LAHORE: A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on Friday between the National College of Arts (NCA) and the Institute of South Asian Studies in University of Texas, Austin, says a press release.

The US Embassy in Pakistan selected NCA’s department of film and TV at the NCA for its ‘University Partnership Programme’.

The three-year partnership involves faculty and student exchange, curriculum development, collaborative research, resource sharing and collaborative projects.

Prof Dr Murtaza Jafri as the NCA principal and Dr Kamran Asdar as the Institute of South Asian Studies in University of Texas director signed the MoU.

Rachel Chen, public affairs officer of the US Consulate in Lahore, was also present.

degree show: The annual degree 2015 show of the National College of Arts will open on Saturday (today).

Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz will inaugurate the event.

All the graduating students are exhibiting their work from disciplines of fine arts, visual communication design, textile design, product design, ceramics design, architecture, musicology and film and TV.

The exhibition will continue till Jan 22 from 10am to 6pm including Saturday and Sunday.

A final thesis jury of the Department of Film and Television was held in connection with the degree show at Royal Palm Cinema on Jan 7.

The jury panel was consisted of experienced industry professionals, including Sajjad Gul, Armughan Hassan Nawaz, Wajahat Masood, Farjad Nabi and Dr Younas Butt, who critiqued the work of students.

The jurors applauded the maturity and finesse of films. Nine students presented their work in the jury. NCA Principal Prof Dr Murtaza Jafri also attended the jury.

Mr Jafri said the NCA felt proud to present the work of such a talented batch.

Known film, TV and other dignitaries including, Asim Bukhari, Ejaz Durrani, Rachel Chen, Jamal Ghazanfer of US Consulate, Lahore, and Col Farooq Nasir of ISPR, attended the jury as observers and witnessed jury proceedings.

The public display of the thesis films will be held from Jan 9 to 14 and from Jan 18 to 22 at the Shakir Ali Auditorium, NCA.

Published in Dawn, January 9th, 2016