FRHD to highlight educational issues in Global Action Week

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Foundation for Research & Human Development (FRHD), as part of the Global Action Week (GAW), will organize a walk from the Scouts Headquarter to the Karachi Press Club on April 29 while a delegation, comprising of children, will meet the Sindh Education Minister, Nisar Ahmed Khoro, on April 30. 

Members of the civil society will be joining the children to convey a loud message to the policy makers, legislators and others implementing agencies about realization of the educational goals. 

Education is human rights, a public, good and a state responsibility.Pakistan remains obliged under various national and international commitments to provide quality education to children irrespective of their gender, class or religion. 

At the forefront of these declarations is the Dakar Framework of Action, signed by 163 other countries in April 2000 and the world’s leaders made a series of promises intended to guarantee education for all by 2015. 

The EFA goals consist of six broad objectives which include: provision of early childhood care and education, provision of primary and secondary education, improvement in adult and youth literacy rates, provision of vocational and technical education, eradicating gender discrimination and enhancing the overall quality of education. Pakistan’s progress towards achieving the goals have been slow to say the least. 

The education system of the country is emasculated by an inadequate number of teachers, insufficient infrastructure, lack of funds for the education sector and a constant threat of conflict, especially in FATA and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. According to the latest ASER 2014 report, approximately 61% of children aged 3-5 years in rural areas and 42% in urban areas are out of school. 

This is an alarming figure given the fact that most of the children who do enter school either drop out or do not progress further on thereby increasing the number of out of school children. There is a dire need for an intervention whereby the provincial governments formulate laws that will ensure that early childhood education is made mandatory and out of school children are brought back into school. 

A positive shift was seen in the budget of 2014-2015 wherein all provinces doubled the amount of funds given to their respective education departments; focusing more on infrastructural development, enrollment and retention of students. Yet more needs to be done, particularly concerning the implementation of Article 25-A of the Constitution. 

The year 2015 presents education activists with a crucial opportunity to demand the realization of the right to education for all, and to set the direction of education for another generation. This year, the world will agree new frameworks for education and for sustainable development more broadly that will help set the tone and the focus for government policy and action from now until 2030. 

As governments prepare to make this new set of promises, it is critical that civil society has a say in what is being promised, ensuring that these commitments respond to the rights, the needs and the priorities of citizens. For these reasons, the GCE members and allies will be campaigning throughout 2015 during Global Action Week (GAW).

FRHD aims to work rigorously for society

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

 

The Foundation for Research & Human Development (FRHD),a group of social activists, parliamentarians and ex-government officials having been registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860, would like to fill the research gaps in the field of human rights, child rights, women rights, labour rights, social and development rights of marginalized groups in society. Besides, it would like to develop moralized social groups by participative and self-initiated developmental programmes and schemes.

 

This was disclosed by Nazra Jehan, Executive Director, FRHD, in an interview who added that the core values and principles of the organization, on which it was found, were equality, equity, non-discrimination, dignity, respects, openness, transparency and good governance.

 

The vision of the FRHD is to have a society where writ of law would have prime consideration and justice would be delivered on the basis of equality and impartiality; where rights of individual are respected, protected, and promoted.

 

Its mission is to act to promote and protect human rights in order to empower people within the framework of recognized standards through advocacy, research, awareness-raising, outreach activities, human development and institutional capacity building.

 

The FRHD would be focussing on the areas of human rights, health, education, poverty alleviation and development, andclimate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction

 

The strategies of the FRHD include mobilization of active agents either children or adults, men and women for achieving the desired vision, goals and objectives; formation of district or community level groups/committees, but the main emphasis would be on youth and women; conducting brief scientific and empirical researches by involving academics and others so that these can contribute in policy formulation.

 

It will also be working on capacity building of active community agents for developing young cadres of social workers;coordination and liaison with government departments;advocacy at district, provincial and national level for the basic rights of excluded people; construction and repair of basic (physical) infrastructure and facilities, and networking with like minded civil society groups for creating more pressure.

               

The main objectives of the FRHD include working for the welfare of disadvantage people especially poor, to endeavor to provide moral and financial help to the unprivileged class particularly orphans, widows, children, juveniles and disable persons, enabling them to support themselves financially & live a dignified life, to provide education and health facilities to the children and to highlight & address the issues and problems of women and children mainly women prisoners and juveniles.

 

It also has a plan to empower children by promoting and protecting their rights in conformity with the international standards, to conduct research on issues of public importance, to protect and promote rights, privileges and economic interest of the people, to constitute sub-committees at district level to strive for  promoting and protecting the rights of people, to conduct advocacy and lobbying for promotion and protection of the rights of people to educate masses on human rights and to build capacities of partners and stakeholders.

The FRHD will give special consideration to children because they were unheard and they did not have right to even claim for their basic rights.

The FRHD Children Board will work for the promotion of the rights of children in Pakistan. Its objectives would be to work for the enabling environment in which child rights are express and they have right to express and make associations.

Sarfaraz Ahmed receives Jumbo Karachi Guide in Adelaide

Pakistan News & Features Services

Wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed, who was one of the top performers during Pakistan’s campaign in the recently concluded ICC World Cup Cricket Tournament 2015, hosted jointly by Australia and New Zealand, was pleasantly surprised when presented a copy of Jumbo Karachi Guide by its Chief Editor, Abdul Qadir Qureshi, in Adelaide.

This presentation of Jumbo Karachi Guide in Adelaide indeed looked quite incredible because both Sarfaraz Ahmed as well as Abdul Qadir Qureshi belonged to Karachi and they had gone to Australia in connection with the World Cup. 

Abdul Qadir Qureshi, who had flown to Australia for the World Cup coverage, later revealed that the presentation of Jumbo Karachi Guide wasn’t a planned event and it just took place by chance. 

“Actually I was staying at my daughter’s place in Adelaide. Sarfaraz, who was in brilliant form throughout the tournament, was missing the cup of tea he was used to having in Karachi. So I invited him to come over for that elusive tea of Karachi flavour in Adelaide at the residence of my daughter,” Qadir Qureshi disclosed. 

“Sarfaraz accepted my invitation right away and dropped in the same evening to have a cup of tea with our family. He heaved a few sighs of relief at sipping the kind of tea he was unable to get after having left the shores of Karachi quite a few weeks ago. The enterprising cricketer didn’t conceal his delight at getting it finally thousand of miles away from our home city,” he added. 

“Just as the extended tea was coming to a close I availed the opportunity by presenting Sarfaraz a copy of Jumbo Karachi Guide which he was very glad to receive. He just went through its pages quickly and complimented us for the good work. He promised to read the contents of the guidebook in detail at a later stage,” Qadir Qureshi concluded.

Hanif Gohar nominated in FPCCI committee

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Mohammad Hanif Gohar, a prominent figure in the construction industry, has been nominated as the Senior Vice Chairman of the Urban Development Standing Committee of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) for the year 2015. He had served in the same capacity with distinction last year as well.

Hanif Gohar, who was elected as the Vice Chairman of the Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD) in 2013-14, has been known and respected for his contribution in boosting the trade. 

He expressed the confidence that the Urban Development Standing Committee of the FPCCI will continue working proactively for the growth of the construction sector in order to create greater employment opportunities for the people.

SSUET organize convocation with traditional zeal

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

 

The Chancellor of the Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Engr Mohammad Adil Usman, revealed that their institution has so far produced 13,000 graduate engineers in various disciplines.

 

“These graduate engineers  are capable to meet the demand of modern world and holding  responsible positions in reputed national, multinational organizations both within Pakistan and abroad,” he observed while  addressing the SSUET’s 18^th Convocation held at the Expo Centre on March 14.

 

Around 1,100 graduates from the disciplines of Computer, Electronics, Civil, Telecommunication and Bio-Medical Engineering and Computer Science besides those having completed their Masters were awarded degrees at the most fascinating event of their life yet.

 

Chancellor Adil Usman described the SSUET as a progressive institution which, he said, looks forward to meet the requirements of modern engineering practices.

 

“In order to achieve this objective the engineering curriculum is regularly reviewed and upgraded besides introducing new technologies on periodical basis.”

 

Extending felicitations to degree recipients and their parents, Engr Adil Usman hoped that young graduates would pursue high values of professional ethics and focus on nation building efforts.

 

He advised the graduates to always pursue a positive mode and think in terms of solving the issues and challenges with confidence and determination.

 

“Our country is passing through a critical phase and we have great expectations that our young engineers would rise to the occasion and cope with challenges ahead,” the Chancellor stated..

 

The SSUET was established with a view to impart the youth with most modern knowledge in engineering & technology by the best available human and material resources and assigns a high priority to tolerance, human values, progress, innovative ideas and research in pursuit to bring a breakthrough in technology.

 

Addressing the ceremony Vice Chancellor, Prof Dr Syed Jawaid Hasan Rizvi, remarked that the Sir Syed University has been making efforts to increase the number of seats to accommodate ever growing number of admission seekers  and also introduce new technologies.

 

Last year, he said, three new technologies of Software Engineering, Bioinformatics and Architecture were introduced while this year Electrical Engineering started keeping the fact in view that Pakistan is facing electric power crises affecting all sectors of the economy and the various segments of the society.

 

Now the University is now providing BS Program in ten disciplines and Master’s program in six disciplines.while PhD programme is available in Computer and Electronic Engineering.

 

He informed that the University is pioneer in introducing Biomedical Engineering and Biomedical Engineers from this university were playing a significant role in the maintenance of medical equipment.

 

Prof Jawaid Rizvi recalled that the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA), as sponsors, had established Sir Syed University in 1994 which today is significantly contributing towards consolidating the socio-economic and technological development of Pakistan.

 

The enrollment in the university has already crossed 21,000 and we have produced more than 13,000 graduates since 1998, he informed.

 

Earlier, in his welcome address, Registrar, Engr Syed Abrar Ali, congratulated the students and their parents, and wished them a prosperous future. He said that higher education has now become a tool of economic growth.

 

On the occasion, students winning top positions were decorated with gold, silver and bronze medals for their outstanding achievements.

 

Amber Ashraf of Computer Engineering, Muhmmad Obaid Ashraf of Electronic Engineering, Warda Ali Shah of Telecommunication Engineering, Anum Wasim Biomedical Engineering, Muhammad Aqeel Ahmed of Civil Engineering and Muhammad Ahsan Shaikh of Computer Science received gold medals for securing 1^st position.

 

Recipients of silver medals for securing second position included Ariba Aslam of Computer Engineering, Muhammad Hassan Bashir of Electronic Engineering, Sadia Parveen of Telecommunication Engineering, Hina of Biomedical Engineering, Kashan Khan of Civil Engineering and Rabia Khan of Computer Science.

 

Mohammad Usman Ghani of Computer Engineering, Haider Ali of Electronic Engineering, Hira Tariq of Telecommunication Engineering, Maleeha Mehboob of Biomedical Engineering, Javeria Saleem of Civil Engineering and Yasir Ali of Computer Science were awarded bronze medals for securing third position in their respective disciplines.

SSUET reviews convocation arrangements

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET) has made arrangements to organize its Convocation 2015 on March 14 at the Karachi Expo Centre and a meeting to review the preparations was held at the campus.

The meeting was presided over by Chancellor Engr Mohammad Adil Usman and it was attended by Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Syed Jawaid H. Rizvi, Registrar Syed Abrar Ali, chairpersons of the various departments and other concerned officials. 

The chancellor reviewed the proposals and options for the security arrangements and administrative measures and gave necessary directions for holding convocation in a peaceful manner. 

Around one thousand graduating students of the university would receive their degrees on the engineering disciplines of Computer, Electronics, Civil, Bio-Medical and Telecom besides Computer Science. 

During the meeting Chancellor Adil Usman pointed out that knowing the fact that the engineers play a pivotal role for changing the destiny of the nation, the SSUET was producing skilled engineers, well equipped with the required technical education of modern era during the last two decades. 

Meanwhile a meeting of the Board of Governors of the SSUET will be held one day prior to convocation on March 13. 

The SSUET has been growing rapidly and four new technologies, electrical engineering, software engineering, architecture and bioinformatics, were introduced within a short span of time besides six existing technologies. A new 4-storey building has been completed and the work to construct the Sir Syed Tower has already commenced.

FPCCI to back ABAD in resolving construction issues

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Chairman of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and a leading entrepreneur, S M Muneer, has reckoned that the construction industry has an important role in the economic development of any country.

He said that in his next meeting with Prime Minister Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif, he will take the ABAD representatives along and request the PM to remove the four-year old ban on new gas connections. 

He was addressing a luncheon meeting held at the ABAD House in honour of the newly elected office bearers of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI). 

He observed that ABAD has great respect in trade associations and this is officially accepted adding that the issues of housing and construction industry will be resolved from the FPCCI platform. 

S M Muneer revealed that the recent exhibition organized by the TDAP was a great success and export orders worth 1.75 billion dollars were booked while the participation by businessmen from 75 countries which also improved the image of Pakistan in the world. 

The President of the FPCCI, Mian Muhammad Adrees, disclosed that the federation has declared 2015 as the Year of Revival of Pakistan Economy and the government has also supported the view that issues can be resolved at 7% growth of the economy. 

Appreciating the role of construction industry in the economic development of the country, he said that the bureaucracy has not been able to resolve the issues and the economy could not prosper without private sector’s participation. He offered full cooperation of the FPCCI for resolution of issues of members of ABAD. 

The Patron-in-Chief of ABAD, Mohsin Sheikhani, described the law and order situation as the biggest hurdle in the development which, he thought, can be improved with the cooperation of business community. 

The Chairman of ABAD, Junaid Ashraf Taloo, emphasized on the role of construction industry in the economic development and said that the total requirement of all gas connections in Sindh including Karachi and Hyderabad was less than 1 MMCFD. 

“The summary about lifting the ban on gas connections has been awaiting action in the Prime Minister’s office for the last six months. Rs 200 billion of builders and allottees are blocked at present which could bring more revenue for the government if brought into circulation,” he remarked.  

The ABAD Chairman reminded that the construction industry was the largest employer in the cities and towns as the construction moved the wheel of many allied industries and it deserved to be given facilities and incentives. 

The Senior Vice President of FPCCI, Abdul Rahim Janoo, the Vice Chairman ABAD, Mohammad Hanif Memon, and the Regional Chairman ABAD, Mohammad Hassan Bakshi also spoke on the occasion.

SSUET conducts Hajj balloting for employees

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Karachi, will bear expenses of four of its employees to be sent to the Holy land for performing Hajj this year.

The four lucky employees were selected for the sacred pilgrimage at the Hajj balloting held under the supervision of Vice Chancellor, Prof Dr Jawaid Hassan Rizvii while Registrar, Engr Syed Abrar Ali, conducted the ceremony. 

The four successful candidates for Hajj were Ms. Saima Mehdi (Customer Service Executive), Mohammad Irfan (Naib Qasid), Abrar Haider (Security Guard) and Engr Nageen Shahid (Lecturer). 

Ms Urooj Fatima, Abad Hussain, Rao Muneer Ahmed and Engr Akhtar Hasan Ansari emerged on the waiting list. 

The Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Jawaid Hassan Rizvi congratulated the four lucky employees having been declared successful in the balloting. He urged them that while in the Holy land, pray for the progress of the university, the country and the Muslim Ummah.

SSUET to hold 18th Convocation on March 14

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Preparations are in full swing for the 18^th Convocation of the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, to be held on March 14 at the Karachi Expo Center.

The arrangements for the coveted occasion were reviewed at a meeting held under the chairmanship of Vice Chancellor, Prof Dr Syed Jawaid H. Rizvi, and attended, among others, by Registrar, Engr Syed Abrar Ali, Dean of Engineering, and Chairpersons of various departments, Controller of Examination.

The Vice Chancellor  reviewed the arrangements, specially the security matters, besides administrative measures and issued necessary directives for holding the convocation in a befitting manner.

Dr Rizvi pointed out that the SSUET graduates were serving in various countries of the world on high and important positions and were engaged in making new breakthroughs, not only in Pakistan, but also in European, American and other continents.

He expressed his satisfaction that, since its inception, the SSUET has distinguished itself as a prestigious institution of the country dedicated to the promotion of science and technology.

Its degree programmes, he said,  are accredited by the Pakistan Engineering Council and the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, and internationally it has full membership of Association of Commonwealth Universities, and the UNESCO sponsored International Association of Universities.

The Sir Syed University has collaboration with world famous universities like San-Jose and Johns Hopkins of USA and the University of Ottawa of Canada besides collaborating with three American and five leading British universities with students having the privilege of getting a degree from them, after studying in those Universities for only two years. 

Sindhi Language Day celebrated in Toronto

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Sindhi Community of Toronto and its surrounding cities celebrated Sindhi Language and Indus Civilization Day with full enthusiasm and spirit of Canada’s multiculturalism, by marking the International Mother Languages day.

On this occasion the intellectuals and writers of different communities highlighted the significance of Sindhi culture, heritage and literature in Sindh language whereas the children presented musical tableaus and a Sindhi singer enthralled audiences with his live performance. 

A prominent Canadian intellectual and political leader, Omer Latif, presented a paper titled ‘Sindh and Human Rights Issues’ in which he regretted that the heritage of Sindh, a centre of great civilization, has not been given due recognition. 

Prominent poet of Urdu and Progressive Writers Forum Canada’s chairman Munir Perviaz Saami in his speech highlighted resilience and depth of Sindhi Literature. He noted that the Sindhi literature is rich with the spirit of resistance against tyranny and oppression and quoted Rumi a Persian iconic poet who in a well know verse recognized Sindhis as people of distinct culture and expression.

He added that at the same time the centuries old traditions of Sindhi literature are so deep that verse often less quote writers stand out as an evidence of that richness. 

He shared the example from the poetry of Sachal Sarmast, Saami and Tanveer Abbasi which encompasses the human suffering, mutual pain, and resilience to readers to bold face all hegemony. 

An intellectual and writer from USA Dr Tahir Qazi in his paper ‘Influence of Shah Latif and Sufism on Sindh’ observed that after reading Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai, one comes to know the real treasures of Sindh and Sindhi language.  

On this occasion, renowned poetess of Sindhi and Urdu, Professor Azra Kandher, stated that Sindhi is among languages rich with literature, art and culture but this language has not been given due recognition yet.

She urged upon the elders of Sindhi community living away from their motherland to teach Sindhi to their youth so that they remain linked with their culture and heritage. 

Professor Raza Ghaloo also addressed the gathering and elaborated the evolution of Sindhi and other languages. He suggested that Urdu was also funded in Jacobabad area of Sindh. 

A senior leader of Sindhi community in North America, Abdul Razzaq Khushk, lauded the efforts of event’s organizers and appreciated the input and research work of other languages and communities intellectuals on Sindhi language and heritage through this event. 

Another Sindhi community leader, Khair Mohammad Kolachi, also spoke and welcomed the participants of the event. 

The Secretary Sindhi Adabi Sangat, Zulfiqar Shaikh, said that celebrating day of Sindhi language and heritage at world level is just to impart the world that Sindhi speaking people are moderate and against all sorts of extremism due to their rich literature and heritage of Indus civilization.

The Joint Secretary, Peetamber Lohano, also addressed the audience and welcomed the participants. 

Two groups of Sindhi children presented tableaus and performance of Urooj Adwani, Piryanka Ukrani, Hina Ukrani and Anjali Ukrani on famous Sindhi songs was highly lauded by the audiences whereas Eiman Pirzada and Mohammad Shahkar Shaikh also gave presentation on depth of Sindhi music. 

The most memorable side of this event was the performance of Sindhi vocalist, Jagdesh Bajaj, who sung popular Sindhi songs and Urdu ghazals lively, and the participants remained dancing in groups all the time. 

During the event, the newly elected office-bearers of Sindhi Association of North America (SANA) GTA chapter were administered oath through senior Sindhi community leader Abdul Razzaq Khushk. They included President, Peetamber Lohano, Vice President (General), Prof Azra Kandhar, Vice President (Female), Fatima Khawaja, General Secretary, Sahib Khan Shahani, Joint Secretary Naeem Akhtar Khatri, Information Secretary, Suresh Hotwani, Treasurer, Asif Memon, and members Executive Committee Dr Rashid Pirzada, Aijaz Kolachi and Mrs Roshan Abbasi.