicians made GCU

a citadel of academic excellence where ideals of tolerance andco-existence had also flourished with commitment. He saidthat traditions set up by these academic leaders were likelampposts which guided them in their journey to peacefuland prosperous future. He lauded Fine Arts Department In-charge Erfan Ullah Babr in making these pencil sketches. Thepencil portraits of GC’s founding Prof Dr G.W Litener, first

Indian principal Prof G.D Sondhi, first Muslim principal ProfA.S Bukhari and last principal Prof Dr Khalid Aftabremained center of ttraction at the exhibition. —Staff Report

GCU turns 153-year old

VC presents souvenir to punjab Chief Minister Mian MuhammadShahbaz Sharif at the international conference on China-pakistaneconomic Corridor. education Minister RanaMashood is also present.

UET ALUMNI REUNION

Federal Minister for planning, Development and Reform Ahsan iqbal, uet Vice Chancellor prof Dr. Fazal Ahmad Khalid, former VC education universityprof. Dr. Faiz-ul-Hassan, singer Jawad Ahmad, Rana tanvir Qasim, all deans of faculties, heads of teaching and non-teaching departments, eminent engi-neers pose for a photo after the university of engineering and technology, Lahore Alumni Re-union ceremony. photo credit: Muhammad Ashraf

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Planning,Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal hasannounced that as part of the civil servicereforms, 16-year education would be mandatoryfor youth seeking careers in the Civil SuperiorServices (CSS) from 2017.

Maximum age limit for appearance in the CSSexamination would also be enhanced by two yearsto 30 years to make it more competitive, he saidtalking to media after the conclusion of a day-long“Second Pakistan Governance Forum”.

The minister said it had also been decided torecruit specialists in some civil service groupsand a comprehensive training programmewould be launched for them.

He said for the first time performance contracthad been devised to evaluate the performance of ofgovernment officials during one year, which wouldbe forwarded to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif forrewarding them. Initially, 11 ministries and divisionshad been selected for the purpose, he added.

He said Rs 1 billion Performance ManagementFund had been set up. Awards and incentives, he

said, would motivate the officers to perform better.The government would also set up an Excellence

and Innovation Fund to encourage innovative ideasin governance. Similarly, Rs 10 million grants wouldbe extended to those ministries and departments,who brought forth innovative ideas to improvegovernance and public delivery system, he added.

Iqbal said that government was investing heavily ineducation and health sectors and introducing reformsin these areas. For conducive investment climate,reforms for ‘ease of doing business’ by removing thered-tape are also underway. —Staff Report

16 years of education mandatoryfor CSS exams from 2017g Age limit made 30 years

BZU Lahore campus hasnot met requirements:VC Dr Tahir AminMULTAN: BahauddinZakariya University(BZU) Vice ChancellorTahir Amin has said thatthe Lahore campus ofthe university has beenset up without fulfillingformalities.

Talking to APP, Amin said, “The public-privatepartnership has failed in this case. The privatesector invests in education with profitmaximisation as the goal. Owners of the BZULahore campus have minted billions of rupees inthe name of education.”

He said he had visited the Lahore campus as amember of the committee constituted by theHigher Education Department and was shockedto see that it had seven faculties and 13departments being run by only three retiredprofessors. “For seven faculties, you should havethe same number of deans,” he added. Thecampus, Dr Amin said, was working as a full-fledged varsity offering certain courses likephysiotherapy, which even the parent universitydoes not offer. -APP