Sahiwal, March 29-30, 2016
Higher Education Commission (HEC), Government of Pakistan conducted “2-Days Talent
Grooming and Career Counseling Workshop for scholars” under “Pak-USAID Merit and
Needs Based Scholarship Program” at CIIT Sahiwal from March 29 to 30, 2016.
The said training workshop was funded by the HEC and United States Agency for International
Development (USAID) under “Pak-USAID Merit and Needs Based Scholarship Program”
whereas, the logistic support was provided by the Student Financial Aid Office (SFAO)
of COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Sahiwal campus.
The opening ceremony was held on March 29, 2016 which was chaired by Prof. Dr. Nazir
Ahmad Zafar, Director Academics whereas; the closing session was chaired by Dr.
Zahiruddin Shaikh, Director Student Affairs on behalf of Prof. Dr. Abdul Waheed,
Director, CIIT Sahiwal as Chief Guest.
Apart from the participants, Mr. Safdar Ali, Assistant Director/ Incharge SFAO,
CIIT Sahiwal and Mr. Anees Haider, Incharge SFAO CIIT Vehari also attended both
sessions.
On behalf of Higher Education Commission (HEC), Mr. Muhammad Naeem Akhtar, Program
Coordinator and Ms. Sabeen Shahid Project Manager were also present in both sessions
and supervised whole training program.
There are forty six (46), including eighteen females, scholars who are studying
under “Pak-USAID Merit & Needs Based Scholarship Program” at CIIT Sahiwal and Vehari
Campuses attended this training workshop.
They participants were trained and counseled by well renowned resource persons/
trainers about communication skills, inter/intrapersonal skills, presentation skills,
interactive group discussion, best solutions to make research projects easy for
students as the part of their projects, compilation of research report, important
areas to be emphasized in student’s academic life, acquiring excellence in career,
confidence building, decision making skills and importance of decision making, art
of CV writing, art of interview, mock sessions for interview, challenges and opportunities
in job market, self-actualization-option for flexible career & talent management,
learn and develop relevant job skills, Jobs search strategy, entrepreneurship-the
innovative ideas, opportunities for entrepreneurship, and e-marketing & e-business.
The resource persons/ trainers include Sq. Leader (R) Mr. Sultan Mahmood, Trainer
(Freelancer), Lahore, Ms. Khadijah Qadeer, Manager Trainings, Mr. Khurram Shahzad
(The Ideya Training Institute of Management & Engineering Trainings), Mr. Saif Jan,
Regional Head, Ufone Sahiwal, and Mr. Amir Zahoor, Electrical Engineering Department,
FAST National University, Faisalabad.
During opening session, the chief guest, Prof. Dr. Nazir Ahmad Zafar thanked the
Higher Education Commission (HEC) and donor agency i.e. USAID for providing this
opportunity to deserving students of this region who were unable to further their
studies due to financial hardships. He extended his gratitude to the management
of HEC for arranging this training Workshop at CIIT Sahiwal campus. He appreciated
the efforts of HEC and USAID for helping the students of deprived areas to further
their studies without financial worries. While addressing to the participants, he
congratulated them for being recipients of “USAID-funded Merit and Needs Based Scholarship
Program”. He shared that this scholarship is not awarded to an individual but to
the under privileged people of Pakistan and it is expected that you will put all
your efforts for the development of the country after completing your studies. This
scholarship is an investment for Pakistan which is just like a debt and you have
to pay it off by contributing in socio-economic development of our country.
During closing session, on behalf of Prof. Dr. Abdul Waheed, Director CIIT Sahiwal,
the chief guest, Dr. Zahiruddin Shaikh extended thankfulness to the Higher Education
Commission and USAID for selecting CIIT Sahiwal for this training workshop. He appreciated
the untiring efforts of Mr. Safdar Ali, Incharge SFAO and his team for bring and
then successful arrangement of this training workshop at CIIT Sahiwal. He desired
to arrange more such training programs for students which will help them to understand
the future challenges in job market, develop relevant job skills, and to become
entrepreneur with innovative ideas. While talking to the participants, he congratulated
them to be the beneficiaries of USAID funded scholarship program. He advised them
to work hard and contribute in economic development of Pakistan after completion
of your studies. He desired to see extra ordinary performance by these scholars
in future endeavour. He further added that Student Financial Aid Office at CIIT
Sahiwal is putting all efforts to hunt maximum number of scholarships so that the
deserving students from deprived areas may be helped and encouraged to further their
studies without financial worries.
During opening session, Prof. Dr. Nazir A. Zafar presented bouquet to the HEC Officials
whereas, Dr. Zahiruddin Shaikh, Director Student Affairs presented bouquet to the
Resource person.
During closing session, all participants, organizers and volunteers were awarded
certificates by Dr. Zahiruddin Shaikh and Prof. Dr. Nazir A. Zafar on behalf of
Prof. Dr. Abdul Waheed, Director CIIT Sahiwal as Chief Guest.
Mr. Muhammad Naeem Akhtar, Program Coordinator, HEC presented shields to Dr. Zahiruddin
Shaikh, Prof. Dr. Nazir A. Zafar and Dr. Khair u Zaman, Director CIIT Vehari which
was received by Mr. Anees Haider on his behalf.
Mr. Safdar Ali, Assistant Director/ Incharge SFAO, CIIT Sahiwal presented souvenirs
to HEC officials, Mr. Muhammad Naeem Akhtar, Program Coordinator and Ms. Sabeen
Shahid, Project Manager.
Mr. Muhammad Naeem Akhtar, Program Coordinator, HEC shared his gratitude to the
management of CIIT Sahiwal for hosting this training workshop in very good manner.
He appreciated the efforts of Mr. Safdar Ali, Assistant Director/ Incharge SFAO
CIIT Sahiwal and his team for providing them every support to make this workshop
successful.
While talking to media officials, Mr. Safdar Ali, Incharge Student Financial Aid
Office, CIIT Sahiwal shared that successful efforts were made with HEC to bring
this training session at Sahiwal so that the students of deprived areas may also
be provided opportunities of career counseling by professional resource persons/
trainers. He told that this is first time that CIIT Sahiwal campus has been selected
for such training workshop. He further added that more than 42% students are beneficiaries
of different scholarships at CIIT Sahiwal which is evident of substantial financial
support being provided by CIIT Sahiwal to its talented and deserving students who
are unable to further their studies due to financial constraints.
A resource person, Mr. Saif Jan, Regional Director Ufone appreciated the efforts
of CIIT, HEC and USAID to consider and support the students of deprived areas. He
shared that there is big gap between industry and academia. He emphasized the need
of such training workshops which will help the students to equip themselves as per
the industry requirements.
After conclusion of closing ceremony and hi-tea, all participants along-with HEC
officials were facilitated to visit Montgomery Museum at CIIT Sahiwal. They visited
all sections of the museum. They were surprised to see the antiquities placed in
the museum. They were eager to know the history of Harappa civilization.
The day was ended at about 6:00 PM with good bye to all participants, resource persons
and HEC officials at exit gate of CIIT Sahiwal.
Click here to view more
pictures