NDU, FUUAST win Allama Iqbal shields

ISLAMABAD
National Defence University, Islamabad, and Federal Urdu University of Arts, Sciences and Technology (FUUAST) on Wednesday won the 17th All Pakistan Inter-University Declamation ‘Allama Iqbal Shield’.
The annual contest was organised by Higher Education Commission (HEC). Justice (r) Nasira Javaid Iqbal was the chief guest on the occasion.
In the English category, first prize was awarded to Khushal Khan of National Defence University, Islamabad, followed by Kiran Abbas of University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila, while third prize was won by Mehtab Alvi of Lahore College for Women University Lahore.
Shahzadi Kanwal of Federal Urdu University, Karachi, bagged first prize, while Yasser Rashid belonging to University of Punjab got second position and third prize was won by Muhammad Ayub of Gomal University.
The annual contest was organised at three levels. In the first round was held at the university level wherein students from all the departments of public and private sector universities and constituent colleges took part. In the second round, winners of first round competed at regional level which was held at Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar and Islamabad (for Federal, AJK, Fata/Gilgit-Baltistan, Universities). Winners of the Regional level had the privilege to compete at the national level which was the final round for the award of Allama Iqbal Shield.
Cash prizes of Rs60,000, Rs50,000 and Rs40,000 were awarded to the first, second and third position holders respectively in both categories (Urdu and English), respectively. Thirty contestants from public and private sector universities from all over the country participated in the final round. English session was presided over by Dr Sarwet Rasul from Fatima Jinnah Women University, while Urdu session was presided over by Professor Dr Shahid Iqbal Kamran from Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad. Dr Najiba Arif, Noor Amna Malik and Syed Munawar H Naqvi were in the panel of judges.
Congratulating the students, Justice (r) Nasira Javaid Iqbal appreciated their zeal and vigour in sharing their thoughts on the chosen topics. She encouraged them to channelise their energy to bring positive change in society. She expressed her pleasure to be among the youth and hear their thoughts on burning challenges that afflict Pakistani society. She also appreciated HEC’s contribution in raising the standard of higher education and presenting various opportunities for higher studies within the country and overseas. In his welcome address, DG Academics of HEC Fida Hussain said declamation contest is a part of HEC’s initiatives to promote co-curricular activities at campuses. “Its objectives are to promote communication skills and critical thinking among the students, encourage tolerance, non-violence, and respect for other’s point of view,” he said.
Member Human Resource Development for HEC Dr Raza Bhatti said that such events are important in enhancing understanding of socio-economic and political issues among students of various regions of Pakistan.