Beggary has always been considered as a social evil and a curse for society. Street beggars are common sight in all our towns and cities, outside the mosques and religious gatherings. Major obvious reasons for this evil are illiteracy, poverty, unemployment, biological defects and habit. Due to the pervasiveness of this social problem, many evil practices have come into existence which are destroying not only our social norms but also affecting the law and order situation of the country. So keeping in mind the hazards of beggary, Social Work Department arranged a seminar on "Anti-Beggary" in collaboration with  Directorate of Social Welfare and Bait ul Mal Punjab and Tanzeem Al Fajar Pakistan on 29th of January, 2020 at IT Hall, Lahore College for Women University. The details of seminar are given below: 

Dr Ayesha Saeed (Directorate General Social Welfare Department of Punjab), Mr.Akmal Ovaisi (Member PNCC Government of Punjab), Mr.Sibtain Raza Lodhi (National Coordinator of Civil Society Pakistan), Mrs.Rubina Shehzadi ( Incharge of Beggar Home), Professor Ijaz Yousafi (Islamic Scholar), Mrs.Sidra Zakir Butt (Social Welfare Officer) and Mrs.Iram Shahid (Chairperson Department of Social Work, LCWU) were present as speakers. The event was attended by a large number of students along with the faculty members. 

While addressing to the audience as Chief Guest, Directorate General of Social Welfare Punjab, Dr.Ayesha Saeed said that professional beggars are the root cause of social evils and there is need to bring positive and result oriented changes to establish a beggary free society. She also highlighted the effective steps and measures have so far been taken by the Government of Punjab against the professional beggars. Member PNCC Government of Punjab, Mr.Akmal Ovaisi said that it's a need of the time to minimize worst social evil of beggary from Pakistan so that we can get rid of this menace of begging by creating awareness among the students and educational institutions. National Coordinator of Civil Society Pakistan, Mr.Sibtain Raza Lodhi said that we must extend full cooperation with the Government to eradicate professional beggary and he explained the effects of beggary on society. Incharge of Beggar Home, Mrs.Rubina Shehzadi gave introduction of beggar home and explained its purpose and working. Professor Ijaz Yousafi (Islamic Scholar) explained the Islamic concept of Beggary in the light of Quran and Sunnah. Social welfare Officer, Mrs.Sidra Zakir described the role of Social Welfare Department in Anti beggary campaign. After that Mrs.Iram Shahid (Chairperson of Social Work Department, LCWU) concluded the event with note of thanks to all the guest speakers and students for their response and active participation. The event was ended with the distribution of honorary shields and certificates among guest speakers and organizers. 

Survey regarding eradication of beggary:

A survey was conducted to obtain responses, views and suggestions of participants for the eradication of this social problem. According to which:

• 72% respondents strongly agreed that beggary is a social evil.
• 64%  agreed that beggars are the ugly face of society.
• 62% said that they give alms to beggars at times.
• 91% said that this seminar is informative.
• 83%  said that very few beggars deserve aid after attending this seminar.
• 76% agreed that poverty is a main reason for begging.
• 63% agreed that beggars earn more than a laborer.
• 78% agreed that begging is a Mafia control profession.
• 73% agreed that beggary is sponsored by certain agencies.
• 71% suggested that state should rehabilitate the beggars in order to eliminate the menace of beggary.
• 67% suggested that government should generate funds to deal with the vagrancy, adulation and exploitation caused by begging.
• 76% suggested that beggary should be prohibited by strict laws.

Suggestion:

Following measures need to be taken to eliminate the curse of beggary from our society such as:

• There should be awareness raising programs against Beggar Mafia through electronic and social media which have great influence on our lives.
• Stringent policy formulation and its implementation by the responsible institutions needs to be ensured.
• Government should introduce some schemes and training for beggars through which they can earn their future living.
• Professional beggars must be arrested and set to some work.
• Disabled and weak beggars must be kept in charitable institutions. They must be given some light work like knitting, washing, cooking etc.
• Child beggars should be sent to school and Government should look after them.
• As a citizen we should discourage beggars by not giving alms to them.

3-Day International seminar on Pakistan-Iran Relations
21st to 23rd January 2020
1st Day

Persian Department Organized a Book “گامِ اول (اردو)” Launch ceremony on 21st Jan 2020. This ceremony is held on connection with a 3-Day International seminar on Pakistan-Iran Relations arranged by Persian, Political Science and International Relations department Lahore College for Women University Lahore.
Dr. Bushra Mirza, Honorable Vice Chancellor, LCWU, Lahore. Dr. Reza Morad Sahrai, Vice President Saadi Foundation, Tehran-Iran / Director for Higher Education, Tehran-Iran, Dr. Morteza Noor Mohammadi, Associate Professor, Allama Tabatabai University, Tehran-Iran, Mr. Imran Masood, Vice Chancellor, South Asia University, Lahore, Mr. Razai Fard, Director General Iran Culture Center, various Deans, Directors, COD’s, faculty members of LCWU and others colleges graced the function with their presence. A large number of students also attended the ceremony.

The Book “گامِ اول (اردو)” is written by Mr. Raza Murad Sehrai Vice president Saadi foundation Tehran/Director for Higher Education Tehran, and his fellows. Dr. Faleeha Zahra Kazmi, COD Persian Department has reviewed the book. It is written to fill its long-felt desideratum and cater the needs of all those who are interested in learning Persian, one of the widely spoken languages of the world. As the need of learning this language is increasing day by day, this book can play a significant role. Lahore College for Women University Lahore especially Persian Department has provided its full sport in publication & launch of the book. All the guests in their respective speeches highlighted the role of Persian language in strengthening Pakistan-Iran deep rooted relations and expressed hope that this book in accordance with its name will prove to be the first and good step in right direction.

The book was launched and presented to the honorable guests along with the souvenirs. The ceremony was followed by a delightful tea.

2nd Day of the seminar was organized by Persian, Political Science and International Relations Departments where Honorable Senator Muhammad Talha Mehmood Chairman Senators Committee, Senate of Pakistan was the Chief Guest, Among other honorable guests there were Mr. Raza Naziri the Consulate General of Iran at Lahore, Dr. Raza Murad Sahrai, Dr. Murtaza Noor Muhammadi, Mr. Razai Fard Director General Iran Culture Center, Lahore, Deans, Directors, Registrar, Principal and faculty members of various departments graced the occasion whereas a large number of students also attended the Programme.

2nd Day of the seminar started with recitation of the Holy Quraan by Hafiza Zainab (8th Semester Persian) after which a very information documentary on the Pakistan-Iran historical relations, their common interests and values by Rimsha Ali (Ph.D Scholar Persian). Then audience especially Honorable guests enjoyed Iranian National anthem and Pakistani National song beautifully presented by Persian Department students in their melodious voice.

Then the honorable guests and the COD’s of all the three departments exchanged their ideas about importance of the bilateral relations of both the sister countries and emphasized on the fact that through educational MOUs both the countries can be benefited with each other’s knowledge, research projects and may find the solution to various problems,
They also expressed hope that as Iran and Pakistan has stood by each other through thick and thin, there mutual cooperation will continue in future as well. Then souvenirs were presented to the honorable guests. In the end a delightful launch was served.

23rd January 2020, 3rd day of 3-Day International Seminar was organized by International Relations & Political Science departments. Chief Guest of 3rd day was Lt-Gen Javaid Hassan (Retd) where as Dr. Raza Murad Sehrai, Dr. Noor Muhammad and Mr. Imran Masood, former Education Minister Punjab was honorable guest speakers.

Dr. Sehrai and Dr. Noor Muhammadian presented their valuable research papers, while Mr. Imran Masood shared his thoughts about Pakistan-Iran foreign policies & relations and enlightened the minds of audience Faculty members as well as students of various departments. Lt-Gen Mr. Javaid Hassan (Retd) while sharing his views and memories said that Iran has always been our most peaceful neighbor. We never had any security threats from Iran border, which has remained a great blessing. He also expressed hope that our mutual ties, are based on trust and harmony and will be more fastened in future. Then the Vice Chancellor Dr. Bushra Mirza presented her Vote of thanks in the end souvenirs were presented to the honorable guests organizers of the seminar and a delightful tea was served.

The 2 days International Seminar titled "Ghalib and Faiz Two Times One Language" was organized by Lahore College for Women University in collaboration with Higher Education comission. Eminent researchers presented their research articles. This seminar was followed by an ''Aalmi Mushaira'' .The eminent poets presented their words. well known pakistani poet Amjad Islam Amjad, presided the Aalmi Mushaira in Lahore College for women university.

Speaking at the event Vice Chancellor LCWU Prof. Dr. Bushra Mirza said: “literary activities should be arranged on a regular basis, and  Aalmi Mushaira was one way of going about it. I think we were able to create environment for  poetry lovers. I believe that if literary activities keep happening, they can lessen the sociopolitical tensions in society.

Renowned poets including Akhtar Shama, Abbas Tabash, Ashfaq Ahmad Waqar, Fakhr Abbas, Murali Chauhan, Saud Usmani, Rehman Faris, Dr. Hamira Irshad, Wafa Yazdan, Agar Nadeem Sahar attended the event.

On another day, The International Seminar titled "Persian and Urdu Resistance Literature" was organized by Lahore College for Women University in collaboration with Higher Education. Dr. Amjad Tufail and Jamil Ahmed Adeel shared their views on the event. Eminent researchers presented their thesis work. Well-known authors including Dr. Hamira Ashfaq, Dr. Afzal Butt, Dr. Tahir Abbas, Dr. Asif Ali Chatha, Dr. Ali Kamel Qazilbash attended the seminar. At the end , Dr. Hamira Irshad, Chairperson of the Urdu Department thanked all the guests and presented them complimentary shields.

Prof. Dr. Bushra Mirza, Vice Chancellor Lahore College for Women University inaugurated IT Data / Service Centre in the University. The inauguration ceremony was held at IT Department LCWU, Lahore. Speaking at the occasion, the VC LCWU Prof. Dr. Bushra Mirza said,

''I am truly delighted to be here to inaugurate IT DATA  Centre, This is yet another landmark in the landscape of the university, I am truly impressed by the growth of modern amenities and infrastructure, I hope that the potential of IT Data Center will be fully utilized by the students in general and IT students in particular.''

Dr. Muhammad Abuzar fahiem Chairperson of Computer Science Department & Director IT said that keeping in mind the imperative needs of technological advancement, LCWU has established a state-of-the-art Data Center.LCWU is connected securely with Data Center for Data communication.

The Centre is established on an area of 2275 Square Feet with a funding of 5.688 Million provided by Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. The Centre would act as a hub for close interaction of IT Staff for the seamless provision of IT Services throughout the University. Through the establishment of this Centre, the University would be able to implement Domain, Exchange, Storage, FTP, NMS, Web, Proxy, etc. services. This Centre would also play a pivotal role in the computerization of the University and implementing its own University Management System. The Centre would open new horizons of IT Services for the faculty, staff and students of the University and would further the quality research and teaching of the University.

The Vice Chancellor appreciated the efforts of all stake holders, especially the IT Team, in establishing this Centre.

The ceremony was attended by Director IT, Deans, and Staff of Lahore College for women University.

Faisalabad Art Council arranged an exhibition of calligraphy to tribute late Calligrapher Hafiz Anjum Mehmood on 30 December 2019. Khatat Masjid Nabwi, Ustad Shafeeq- uz- Zamaa was the honorable chief guest of that ceremony. The purpose of this Exhibition is to throw a light on the work of late Hafiz Anjum Mehmood ‘s  Islamic calligraphy .
                       
Respected Director Administration of LCWUJC, Mrs. Rimza Sikandar along with Miss Manila Afzal and the Students of BFA (Craft and Textile Design, LCWUJC) visited the exhibition to show their respect and honor to the legend of calligraphy. He was also a part of LCWUJC for the last twelve years.
Some glimpses of the event

Report on One day Workshop by Sahera Hashmi on Self Management and Leadership Skills or Attributes
By Dr. Saima Eman

We are grateful to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Bushra Mirza and the Chairperson Department of Applied Psychology, Prof. Dr. Talat Sohail, Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) for providing us with the opportunity to organize a one-day workshop on behalf of the Psychological Society, LCWU for the purpose of self awareness and self management of students and the faculty of Department of Applied Psychology, LCWU.

A one-day workshop on Self Management and Leadership Skills/Attributes by Ms. Sahera Hashmi was organized by Dr. Saima Eman, Assistant Professor (Department of Applied Psychology, LCWU) for the faculty and students of Department of Applied Psychology, Lahore College for Women University on 14 January 2020.

Ms. Sahera Hashmi, the resource person for this workshop, is a research consultant and a trainer. Ms. Sahera Hashmi has worked in the development sector and her areas of focus have been women’s legislation, women empowerment, politics, and the role of women in Pakistani politics.  She is a motivational speaker and engages youth on self management, behavior management and leadership skills. She has written a book on “From unconsciousness to consciousness”.

At the beginning of the session, the students performed a self-reflective activity in the corridor outside the venue under the directions of Ms. Sahera Hashmi. After that, she delivered a lecture building on daily examples from Pakistani versus Western culture. She quoted prominent models of inspiration from history. Ms. Sahera shared her own work experiences at various UN organizations. Ms. Sahera also conducted an introduction activity in which each of the students talked about their career goals. Ms. Sahera carried out a card activity in which each student had to write “I am a Leader” with a pen. Students were asked if they recognized their own handwriting. Then they were explained the purpose of this activity.

At the end of the workshop, Ms. Sahera Hashmi received a shield by Chairperson, Prof. Dr. Talat Sohail at Department of Applied Psychology, LCWU. This workshop was well received by the students. The students said that they had learned a lot from this workshop and this was “the point of beginning of change” in their thoughts. They also said that this workshop provided them with the opportunity to know their selves and created self-awareness. Students also expressed a desire to further attend such trainings and workshops.