ISLAMABAD: Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry have signed a memorandum of understanding for facilitating each other, sharing expertise and conducting joint research and programmes to benefit the industry and the overall economy. Members of ICMAP and FPCCI, present on the occasion, emphasised that liaison between professional institutions and the industry was essential for economic development. Realising the increasing need for industry-institution collaboration, ICMAP has launched a Corporate Partnership Scheme. The two organisations pledged to enhance collaboration in human resource support, training, mutual recognition and promotion, research and development, infrastructure and logistics, and philanthropic support for growth and development.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22^nd, 2013.

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ISLAMABAD: As part of its drive to further strengthen business relations with retailers and distributors, Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) organised a retailers’ conference in Karachi. Attended by more than 300 PTCL retailers, business partners and distributors, the conference featured various team-building sessions and provided participants with an opportunity to share their observations and experiences about PTCL’s products and services, says a press release. Speaking on the occasion, Zaman Gulzar, PTCL Executive Vice President (EVP) Business Zone South said, “Telecom is a rapidly changing industry. This conference is designed to provide a better understanding to our partners about our evolving product portfolio and also serves as a platform to develop and share ideas that drive future growth.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 21^st, 2013.

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Scholars from all over the country presented more than 78 research papers on management, computer science and social sciences, at the conference.

The vice-president of academics at Szabist, Dr Amanat Ali Jalbani, felt that the university had made significant contribution to research inspite of being a relatively new educational institution.

“Planners in Pakistan are focusing on infrastructure rather than social development,” said the chief guest, Tasneem A Siddiqui, who is the chairperson of the Orangi Pilot Project. He felt that the social sector was lagging behind in basic services, such as primary education, health and rural development. “The government should update its research and development strategy and allocate more resources for social development.”

The chairperson of the Urban Resource Centre, Arif Hasan, felt that the old social order was on the decline and new social relations were emerging. “The green revolution, mechanisation and migration have changed the socio-economic structure of the country,” he added.

The president of Szabist, Dr Saqib Rizavi, thanked all the scholars and the delegates for being part of the conference. “The conference provides an excellent opportunity for our faculty, students and delegates to participate in seminars and forums,” he said, adding that the university encouraged research in all its centres, including Stem Cell Research Centre and Sustainable Development Research Centre.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 19^th, 2013.

KARACHI: The Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority director general has ordered all relevant officials to strictly monitor the manufacturers of bottled drinking water.

These directions came in a meeting, comprising of all the directors of the authority, which discussed the complaints received from the public regarding sub-standard bottled drinking water.

The director general, Pir Bakhsh Jamali, directed officials to re-verify the laboratories of all bottled drinking water manufactures and check the hygienic conditions and sources of water.

He instructed the field staff to conduct an open market survey and collect random samples of bottled drinking water to check if the water available in the open market is safe for consumption.

He said that reports be submitted to him and any discrepancies found in the samples would result in notifications being issued to the manufacturers.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 17^th, 2013.

He said this while addressing a combined meeting of KMC and Karachi Water and Sewerage Board about naegleria which included the Health Services senior director, Dr AD Sajnani, KWSB officials, WHO representatives and other relevant officers.

Zaidi directed the Water Board to ensure that a suitable quantity of chlorine was mixed with the water being supplied to the city from pumping stations including Hub, Pipri, Gharo, New Mandi and others. He also called for the appointment of focal persons who would be responsible for complaints regarding the disease.

He directed the health department to start water sampling immediately, concentrating in slum areas where the bacteria is likely to be found. Pipelines must also be repaired, where necessary, so that the bacterium could not enter the water supply from these sites, he asserted.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 17^th, 2013.

SUKKUR: Azerbaijan and Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Tuesday to promote research in social sciences, arts and humanities in Pakistan.

The ambassador of Azerbaijan, H E Dashgin Shikarov, and the chairperson of Higher Education Commission, Dr Jawed R Leghari, signed the memorandum.

Eleven other educational institutes have signed the memorandum.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 16^th, 2013.

KARACHI: With frequent travel and growing global diaspora becoming widespread phenomena in many emerging economies, families and businesses are looking to technology to stay close to those outside their home shores.

Nymgo taps this market and thinks Pakistan is a huge and open opportunity, says a press release.

Founded by Lebanese entrepreneur Omar Onsi in 2008, Nymgo is a leading voice service provider that offers users lowest cost and high-quality international VoIP calling to mobile and landlines.

VoIP itself is a market estimated to be worth $90 billion and economies like Pakistan are critical for new players like Nymgo to conquer.

“We are focusing on a small number of core markets at this next stage in our growth and Pakistan is definitely one of them,” says Onsi. “Call traffic between Pakistani workers, students and professionals and their home country is a major space we want to dominate.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 16^th, 2013.

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KARACHI: UBL Funds, under its Smart Investment Plans’ umbrella, has launched the UBL Wealth Builder Plan.

According to a press release, the Wealth Builder is designed keeping in mind the need of investors for a lump sum and/or regular contribution plan that builds over time and is ideal for those who are not investment-savvy but still want to capitalise on attractive returns. The plan offers investors the option to choose from three different investment options.

Aggressively, in which 25% of the funds are kept in government securities while 75% are invested in equities; Moderately, through which 50% of the funds are invested in each market and Conservatively, in which 75% of the funds are kept in government securities while 25% are invested in the equity market.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 16^th, 2013.

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LAHORE: A five-member delegation of the British Council visited a low-cost girls’ private school affiliated with the Punjab Education Foundation in Baghbanpura to observe a teachers’ training programme on Monday.

PEF Deputy Managing Director Aamir Iftikhar Ahmed said that PEF’s model of public-private partnership, comprising 3,300 partner schools in the province, had helped provide education to thousands of underprivileged students. PEF Director Bushra Saeed Khan said the training modules had been designed to provide state of the art training and follow-up workshops were also held. The delegation visited various class rooms and observed the training sessions.

The delegates met with teachers and students and inquired about the quality of education. British Council Chief Executive Martin Davidson said the programme would help improve the quality of teaching and methodology. It would also promote learning and creativity in students, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 14^th, 2013.

KARACHI: In a rare show of corporate social responsibility, Lals Patisserie has taken the initiative to encourage its customers to vote. It is offering a free sorbet to those who show an inked thumb at the counter. This offer is not only for voters, but all family members regardless of age or voting eligibility. A sorbet is a non-fat, dairy free alternative to ice cream and is very refreshing in the summer heat. “Come and escape from the scorching heat with a scoop of icy sorbet once you’ve fulfilled your duty as a Pakistani,” said Lals Patisserie owner, Lal Majid.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11^th, 2013.