Governor for providing higher education facilities in remote areas

LAHORE:Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider presided over an important meeting about Attock Campus of Pir Meher Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi at Governor’s House here.

In the meeting, Governor reviewed the progress on the project of Attock Campus of Pir Meher Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University and directed to complete the campus at the earliest. He said that Attock Campus project should be operational in the shortest possible time to provide the facility of higher education to the residents of Attock and suburban areas. He said that higher education has a key role in the development of the country. Governor said that it is very important to provide higher education facilities in remote areas. It was also decided in the meeting that a committee comprising the officers of the Department of Agriculture would be formed. The committee members will visit the site and submit a report within ten days to ensure the earliest completion of the Attock campus.

In the meeting, Pro Vice-Chancellor Pir Meher Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Dr Muhammad Naeem, Special Secretary Agriculture Department Dr Shahanshah Faisal Azeem, Additional Secretary Agriculture Captain Waqas, Principal Secretary to Governor Captain (retd) Saqib Zafar, Special Secretary Academics. Abdul Rehman, Shah, Additional Secretary Universities Tariq Mehmood and Member National Assembly from Attock Sheikh Aftab Ahmed and other officers were present.

Seminars for MPhil, PhD supervisors

A series of training seminars on conducting high-quality international research were held at Government College University (GCU), here for MPhil and PhD supervisors. The event featured speaker Prof Dr Arshad Majid Mirza, a distinguished scholar in Plasma Physics and Fellow of Bochum University, Germany, who shared invaluable insights into the world of global research. Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Shazia Bashir was also present.

In his keynote address, Prof Arshad Majid Mirza emphasised the significance of choosing relevant and novel research topics, conducting honest and reliable work, and the necessity of collaboration with top scientists worldwide. ‘Your work should be transparent worldwide,’ he stated, urging attendees to aim for research that resonates internationally.

Prof Mirza outlined several key strategies for success in the academic field, including thorough literature reviews, setting clear research objectives, and employing rigorous methodologies. He also highlighted the importance of ethical considerations and the need for collaboration beyond geographical and institutional boundaries to enhance research impact.

The training focused on practical aspects of research, such as data collection and analysis, publishing in high-impact journals, and actively engaging with the scientific community through discussions, conferences, and seminars.

Prof Mirza encouraged continuous learning and openness in scientific pursuits, regardless of one’s background or beliefs. ‘A scientist is always very curious and should approach research with an open mind,’ he advised.

Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Shazia Bashir said that GCU is organising a series of lectures and training sessions on research ethics, patents, plagiarism, and research publications delivered by eminent professionals and academics to improve the research produced by the university.

Prof Dr Ikram-ul-Haq and Prof Dr Riaz Ahmad stated that these training sessions mark a significant step towards fostering a culture of advanced scientific research. Prof Dr Syeda Salma Hasan, the Chairperson of the GCU Psychology Department, appreciated the training session.