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Express Tribune
16-07-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
NED test results reveal Sindh's education divide
The aptitude test results of NED University of Engineering and Technology have revealed a troubling academic performance among students from various educational boards across Sindh except for those in Karachi. Despite the fact that the test is typically attempted by high-achieving A-one and A-graders in their intermediate exams, a significant number failed to make the cut. Out of 9,388 students who appeared for the test, only 68.1 per cent passed, while 2,990 students were unsuccessful. Students from boards outside Karachi performed poorly in comparison, with the overall passing rate from these boards falling below 46 per cen. The Hyderabad Board recorded a failure rate of 53.3 per cent, with 406 out of 764 students failing. Larkana Board saw 219 out of 322 students fail, resulting in a 68.1per cent failure rate. Similarly, 308 out of 522 students from the Mirpurkhas Board failed, giving it a 59.1 per cent failure rate. The Nawabshah Board reported a 55.2 per cent failure rate with 144 out of 261 students failing, while Sukkur Board had a 66.2 per cent failure rate, with 176 out of 266 students failing the test. In stark contrast, students from the Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK) performed significantly better. Only 1,387 out of 5,951 students failed, resulting in a relatively low failure rate of 23.4 per cent. Performance from other boards was also comparatively stronger. The Federal Board had 257 students appear for the test, of which 202 passed and 55 failed. Meanwhile, students from the Cambridge system showed the highest success rate over 98 per cent; 455 out of 483 students passed and only 28 failed . The dismal results from many districts in Sindh have raised concerns regarding students' academic preparedness for engineering and technology programmes. Chairman of the Inter-Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC) Karachi and Sindh Professor Faqir Muhammad Lakho expressed his concern over the performance. Speaking to The Express Tribune, he remarked, "The results surprised us too. Karachi has more resources, and students here often attend private tuition alongside regular college. The city's academic environment is very different from other districts." He further noted that students from remote areas face additional challenges such as travelling long distances to Karachi to take the test. "The stress and fatigue from travel impact their performance," he explained. Professor Lakho suggested that NED should establish regional testing centres across Sindh, similar to the model used for the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT), to alleviate the burden on students and potentially improve their results. When asked about the low passing percentage in BIEK results, the chairman replied that this time they had set up 11 assessment centres and appointed a monitoring in charge at each centre. No teacher is allowed to take the exam papers home, and he himself visited the assessment centres.
Express Tribune
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Call to preserve Pakistan's built heritage
The Third Harappa International Conference brought together leading scholars, urban planners, policymakers and cultural experts from around the world in the federal capital. Themed, "Human Settlements in Transition: From Historic Roots to Future Visions in South Asia," it was kicked off on Friday at COMSATS University Islamabad. The conference was inaugurated by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry. In his address, Dr Chaudhry highlighted the importance of drawing lessons from South Asia's urban heritage to build inclusive and resilient cities. He also emphasised the role of the conference in connecting the young student body of the Department of Architecture with their historical roots, encouraging students to actively contribute to initiatives aimed at national progress. He further expressed his resolve to take recommendations from such scholarly events into consideration for policymaking and relevant governing bodies. Addressing the occasion, COMSATS University Islamabad Rector Professor Dr Sajid Qamar, reiterated his commitment to enhancing academia's role in preserving and promoting built heritage. Dr Qamar said that we find ourselves at a critical junction where rapid industrialisation, urbanisation, and technological advancement are reshaping the very fabric of how and where we live. In this context, revisiting the lessons of the past becomes not just relevant but essential. He said that as our cities today continue to expand in unsustainable ways, we are seeing several critical issues like Environmental degradation and inequitable access to public spaces, for which we must shift towards visioning for tomorrow while being grounded in the wisdom of the past. Delivering the keynote address, Professor Dr Noman Ahmed, Acting Vice Chancellor of NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, stressed the urgent need for inclusive, resilient, and context-sensitive planning to address South Asia's rapidly evolving urban landscapes.
Express Tribune
14-02-2025
- Express Tribune
Power of AI brings Urdu books to life
KARACHI: Engineers at NED University of Engineering and Technology claim to have developed an Artificial Intelligence-powered application that brings Urdu books to life. The app can convert printed Urdu text from images or fonts into editable digital files. The text is then transformed into speech, creating an audiobook from any Urdu text. "The beta version of the app is expected to be released within the next three months," the project lead, Associate Professor Dr Majida Kazmi, told The Express Tribune. The app is capable of adjusting font sizes ranging from 8 to 40, while also offering 135 different script styles, she said, adding that the app will allow users to quickly translate websites from various languages, including English, into Urdu, making content more accessible. The project has been supported by the Anjuman Tarqi Urdu. Despite Urdu being the 10th most spoken language in the world, its digital footprint has been limited, Dr Kazmi said. The project aims to address this gap by making Urdu texts - whether from books, articles, or other sources - machine-readable. One of the project's features is its ability to convert Urdu text to speech, providing a synthetic voice with clear and accurate pronunciation. This ensures that users can listen to the content with an authentic Urdu accent. The technology has even been tested with older newspapers, proving its versatility in handling diverse types of written Urdu.
