Int’l Conference on botanic garden begins at gcu LAHORE

Prof. Dr. Ikram-ul-Haq (SI); Acting Vice Chancellor, GC University Lahore has said all natural areas were bound to face fragmentation and deterioration with increasing frequency, and to tackle them, research in the areas of restoration and climate change was bound to become more and more critical. He said maintenance of biological diversity is being recognized as the single highest conservation priority internationally but, in Pakistan, a tiny fraction of resources, both human and financial, is available to environmentalists and biotechnologists to get their job done. He was addressing at the inaugural session of third international conference on “Role of Botanic Gardens in Conserving Natural Vegetation” organized under the auspices of Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), Higher Education Commission, Pakistan Horticulture Authority, WWF and Pakistan Botanic Gardens Network Secretariat (PBGNS). Secretary Forestry, Wildlife and Fishery Shahnawaz Badar was the Chief Guest.

The researchers and students from China, United States, Argentina and United Kingdom are participating in the conference which is aimed at sensitizing youngsters, scientists and researchers with the plight of continuously decreasing natural forests and the need to devise initiatives to rehabilitate and conserve them by involving government officials and local community.  As many as 51 research papers are scheduled to be presented at nine technical sessions of the conference on topics related to “Gene Banks”, “Ecotourism”, “Habitat Restoration” and “Ethno-botany”.

Secretary Forestry Department Punjab Shahnawaz Badar said that Botanic Gardens all over the world have preserved documented specimen of 80,000 to 100,000 living plant species, providing material for display, research, education, ex-situ conservation and ecological restoration. He said that such distinguished gathering of international and national experts would provide valuable recommendations to government agencies for devising strategies. He highlighted the need for research on reproductive biology and plant-animal interaction to support conservation measures. He pledged to provide more land and conservation projects to GCU Pakistan Botanic Gardens Network Secretariat. He said that the department has most recently given two acres land to Lahore College for Women University.

Speaking on the occasion; Prof. Dr. Amin-ul-Haq Khan, Director SDSC GCU said that there was a dire need for changing behavior of local government officials and local community for conservation of local natural habitats. He said that land degradation was an emerging and serious environmental threat in Pakistan. He further said that the native species including Salvadora oleoides, Tamarix aphylla, Capparis decidua and Prosopis cineraria, Olea cuspidate, Acacia modesta and Butea monosperma were rapidly vanishing form Harappa, Shakargarh and Soan Valley and need immediate measures for conservation. He added that the GCU PBGNC is working in close collaboration with World Wild Fund Pakistan, Forest Department and the Government of Punjab to execute the project of BGCI, UK. He also said that the GCU experts and students were also involving the local communities for enhancing the population of these species.

Later, Secretary Forestry Shahnawaz Badar also inaugurated research poster exhibition which was part of the three day conference. He appreciated the researches of GCU on “Diversity of Plants at Allama Iqbal International Airport”, Using Google Earth to monitor tree loss”, “Use of Earthworms for composting of paper and sugar industry waste” “Transplanted Phoenix trees in Main Boulevard, Gulberg” and “A case study on biological environment of Lahore Fort”.             

(03-02-2012)

GCU Botany Department starts centenary celebrations with Annual ALUMINI Dinner

The opening ceremony of three-month 100th anniversary celebrations of the Botany Department GCU Lahore with a grand reunion of the alumni was held at the University. The   GCU Vice Chancellor Prof. (Meritorious) Dr. Muhammad Khaleeq-ur-Rahman; Izaz-I-Kamal, chaired the reunion while GCU Botany Alumni Association President Syed Muhammad Akmal Rahim and Dean Faculty of Science and Technology Prof. Dr. Ikramul Haq were also present.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Khaleeq-ur-Rahman said that the Government College Lahore was established in 1864 by the British with an aim to make it a one of the best world-class centre for the higher learning. He said that his faculty members and university administration are working day and night to get GCU its due place in the ranking of world best universities. He called upon the alumni to play and effective role in development of their alma mater through financial, moral and intellectual support.    

GCU Botany Department Chairperson Prof. Dr. Zaheerud Din Khan announced that the 100th year celebrations of Botany Department would last for next three months and an international conference on “environment and biodiversity” in the month of March would conclude these celebrations. He said that the Department would also hold workshops and seminars for the training of Botany teachers of different collages of Punjab. He said that flower exhibitions and declamation contests on topics related to environment, agriculture, forestry, horticulture, soil and water would also be part of the three-month grand celebration.

The alumni of the GC University Botany Department pose for a photo with

Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Khaleeq-ur-Rahman at the grand alumni

reunion held to mark the 100^th anniversary of the department.

GCU Dean of Science and Technology Prof. Dr. Ikramul Haq said that the importance botany in the biosphere can be realized from the famous saying that "All Flesh is Grass". He said these day the disciplines of Botany has a broad scope covering so many fields like forestry, horticulture, climatology, plant biotechnology, molecular genetics, medicine, biodiversity, plant and microbial genetic engineering, plant metabolic engineering, biopharming etc. He said that the success of department is often mistakenly gauged by the number of research papers presented by its students and faculty members. However, he said that quality of research should be given more weight.

Some distinguished alumni also shared experiences and interesting incidents from their student life at the GC University Lahore. Later, the alumni through a resolution paid tributes to noted scientists Prof. Shiv Ram Kashyap, Prof. S.L. Ghose, Prof. A.C. Joshi, Dr. A.A. Qureshi, Dr. Sultan Ahmed, Prof. A.R. Zafar, Prof. A.H. Zafar, Prof. Jawad A. Khan, Prof. Masud-ul-Hasan, Dr. R.A. Mirza and Prof. A. U. Khan who led the historic botany department and played highly significant role in its development.  

(19-12-2011)

GC UNIVERSITY LAHORE HOLDS INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON MARINE LIFE

An international seminar on “the Ups and Downs of Pakistan’s Large Marine Animals with respect to Phytoplankton” was held at the GC University Lahore under the auspices of the Department of Botany; GC University Lahore, Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF). Vice Chancellor Prof. (Meritorious) Dr. Muhammad Khaleeq-ur-Rahman chaired the opening session of the seminar while noted marine biologists from all over the country and abroad were also present.

In the key note address, Dr. Mauvis Ann Gore, the Co-Director of Marine Conservational International, Edinburgh Scotland, said that 11 species including sharks, rays, guitarfish and sawfish are being fished in South-west Balochistan due to which they have undergone a drastic reduction. She said that shark fishing is no longer sustainable in Pakistan. However, she said, several Pakistani companies are still processing sharks and sell their fins to restaurants in South East Asia.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. (Meritorious) Dr. Muhammad Khaleeq-ur-Rahman said international seminars, workshops and conference provide a platform to students, teachers and scholars to exchange views, ideas and research and such interactions are beneficial for the development of science in Pakistan. He also termed the international seminar organized by GCU Botany Department an opportunity for young Pakistani scholars to interact with well known biologist Dr. Mauvis Ann Gore and learn from her knowledge and experiences.

Addressing the seminar, PSF Botanical Science Division Director Dr. M.K Legarhi said that the marine biodiversity is one of the biggest resources of food, thus is essential to the survival of human life. “Life in the ocean is declining and we have little time left to halt the process for our own survival,” he added.

Prof. Dr. Ikramul Haq; Dean Faculty of Science and Technology and Dr. Zaheer-ud-Din Khan; Chairperson, Department of Botany also addressed the seminar.        

(28-10-2011)

GCU LAHORE CELEBRATES NATIONAL PLANTATION DAY

GC University Lahore Botany Department celebrated the National Plantation Day by planting saplings in the university premises. GCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Khaleeq-ur-Rahman inaugurated the plantation campaign by planting a sapling at the GCU Scholars’ Gardens. GCU Botany Department Chairperson Prof. Dr. Zaheer ud Din Khan  and a large number of students were also present on the occasion.

Prof. Dr. Khaleeq-ur-Rahman Vice Chancellor GCU plants a sapling at

GCU Scholar Gardens in connection with the National Plantation Day.
 

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Khaleeq-ur-Rahman announced that GCU Lahore would plant as many as 5,000 saplings of indigenous plants at the GCU Kala Shah Kaku Campus to create a healthy and conducive learning environment. “I believe that essence of learning lies in the close relationship with nature”, he added.  He said that only the safe and unpolluted environment can guarantee the healthy existence of our future generations and we have to feel our responsibility on both individual as well as societal grounds. He desired that all departments of the University to take part in the plantation campaign.

Later, various academic and administrative heads of the GC University Lahore planted trees on the university premises to mark the Day.

(19-08-2011)

GCU Botany Department reunion gala

Botanists from all over the country gathered at the reunion gala of the GCU Lahore Botany Department Alumni Association held at the GCU Bokhari Auditorium Lawns. Prof. Dr. Ikram-ul-Haq (SI) Vice Chancellor was the Chief Guest at the reunion which was marked by the light music performance and poetry recitation by the faculty members and alumni of Department.

Addressing the reunion gala, Prof. Dr. Ikram-ul-Haq (SI)  said  the importance of a teacher as an architect of our future generations also demands that only the best and the most intelligent and competent members of our intelligentsia be allowed to qualify for this profession. “Days are not far, when the PhD would be the minimum required qualification for the appointment of lecturer in a university,” he added. The alumni paid tribute to their teachers who taught them at the GCU and played an immense role in their character development. At the end, GCU Botany Department Chairperson Dr. Zaheer-ud-Din also spoke on the occasion.

(17-5-2011)

SDSC ORGANIZES A SEMINAR

Sustainable Development Study Centre GCU Lahore in collaboration with Botanic Gardens Conservation International UK (BGCI), World Wide Fund for Nature and Natural Resources (WWF - Pak) and Punjab Forest Department organized a seminar on the topic of “Challenges impacting Conservation and Rehabilitation of Natural Vegetation in Three Threatened Dry-Land Ecosystems of Punjab”. BGCI UK Regional Director Joazhim Gratzfeld was the chief guest while Punjab Secretary Forestry Babar Hassan Bharwana and PGBNS Director Dr. Amin Ul Haq Khan also addressed the seminar. The representatives of Punjab forest department, WWF Pak and SDSC faculty members and students attended the seminar.

(28-03-2011)

GCU VICE CHANCELLOR INAUGURATES tree plantation campaign

The Botany Department GCU Lahore on Thursday kicked off the Tree Plantation Campaign, celebrating the 2011 as the International Year of Forests. The vice chancellor Prof. Dr. Ikram-ul-Haq (SI) inaugurated the Tree Plantation Campaign by planting a tree at the university’s Sports Complex.

Addressing the ceremony, he called on the GCU students to plant at least one tree during the campaign. He also directed the Botany Department to issue saplings to GCU students for plantation.  Prof. Ikram said that the GCU would celebrate 2011 as the International Year for Forests with firm commitment to tree plantation and raise awareness on conservation. He said that GCU has set a target of planting more than 10,000 trees in GCU Lahore and New Campus at Kala Shah Kaku. The Vice Chancellor called on the faculty members and students to ensure the conservation of each tree they plant.

Prof. Dr. lkram-ul-Haq (Sl), GCU Vice Chancellor opens GCU Botany Department

Tree Plantation Campaign by planting a tree at GCU Sports Complex.
 

Chairperson Botany Department, Prof. Dr. Khalid Hameed Sheikh (Professor Emeritus) and Director Sports GCU also planted trees on this occasion.

(25-03-2011)

Research standards high in Pakistan: foreign biologists

The standards of both research and hospitality are quite high in Pakistan, said botanists from Germany, Egypt, China, Canada, and Turkey while addressing the concluding ceremony of three-day 2nd International Conference of Plant Scientists held at the he Government College University Lahore under the auspices of Pakistan Botanical Society and GCU Botany Department. Agriculture University, Peshawar Vice Chancellor Dr. Khan Bahadur Marwat, Federal Urdu University, Karachi Vice Chancellor Dr. Qaisar Ali and Pakistan Botanical Society President (PBS) Prof. Dr. Ikram-ul-Haq graced the concluding ceremony of the conference with their presence.

Addressing the conference, Agriculture University, Peshawar Vice Chancellor Dr. Khan Bahadur Marwat said that the holding of this conference is not only a great opportunity for the accomplished researchers but also young scientists must have learnt a lot from the life-long experience and expertise of the elite scientists from different countries.

Prof. Dr. Ikram-ul-Haq President PBS said that the conference successfully featured five poster and 19 technical sessions wherein more than 360 research papers were presented on modern challenges related to Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology, Plant Physiology, Ethno-botany, Plant Ecology, Plant Physiology, Plant Anatomy, Biodiversity, Genetics, Plant Breeding, Plant Tissue Culture, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, Plant Taxonomy, Paleo-botany and Mycology. He said GCU would hold more international conferences in the near future as these conferences provide platform to scientists from various backgrounds to interact and exchange ideas, and such an interaction can lead to fruitful long term collaborations which would be beneficial for the development of science in Pakistan.

The delegates from Turkey including Prof. E. Altundag, I. Uysal and Prof. I.I.Ozgit said that Pakistan has always been misrepresented in the international media, adding that Pakistani youth is highly talented. A biotechnologist from Egypt said that the future of Botany and biotechnology seems bright in Pakistan, adding that students there are highly concerned about the environmental issues.  

(25-02-2011)

Research necessary to meet demand for food: 2nd International Conference of Plant Scientists began at the GCU

The three day 2nd International Conference of Plant Scientists began at the GCU Lahore under the auspices of Pakistan Botanical Society and GCU Botany Department. Botanists from Germany, Egypt, China, Canada, and Turkey and across Pakistan have gathered at the Government College University Lahore to deliberate on scientific solutions to food and fuel challenges which are being predicted to be faced by human race in the 21st century. GCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Khalid Aftab chaired the opening session of the three-day conference. The conference features five poster and 19 technical sessions wherein more than 250 research papers would be presented on modern challenges related to Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology, Plant Physiology, Ethno-botany, Plant Ecology, Plant Physiology, Plant Anatomy, Biodiversity, Genetics, Plant Breeding, Plant Tissue Culture, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, Plant Taxonomy, Paleo-botany and Mycology.    

Addressing the conference as a chief guest, GCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Khalid Aftab said the success of conference is often mistakenly gauged by the number of research papers presented in it and overall participation. He said quality of research papers should be given more weight. “We judge the quality of research by its ability to bolster claims, illuminate understanding, and add credibility to speech,” he added.

He said GCU would hold more international conferences in the near future as these conferences provide platform to scientists from various backgrounds to interact and exchange ideas, and such an interaction can lead to fruitful long term collaborations which would be beneficial for the development of science in Pakistan. Prof. Aftab also termed the conferences an opportunity for young scholars to interact with well known biologists and learn from their knowledge and experiences.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Prof. Dr. Ikram-ul-Haq President Pakistan Botanical Society (PBS) and Dean of Sciences and Technology GCU said that research in plant sciences has become very critical in the 21st Century as we need to produce more food and feed for animals to meet the dietary needs of an increasing human population. At the same time we also need to produce biomass and products from plants that can be used as sustainable industrial feed stocks. And all this has to occur against the backdrop of global warming, changes in weather patterns, increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration, continuing water shortages, loss of arable land and erosion of valuable topsoil. He called on the plant research community to rise to the challenge of producing novel crop varieties capable of high yields under a variety of climatic conditions. However, he also accepted that this challenge in many ways highlights the need for investment in plant sciences across the range of research from the fundamental to the applied. Dr. Ikram said a majority of the world’s energy need is met through fossil fuels that apart from causing atmospheric pollution are limited and, at the current usage rates, would be consumed shortly. He said plant biotechnology also offers an opportunity to contribute to providing renewable alternatives to non-renewable petrochemical outputs in terms of energy sources, polymers, plastics, pharmaceuticals etc. These applications of biotechnology to non-food crops are potentially much more “environmental friendly” than current petrochemical processes. Prof. Zaheer-ud-Din Khan General Secretary PBS conducted the opening ceremony of the conference.

Later, in the technical session Ozyigit from (Marmara University Turkey), U. Yasar (Bartin University Turkey), Ali (Zhejiand University China), S. Sakcali (Fatih University Turkey), Muhammad Qaisrani (NIBGE Faisalabad), Ms. T. Khanum and Mr. Aziz (KU) and Abid, M. A Qureshi (AARI Faisalabad), Ms Fatima and Muhammad Akbar (PU), M.A. Khan and Muhammad Javed (GCU Lahore) presented their research papers.

(24-11-2010)

FOUR DAY WORKSHOP ON BOTANY TECHNIQUES

Department of Botany organized a four day workshop entitles “Basic Techniques for Botany Teachers”. Thirty three teachers from various colleges of the Punjab participated. In the workshop the basic techniques regarding the plant structure study, tissue culture, micrometry, algal & fungal study and preservation, herbarium techniques, field methodologies of the vegetation analysis, DNA isolation and techniques to conserve plants through botanic garden.

(From Left to Right) Dr. Khalid Hamid Sheikh (Professor Emeritus),

Dr. Ikram-ul-Haq SI (Chief Guest) & Dr. Zaheer-ud-din Khan

(Chairperson, Department of Botany) during the Inaugural Session.

Prof. Dr. Khalid Hamid Sheikh (Professor Emeritus) was the chief guest of the inaugural session.  Speaking on the Prof Khalid Hamid encouraged the learning of basic techniques in Botany and to endorse these techniques at college level teaching. He appreciated the efforts made by the Chairperson Department of Botany and his colleagues to bridge up the gap between the university and the college teachers.

(03-02-2011)

PROF. Zaheer-ud-Din Khan gets HEC Best teacher award

Prof. Dr. Zaheer-ud-Din Khan Chairperson Department of Botany Chairperson GCU Lahore has been awarded the “Best University Teacher Award” by the High Education Commission Pakistan. The award consists of the certificate and a cash prize of Rs 0.1 million. Prof. Zaheer has been teaching Botany at the University since 1977. He has over 68 research publications to his credit, besides 13 conference proceedings. Prof. Zaheer has supervised around 101 theses at the postgraduate level.

GCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Khalid Aftab has congratulated him on his selection for the award, saying the monetary benefit and national recognition for best teachers through awards would act as catalyst for change and encourage others to enhance their efforts in the fields of teaching and research.

(24-11-2010)

GCU’s M.PHIL BOTANY STUDENTS ORGANIZED A STUDY TOUR OF KARACHI

Department of Botany organized a study tour of M.Phil. Students to the coastal lines of the Karachi to collect marine algae and to carry out the field study of the mangrove forest vegetation in November 2010. During the field study, the students not only collected the marine algal specimens but they also got to know about the food chains of the pond ecosystem and the relationship of the species among each other. The collection was made from the Haji Ali Goth, French Beach and Paradise Beach with the support of Ms. Alia of Federal Urdu University of Arts Science and Technology, Karachi.

The students also attended a lecture delivered by Dr. Babar Hussain of WWF on policies for the conservation of the marine turtles and the mangrove forest vegetation. On last day of the tour, a visit was made to Botany Department, Jinnah University Karachi. A very informative presentation was delivered by Dr. Ajmal Khan Director Halophyte Center, Karachi University during the visit of the Halophyte Center.

Dr. Ghazala Yasmeen Butt, Dr. Safdar Ali Mirza and Sohaib Muhammad supervised the study tour.

(22-11-2010)

GCU AWARDS two PhDs in Botany

The GC University Lahore awarded two Doctors of Philosophy in the filed of Botany. Roheena Abdullah completed her thesis on “studies on the production of alpha amylase by Aspergillus Oryzae using submerged fermentation” while Zahid Ali Butt did research on “utilization and improvement of Azotobacter Vinelandii for the production of Alginate.” Both the students completed their research under the supervision of GCU Dean of Sciences and Technology Dr. Ikram-ul-Haq.

(03-11-2010)

GCU awards PhD degrees IN URDU, BOTANY AND CHEMISTRY.

GC University Lahore has awarded five doctors of philosophy in the fields of Urdu, Botany, Chemistry and Statistics. Ms Samina Naeem as awarded the Doctor of Philosophy in Urdu on the completion of her thesis on ‘The Critical Analysis of Urdu Ghazal’ under the supervision of Dr Muhammad Khan Ashraf. Ms Shiasta Hameed Khan got the PhD degree for his research on Mulana Hamid Ali Khan under the guidance Prof. Dr Saadat Saeed. Mujhaid Hussain was notified Doctor of Philosophy in Botany after the approval of his thesis titled ‘Studies on the improvement of yeast strain for the biosynthesis of L-Phenylacetylcarbinol.” Hamim Bokhari was declared Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry on her work titled “Immobilized Enzyme and Cell Systems for Hydrolysis of Proteins.”

Vice Chancellor GCU Dr Khalid Aftab congratulated the researchers on the completion of their higher degrees. However, he advised the students that PhD should not be their final goal, rather it should be the beginning of a new goal for them. He said that GCU had produced 19 PhD scholars only in the filed of Mathematics in 2009.

(12-03-2010)

FIVE DAYS Int’l weed science conference on the theme of ‘Judicious Weed Management- Road to Sustainability’ begins at GCU

The 22nd International Asia-Pacific Weed Science Conference Tuesday started at the GC University Lahore. The experts from Indonesia, United States, Bangladesh, Australia, Sudan, Jordon, Iran and India are participating in the five-day conference being held on the theme of ‘Judicious Weed Management- Road to Sustainability’.

Addressing the opening session of the conference, Meritorious Professor of Weed Science Dr Khan Bahadar Marwat said the weeds lost in Pakistan amount to Rs 250 billion annually in the major field crops of maize, wheat and rice. Besides economic losses, invasive weeds are major threat to our biodiversity; many of the weeds cause allergies and also promote insect and disease proliferation. Dr Bahadar said that Canada thistle, a weed of sugarcane had developed resistance against specific herbicides and spread to other crops in Peshawar Valley.

GCU Dean of Sciences and Technology Prof. Dr Ikramul Haq said weed scientists were confronted with incalculable challenges in eradication of weeds injurious to crops. He said that the changing behaviour of weeds was also causing problems for vegetation managers, which was compelling the human attitude towards sustainable management of weeds.

Addressing the students, GCU Professor Emeritus Dr Khalid Hameed Shiekh said that all researches wee useless unless implemented. “The researches done in the filed weeds and seeds should be forwarded to the framers, so that they can draw benefits out of them,” he added.

Later, Colorado State University Professor Emeritus Robert Zindhal gave a comprehensive lecture on the ethics of weed science. Prof Dr Jamal R Qasem from University of Amman presented his findings on parasitic flowering plants in Jordon.

Around 150 presentations are scheduled to be held at the conference in the next four days of the conference. The conference will remain in session till March 12, 2010.

(10-03-2010)

22^nd Asia Pacific Weed Science Society Conference will be held in GC University Lahore, Pakistan from March 8-12, 2010.

(01-03-2010)