GCU starts research contest

LAHORE:Government College University (GCU) Lahore has initiated a research competition on the theme of “Challenges and Opportunities in the COVID-19 World”, and cash prizes would be awarded to the best three theses.

GCU’s undergraduate students of eight academic departments would research on the theme from the perspective of their discipline. Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Asghar Zaidi said, “It is our prime responsibility to produce research that creates an impact beyond academia and that can change the experiences of our society. We cannot afford to churn out research that is irrelevant to our present-day needs.”

The VC said there was a huge gap between academia, state and industry, adding that in the West, funding agencies and universities encourage graduate applications and research which have the potential to help the governing institutions and industries to improve the quality of life. Explaining the benefits of this initiative for students and society, Prof Zaidi said: “By encouraging our students to write on such themes, we will prepare them for new opportunities of scholarships at the topmost institutions and industries.”

MoU signed: Punjab University’s Remote Sensing, GIS and Climatic Research Lab (RSGCRL) and University of Lahore’s Department of Physics have signed an MoU to develop institutional linkages that will serve as a continuous and consistent support in the execution of all other activities. According to a press release, the two institutes will collaborate in developing joint research proposals and data sharing providing mentorship and learning opportunities to the students. Dr Zia-ul-Haq, Director/Principal Investigator RSGCRL and Dr Sadia Sagar Iqbal, HoD Department of Physics signed the MoU.

PBTE: Punjab Board of Technical Education has announced that as per decision of the meeting of Inter-Provincial Education Ministers Committee, annual examinations organised by PBTE 2021 will be taken in 50 percent less subjects.

A spokesman for Punjab Board of Technical Education said that Minister for Industries and Commerce Mian Aslam Iqbal had approved it and a notification has also been issued. According to the notification, the exam in the diploma of associates engineers, diploma in commerce, diploma in dress designing and dressmaking, diploma in hotel operations, Matric tech and Matric vocational will be taken in less than 50 percent subjects. The spokesperson said details of the subjects had been uploaded on the Board website www.bbte.edu.pk.com can be visited.