AIOU pledges to intensify research

Islamabad

Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) on Friday celebrated the World Earth Day, with the pledge that it would further intensify its research-based activities to save the planet from environmental hazards.

A seminar and tree-plantation events were organised on the occasion, by the University Department of Home and Health Sciences in collaboration with other local organisations. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Shahid Siddiqui in his message on the occasion assured that AIOU being mega university will be a helping hand in providing academic support to the government and the world body to make the earth pollution-free and well-preserved for the coming generation.

The university, he said has been actively engaged in the recent years doing research on socio-economic issues relating to the society. Various academic programs have been initiated to death with issues relating to environmental problems and global warming as well.

The seminar was presided over by the Dean Sciences Prof. Dr. Naghmana Rashid. Registrar AIOU, Dr. Muhammad Naeem Qureshi was also present on occasion.

The speakers who addressed the seminar included eminent environmental scientists Dr. Amin Haider Malik, Muhammad Abid and Yousaf Riaz. They called for evolving a long-term well-thought strategy to overcome the problems like contamination of drinking water and de-forestation. They also underlined the need of utilizing all available resources for ensuring pollution-free environment and maximum tree plantation, both at individual and collective levels.

Dr. Naghmana Rashid spoke about her research on water-waste management and effects of pesticide on soil. AIOU, she said will be taking some research-based projects on the earth and environment-related subjects in collaboration with other relevant organisations.

Department of Home Sciences Chairman Dr. Nomana Anjum said the university will continue to take professional development programs for sustainable building designs, which could be environment-friendly. They have proposed a users’ friendly architecture design, after extensive feasibility study, which provides a clear and safe environment to the people, she added.

Mushaira

A delegation of Public Art and Literary Society Lahore laid a floral wreath at the Mazar of Alama Iqbal in connection with his 78th death anniversary.

Meanwhile, a Mehfil-e-Mushaira was arranged by the society in the memory of Allama Iqbal at Staff Welfare Office. Accountant General Punjab Zafar Hassan Raza presided over the event while Najeeb Ahmed, Latif Sahil and Ijaz Kanwar Raja were the chief guests. Dr. Amir Shehzad, Qaim Naqvi, Dr. Shahida, Dilwar Shah, Tariq Malik, Naseem Fazal, Kamran Nashit, Tariq Niazi, Mehmood Hassan, Khalid Mehmood and Zain ul Abidin presented their poetry and also paid rich tribute Allama Iqbal.