SSUET Rrain Emergency Plan for Impending Monsoons

SSUET Proposes 'Rain Emergency Plan'

Karachi, June 27: Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET) has prepared a 'Rain Emergency Plan' to avert any rain-related disasters in the city in view of the impending monsoons.

The plan, which includes action before, during and after rainfall, has stressed that storm water drainage system, roads, water supply, sanitation system and electricity should be in perfect conditions to avoid disaster after the rains. The plan proposes that the storm water drainage system needs strengthening, while the stabilisation of bank of storm water drainage on either side is essential to restore its natural state. The remodelling of outfall to permit flow of rainfall runoff, removal of obstructions in flow of rainfall runoff along alignment of the Nullah, de-silting and cleaning of storm water drains, repair of culverts, removal of solid waste from storm water drains and repair of catch pits along the drains are other suggestions made in the proposal.

Sanitation plays a key role in a city's infrastructure, hence, according to the research it is advisable that the weak segments of trunk sewers and sub trunk sewers are repaired before rains. The sewer cleaning machines, both suction and jetting should be ready for any eventuality. Extensive de-silting operation of sewers, replacement of missing manhole covers and the presence of de-watering equipment and stand by generators is essential before the rains.

"It is generally observed that rainfall confined with high tides adversely affects civic services in Karachi, and paralyses the routine life of citizens. This happens partly because suitable arrangements prior to advent of rainfall are not in place and partly due to the general tendency to go for ad hoc, make-shift solutions that depart from basic engineering principles," said SSUET Chancellor Z.A. Nizami while presenting the research.

Director of the Institute of Human Settlement and Environment (IHSE) Shahid Saleem, a civil engineer by profession, said that knowledge about rain-related problems and their solutions were of prime importance. "We have sent our research report to the City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal and waiting for the response. Hopefully we will be able to work together on the problem."

Benefits of Biotechnology Stressed - Pakistan

Benefits of biotechnology Stressed

Karachi: Biotechnology, an emerging field of science, can bring economic progress in the country, as the technology is considered a gateway to the economic prosperity of Pakistan. The use of biotechnology product can help the authorities get control over the environmental pollution.

These views were expressed by the Director, Centre for Molecular Genetics, University of Karachi (KU), Prof Dr Nuzhat Ahmed, while delivering a lecture on Saturday at Latif Ebrahim Jamal (LEJ) National Science Information Centre, KU. The Pakistan Biotechnology Information Centre (PABIC) of the KU organised the lecture with an intention to raise awareness of the tremendous potential of biotechnology commercialisation for the sustainable development of the economy of Pakistan.

She said that there was crying need to benefit from biotechnology, which helps produce generically modified (GM) crops. "The proper use of biotechnology can increase food production, lower food prices, and improve food quality. The technology has great potential to enhance food production in the country. The News

SSUET approves budget for coming financial year

Karachi: The Board of Governors of the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) has approved a development-oriented surplus budget for the financial year 2009-2010 at a meeting held on Saturday under the Chairmanship of Prof. Dr Saiyid Nazir Ahmed, Vice-Chancellor, SSUET, and Chairman of the Board.

According to a Press statement issued on Sunday, the total income is estimated to the generated at Rs598million while the expenditure is estimated at Rs596.4million leaving a surplus of Rs1.6 million during forthcoming financial year.

Similarly the revised budget for the receding financial year (2008-2009), also showing a surplus of Rs39.2million, was also approved. The revised actual income is Rs591.4million while the actual expenditure is Rs552.2million.

Pointing out some of the salient features of the budget for the next financial year, the statement adds that Rs33.9million had been provided for purchasing additional state-of-the-art laboratory equipment for all the faculties while Rs3million had been provided for purchasing new academic books for the library (that currently has 60,000 volumes).

A provision of Rs5 million has been made for the university's plan to hire foreign specialist Teaching staff while the university will spend Rs1.5 million on its research project programme. An amount of Rs6million has been provided for further development of an ultra-modern I.T. Park at the newly acquired 200 acres of land in Education City, it added.

The university will award scholarships to deserving students for which a provision of Rs36million has been made in next year's budget. Moreover, it has granted scholarships to 2610 students during the outgoing financial year, i.e. 2008-2009, as against 1502 during 2007-2008.

Polaroid : Land Camera Model 95

This is the first Polaroid model, and an instant hit on the market. Camera was easy to use, black/white (actually brown/white) photo was ready in one minute, almost automatic (only 8 settings of shutter/aperture) usage. It's not the first instant camera, by no means, but it's the first successful and mass-produced camera. You can find a remarkable description of the camera at The Land List web-site.

The first instant photo camera was actually the "Patent Camera Box" (1857) by Bolles & Smith, also American company. It was a wooden-box, wet plates camera, but it was not very successful on the market.

PEF Gives Right to Appeal to Schools

PEF gives right to appeal to schools

Lahore: Chairman Punjab Education Foundation (PEF) Raja Muhammad Anwar has announced that the PEF has given the right of appeals to the schools rejected during phase V of Foundation's Assisted Schools (FAS) Programme. Raja Muhammad Anwar, who is also Chairman Taskforce on Elementary Education, said the appellate committee had been constituted, consisting three members from Board of Governance, and all necessary measures had been taken to keep the applications processing transparent. Moreover, he stressed that every individual application would be processed in an effective and proficient manner. He added that the PEF was about to launch phase VI of FAS programme throughout Punjab after summer vacations.

Punjab University 2009-10 Rs 3.647b Budget

PU approves Rs 3.647b budget
Lahore, July 01: The Punjab University (PU) syndicate has approved Rs 3.647billion budget for the financial year 2009-10 with 10 percent increase in the examination and registration fee for private students.

The 1678th meeting of the PU syndicate chaired by vice-chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran was held at the New Campus on Tuesday.

However, no increase in tuition fees of on-campus students has been made this year while Rs 70 million has been fixed for awarding scholarships to students.

Under the scholarship programme, 2.500 needy scholarships, 2,500 merit scholarships, 30 sports scholarships and 100 scholarships will be awarded to each PhD and MPhil students while special scholarships will be awarded to special students.

According to the budget estimates, Rs 50 million has been fixed for research activities under faculty development programme funds for awarding overseas PhD scholarships to teachers has been increased from Rs 40 million to Rs 65 million. Allocation for development works has been increased to Rs 200 million as compared to the last year's Rs 100 million.

An amount of Rs 33 million will be provided for library books, Rs 10 million for improvement of hostel facilities, Rs 100 million for providing medical facilities to students, teachers and employees. The university has also increased pay and pension from 15 to 20 per cent as per the government announcement.

The syndicate also decided that university would explore ways and means to generate more funds from its own resources. It is estimated that the PU, like previous year, would earn Rs 2.2 billion from its own resources; Rs 1.2 billion will be provided by the Higher Education Commission while the rest would be managed through savings and good governance.

Talking to The News the Treasurer confirmed 10 percent increase in examination and registration fee for off-campus students. The News

Karachi University LLB final Exams From Tomorrow

Karachi University LLB final exams from tomorrow
Karachi: The examinations department of Karachi University has announced that LLB final annual examinations 2009 will commence from July 2.

All students of the KU-affiliated law colleges have been directed to collect their admit cards and examinations programmes from their respective colleges.

Mismanagement at HSC exams centre

Mismanagement was reported at the Government College Sharah-i-Liaquat examinations centre on Tuesday during the HSC annual examinations 2009 for the Arts group's paper of education held in the afternoon shift.

Some candidates appearing in the exams said that they were not allocated seats and had to run from pillar to post to find a seat which wasted their time.

They said that the question papers were also delivered to them at lest 10 minutes late from the scheduled time, adding that students were not even given any extra time despite their repeated appeals.

They said that candidates' seats at the examination centre should be clearly allocated and question papers be delivered on time.

The candidates appealed to the chairman of the Board of Intermediate Education Karachi, Prof Anwar Ahmed Zai, to take notice of the matter so that such incidents do not recur. Ppi/App

FUUAST announces BA, BCom and MA Exams Dates

Karachi: The Federal Urdu University of Arts Science and Technology (FUUAST) has announced that BA, BCom and MA (external) exams will commence from July 4.

As per announcement, the exams of the evening semester will be held from July 6, while the schedule of evening semester papers postponed earlier, will be announced later.

The students have been directed to submit their examination forms by July 2. The date of form submission for special exams of failure students in semester exams will be announced in a week.

Students who appeared in their regular exams will have their regular exam results cancelled if they fail to appear in their special examinations.

Admit cards issued
Karachi: The Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology (FUUAST) has directed students of BA, BCom and MA (private) who have not received their admit cards and exams schedule to collect their cards and examinations programme from Gulshan and Abdul Haq campuses, immediately.

A university statement issued here on Tuesday said that male candidates of BA could collect their cards from Abdul Haq campus, while female candidates of BA, BCom and MA could receive the cards from the examinations department (private section).

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Karachi SSC practical examinations-2009

SSC practical exams begin tomorrow
Karachi, July 01: The Board of Secondary Education Karachi (BSEK) on Tuesday asked all candidates who could not appear in the SSC part I and II annual practical examinations-2009 conducted till June 22, to appear in the practical exams being held from July 2 to July 8.

The candidates have been directed to contact the room No.47-B of the board office to collect the programme of their practical exams immediately.