Newsletter March, 2007 Vol: 04

Governor NWFP/Chancellor UST Bannu Visited UST Bannu:
     Governor NWFP/Chancellor UST Bannu, Lt. Gen (Retd.) Ali Muhammad Jan Aurakzai, visited the UST Bannu on January 25, 2007. The Chief Minister, NWFP Mr. Muhammad Akram Khan Durrani and Prof. Dr. Asmatullah Khan, Vice-Chancellor, UST Bannu, along with Faculty and Officers warmly received the honourable Chancellor at the University Campus. The Vice-Chancellor introduced the newly appointed Faculty and Officers to the Honourable Governor /Chancellor. The distinguished guests addressed the faculty, staff and the students in the University Hall and expressed satisfaction over the progress achieved by the University during a short period of time. The Vice-Chancellor expressed gratitude and afterwards led both of the Heads of the Province on a brief visit of the Departments/Institutes of the University.

Inauguration of Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rehman IT Research Lab:
     Lieutenant General (Retd.) Ali Muhammad Jan Aurakzai, Governor NWFP/Chancellor UST Bannu inaugurated the Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rehman IT Research Lab, established to cultivate a research based study environment in the University. On the occasion he expressed his views that modern tools and techniques have innovated the very concept of learning and we must be fully prepared to face the new challenges.

     The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Asmatullah Khan delivered a brief multimedia presentation to the Chancellor and the Chief Minister of NWFP regarding the present standing of the University and its strategic prospective plan.

     The Chancellor of the University showed satisfaction over the University’s achievements in short span of one year. While addressing the audience his highness told that this University, being located on a strategic juncture, will play a vital role in enhancing the literacy rate of area, and thus it will serve as an instrument of bringing the people of this backward and remote area to the mainstream of national life. He said that constraints and challenges are there, but there is a will there is a way, it will help in materializing a boom for the economy of the region and the country.

     On the occasion, his highness the Governor/ Chancellor distributed certificates among the participants of Staff Development Course.

Chief Minister NWFP Presented Shield to Governor NWFP/Chancellor UST Bannu:
     The Chief Minister NWFP, Muhammad Akram Khan Durrani, presented a shield to the Governor NWFP /Chancellor UST Bannu in recognition of the grace bestowed by his highness in visiting this nascent University.

Ground Breaking Ceremony by Lt.(Retd.) General Ali Muhammad Jan Aurakzai, Governor NWFP/ Chancellor of the UST Bannu:
     The Governor/Chancellor of UST Bannu, Ali Muhammad Jan Aurakzai inaugurated the ground breaking ceremony of Aurakzai Academic Block of Health and Physical Education and Durrani Students’ Hostel at City Campus of the UST Bannu by scooping the ground, on January 25, 2007. On the occasion, Prof. Dr. Asmatullah Khan, Vice Chancellor UST Bannu and the Consultants of University, Allied Engineering Consultants, briefed the Chancellor about the Master Plan of the University. The Chancellor showed his satisfaction over the provision of sports facilities in the Master Plan but directed that in the Plan the envisaged infrastructure facilities for sports must be expanded, as sports is an important part of education.

MoU signed with NTS to conduct admissions entry tests of UST Bannu:
     Being committed to ensure quality education quite in line with HEC guidelines, UST Bannu signed a Memorandum of Understanding with National Testing Services on March 14, 2007. The MoU was signed by Prof. Dr. Asmatullah Khan, Vice-Chancellor, on behalf of UST Bannu and Mr. Saeed Khan, Chief Coordinator NTS on behalf of National Testing Services. As per the MoU, the NTS shall conduct the admission process from the picking up of admissions application forms to the finalization of results of candidates in all programs of the UST Bannu from the ensuing academic year 2007. On the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor said, “Our end is quality education, and the same can only be realized through observance of merit. This was the view why we entrusted admissions to this organization of the national repute. I hope this will augur a new era of quality education in the South.”

Inter Colleges Sports Tournament:
     UST Bannu not only broadens the mental horizons of its students but also caters to provide them, sports opportunities in various indoor and outdoor games to strengthen their sinew and ligaments.

     Keeping in view the objective, UST Bannu launched the 1 st Intra-University Sports Tournaments by inviting teams from all affiliated colleges including the campus students.

     The teams of all the affiliated Colleges and the University participated in the tournament in different games i.e. cricket, badminton, table tennis, volley ball. The sports events of girl students were held at F.G. Degree College and Government Girls Degree College Bannu, while events of boys were held at Jinnah Sports Complex and Qazi Muhib Memorial Hockey Stadium at Bannu.

Below is a list of Winner teams of various institutions.

Inter-University Hockey and Badminton Tournaments:
     UST Bannu got second position in the NWFP Inter-University Hockey Tournament. In the final match, held in Peshawar, the team of this University stood runner-up to the winners, University of Hazara by 2-3.

The University got third position in the All Pakistan Badminton Tournament held at Sindh University, Jamshoru.

Safeel Khan, the Student of UST Bannu, Selected In Badminton Team for National Games:
     Safeel Khan the student of UST Bannu has been selected in Badminton Team of the Higher Education Commission who will take part in the National Games Sports Events. He has been selected after his brilliant performance in All Pakistan Inter-University Badminton Tournament, held at Sindh University, Jamshoro, Sindh.

Busses Handed Over to UST Bannu:
     The Chief Minister of NWFP, Akram Khan Durrani, had announced a gift of Two Buses and an ambulance to the University in his previous visit to the University. The said Buses have now been handed over to the Vice-Chancellor, University of Science and Technology, by District Nazim, Azam Khan Durrani.

Staff Development Programme at UST Bannu:
     A 24-days Staff Development Programme for the in-service teachers of the university as well as its affiliated colleges was launched at UST Bannu with the financial collaboration of Higher Education Commission Islamabad on January 22, 2007. 35 participants from different affiliated colleges and UST Bannu participated in the programme. The Vice-Chancellor UST Bannu, Prof. Dr. Asmatullah Khan, inaugurated the training programme. The Scholars of repute were invited from different universities of the NWFP, who delivered lectures relevant to the training. The training programme ended on February 22, 2007.

Provincial Minister of Science and Technology’s visit to UST Bannu:
     Provincial Minister for Sports, Culture, Youth Affairs, Science & Technology and Information Technology, Mr. Muhammad Hussain Kanju, visited the UST Bannu on February 22, 2007. He was the chief guest in the closing ceremony of the teachers training programme. On the occasion, the Minister visited various Departments/Institutes and Sections of the University. The Vice-Chancellor of the University briefed the Provincial Minister on the achievements of the University over the last one year.

     Expressing his views, the Provincial Minister said, “UST Bannu has taken long strides of development in a very short span of time and the credit certainly goes to its team leader, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Asmatullah Khan and his team”. He added that being developed from the scratch, giving now the view of a flourishing organization, this University will certainly serve as a role model for all the new-born institutions.

     At the end of programme, Mr. Muhammad Hussain Kanju distributed certificates to the participants of the Teachers Training Programme.

UST Bannu Walk Against Corruption:
     UST Bannu organized a walk against corruption on the Anti-Corruption Day observed in the Country in order to raise awareness among the public against corruption and malpractices. The walk started formally from IMS City Campus led by the Vice-Chancellor UST Bannu himself along-with faculty members and students. The procession walked round the city, holding and wavering banners and play cards covering a distance of 05 kilometres. Addressing the students, the Vice Chancellor said that the University will initiate the trend-sensitization against corruption in the society.

Surprise Visit of the Affiliated Institutions by the Vice Chancellor:
     The Vice-Chancellor UST Bannu along with his team paid a surprise visit to the affiliated colleges of District Lakki Marwat as a part of the University policy to revamp the education system and ensure quality education in the region. The Vice-Chancellor met the Faculty and the Administration of the colleges and discussed issues of mutual interest. On the occasion the Vice-Chancellor advised the students to work hard. ”We are to change the prevalent educational culture if we are to survive in the modern hot race of globalization”. He made it clear that cheating culture must be erased from the educational institutions so that a new era of competition among the students may be ushered in.

Up Gradation of Faculty Announced:
     As per directives of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Shoukat Aziz,and Chirman H.E.C. , Prof.Dr.Atta-ur-Rahman, the UST Bannu has notified the up-gradation of its faculty members accordingly. In this regard 45 teachers have been benefited and up-graded to the next higher grades.

Announcement of Exams:
     UST Bannu has announced the examinations schedule of under-graduate and postgraduate level for the students of the University and its affiliated colleges of public and private sector. The terminal examinations of undergraduate and postgraduate levels will start from April 02, 2007, while annual examinations of conventional Bachelor programs shall be held in June 2007. UST Bannu has registered almost 5 000 students in different programs for the academic year of 2006-07, and their examinations shall be conducted accordingly.

Construction Works Started:
     Construction works on the Academic Blocks, Student’s Hostels, Boundary Walls at the City Campus, University Shopping Centre, and University Shopping Plaza at the City Campus, UST Bannu, have been started on war footing. The contractors hope that the first academic block and one Student’s Hostel would be handed over to University in September, this year.

Hopefully it would greatly ameliorate the accommodation problem of the University.

IGE Implementation:
     According to the MoU signed between Institute of Global Engagement USA and University of Science & Technology Bannu, 16 students have been awarded scholarships after a thorough scrutiny of their application-forms and a chain of interviews and investigations. Cheques were distributed among them by the Vice-Chancellor, UST Bannu, in the presence of their parents. On the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor advised the students that they should work hard as one can make marks on the life only by dint of hard work. He also informed that the University is trying hard to find out sources for helping the needy students.

Computer and Science labs Established in Town Ship Campus, UST Bannu:
     Physics, Chemistry and Bio-Technology and Computer labs equipped with latest tools and equipments have been established at the Township Campus of UST Bannu. The Vice Chancellor will inaugurate the computer lab in the Township Campus in a couple of days.

Seminar on Emerging Technologies by Makkays
     A one day seminar was arranged by Makkays Corporation, Islamabad, on March 28, 2007, at main campus UST Bannu, on Emerging Technologies by the Representatives of Makkays Corporation. They delivered brief presentation about Wireless, Mobile, LAN and other computer related technologies.

Seminar By National Core Group in Chemistry:
     National Core Group in Chemistry arranged a two days seminar, on March 29, 2007, at UST Bannu. Prof. Dr. Syed Iftekhar Imam Naqvi of National Core Group in Chemistry delivered lectures on Entropy and Enthalpy of Physical Chemistry.

Faculty and Officers joined the University:
     Qualified Faculty and experienced Officers have been appointed by the University in the light of HEC guidelines. The following distinguished Faculty have joined the University:

• Dr. Saeed Ahmad, Ph. D in Chemistry
• Dr. Izhar-ul-Haq, Ph. D in Chemistry
• Dr. Pir Muhammad, Ph. D in Chemistry
• Dr. Muhammad Subhan, Ph. D in Botany
• Dr. Muhammad Saeed, Ph. D in Education
• Dr. Riasat Ali, Ph. D in Education
• Dr. Ayaz Khan, Ph. D in Islamiyat
• Dr. Naeem Bukhari, Ph. D in Islamiyat
• Mr. Sultan Mahmood, M. Phil in Botany (Ph. D in progress)
• Miss Saira, M. Phil in Botany
• Mr. Faran Durrani, M. Phil in Botany
• Mr. Faizullah Khan, MS in Chemistry (Ph. D. in progress)
• Miss Nadia Bashir, M. Phil in Chemistry (Ph. D. result awaited)
• Mr. Auranzeb Khan, MS in Information Technology
• Mr. Hamidullah Jan, MS in Computer Sciences
• Mr. Faheemullah Khan, MS in Computer Sciences
• Mr. Umer Farooq Khan, MS in Computer Sciences
• Mr. Khairullah Khan, MS in Computer Sciences (in progress)
• Mr. Javed Khan, MS Computer Science (in progress)
• Mr. Azam Khan, M. Phil in Economics (Ph. D in progress)
• Mr. Amanullah Khan, M. Phil in Physics
• Mr. Arif Zaman, M. Phil in Physics
• Mr. Zakirullah Khan, M. Phil in Physics
• Mr. Amanullah Awan, Coordinator IMS

In addition to the above, there are about 80 faculty members already on the strength of the university.

The following Officers have joined the University

• Mr. Sifatullah Khan, Registrar
• Mr. Abdullah Khan, Director Academics
• Mr. Bahadur Khan Mohmand, Controller of Examinations
• Maj. Retd. Najmul Hussan, Director Administration
• Mr. Inamullah Khan, Deputy Registrar Establishment
• Mr. Hafiz Sadiq, Deputy Director Finance
• Mr. Saleem Javed, Deputy Director P & D
• Eng. Qurban Ali Khan, Deputy Director Works
• Mr. Abidullah Khan, Deputy Director Sports
• Mr. Sardaraz Khan Asst. Registrar Academics
• Mr. Amanullah Khan, Asst. Director Works
• Mr. Fazal Malik, Computer Programmer
• Mr. Bashir Ahmad Public Relation Officer
• Mr. Ramazan, Asst. Controller of Examinations
• Mr. Rehmatullah Khan, Asst. Admin Officer
• Mr. Hussain Shah, Store Officer
• Mr. Nasir Gul, Network Engineer
• Miss Wardha Abbasi, Asst Programmer

Fresh Affiliation of the Colleges with UST Bannu:
     Affiliation of the colleges in the jurisdiction of UST Bannu is in process. The university inspection affiliation Committee visited Bannu Medical College, Govt. Postgraduate College, Miranshah and TRACKS Institute of Management, Education and Information Technology, Bannu for inspection.

Chancellor’s Directives implemented:
     UST Bannu implemented the directives of the Governor NWFP /Chancellor UST Bannu, regarding exemption of Migration Certificates and Registration fee of those MA/MSc students who have graduated from the erstwhile Gomal University Colleges now falling in the jurisdiction of UST Bannu.

Sad demise of MBA 3 rd Term Student:
     The Vice Chancellor, Officers and Faculty members of the University expressed their heartfelt sorrow over the sad demise of a Mr. Tariq Sardar, prayed for departed soul and conveyed condolence to the bereaved family.

Six days Computer training workshop started:
     A Six days Computer Training Workshop in Net-Working started on April 10, 2007. This was the 3 rd batch of the Computer Training Program organized with financial support of Higher Education Commission, Islamabad. The Faculty of the Institute of Computer Sciences & Information Technology and affiliated Colleges are participating in the Workshop. Eminent Scholars in Networking from various Universities of NWFP delivered lectures on Computer Networking.

NC-ICT shall be held on May 26, 2007:
     The UST Bannu has arranged a National Conference on Information and Communication Technologies with the financial collaboration of Higher Education Commission Islamabad to be held at the Main Campus of UST Bannu, on May 26, 2007. Eminent Scholars across the Country shall participate and present their research papers in the Conference. The Conference covers the following areas:

Theoretical Computer Sciences Grid and Peer to Peer Computing
Databases, Warehousing and Data Mining Wireless & Mobile Computing
Information Technology and Applications Artificial Intelligence
Computer Applications Web services & Services Oriented Architectures
Computer Networks Software Engineering
Computer Architecture Telecommunication Systems
Operating Systems Computer Application Model in Applied Social Parallel Computing Sciences

Research Papers of UST Bannu Faculty published in Research Journals of Repute:
     Research Papers of senior faculty members of the Departments of Chemistry, Botany, and Islamiyat have been published in the Research Journals of repute. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Asmatullah Khan said that these publications would give a new impetus to research work at the University departments. It would inspire the faculty and junior research scholars of UST Bannu to give full time to research work. He also asked the senior faculty to guide, train and trim the faculty and junior research scholars in their research work.

Newsletter July, 2007 Vol: 05

International Conference on information and Communication Technologies:
     University of Science & Technology Bannu has hosted the International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies with the financial collaboration of Higher Education Commission Islamabad and Pakistan Science Foundation Islamabad. 120 research papers from different universities throughout the country and abroad were submitted for presentation. After thorough evaluation 25 research papers were selected for presentation while for the poster session 20 short papers were also selected. Mr. Abdullah Sadiq, Rector Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Information technology was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Besides the presentation of papers, an exhibition was also arranged. Different companies, educational institutions, computer suppliers and books companies have displayed their stalls in the exhibition.

     Vice chancellor University of Science and Technology Bannu, Prof. Dr. Asmatullah Khan has inaugurated the conference and exhibition. While addressing the guests Prof. Dr. Asmatullah Khan expressed that, the conference would lead to a big change in the area in fields of information and communication technologies. Southern districts in general and Bannu in particular have a lot of talent and the same may be explored by exposing it to the modern technologies.

     Mr. Abdullah Sadiq, the Rector of Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute has shows his complete satisfaction while expressing his views about the university progress. Also he told that the university achieved a lot of goals in a short span of time and it will definitely bring a big change in area.

Construction Work Started on Main Campus UST Bannu:
     Besides the already started construction on City Campus I and City Campus II the construction work on Main Campus at Town Ship Bannu has been started. The Vice Chancellor of University, Prof. Dr. Asmatullah Khan has formally started the construction work. In the first phase of work Administration Block, Boundary Wall, Overhead Tank and a number of Academic Blocks would be constructed. Expressing his views on the occasion the Vice Chancellor of the University told that the quality of the construction work never be compromised whiles the university will try its best to complete the work before the schedule.

GIKI conducted tests at UST Bannu:
     During his visit to UST Bannu on the occasion of ICICT, Prof. Dr. Abdullah Sadiq, Rector, Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Information Technology has announced free of cost admissions for the people of Bannu and surrounding areas. For the purpose a preliminary test was conducted on 17 th of June under the assistance and Supervision of UST Bannu, in which 130 students has appeared. In result 68 students have qualified for the next round of test that held at GIKI Topi. Teacher from UST Bannu has also conducted coaching classes over there for ten days.

First BA and BSc Exams conducted Under UST Bannu:
     After its establishment, UST Bannu has principal take over the affiliation of all graduate and postgraduate colleges under its area of jurisdiction. Now for the first time the University has conducted the BA/BSc Exams of its affiliated colleges. More the 4000 students have participated in the said exam. Centres were established in different areas of Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Sarai Naurang, Miran Shah and Mir Ali for male and female. It is also worth mentioning that most of independent sources lying in the area have appreciated the transparency of BA/BSc exam under UST Bannu. Vice Chancellor and Controller of Examination, UST Bannu has paid regular and surprise visits of different centres to assure the transparency in Exams.

National Conference on Industry Academia linkages Programme:
     To reduce the gap between industries and Academia and to streamline the back bone of the nation according latest technologies, University of Science and Technology Bannu with the financial collaboration of Higher Education Commission Islamabad has arranged a one day “Industry Academia Linkages Conference on 22 nd of June 2007”. Research scholars from different Universities/Educational Institutions have presented their papers on the one hand, while on the other hand different multinational and national companies have display the stalls of their renowned and special products. Prof. Dr. Lutfullah Kaka Khail, Vice Chancellor, Kohat University of Science and Technology was the Chief Guest on the occasion. While addressing the opening session of conference Prof. Dr. Asmatullah Khan expressed that no nation can achieve the goal of its sustainable development without establishing strong linkages between industry and academia. UST Bannu have initiated the act of these linkages and in future the university will also do its best to keep the sustainable and strong linkages between industry and academia. The Chief Guest of the Conference Prof. Dr. Lutfullah Kaka Khail has declared the conference as the first step in industrial revolution in the area. We have a lot of resources as compare to other developed countries but we have no proper way to utilize it. Introducing the academia in industry will bring technological development in it and definitely it will cause quality enhancement. The whole process will increase the demands of our products in international market.

In end of programme the Chief Guest has distributed shields and certificates in the participants of programme.

The Vice Chancellor Attended a 10-Day Work Shop in AIT Bangkok, Thailand:
     Vice Chancellor University of science and Technology Bannu, Prof. Dr. Asmatullah Khan was nominated for a 10-Days workshop (May 22- June 02, 2007) on “Good Governance in Universities in 21 st Century”. The said work shop was held in Asian Institute of Technology Bangkok, Thailand. Ten Vice Chancellors from different Universities were nominated for the workshop.

Inter-University Students Exchange Programme:
     Under the Patronage of Higher Education Commission Islamabad, a delegation consisting of 15 Nos of Students have been selected for Inter-University Students Exchange Programme. The delegation has visited various Universities like LUMS, IIU Islamabad, AIOU Islamabad and Kohat University of Science and Technology. During their visit students have got the opportunity to express/share their knowledge with students of these Universities. The students have also conducted a debriefing session with the Vice Chancellor of University.

Members of Bannu Press Club visited UST Bannu:
     President along with members of Bannu Press club have paid a surprise visit to construction work of the University at City Campus I, City Campus II and Main Campus. On the occasion raw material, pace of work and quality has been deeply analyzed by the members and president of Press Club Bannu. Expressing his views the members told that pace of work for these projects is fast then the scheduled and it is also a positive sign that it does not affect the quality of work.

Visit by Project Management Unit of Chancellor UST Bannu:
     Member of Project Monitering Unit, Chancellor has visited the construction work of UST Bannu. Project Director Construction works, Director Planning and Development and other staff members have brief him over the different aspects of project. Later on they have also paid a visit of different sights and check the quality of construction work.

English Proficiency Workshop held at UST Bannu:
     Enhancing the English language capabilities of the in-service teachers of colleges UST Bannu has arranged 3-days English proficiency workshop. Scholars from different universities have delivered lectures on English language.

Cheques of 2nd Instalment Of IGE Distributed In The Students:
     Cheques of 2 nd instalment of IGE scholarships have been distributed amongst the students of UST Bannu. In a ceremony held at conference room UST Bannu presided over the Vice Chancellor UST Bannu. Students and their parents have participated in the ceremony. “We want to extend our all capabilities for facilitation of our students” expressed the Vice Chancellor on the occasion. In the end cheques from Institute of Global Engagements America has distributed amongst different categories of students.

MoU signed with University of Malakand:
     A memorandum of Understanding has been signed between University of Science and Technology Bannu and University of Malakand. According to MoU faculty and students of both universities will share their experiences. The Universities will also facilitate their delegations and also they will provide research facilities to each other.

Books Presented to Chairman HEC:
     During the last one year, besides the remarkable academic activities, the professors of UST Bannu have also continued the research work. In this regard Prof. Dr. Asmatullah Khan, Vice Chancellor UST has presented 08 Books written by Prof. Dr. Naeem Badshah to Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rehman, Chairman, Higher Education Commission, Islamabad. List of about 34 research publications in national and international research journals of repute by the university faculty was also presented to Chairman HEC. Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rehman emphasised the enduction of more PhDs in the University, as highly qualified faculty is the back-bone of quality education.