EDUCATION

Homage paid to Dr S.K. Malik
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh July 9
A condolence meeting of teaching and non-teaching employees of Panjab University was held at the university auditorium today to pay homage to Dr S.K. Malik, Professor of Mathematics and Dean, Foreign Students Welfare, who passed on Saturday.

The meeting observed a two-minutes silence in memory of the departed soul and expressed their sympathies with Mrs Malik and other members of the family.

Prof Malik was born on September 8, 1942, and obtained his PhD degree from Delhi University in 1967. He worked as a research associate at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA, after which he joined Panjab University in 1971. He became a Professor in 1984. Prof Malik remained Chairman of the Centre for Advanced Studies in Mathematics from 1995 to 1998. He became the Dean Students Welfare, in 1999 and Director, International Exchange Programme in August 2000.

A highly decorated faculty member of the university, Prof Malik had been honoured with the Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar award in Mathematical Science in 1985, the highest honour in science and engineering. He had also received the Megh Nad Saha award of UGC in 1995, the V.V. Narlikar award of Indian National Science Academy in 1997; the Platinum Jubilee award lecture of the Indian Science Congress 1997; the P.L. Bhatnagar Award of the Indian Mathematical society 1998; the Sir James Lighthill Memorial award lecture of India Mathematical Society 1999, the Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary visiting fellowship award 2000 and the A.C. Banerji Memorial Lecture award of National Academy of Sciences 2001.

Prof Malik had also been selected as the fellow of the Indian National Science Academy and the Indian Academy of Sciences. Prof Malik had also been the council member of many scientific societies and institutions and chaired many national and international conferences. He led Indian delegations for many International conferences and attended many national and international conferences.

An active researcher, Prof Malik’s area of interest was the study of non-linear stability, non-linear waves, bifurcation phenomenon and chaos in various physical systems. He had published more than 70 research papers in International journals. He had also authored or edited six books. 

Admn signs contract with Compucom
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, July 9
A five-year contract was signed between Compucom Software Limited, a Jaipur-based ISO-2001 certified company, and the UT Education Department to impart information technology and computer courses for Class VI to Class XII in 65 UT government schools here today.

The agreement was signed on behalf of the Administration by the Deputy Secretary Education and Director Public Instructions (Schools), Mr D.S. Saroya, and the General Manager, Compucom Software Limited, Mr G.K. Garg.

As per the agreement the classes — which will be optional — will commence during the current academic session. The company has to start within eight weeks from today.

Mr Garg referred to news items appearing in a section of the Press wherein it was stated that the company offering computer courses for Rs 50 per student per month in Rajasthan has quoted Rs 72 per student per month in Chandigarh.

He clarified the difference in rate is due to very high student computer ratio and student faculty ratio. In Rajasthan for first 100 students only two computers are to be provided but the UT Education Department has fixed minimum five computers for 125 students in such a way that each student individually gets a hand on training for a minimum of two hours in a week.

Similarly for 20 students a qualified instructor is required to be provided by the firm. The firm shall also provide free education to economically weaker students . The number of such students would be five per cent of the total enrollment for computer education to be shortlisted by a committee of three faculty members of a particular school on merit-cum-means basis.

The Administration has prescribed specification of computer systems and other information technology related products would be provided by the firm which includes multimedia computers (Intel, Pentium, P3, ISO 9002, windows certified and y2k compliant).

The company would provide licensed softwares as per the requirements of syllabi at each school. Internet facility would also be provided to the students. The examination of computer education services imparted by the firm would be taken by an examining body as decided by the Administration at appropriate level, apart from certification by the firm.

The UT Education Department may decide the process where joint certification may be allowed. For the purpose of imparting computer services the firm shall prepare the instructional material books in consonance with the syllabi prescribed for all level of students after getting the same approved by the Director Public Instructions (Schools).

The books and instructional material to the students and teachers concerned would be supplied free of cost. Five school teachers of each school would get free of cost training every year.

Science stream seats filled
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, July 9
On the third day of admissions to the government schools, seats in the science stream for the general category students in GMSS School Sector 37, were filled with cut off percentage being 77.4.

In Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 19, a few seats were still available in the science stream for the general category applicants.

As many as 828 students have been enrolled in science, 90 in commerce 16 in humanities and six in vocational courses stream, respectively, till date. About 500 more students were expected to take admission in the government schools tomorrow with percentage, ranging from 74.8 to 70 per cent.

The general category seats in the science stream in GMSSS, Sector 16, and GMSSS, Sector 35, were already filled up. Details of the seats filled up in the government schools till date were as follows.

PU exam results
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh July 9
The results of the following examinations held by Panjab University were declared here today:

BSc III (HS) microbiology; BSc III (HS) Mathematics; BSc III (HS) bio-chemistry; BE (Mechanical) VI semester; BE (Computer Science and Engineering) III semester and BE (E & Ec.) III semester.

Test admit cards despatched
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 9
Panjab University has stated that the admit cards of candidates who are appearing in the entrance test for admission to the MSc (Information Technology) course to be held on July 11 have been despatched. If any candidate had not received his admit card/roll number he could contact university officials at the PU New Enquiry Building, Chandigarh, for the city centre and Ramgarhia Girls College, Millerganj, Ludhiana, for the Ludhiana centre.

Harjit Khanna given farewell
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 9
Mrs Harjit Khanna, who retired as Principal, GGS College for Women, Sector 26, on June 30, was given a farewell at the Lake Club yesterday by college teaching staff.

In her address, Mrs Khanna, who served the college for 25 years, said the credit of her success goes to the cooperation and assistance of the college management and staff.

The officiating Principal, Mrs Bhupinder Kaur, expressed her gratitude to Mrs Khanna for her contribution in making the college as one of the prestigious institutions in the region.

Among others who spoke on the occasion were Mr Bharpur Singh, secretary Sikh Educational Society, Col. Jasmer Singh Bala (retd), joint secretary, Sikh Educational Society, and Mrs Jaslene Dhaliwal.

Another protester picked up
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, July 9
The city police picked up another member of the Unemployment Elementary Teachers Training Union, Ms Veerpal Kaur, here today. The city police, along with a lady constable reached the spot at about 9.20 p.m. and took her away amidst great protest from the members of the union.

The president of the union, Mr Sukhwinder Singh Chahal, said their agitation had been going on for the past 20 days.

He added that five of their members were in a serious condition and had been admitted to the General Hospital.

COURTS

Claims at pre-litigation stage discussed
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 9
Procedures and modalities for filing of claims at the pre-litigation stage, besides ways and means for speedy settlement of cases for the recovery of bank loans through lok adalats, were discussed during a meeting of controlling executives working with nationalised banks operating in Punjab. The meeting was convened by the Punjab Legal Services Authority and was presided over by Mr Justice H.S. Bedi of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The controlling executives were also informed about the benefits of getting the cases settled through the lok adalats, including the fact that the decision was quick and free from legal hassles, and the award had the “force of the decree passed by a civil court”.

Addressing the participants, the Member Secretary of the Punjab Legal Services Authority, Mr H.P.S. Mahal, revealed that 23,883 bank loan cases at the pre-litigation stage were taken up till June 30 for amicable settlement during 30 special lok adalats exclusively held all over Punjab. Another 2,024 cases, pending in the courts, were also taken up.

Giving details, he added that 9,845 cases at the pre-litigation stage and 534 cases pending in the courts were decided and Rs 40,28,63,124 were awarded. He also stated that two special lok adalats for settlement of compoundable criminal cases were also held at Patiala and Hoshiarpur in which 3,707 cases were taken up of which 2,010 cases were amicably settled.