Photography competition held at Alliance Francaise

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Massive response was received to the Localens Photography Competition, whose lucky winners were awarded prizes at the Alliance Francaise, Karachi, on March 22.

It was an opportunity for the youngsters  who pursue photography as a hobby to demonstrate their creativity and talent. Nearly 14,000 entries were received and the judges, Jean-Francois Chenin, Director, Alliance Francaise in Karachi, Izdeyar Setna, a photgrapher, and Max Becherer, a freelance photo-journalist, had a challenge to meet while shortlisting 30 of these pictures which were put on display on the walls of the auditorium.

“I have nothing to hide, these pictures were beautiful,” Chenin was quoted as saying while pointing to the wonderful picttures he had to judge.

The participants were awarded certificates while cash and gifts were presented to the winners of first, second and third positions.

Sikandar Hayat's 'Paddy Crop' was adjudged first, Asfand Majeed's 'Roadside barbeque' second and Mehlum Sadriwala's 'The early morning walk' third.

The Gurumandir image captured by Asfand Majeed portrayed many of the things from streets to cars and barbeque on the roadside as the youngster desired glorifying Karachi, known for its food, with his stunning picture.

Mehlum Sadriwala won the third prize which the photograph he had clicked in November 2013 of Old Lahore. He believed that there’s an old world charm in the old Lahore city, near the Wazir Khan Mosque and  the picture he took of an old man walking past was done in a poetic way. 

SSUET’s 17th Convocation on April 10

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The preparations are in full swing for the 17th Convocation-2014 of the Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Karachi, to be held at the Karachi Expo Centre on April 10.

The arrangements and related matters of the university’s annual colourful and graceful event were reviewed at a meeting held under the chairmanship of Chancellor, Engr Muhammed Adil Usman. Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Jawaid H Rizvi, Registrar, Syed Abrar Ali, and other concerned officials were also present on the occasion.

The Board of Governors of the University will also meet on April 9 prior to the holding of convocation. The convocation rehearsal for the graduating students will also be held on April 9 at 3 pm at the Expo Centre.

This year about 1100 graduates of six technologies of Computer, Civil, Electronics, Bio-Medical, Telecommunication Engineering and Computer Science besides having done their Masters will be awarded degrees.

The results of final year students have already been announced and displayed at the university’s website. The university has announced the names of gold, silver and bronze medal winners and those securing first three top positions.

Meanwhile, the university has directed all the graduating students to ensure attending the convocation rehearsal at the Karachi Expo Center at 3 pm on April 9.

Lakhra to enhance power generation

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Upon the instructions of the Federal Government, the Lakhra Power Generation Company Limited (LPGCL) is assisting JICA for the feasibility study of state of the art 600 MW FBC Power Generation Plant at its Complex, located 31 kilometers off Jamshoro. 

According to the company sources, the objective is to enhance its present generation capacity from 30 MW to 60 MW by carrying out the rehabilitation work through essential major repairs of Unit 2 only at a cost of Rs 34 million during the next four months. 

Sources disclosed that LPGCL Complex has three Units of 50 MW each with a total installed capacity of 150MW, 31 KMs off Jamshoro with FBC technology, which burns low grade coal (lignite in this case) with the addition of limestone for power generations. 

In 2006 rehabilitation work was initiated by the Company for Units 1, 2 and 3 and only Unit 1 could be functional after rehabilitation. During the same year, the Federal Government decided to go for Lease Transaction of the 150 MW capacity plant and thus, the rehab work on Units 2 & 3 was grinded to a halt, forcing the Company to go for marginalizing its capacity to 30 MW from the only rehabilitated Unit 1. 

Sources further disclosed that stakeholders like the bidder and the others initiated legal proceedings in 2006, which culminated in the setting aside of the lease transaction by the apex court in August 2013. The company in quest to assist the Federal Government to overcome the energy crises has decided to go for the immediate functioning of Unit 2 at a cost of Rs 34 million. 

The company has also submitted a proposal to its mother concern i.e. the Office of GM, GENCO, for the rehabilitation of all the three Units at a total cost of 20 Million dollars, as only Unit 1 is working at declared de-rated capacity of 30 MW. The rehabilitation of all three Units shall enhance the capacity of 40 MW each to the national grid. 

It may be mentioned here that Units 2 and 3 were shut down from 2006 and 2008, respectively. The period of the job is expected to be completed within 18 months. The company will be able to recover 90 MW of capacity with an investment of 20 million dollars or 0.22 dollars per MW. The company is likely to reduce the current cost of Rs. 15.37 to below Rs. 09.50, when job done.

SSUET to start work on its 200 acres of land

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, has worked out a plan to develop its 200 acres of land in the Education City for its future needs and projects.

This was stated by Chancellor SSUET, Engr Mohammed Adil Usman, during a visit to the land site. He was accompanied by Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dr Jawaid H. Rizvi, Associate Dean, Prof Dr Najib Siddiqi, besides some members of Executive Committee of Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA).

The Chancellor said on the occasion that SSUET’s educational activities are fast expanding and development of the 200 acres of land to fulfill its future needs will have its priority.

He said that to start with, the construction of its boundary wall will be taken hand first and his total effort will be to complete it in the shortest possible time adding that further steps would be taken after consultation with the Aligarhian colleagues and experts.

“Our aim is to provide best possible academic facilities to both teachers and students,” he stated and added that efforts would be made to meet the financial requirements in this regard. He disclosed that only a few days back a few Aligarhias came to him and donated Rs one million.

Chancellor Adil Usman announced that the university plans to introduce “electrical engineering” program.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Director Procurement, Mumtaz Memon, werlcomed the visiting Chancellor and others to the 200 acres land site while Director Planning and Development Shahid Saleem informed that this Education City concept was included in the Master Plan 2005.

He informed that a three-room site office has already been constructed while a parking area also developed.

It may be pointed out here that other allottees of land in the Education City including Ziauddin University, SIUT, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital, Quaid-e-Azam Foundation School and Aga Khan University have already started work on their respective projects.

Abdul Latif Khilji informed that plantation work at the site was already progress since 2007.On the occasion Chancellor Adil Usman, Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Jawaid Rizvi, the AMUOBA office-bearers and others also planted saplings. 

Coal transportation strategy from ports to power plants finalized

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

A high level meeting, held in Karachi on March 5 with Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Senator Kamran Michael in the chair, finalized the strategy for transportation of coal from ports to power plants.

The meeting which was attended, among others, by Secretary Ports and Shipping, Habibullah Khan Khattak, Director General Ports and Shipping, Chairman PNSC, Chairman PQA and Chairman KPT, briefed the Minister about coal-based power production with focus on improving handling of coal imports their storage and transportation.

The Minister was informed about allocation of three berths exclusively for coal handling at Karachi Port and its transportation to power houses through railway. He was told that terminal facilities have been upgraded making round the clock cargo handling and transportation possible.

It was pointed out that with reference to signing of agreements by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for setting up of coal-fired power plants,, preparations have been geared up at ports  speedy port operations. Energy Coordinator to Chief Minister Punjab, Nadeem Aslam Choudhry, specially attended the meeting in this regard.

On the occasion, the Minister was briefed about mega KPT projects including Pakistan Deep Water Container Port, Harbour Crossing Bridge and Cargo Village.

Later Senator Kamran along with Nadeem Aslam Choudhry, was taken on a harbor cruise to witness KPT's coal handling facilities.

Qamaruddin Barakzai’s role in Ziauddin University’s success eulogized

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Glowing tribute were paid to the late Dr Qamaruddin Barakzai, a former Controller of Examinations, Ziauddin University, Karachi, in a condolence meeting held at the University’s Auditorium on March 4. It was attended by a large number of faculty members, staff and students.

Dr Qamaruddin Barakzai had been associated with the Ziauddin University for the past 16 years. He was praised for his dedication and commitment, which werean integral part of the Ziauddin University's success and growth.

He had passed away after an acute illness in Karachi on March 1 at the age of 65. He is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters.

The Chancellor of the Ziauddin University, Dr Asim Hussain, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui, and Registrar, Muhammad Yousuf, have expressed their deepest condolences at his demise.

While offering his condolences to the deceased's family, Chancellor Dr Asim Hussain paid homage to Dr Barakzai's services for Ziauddin University by highlighting his hard work and professional competence, recognizing that his services and contribution will always be remembered and appreciated.