'Increase in PhD scholars does not guarantee quality research work'

'Increase in PhD scholars does not guarantee quality research work'
Karachi: The number of PhD scholars in Pakistan has considerably increased after the formation of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), but there is growing concern that the quality of the research may not have improved.

Former chairperson of the Department of Food Science & Technology Dr Abid Hasnain disagrees with the above surmise. "No, I am sure that with a few exceptions, the research in Public Sector Universities (PSU) is of relatively high standard. We are mostly doing research on under-utilised resources that can increase the quality of food products and their packaging", he commented.

Research Scholar Abdul Haque is working on the Edible Coating from Natural Gum Plants. He explained that he had worked in food industries and noted that the industries need solutions through fundamental research. "Our lack of knowledge in certain fields hampers our work. Even adaptations (from some other source of knowledge) are difficult for our researchers. I have chosen this topic because safe packaging and preservation of food products without any side effects has great potential", he said.

Haque pointed out that packaging material containing plastics are mostly used in the food industry, but they have side effects and are hazardous to the health.

It is because of this reason that edible packaging matter is sought that would increase the packaging and preservation capacity and harmful effects would be minimised.

The cost of packaging is reduced as indigenous plants are abundantly found in the country.

Ex-chairman, Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Karachi (KU), Professor Mansoor Ahmed, was of the opinion that the research work in his university and other PSUs was mostly in the right direction, but majority of the research findings go unnoticed in the field because no body utilizes these findings. "I think the industries should come forward and use the research for mass production in all the fields of science and technology. One of my research students is working on 'Stability Studies of Haemaccel with other Plasma Substitutes/Plasma Expander'. This is a very important study. Haemaccel is the substitute of the Blood Plasma. It is a sterile, pyrogen free, semi-synthetic 3.5 per cent colloidal infusion solution for plasma substitution. It is derived from thermal degradation of bovine gelatin", Dr Ahmed gives said while giving details.

According to Dr Ahmed, the research will find the ways that would detect any toxicity in Haemaccel, thus making it suitable for human body during blood loss.

Haemaccel is being subjected to withstand the high and low temperatures, in natural lights, on room temperatures and in various humid conditions. After ascertaining the toxicity phenomenon, it will be safer to use it in various pathological conditions.

Dr Ahmed said "Our research work is the first ever research-oriented standard work in the world. But unfortunately, it is not reported in the research literature."

Columnist and short story writer Dr Tahir Masood who is a Professor in the Department of Mass Communication, KU, reminds that a research is not meant for factories or some physical gain. "It is abstract and throws light on the poetry, prose or any other literary form, in journalism or philosophy, linguistics or in social sciences", he stated.

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KU announces form submission date
Karachi: Controller Examination University of Karachi has announced that the candidates of all affiliated medical colleges can submit their examination forms for MBBS (First professional) part I and II supplementary examinations, 2011, from May 09 to 16.

The KU announced that the Area Study Centre for Europe of the university is going to organizse a workshop on 'Franco-German Reconciliation and its Significance for the Promotion of Peace in the Contemporary World' on May 9. The news

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3,000 take postgraduate entry test at KU
Karachi: Around 3,000 male and female candidates seeking admission to Karachi University PhD, MS and MD (surgery and medicines) programmes appeared in an entry test held on the campus on Sunday.

The test, which was conducted smoothly at the departments where the candidates were seeking admission for doing PhD, MS and MD was supervised by a committee comprising deans and chairpersons of the university's different faculties and departments.

The committee was headed by KU Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof (Dr) Shahana Urooj Kazmi and its members included Prof (Dr) S.M. Abbas, Prof (Dr) Abuzar Wajidi, Prof (Dr) Zafar Iqbal, Prof (Dr) Ghazala Hafeez Rizwani, Prof (Dr) Darakhshan Haleem and Prof (Dr) Hisamuddin Mansoori.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the KU said that a meeting of the university postgraduate committee was scheduled to be held on Monday under the chairmanship of Vice Chancellor Prof (Dr) Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui while the results of Sunday's entry test would be posted on the university website - uok.edu.pk - on Tuesday (May 10).

Rangers and security officials of the university were deployed during the test to avoid any untoward incident. Dawn

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SSUET security being beefed up
Karachi: Chancellor of Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) ZA Nizami has directed formulation of an action plan containing strict security arrangements to be prepared within a week.

According to a press release issued on Sunday, Nizami was chairing a high-level meeting at the University to review security aspects of the SSUET.

The security measures on the campus of SSUET were reviewed in detail during the meeting, which was also attended by the Vice-Chancellor, SSUET, Professor Dr Saiyid Nazir Ahmed, two Deans of faculties, chairmen of all the departments, Registrar, SSUET, Shah Mahmood Syed, chief security officer, and other concerned officials.

The plan would focus on the existing shortcomings with steps for further improvement with no chances to be taken on any side, Nizami told the participants of the meeting.

It was directed that no student without uniform should be allowed to enter the university while all the employees including members of the teaching staff would carry and display the University's identification card with them.

The Chancellor, SSUET, also directed that all security cameras installed on the campus must be operational and any lapse in this regard will not be tolerated.

Every employee, whether belonging to teaching or non-teaching staff, should be vigilant and consider responsible as far as the question of security on the campus is concerned, Nizami further directed.

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Hundreds throng Frere Hall book fair
Karachi: Hundreds of book-lovers thronged the book fair at the historic Frere Hall on Sunday after they learnt that the weekly event has opened after a period of seven years.

The Frere Hall, which lies just opposite the US Consulate, was closed to public for security reasons in early 2000's after successive blasts outside the consulate building. However, after the shifting of the consulate to Mai Kolachi Road, the Frere Hall was finally opened.

"It's the best thing to happen in such gloomy times. It's perhaps the only suitable place where you can visit along with your family on a Sunday," said Arif, who was showing his two-year old daughter bedtime story books at a stall.

District Coordination Officer (DCO) Muhammad Hussain Syed, former administrator of the defunct Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) Fahim-uz-Zaman Khan, Special Secretary Archives Iqbal Nafees, journalists, intellectuals and writers also visited the book fair which was launched by the defunct KMC in 1997.

It continued till 2003 until the place was closed for security reasons.

Over 25 book stalls were set up on the first day. The DCO said that the number of the stalls will be double from next week. "The historical Frere Hall Library and the Sadequain Art Gallery will also be opened for public on Sundays."

The massive and calm lawns of the Frere Hall make its book fair more attractive than those held in other places. "Here, you can sit along with family and friends and enjoy time your time on a lazy Sunday. It's perhaps the only place where you can get rid of the maddening noise of the city," said Huma, a university student.

According to the DCO, literary gatherings, book-launching ceremonies and painting exhibitions would also be held in the future. "We'll try our best to utilize the place for educational and literary purposes." The news

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VCs committee meets in SALU
Khairpur: A meeting of Vice Chancellors' Committee was held at Shah Abdul Latif University (SALU) here on Saturday, which was presided over by the vice chancellor Sindh University, professor Dr Nazir A.Mughal.

The meeting appreciated the holding of an all parties conference at Sindh University and passed the report of follow-up meeting to which all the vice chancellors commended the work of vice chancellor Sindh University and hoped that resolutions passed in the meeting would be implemented in letter and sprit.

Another resolution demanded increase in PhD allowance from Rs5,000 to Rs10,000 per month, as done by the Punjab government. The committee decided to request the Governor/ Chancellor of the universities of Sindh to enhance PhD allowance on May 12. Dawn

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