KARACHI: 47 events held as Students’ Week enters 4th day
By Our Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Sept 14: As many as 47 events and competitions were held by 25 departments till Wednesday in connection with the “Students’ Week” celebrations at the University of Karachi.
Another 18 programmes, including debates, funfairs, sports, Naat competition, Ru-Baroo, talent show, cooking competition, and mushaira will be held on Sept 15, the fifth day of the week. The celebrations would conclude on Saturday, said official sources.
According to a study, about 32 teaching departments have showed interest in holding the events and competitions, while it is likely that another 12-15 departments would miss the celebrations as there have been no proposals from their side so far, said an official at the helm of affairs.
In comparison with last year, the amount provided to each department this year for the purpose has been reduced from Rs3,000 to Rs2,500.
Departments were required to submit proposals for the week in advance, and to agree to hold the programmes, in the format suggested by the office of the students’ adviser of KU.
The KU provides the fixed amount from its fair and exhibition head to each of department, irrespective of the number of events they hold during the entire week.
Some students claimed that most of the time, funding by administration proved insufficient, and they had to meet the expenditures from their pockets.
Departments held programmes involving their respective students, who were guided and monitored by senior teachers. So far, no untoward has been reported and it is likely that the week would be over as per schedule peacefully, added the official, saying that the gesture of students was positive so far.
Classes are allowed to be called off after 11.15am so that students can take part in the week’s activities. Events like, the mushaira, funfair, cooking, debates drew major crowds.
It is likely that the Ru-Baroo programme of Sept 15 would be another hit of the week, wherein noted personalities from different walks of life are being invited to reply to questions of a students’ panel.
The Ru-Baroo programme, being organized by the Economics Department at the Arts Lobby, is likely to host former city nazim Niamatullah Khan, CCPO Tariq Jameel, and TV actor Shakeel.
Though student organizations have not been allowed to use their names or insignia, a couple of programmes, held relatively on a large scale, were managed by them. The organizations worked under circles and societies set up temporarily.
The varsity Students’ Adviser, Dr Mohammad Ahmad Qadri, said the students’ week celebrations had been a tradition on the campus and were aimed at providing various forums to students for expressing their feelings, creativity and exuberance.
Moreover, these events would help form a talent pool of students, who could be sent for representing the university outside the city and country as well.
The departments have already been advised by the VC to send a list of talented students spotted during the week to his office so that a list could be prepared, added Mr Qadri.
Meanwhile, performing art and poetry competitions topped the list of events.
Talash-i-Gumshuda was staged at the Public Administration department, while a funfair was held at the Bio-technology department on Wednesday.
Other departments where events, including football matches, Ru-Baroo, seminar and poetry sessions were held included the Physiology, Bengali, Botany, Psychology, Social work, Bio-chemistry, Pharmacy, Genetics, Education and Agriculture departments.
