Karachi University student groups' clashes
Conflict rife at KU as student groups flex muscles
Karachi, Aug 08: The University of Karachi (KU) remained tense for a couple of days as activists of two student groups flexed their muscles to show their might to each other. Thanks to the timely action by the KU administration and the Rangers personnel, a major clash was averted that saved many lives.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Pirzada Qasim said that he was tired of such happenings in the university and would do anything to curb this trend. He hinted that he would engage teachers and parents of the students to chalk out some orientation programme that would persuade students to concentrate their attention towards their education, and refrain from indulging in activities that cause bad blood among their fellow students.
Meanwhile, a reference was held at KU to mourn the death of Prof. Dr Shahida Parveen Ahmed, former chairperson of the Department of Pharmacology. Teachers and students thronged the auditorium to pay homage to the professor, who, according to them, built the character of students besides bestowing professional knowledge. The teachers and the students gathered there reached a consensus that Dr Ahmed was an elegant, ladylike and motherly figure for her students.
Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science & Technology (FUUAST) Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Qaiser meanwhile has expressed hope that his university will wriggle out of what he termed 'college culture' where teachers had limited vision and culture of research and academic pursuit was put on the back burner.
The wrangling between the teachers, non-teaching staff and the administration has become a regular feature. Sometime ago, a professor in the Pharmacy Faculty remarked that their (teachers') main concern was merely teaching, and that did not include dispensation of discipline, morality and overall grooming. Thankfully the renowned Urdu writer, researcher and critic Dr Aslam Farrukhi, disagreed – vehemently.
NED University of Engineering & Technology Vice-Chancellor Engineer Abul Kalam questioned the right of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to allot rankings to the universities. VC Kalam voiced his doubts about the role of the HEC while speaking at the recently held Senate meeting of the university. Many others at different universities echoed his (Kalam's) remarks, claiming that the role of the HEC is to provide financial assistance to universities and it should not extend its role beyond that.
Students at Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET) held a posters' exhibition to highlight their scientific achievements in the field of Biomedical Technology. Chairman of the department, Dr Haleem, was all smiles at the exhibition and expressed his sense of fulfilment on the achievement of his students.
Jinnah University for Women (JUW) began the new academic session with programmes on environmental awareness and lectures on different topics. The students also participated in the English debate that highlighted the importance of a healthy environment for a healthy nation. -perwez.abdullah@thenews.com.pk (The news)
Karachi University Extracurricular activities
Karachi: The University of Karachi has announced that there will be no extracurricular activity on the campus till the end of Ramazan. The announcement was made by KU students' adviser Prof Dr Tanweer Khalid on Friday.
"This is keeping in view the monsoon and maintaining continuity of classes," he said.
'Practical zone'
The "practical zone" established at the mass communication department of the University of Karachi will be inaugurated on Saturday.
The department's chairman, Prof Dr Mahmood Ghaznavi said on Friday that the KU Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dr Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui would be the chief guest of the ceremony, to be held in Dr Feroze Ahmed Institute of the mass communication department.
The practical zone consists of radio, television, audio visual, news, advertising and public relations labs.
