University of Sindh

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The Center for Rural Development Communication (CRDC) University of Sindh awarded professional diploma certificates in rural development communication to its students on Monday. The certificate ceremony was arranged at Prof.Zakrya Sajjid Hall of the center which was presided over by Pro Vice Chancellor Sindh University Campus Mirpurkhas Dr.Iqbal Ahmed Panhwar while acting Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences Dr.Abida Tahrani was Chief Guest. Dr.Panhwar expressing his views said that development communication has importance in every society of under developing countries and added that media is  an essential part to create awareness. He said that the center has achieved a lot of glories towards academic and research programs as well as in development of linkages with different institutes and originations in the Country and abroad. He said that professional diploma holders can be helpful to rural development organization’s work which is interlinked with the development especially rural development. Dr.Panhwar said that Media communication is playing a very important role towards betterment of different parts of society   and expressed hope that the center would continue its services with its future programs. Dr.Panhwar pointed out that many institutes and Universities in abroad for Ph.D in social sciences have adopted as mandatory a chapter on rural development communication for the Ph.D degree. Dr.Abida Tahrani while expressing her views lauded the services of CRDC specially awarding of professional diploma in rural development communication and said that knowledge doesn’t look any age. She said that development communication is most important for the development as well as linkage between the society and other policy making institutes.
She said that media has created its important place for creating awareness in society and every part of society is looking forward to media for any new development or information today. She underlines linkage between the University and social development sector and added that society needs more attention towards its development. Prof.Ibadullah Rashidi Director of CRDC highlighted objectives of the diploma certificate course and achievements of the center. He said that one semester diploma in rural development communication is totally new phenomenon, initiated by the University of Sindh. He said that since its commencement in the year 2008 two batches of participants have already awarded diploma certificates whereas third has been honored. He pointed out that popularity of the program could be assessed from the fact that many foreign professionals have sent request for admission in the program and we also received requests from certain national as well as foreign organizations to share the program, experience and collaboration. He said that center is an off-shoot of the department of Mass Communication and added that its purpose is to serve as a clearing house for dissemination of information on communication related issues and problems of rural areas in our country. The students who participated in diploma course shared their experiences and said that they really enjoyed by learning and added that this course enriched their knowledge. The pro Vice Chancellor and acting Dean on this occasion distributed certificates among 14 candidates. A large number candidates as well as faculty members and officers attended the ceremony.

The Public sector Universities will be introducing distance education system to produce quality graduates in replacement of external/ private program while as a pilot project the directorate of distance education will be setup in 6 public sector Universities.
The issue in this connection was discussed in a meeting through a video conference arranged by the Higher Education Commission from Islamabad. The video conference was attended by Prof.Dr.Nazir A.Mughal Vice Chancellor University of Sindh, Prof.Dr. Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui Vice Chancellor University of Karachi and Prof.Dr.Azmat Hayat Khan Vice Chancellor University of Peshwer along with key officials of respective Universities and also key officials of Higher Education Commission. Dr.S.Sohail H.Naqi Executive Director of Higher Education Commission from Islamabad addressing the meeting through video conference highlighted the objectives of the Distance Education system to produce quality students. He said that presently the Universities have been running  different systems of education one is regular University degree programs at campuses, and others are in affiliated colleges under which one is for regular students in colleges get  registration , attend  classes and appear in the examination while another category of students is to just appear in examination by filling of examination forms at affiliated degree colleges as external candidates and added that  candidates appearing as external candidate in examination are not really productive. He said that the HEC had been always emphasized on quality of education, physical development of Universities, recruitment of quality of teachers, research, digital libraries, and many other facilities programs to develop Universities to meet the needs of the world market.
He said that presently total population of University students stands at one third of higher education only, while an other number of students appear from affiliated colleges or get education under distance education which is run by the Allama Iqbal Open University and Virtual University. He said that private students passing the examination is miserable and they are not fulfilling needs of job market and new distance education system aiming to improve the quality of education to those who appeared as external candidate .
He said that while learning from the experiences of best Universities with required material the distance education system , the distance education system  will be launched with assistance information technology and added that  technology has opened new doors which will surely helpful in distance education system too. He said that in our Country there is a large educational market and lot of people wish to get higher degree education and also are willing to pay which  can be revenue source for the Universities.
Dr. Naqvi pointed out that 6 year back virtual University project was launched with One billion funding and presently virtual University students representing better in job market. He said that key purpose of distance education system is to produce best quality of students in the Country. He said that distance education system is long term program, HEC is  roviding forum to the Universities. He also advised the Universities to setup directorate with proper required staff and added that presently Punjab University, Gomal University, University of Peshawar, University of Sindh and University of Karachi are working on it. The Vice Chancellor University of Karachi while sharing his view point informed that this is excellent program and we will be implemenenting in joint venture of the University of Sindh. He pointed out that University of Sindh and University of Karachi are jointly going to start gradually this new system and in first phase it will be introduced at M.A Level starting from M.A economics by converting external into distance education system.
Prof.Dr.Parveen Munshi Dean Faculty of Education from the University of Sindh sharing her point of view informed that the University of Sindh and University of Karachi is launching this program with M.A Economics. She said that University of Sindh has chalked out time plan and developing the material and also  pointed out that registration under distance program  will be started in March. She said that by 2012 distance program will replace all subjects of M.A external program and by 2013 all external programs will be replaced with distance education system. She informed that the University of Sindh has prepared advertisement for the recruitment of the required staff.
From the University of Sindh, Vice Chancellor Prof.Dr.Nazir A.Mughal, Dean Faculty of Education Dr.Parveen Munshi, Advisor Planning and Development Muhammad Hussain Shaikh, Director Planning and Development Muhammad Ali Pathan, Director Institute of Information and Communication Technology (IICT) Dr.Imdad Ali Ismaili, Deputy Registrar Academic Abdul Majeed Panhwar and others attended the video conference.

A meeting of the Vice Chancellors of the University of Sindh, University of Karachi and University of Peshawer with Executive Director Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr. S.Sohail H.Naqvi through video conference is schedule to  be held on Wednesday, January,19.
The Vice Chancellor’s meeting will discuss the setup of the Directorate of Distance Education in the Universities. The Vice Chancellors will attend the video conference from their respective Universities and would share their ideas with the Executive Director HEC.

The Director Admissions University of Sindh has notified for the information to already students of different teaching institutes and department to  fill the admission forms and deposit admission fee for admissions to next higher classes.
It is further announced that application forms can be obtain by students from Habib Bank limited on prescribed fee while last date has been fixed for submission of admission forms and fee as February, 17.

The Vice Chancellor University of Sindh Prof.Dr.Nazir A.Mughal has said that being future leaders of the Country, the youth needs attention to equip them with skills and knowledge and the University is Sindh is dedicated to provide higher education to its students with all required facilities. He was addressing students of fresh batch in connection with first phase of orientation at the Faculty of Arts Building on Tuesday. The orientation was arranged by the Bureau of Students Tutorial/Counseling Services and Co-curricular Activities (STAGS) which was attended by a large number students as well as faculty members including Deans of the Faculties, Heads of teaching and administrative sections. The Vice Chancellor while welcoming the students said that our students come from diverse background therefore I believe my duty to welcome them. Advising the students the Vice Chancellor said that this is very important part of students life for over all of their grooming and said that students should not only interact with fellows in classrooms but also in playgrounds at games, sports, events and other such occasions. The Vice Chancellor said that youth should inculcate the sprit of tolerance to listen to others point of view to be apart pluralistic society.
The Vice Chancellor said that I have researched and found that this University is oldest University of Pakistan established in 1947 therefore the University of  Sindh from now be called as oldest University of Country. I believe that student cause to me is first and I would like to respect them, honor them and solve their problems on priority basis the Vice Chancellor said. He said that his first priority  is to maintain law and order at the campus and to reform education system in the University. He pointed out that some politicing groups are instigating innocent students therefore the students who come for education do not be part of such unhealthy  activities.
The Vice Chancellor critising unhealthy activities of some groups by stopping of buses and creating disturbances at campus, said that it is not in the  interest of students or the University and added that stopping of point buses is an a  illegal act . He said that complete semester system in the University has been introduced from the current academic session and now the examination will be conducted in week time and results of the students will be announced within 3 days after completion of examinations. The Vice Chancellor said that he has emphasized upon the faculty to hand-over the outline of courses to students and to inform them about evolution of their grades. In connection with law and order at the campus the Vice Chancellor pointed out that security guards will be trained, electronic doors will be installed at main entrances of the buildings and frequent checking system has been adopted .
The Vice Chancellor while announcing internet facility for students at boys and girls hostels said that after taking over charge of Vice Chancellorship in January,2010, he visited all hostels and found condition very duplicable. He further pointed out that he has seen hostels in USA and there is difference of  day and night and assured students that conditions of hostels will be so improved. The Vice Chancellor advised the students to not follow those groups who are damaging image of the University by creating law and order situation, by stopping buses and boycotting the classes.
For god sack don’t follow pro claimed leaders damaging their life, peace and name of the University and added that your parents will cry you  take more years to complete the degree the Vice Chancellor said. He said that as part of the academic reforms the faculty members would dedicate 10 hours in week for guidance of the students apart from teaching and added that he is going to visit every department from next week to check the schedule of counseling hours posted by the teachers at their offices. You are future leaders, you must complete education first and be part of community to serve with ability Dr.Mughal said and advised the students must serve the community even they are under education to visit schools, hospitals and villages to serve them in holidays.
The Vice Chancellor also invited the students to give their proposals for the betterment of the University and announced that new building of the Institute of Business Administration will be constructed. He advised the management of IBA to be in touch with industry and help in generating own resources of the University. He said that the University has initiated more degree programs starting with BBA and MBA executive program at Old Campus and BBA and MBA evening programs at the University to provide opportunity to students. He pointed out that this year more than 15000 students appeared in pre entry test and out of them 4500 were admitted while remaining students also needs attention of ours. He said that the University has provided special relief to the flood affected students belongs to different parts of province. On this occasion Advisor Bureau of STAGS Prof.Muhammad Yousif Pardesi, Director STAGS Mrs. Hanifa Kazi and others also expressed their views.

The Vice Chancellor University of Sindh Prof. Dr. Nazir A.Mughal has expressed deep sorrow on sad demise of Prof.A.R Nagori founder of the department of Fine Art in the University.
In his condolence message the Vice Chancellor has lauded services of great artist and art teacher and said that due to his valuable services the youth of province of Sindh were able to get higher education in art in the University.
He said that Prof.Nagori had always been source of inspiration for new generation of art and very kind to encourage youth in art discipline. The Vice Chancellor said that Prof.Nagori not only being a teacher and scholars of art but a very visionary artist contributed through his ideas and art addressed very key issues of the society.