18 December 2004	Saturday	05 Ziqa'ad 1425

KARACHI, Dec 17: The Sindh Governor, Dr Ishratul Ibad, has stressed the need for improving the communication skills of students passing out from universities and other institutions of higher learning of the country.

Addressing a high-level meeting at the Governor House, he pointed out that though students excelled in concerned subjects, they were unable in certain situations to properly demonstrate their skills.

"It does not matter to which department or subject a student belongs; it is essential that he has the ability to write and speak, particularly capable of expressing himself in English."

In the practical world, the governor observed, that because of this lacking ability, youths were unable to get appointment on required or better posts at national and foreign concerns.

Ibad directed that special courses be initiated to enhance the students' ability of better communication skills of writing and speaking English. Stress was also laid on improving the standard of colleges affiliated to universities.

He said that these colleges were like nurseries, asking if nurseries were not properly maintained, how could universities produce capable and qualified persons. He issued directives to universities to make the system of inspection of affiliated colleges more effective.

The governor said that Shah Abdul Latif University was making regular inspections of its affiliated colleges, but many other universities including the University of Karachi were not paying attention to similar matters.

He directed the KU to immediately chalk out a system of inspections of its affiliated colleges, adding that these inspections should be on a regular basis. For a better future for youths, he emphasised the need for all-out efforts to get the nation a developed status in the world, calling upon universities to take coordinated measures in this regard.

Meanwhile, speaking as the chief guest at the closing session of a seminar on "Development of Girls and Young Women", the Sindh Governor, Dr Ishratul Ibad, said there was no denying the fact that the role of women in the country's development was significant.

The seminar was organised by the Girl Guides Association and sponsored by the UNICEF at a local hotel on Thursday. "They constitute more than half of the total population and hold the family structure together, as well as, play a traditionally important role as community heads, and advisers etc," Ibad said, calling women the storehouses of indigenous wisdom.

He said it was a fact that "guiding" offered many avenues for development in planning, management, social service activity and communication with the community. Though the guide movement in Sindh was receiving support from the government and the UNICEF, a lot was still required to be done, he pointed out.

He advised government school students and teachers to take time and participate seriously in true education, and earn respect and gratitude by joining the guides.

Ibad assured the government would accord due consideration to recommendations of the seminar's participants and the association in helping "guides" to contribute wholeheartedly towards the welfare of society.

He appreciated efforts of the organizers for organizing such a thoughtful seminar for discussing real issues of girl guides, and wished the association all success in achieving its noble objectives for promoting the cause of girls and young women.

Ibad observed that the Sindh branch of the Pakistan Girl Guides Association had a long proud history, mentioning that it had won the World Association of Girl Guides highest award - the Lady Baden Powell Award - three times.

The Sindh Education Minister, Dr Hamida Khuhro, President, Sindh branch of Pakistan Girl Guides Association Prof Anita Ghulam, UNICEF Project Chief Officer Mannan Raana, Scout Commissioner Moeena Hidayatullah also spoke. -- APP/PPI