LAHORE: As many as 725 public colleges have received over 125,000 admission applications, so far, from students across Punjab for the intermediate classes through the Online College Admissions System (OCAS) web portal developed by the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) for the Higher Education Department (HED).

Over 40,000 applications have been submitted for FA, 31,000 for ICS, 28,000 for pre-medical, 13,000 for pre-engineering and 8,000 for ICom. Furthermore, 68pc applications for pre-medical have been submitted by female students while 63pc have been submitted for Computer Science by male students.

The OCAS is a repository for students to apply online in government colleges across Punjab without physically visiting the institutes. It has given students from the far-off areas a chance to apply online and save time while ensuring timely compilation of applications and merit lists.

The OCAS offers 24/7 access to students to apply and remain updated regarding admissions. Students can access college brochures that are available online, and track the status of admission applications through the desired college website. The system is currently receiving applications for intermediate.

College brochures are available free-of-cost at OCAS Portal: www.ocas.punjab.gov.pk.

CONFERENCE: The University of Management and Technology’s Department of Education organised a two-day international e-conference on Research and Leadership (IeCOREL-2020).

The theme of the conference was “Literacy and Non-formal Basic Education: Entering 21st Century with Literate Population”.

The conference was aimed at shedding light on prevailing impacts of the Covid-19 on higher education around the world.

Panel discussions were also conducted.

School of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSS&H) Dean Prof Dr Mumtaz Akhter discussed the prevailing situation of the Covid-19 and its impacts on higher education around the world.

UMT President Ibrahim Hassan Murad said the Covid-19 had not only caused disruption in the education sector but also generated a negative impact on vulnerable sections of the society. He said the pandemic had increased the responsibilities of world leaders to support higher education in developing countries.

UMT Rector Dr Muhammad Aslam said conference was ogranised to find better solutions to challenges and problems faced in pandemic.

The participants disseminated information about the latest developments and put forward recommendations.

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2020