Day: July 13, 2021

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UMT Shortlisted by THE Awards Asia 2021 for Teaching and Learning Strategy of the Year

Lahore, July 13, 2021 (PPI-OT):Team UMT-CONNECTED on behalf of AAQIC is proud to announce that UMT has been shortlisted by The Times Higher Education (THE) Awards Asia 2021 for the Teaching and Learning Strategy of the Year. The finalist institute in each category will be announced at the THE Live Asia event taking place on the 14th and 15th December 2021 and the awardees’ names will be published on THE Awards Asia website.

Times Higher Education Awards has been a landmark event in the United Kingdom for the past sixteen years. In 2019, after establishing itself as a distinguished name among higher education institutes, THE Awards took its platform overseas. The event has received great response on a global level. It is considered to be a versatile platform by the universities to promote their institutions on an international forum. It brings to light the brilliant success stories of outstanding leadership and institutional performance of Universities working towards positive change.

We have a staunch faith in the fact that Asian Universities Summit 2021 will prove to be an excellent opportunity for the University of Management and Technology in order to have its efforts, innovations and leadership recognized internationally. To access the list of shortlisted universities in the Teaching and Learning Strategy of the Year category by the Times Higher Education Awards Asia, click on the following link:

For more information, contact:
Media Coordinator,
University of Management and Technology (UMT)
C-II, Johar Town, Lahore, Pakistan
UAN: +92-42-111-300-200
Tel: +92-42-35212801-10
Fax: +92-42-35184789
Email: yaqoob@umt.edu.pk
Website: https://www.umt.edu.pk

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Establishing a COVID-19 early warning system

Karachi, July 13, 2021 (PPI-OT):Public health researchers are set to evaluate the feasibility of a faster way to detect new cases of COVID-19 in Karachi. Infectious disease epidemiologists from Aga Khan University, the National Institute of Health, Islamabad, and the World Health Organization’s Pakistan Office will collaborate with Karachi’s District Health Office, East, to pilot a sewage surveillance system that will regularly test wastewater samples for the presence of the coronavirus and its concentration.

They are building on work by health authorities in several countries such as the US, Canada, Australia and several European nations to set up extensive sewage surveillance systems. These systems have helped detect high concentrations of the virus in sewage a week to ten days before cases would rise, enabling public health authorities to take prompt action to contain the spread of the disease.

Sewage surveillance systems take advantage of the fact that the presence of viruses can be identified in sewage before a person shows symptoms. For example, people can shed SARS CoV-2 in their stool in the first 3 to 7 days after infection, long before a person begins to suffer from a fever, cough or shortness of breath. This means that wastewater sampling has the potential to act as a sensitive, early warning system for trends in new cases and a potential way to prevent new cases. That’s because nasal swab tests, which detect the presence of the virus in the nose, are typically only taken after symptoms appear, between 7 and ten days after infection, which means that people could have unknowingly been spreading the disease for days before their positive test.

Researchers will analyse the amount of SARS CoV-2 particles per millilitre of filtered sewage to estimate the number of cases in the area. They hope to generate data that will help them estimate future number of cases in a well demarcated catchment area by measuring viral concentration in sewage samples.

If analysis of sewage samples shows a continuous increase in the presence of SARS CoV-2 particles then this could predict an uptick in cases before COVID-19 nasal swab test results become available, thereby giving public health departments and hospitals advance notice of a surge in cases.

Data about the quantum of the virus in wastewater will also be compared with records from the district health office about the number and location of positive tests in the area to prepare heat maps of high and low incidence areas. This could enable prompter preventive measures such as mass testing or targeted lockdowns to be taken in high-burden areas. Conversely, the data could also help provide an indication of a forthcoming decline in new cases which could inform policy decisions such as the easing of restrictions.

“Insights from sewage surveillance can help us get ahead of the virus and take more effective measures to curb new cases,” said Dr Imran Nisar, assistant professor at AKU and principal investigator of the study. “No one knows when this pandemic will end but new tools such as wastewater analysis can potentially make mitigation measures more effective.”

Researchers also plan to compare data about the number of vaccinations in the area against the volume of cases to understand the effectiveness of vaccine drives. In later phases of the project, researchers will conduct genetic sequencing of wastewater samples to determine whether new COVID-19 variants have arrived in the city. This could signal the need to ramp up prevention measures or consider changes in precautionary measures, treatments or vaccine roll-out plans.

“Lockdowns have enormous social and economic consequences,” said Dr Nisar. “Comparing data from our sewage surveillance study with clinical and epidemiological data from the community will enable us to halt the cycle of surges leading to lockdowns by enabling policymakers to take prompter, more effective decisions. Throughout the study, we’ll be working closely with the district health office to ensure timely use of data.”

Once researchers have assessed the feasibility of the system in Karachi, they hope to be able to scale up the programme at the provincial and national level. The initiative has been funded by Program for Appropriate Technology in Health, USA and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, USA.

For more information, contact:
Media Executive
Department of Public Affairs
Aga Khan University (AKU)
Stadium Road, Karachi
Tel: +92-21-34930051
Fax: +92-21-34934294, +92-21-34932095
Cell: +92-301-8258028
Email: rasool.sarang@aku.edu, public.affairs@aku.edu​
Website: www.aku.edu

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President IIUI chairs meeting with faculty of Shariah and law 

Islamabad, July 13, 2021 (PPI-OT):To review the existing standard, scope of improvement regarding provision of quality education by all faculties of the university, H.E. Dr. Hathal Homoud Alotaibi, President, International Islamic University (IIUI), chaired a meeting to review the issues and problems being faced by Faculty of Shariah and Law (FS and L), IIUI.

On this occasion President, IIUI shared the aims and objectives of the university’s Strategic Plan (2022-2026) with the meeting participants. He directed that all the faculties must submit strategic plans at earliest so that a road-map / strategy and future goals be devised.

Addressing the meeting participants, Dr. Hathal said that the Faculty of Shariah and Law is a pioneer faculty of the university and its graduates are serving on key positions at national and international level. Referring to the global competence among universities, IIUI President stressed to focus on use of modern techniques of teaching and learning. He also emphasized that faculty must remain updated to the advancements of the technology. During the meeting, new and innovative ideas and suggestions presented by the senior faculty members were appreciated by the President, IIUI.

Listening to the issues and problems being faced by students and faculty members at campus, President IIUI assured that micro and macro level issues will be solved on priority basis. He also directed meeting participants to remain committed to follow a realistic approach for implementation of the goals and targets to attain international standards. He called for efforts to have improvements in the regard of academic excellence and quality education.

The meeting was also attended by the Dean, Faculty of Shariah and Law, Dr. Attaullah Faizi, Director General, IRI, Director General, Shariah Academy, and Head of Departments of FS and L, IIUI (Male and Female Campuses).

For more information, contact:
Public Relations,
International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI)
Room No.118, Admin Block, New Campus,
H-10 Sector, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9019249
Fax: +92-51-9257909
Email: iiuipublicrelations@iiu.edu.pk
Website: www.iiu.edu.pk

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GCU holds youth leadership training 

Faisalabad, July 13, 2021 (PPI-OT):A two-day training workshop for intermediate students on “Youth Leadership and Civic Education” on Monday began at the Government College University Lahore in collaboration with Shaoor Foundation for Education and Awareness (SFEA).

Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi chaired the inaugural session of the training workshop which was also addressed by Mr. Zahid Islam, the former President of FAFEN, and Mr. Raja Shoaib Akbar, the Director Programs of SFEA, as the key trainers.

As many as 23 girls from University of Home Economics (UHE) and seven boys from GCU are participating in the workshop which aimed at inculcating and developing leadership skill, citizenship and civic education among the young students.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Zaidi said this training would give the youth self-confidence and knowledge to meet different challenges of life and enhance their organizational and project management skills and ability to positively impact other youths. He also highlighted the critical need for student leaders in the Society.

For more information, contact:
Public Relations Department,
Government College University (GCU)
Squash Complex, GC University, Lahore, Pakistan
UAN: +92-42-111-000-010 Ext: 296
Tel: +92-42-99213343
Cell: +92-321-8440769
Email: registrar@gcu.edu.pk
Website: http://www.gcu.edu.pk

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REDC Conducts Programme on Branding for K-Electric

Lahore, July 13, 2021 (PPI-OT):Under its custom programme portfolio, REDC conducted a focused programme for K-Electric on Building Brand Power on June 29 – 30, 2021. The 2-day programme was conducted in Karachi. It was focused on developing a deeper understanding of branding for a service organisation.

Led by distinguished members of the LUMS faculty, Dr. Adnan Zahid and Dr. Zain ul Abdin Khawaja, the programme provided insights on managing customer sentiments and internal branding. The highly experiential programme took participants through a practical exercise of creating a fit between market context and brand positioning. It was focused on building brand narratives, and understanding and managing customer segments as well as brand positioning in a competitive landscape.

Augmented with cases and discussions, this programme provided executives with a rich and vivid experience of making of a strong consumer brand and taking decisions regarding brand elements, core benefits, and overall branding strategy. The participant profile consisted of multi-tiered executives from K-Electric’s brands and communications teams, who learned to apply the key principles of the training in their industry segment. The participants appreciated the programme content and highly rated faculty expertise on the subject matter.

Asra Malik, a senior officer in Internal Communications at the company said, “It was a highly engaging programme and we learned many new aspects on branding. I loved the detailed material provided and the faculty were extremely open to opinions.” Ahmed Raza, the team leader of Corporate Communications also lauded the programme and said that it was very interactive and will surely help in improving K-Electric’s practical brand knowledge.

For more information, contact:
Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS)
D.H.A. Lahore Cantt. 54792
Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-35608000
Fax: +92-42-35725048
Website: www.lums.edu.pk

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CCLS Holds Virtual Conference on the Pakistan-China Relationship and CPEC 

Lahore, July 13, 2021 (PPI-OT):The Centre for Chinese Legal Studies (CCLS) at the Shaikh Ahmad Hassan School of Law (SAHSOL), LUMS, organised a virtual conference ‘CPEC: Pakistan-China Security and Strategic Cooperation’. The conference was attended by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Chairman Defence Committee; Professor Uzair J. Kayani, Head of Department, SAHSOL, and Professor Sikander A. Shah, Director, CCLS. Members of the Pakistan-China Institute and the LUMS community also attended the event.

Prof. Kayani welcomed the esteemed Senator Hussain as a key figure in recognising and promoting the importance of Pakistan and China’s relationship at a crucial juncture, where the world is witnessing enormous shifts in global policy. Prof. Shah moderated the discussion and highlighted the opportunities and pressing security challenges in relation to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Senator Hussain, while giving a comprehensive overview of the Pakistan-China relationship, explained that it is not limited to the CPEC flagship project. He poignantly contextualised the discussion given the evolving US-China relationship, which has altered the geopolitics of the region. Senator Hussain spoke of President Biden’s multilateral approach, or the recruitment drive aimed at managing China’s growing influence in the region, and globally.

In this vein, he highlighted the recently held Quadrilateral Security Dialogue between the United States, Japan, Australia, and India; the G-7 countries meeting; US-NATO summit and the US-EU summit, each of which openly declared China as a global security challenge. Senator Mushahid also referenced the recent interview of Prime Minister Imran Khan with China Global Television Network, which reaffirmed the Premier’s resolve that Pakistan will not succumb to any external pressure and downgrade its relationship with China.

In addition, he talked about the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, with its subsequent surge in violence, and the stalemate in intra-Afghan dialogue. He also talked in detail about the CPEC projects that are instrumental in shifting Pakistan’s focus from geopolitics to geo-economics by boosting connectivity, commerce, trade, and cooperation in the region. He referred to Gwadar Port as the mainstay of the CPEC, which, in the words of Robert Kaplan, Chief Geopolitical Analyst, “has the potential to be the Rotterdam of the Arabian Sea”.

He lauded the completion of the first phase of CPEC projects that have brought monumental changes to previously underdeveloped and ill-utilised areas like Thar. He also spoke of the second phase of CPEC that primarily focuses on agriculture, education, socio-economic development, Special Economic Zones and the relocation of Chinese small and medium enterprises, that will further advance economic and human development in Pakistan.

Lastly, he commented upon the growing strategic cooperation between Pakistan and China, where the latter has backed Pakistan’s efforts in the UN Security Council regarding various issues. He also highlighted the common challenge of hybrid warfare that both Pakistan and China face from their adversaries, which can be overcome by dispelling the myths surrounding CPEC.

Senator Hussain concluded by referring to China as a crucial pivot in Pakistan’s general foreign policy and emphasising the tremendous potential of the CPEC in propelling infrastructural and human development in Pakistan. He added that regardless of the challenges, they are surmountable given Pakistan’s strategic space in the region by virtue of CPEC, and the growing relationship with its neighbouring countries.

Prof. Shah thanked the participants for attending the conference. He reiterated the importance of producing strong academic literature on the subject and holding constructive discourses surrounding CPEC and Pakistan-China strategic cooperation, which remains resilient even in testing times.

For more information, contact:
Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS)
D.H.A. Lahore Cantt. 54792
Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-35608000
Fax: +92-42-35725048
Website: www.lums.edu.pk