LAHORE: The University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Lahore, held a three-day All Pakistan Debating Championship on Tuesday.

Some 50 educational institutions across the country participated in it.

According to results, the King Edward Medical College University (KEMU) won the general trophy. Similarly, in Urdu debate category, Zainul Hassan from the Government College University (GCU), Lahore, got the first position, Shahdab Abbasi from the Government College for Science second and Fatima from the KEMU third position.

In English category, Naazish from the Taxila UET bagged the first position, Namra from the KEMU and Fahad from FUAST Lahore got second and third positions respectively.

In the championship, the Lahore University of Management Sciences won the prize in category of parliamentary English debate while the GCU, Lahore, got the first position in Urdu.

UET Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Fazal Ahmad Khalid distributed shields, trophies among the position holders.

He said the difference of opinion provided opportunity to see any phenomenon with diverse aspects.

He emphasised the youth to play a dynamic role for bringing peace, tolerance, and creation of harmony to show the soft image of Pakistan.

Dean of Architecture and Planning Prof Dr Ghulam Abbas Anjum said debate was the best way to express and share one’s views. “We must observe and learn the trends of modern world to attain significant status,” he added.

Lincoln Corner: The Information Technology University (ITU) and the US Consulate General Lahore have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to build a ‘Lincoln Corner’ on the varsity campus.

The MoU was signed on Tuesday in a meeting of ITU Vice-Chancellor Dr Umar Saif and Deputy Chief of Mission for the American Embassy in Pakistan Jonathan Pratt here on Tuesday.

“Lincoln Corner is a great opportunity to build bridges and increase mutual understanding between Pakistan and the United States. Lincoln Corners are partnerships between the embassy and consulates of the US and selected institutions in Pakistan,” Dr Saif said.

“Lincoln Corner Lahore will host academic programmes, speakers from the United States and English language activities and cultural events like the Ari Roland Jazz Quartet’s that recently performed at the varsity,” said Mr Pratt, adding these spaces would promote open dialogue, counter negative preconceptions, and build bridges of understanding.

“Visitors gain free access to Wi-Fi, reliable information about the US through books, magazines, videos, internet, databases, and other programmes for the public,” he said.

Published in Dawn, April 20th, 2016