ISLAMABAD, Oct 07 (DNA) : Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) during the past two years,  has been striving hard to facilitate its 1.4 million students by incorporating the use of latest technology in carrying out its routine administrative and academic operations.

The use of latest ICT has not only enabled the university to serve the students efficiently but has also proved to be instrumental in ensuring transparency in administrative and financial matters.

The university has conducted online workshops for all of the post graduate programs offered in spring 2020 semester in the milieu of COVID -19 pandemic.

Furthermore, the university has appointed highly qualified and well-trained resources persons through the latest Tutor Allocation System (TAS) from the current data system of e registered tutors.

AIOU administration has taken various key initiatives, during the past two years, for overall progress of the university which include offering admissions in two phases of every semester, provision of online admission facility, transitioning of university’s administrative and academic operations from manual to automation,  centralized marking of examinations’ papers, preparation of annual academic calendar and its implementation,  expansion in regional offices’ network, online availability of PDF course books, professional development of the faculty, 9 scholarship schemes for the needy students, free education for drop out girls, educational reforms for the prisoners, co-curricular activities for the students and various steps taken to promote research culture in the university.

In short, AIOU is gradually bringing technological revolution to provide education to the masses of Pakistan.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, OCT 7 – The UNESCO Regional Office for East Africa has partnered with Huawei Technologies (Kenya) Co., LTD to train faculty members from universities and colleges that are in the early stages of career and eager to formulate and integrate AI into their teaching course as part of their courses in countries in the East Africa region.

Developing countries in East Africa will be able to reap the rewards of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and overcome the skills shortage that hinders their national innovation systems.

Through this initiative, new out-of-the-box education and training techniques that value interdisciplinary skills and creative thinking, in order to produce a technically savvy and innovative workforce, have been developed in countries of ‘East Africa.

They will also adopt what they have learned from this training in their curriculum to bring more young workers into new technologies. Similar Program is launched by Huawei for Pakistan in which Many University graduate took benefit out of it.

UNESCO Regional Office for East Africa and Huawei announced their collaboration to improve digital skills and the application of artificial intelligence (AI) at the HUAWEI CONNECT summit in Shanghai, China in 2019 Ann Therese Ndong-Jatta, Director of UNESCO’s Regional Office for East Africa announced the partnership during her speech at the Summit.

She stressed the importance of building digital skills in Africa and the tremendous opportunities offered by technology to improve the quality and accessibility of education: “I commend Huawei’s TECH4ALL initiative for focusing on technology in benefit people and launch this initiative to ensure that no one is left behind, especially those in the most remote areas. UNESCO East Africa is delighted to work with Huawei on this initiative. The current training program is the second in the series with the Huawei ICT Academy program under this cooperation agreement.

This training program is a one-week program with introduction to Python programming; Foundation of deep learning; image and speech recognition programming with human-machine dialogue programming. The morning sessions are devoted to theoretical sessions and those in the afternoon to online experiments. At the end of the training, there was an online certification exam, where successful trainees received Huawei HCIA-AI certification to becoe certified AI professionals.

DNA

KARACHI, OCT 7 – Changan Automobiles launches Karvaan MPV Plus, giving an enhanced driving experience to its customers. Indeed, Changan Pakistan is driving forward with us by continuously introducing innovation and hi-tech products to the local market. Hence, this vehicle is exceeding people’s expectations with its dynamic design and upgraded features.

Karvaan MPV Plus is a 7-seater spacious and luxurious vehicle, which is perfect to accommodate the whole family. It is powered by a 1000cc C10 engine with a 5-speed manual transmission. This MPV has an impressive range of features; premium dual-tone interior, electric power steering, dynamic Bluetooth audio, deluxe fabric seats, and convenient power windows with central locks and keyless entry.

That’s not all, the exterior of Karvaan MPV Plus has curved rear glass, exquisite side mirrors, a center antenna, and beautiful character lines. Also, the project headlamps, attractive rear LED lamps, sophisticated front chrome grill, and adjustable headlamps have made Changan Karvaan MPV Plus the people’s first choice.

It is pertinent to mention here that Changan is the number 1 automotive brand in China for the past ten years and is globally recognized for its automotive technology. Moreover, Changan International Corporation has initially invested $100 Million in a joint venture with Master Motors in Pakistan to set up a state-of-the-art vehicle assembling facility, along with a vastly growing 3S dealership network across Pakistan.

Moreover, Changan invests 5% of its sales revenue in R&D. Every model is driven and tested on the Dianjiang test track. It is an international standard vehicle testing facility, spread over an area of 2,240,000 square meters, with a 150 km long track, making it the 2nd largest vehicle testing facility, globally; a prime example of Changan’s high-quality preference for its customers.

Over the last year, Changan vehicles have had an overwhelming response and as a resultthey have taken majority market share in their respective segment. This serves as a testament to Changan’s disruptive go-to-market strategy which is presenting customers with a complete all-rounder package.

So without further ado, if you wish to avail the vehicle of your choice in an unmatchable monetary offer make sure to contact Changan’s authorized dealers before all the pre-bookings are filled.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, OCT 7 – COMSTECH confers awards biennially in ‘Basic Sciences’ and in ‘Excellence in Science and Technology’ to recognize outstanding research work carried out by scientists who are citizen of, and working in, OIC member states.

In the category of basic sciences, awards are given in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics. COMSTECH confers awards in two fields alternating biennially. Each award carries a cash prize of US$5000, a shield of honor and certificate.

Basic sciences award of the year 2019, in the field of Mathematics won by Prof. Khalil Ezzinbi of Morocco and Dr. Sajad Jafri of Iran jointly, and Prof. Amer Iqbal of Pakistan won the award in Physics in this category.

Best young researcher award, best scientific book award, best research paper award and the award for patent are conferred under the category of excellence in science and technology.

The award of the year 2019 in the category of best young researcher won by Dr. Shafaqat Ali of Pakistan, best scientific book won by Prof. Ali Akhaddar of Morocco, and the patent award won jointly by Prof. Salman Alrokayan of Saudi Arabia and Prof. Sepideh Khoee of Iran.

Best research paper award, in biology won by Dr. Hammad Naveed of Pakistan, in Chemistry won by Prof. Farid Harraz of Egypt, in Mathematics won by Prof. Utkir A. Rozikov of Uzbekistan, and in Physics won by Dr. Seyed Hossein Hendi of Iran.

Awards for best researcher, best scientific book and the award for patent carry a cash prize of US$ 3000 whereas the best research paper award carries a cash prize of US$ 2000 along with a certificate and a shield of honor.

DNA

ISLAMABAD – Information Minister Shibli Faraz on Wednesday reiterated that the government and Prime Minister Imran Khan did not have anything to do with the FIR against former premier Nawaz Sharif and 40 other PML-N leaders for “conspiring” against the state.

Responding to a question while speaking to the media in Karachi, he said: “We have nothing to do with the incident you are mentioning. Anyone in this country can get up and file an FIR against someone.

“The government is not [involved] in this. It is focused on working for the people and their welfare.”

The minister’s comments come days after Lahore police registered an FIR against Nawaz , his daughter Maryam Nawaz and other top PML-N leaders for sedition among other charges.

The opposition was quick to blame the government for what it perceived as another attempt at political victimisation. It also emerged that the complainant in the case had a criminal record and is allegedly the ruling PTI’s Labour Wing office-bearer.

Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider was also initially nominated in the case. However, the Punjab government said on Tuesday it had decided to strike off Haider’s name from the FIR but would proceed as per the law against the remaining people nominated in the case.

During today’s media talk, Faraz said that the purpose of the rallies announced by the opposition under the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) had one goal: to divert attention away from the corruption of their leaders and to pressurise the government into giving them relief.

“While we have managed to effectively deal with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, our economy has suffered. If an opposition party wants to start such a campaign during the current scenario, then it can’t be [a friend of the country].”

The minister added that opposition parties were the ones responsible for the ruin of state institutions and the economy. “We have been in power for two years. They spent 10 years in government.”

When asked about the recent war of words between the Centre and the Sindh government over Islamabad’s move to take over the twin islands of Bundal and Buddo through a presidential ordinance, he replied that the government was only trying to foster economic activity in the area.

“The industries of Sindh and Karachi will benefit from this [and] it will create employment. We are bringing in development and foreign investment to benefit Sindh’s people.” He added that those who will be affected by the development work will be compensated.

“The government will not do anything that is unconstitutional,” he added.

‘Stop distributing certificates of treason’

Shortly after the information minister’s media talk, PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi lashed out at the government for handing out “certificates of treason”.

“How will you fight for the Kashmir cause by declaring two former premiers, a former defence minister and three retired lieutenant generals traitors?”

He also advised the government to focus on solving the problems being faced by the people instead of distributing certificates of patriotism and treason. “That is why the PDM has been formed.”

He added that this was the first time the names of former premiers and the AJK prime minister had been included in such a case. He said that the recent revelations made by the former Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) director general were proof the premier wanted the opposition behind bars.

“Have the problems of the people ever been discussed during cabinet meetings? They talk about bringing Nawaz back, increasing drug prices and gas prices but not about solving the people’s problems.” He added that India was laughing at the way Pakistan was being ridiculed today.

Separately, newly appointed spokesperson for Nawaz and Maryam, Mohammad Zubair accused the prime minister of giving “direct instructions” that cases be filed against the opposition.

While speaking to media in Lahore outside the Shahdara police station, Zubair said: “We are not here to blame the SHO or even Usman Buzdar, because he doesn’t even know what’s going on in his own office. These are direct instructions from Imran Khan, the selected prime minsiter, that cases be filed.

He thought we would be scared. There are cases against me, against [Ataullah] Tarrar, we are here ourselves, if you want to arrest us, you can.”

The former Sindh governor told the government to “compete on political grounds” instead of “stopping down to lowly tactics”.

“When [the other side] has no argument left, that’s when such cases are filed.”

ISLAMABAD : The federal government notified on Wednesday the formation of Economic Outreach Apex Committee and Coordination Group.

According to a notification, Prime Minister Imran Khan will be the chairperson of the Economic Outreach Apex Committee that comprises 13 federal ministries, the chief ministers of all the provinces, and the Azad Jammu and Kashmir premier.

The premier’s advisers on finance and trade have been named members of the committee. The federal ministers for science and technology, information, industries, information technology, and food security will be part of the committee.

Special Assistant to the PM on National Health Services and Overseas Pakistanis will also be part of the committee.

The committee will review the country’s economic indicators, set fiscal targets, and work out a strategy to achieve them.

On September 24, PM Imran had decided to form the Economic Outreach Apex Committee to promote economic diplomacy and foster coordination among federal ministries, and provincial governments for timely achievement of economic goals set by the government.

The premier said promoting economic diplomacy is the need of the hour, which will not only strengthen bilateral relations with other countries but existing potential can also be explored to the maximum level in the field of economy.