LUMS ACHIEVE HIGHEST PASS RATIO IN CSS EXAMS 2016

Lahore, 26th December 2016:The Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Pakistan’s top-tier leading education institute,proved its competence by achieving the highest pass ratio in the Central Superior Services (CSS) examination 2016.

Every year thousands of candidates appear for this test across Pakistan, considering it as the most promising career prospect in the country. This year 9,643 candidates appeared for the CSS written test. However, only 202 (2.09%) of these qualified. This is the lowest percentage of successful students since 2011, where only 4 out of the 150 universities were able to showcase a double digit success rate.  

However, this year students from the province of Punjabrepresented the highest number of successful candidates. Given the performance of the candidates, the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) students stood out with the best passing percentage of 23%, followed by IBA Sukkur (14%), NUST (12%), UET (7%), and the University of Punjab (1.5%). Out of the 70 candidates from LUMS who appeared for the examination, 16 of them  passed the written test representing the best pass-fail ratio among the 150 varsities.

This is yet another feather in the cap for LUMS. From winning multiple Fulbright scholarships each year to receiving local awards, LUMS students are constantly reinforcing this reputation of achieving excellence. The past years has seen LUMS graduates successfully join the government service and serve in key positions in the government, contributing highly towards the success and development of the society and the nation as a whole.

Complete Guide for a Boat Trip

Amidst the hustle and bustle of life, people tend to crave some time away from their work. They want to spend this time relaxing and unwinding all those pent up emotions. They tend to spend their time off by going on vacations.

These vacations not only aim at relaxing your body and mind but also at exploring a new place and culture. People believe that in order to do this, the duration of the vacation needs to be long. However, it is important that the key to enjoying your trip does not lie in the time spent rather it lies in what you do to make the trip a memorable one.
One of the best ways to enjoy your vacation is by going on a boat trip. This is perhaps because water, which is one of the four elements of life, is associated with purity, healing and cleansing. This is one reason why people get a feeling of serenity when they you are surrounded by water from all sides.

If you are someone who loves spending time near or in the water, then this article by Jovago Pakistan is a must read for you as it provides a complete guide for going on a boat trip.

What is boat Trip?
Boat trip is basically getting on a boat to explore the beauty that the water beholds. It is one sport that can be undertaken by a person irrespective of the age, gender or experience.

Where can you go on a boat trip?
As boating is a water sport, it is done at water bodies such as rivers, lakes and seas. It is done at places where the water level is high.

Activities to do when on a boat trip
* Fishing
Whether you are at a lake or at the coastal area, fishing is one activity that is a must do. You can get hold of all those popular fish that are found in the respective water body. Fish that are found at freshwater sites are different from those found in coastal areas.

* Exploring
If you are someone who loves to explore new places and their culture, then boating provides you with the perfect opportunity to experience a different culture if you go about and explore the local places. You can even buy the souvenirs which are mostly made of shells, to remind you of the memorable time spent.

* Water sports
Are you a fan of adventure and thrill? Then avail the opportunity to indulge in fun filled excursions that the boating trip provides you in the form of water skiing, swimming, tubing and even snorkeling.

If you have any other information which is important for a boating excursion, then do share it with us in the comments section below.

Pakistan-the Land of Gemstones

People say that Pakistan has been blessed by Mother Nature in many ways. Be it the strategic location or the sheer beauty, Pakistan has got it all. The variety of landscapes that can be seen in various parts of Pakistan, from the world’s highest mountain ranges in the North to the wide yet deep coastal line in the South, allures tourists from all over the world towards themselves.

When people see the natural beauty of the various landforms and get entranced by it, they think that there can be nothing more spectacular than these picturesque views. However, Mother Nature proves them wrong. Beneath these landforms, lies a completely different world that encompasses beauty in a rare form.

This hidden world is full of natural resources that are essential for human life. Among these various natural resources, there are gems and stones which are not only used as ornaments but have other purposes as well. Pakistan is among those few countries that are also blessed in the department of these gems and stones which are not only rare but exquisite as well. To provide a glimpse of the various gems and stones that are hidden beneath the surface, Jovago Pakistan brings you an article.

* Emerald
The green colored gem, with hues of yellow and blue, entrances the beholder with its exquisite beauty. The best-known emeralds, which are in a transparent, sea-green color, are mostly extracted in Mingora which is the largest city in Swat District. Emeralds deposits are also found in the Northern Areas of Pakistan.

* Topaz
Topaz is famous for the different colors that can be seen in different crystal directions. Therefore, the most favored topaz is one which is step cut and is only found in Pakistan. The gemstone is found in Chitral, Gilgit Agency and Kalam.

* Aquamarine
The transparent gem which ranges from sky blue to sea green in color belongs to the beryl group of stones. The stone is always step cut to enhance its beauty. Aquamarine deposits can be found in the Shigar valley, Chitral, Kaghan and Neelum valley.

* Ruby
The red colored stone is very popular when it comes to its usage in the ornaments. As the deposits of ruby are found in rugged land, it is quite difficult to mine it. Hunza valley is home to the largest ruby deposits in Pakistan. After Burma, the only region in the world to produce ‘Blood Red’ is Hunza valley. The ruby belt in Hunza valley stretches over an area of 100 kilometers.

If you have information on any other stone that is found in Pakistan, then do share it with us in the comments section below.

Items Which Are Important to Make Your Trip Safe and Secure

While traveling itself can be an enjoyable excursion, there are various aspects that revolve around it that need to be looked upon in order to ensure that you have a great time. Safety and security is one important aspect that needs to be taken care of when one is traveling. It is important that you take a good care of your belongings so that your trip does not get spoiled when you lose a valuable.
To help you keep your luggage safe, Jovago Pakistan brings you an exclusive article on the items that you need carry in order to make your travel voyage secure.

* Carrying security neck pouches/wallet
If you are traveling internationally or to an unknown place, it is better to carry your valuables in a neck pouch/ wallet. These are hidden beneath your clothes and are therefore concealed from the others around you.

* Carrying customized cases
Instead of packing your valuables in your suitcase, it is better that you carry them in a customized case that can be easily slipped under the seat in front of you or keep it stashed between your feet.

* Using locks to secure cases
Securing your suitcase to the nearest seat with a luggage lock will make it less probable that somebody snatches away your baggage. By locking your cases, you can fall asleep or head out to use the restroom without worrying about the safety of your belongings.

* Carrying packable travel bags
If your travel excursion is for a short duration, then it is highly recommended that you carry packable travel bags with you. These bags are available in the form of tote or duffel bags. They can be folded up easily in your bag and can be expanded to fit several gifts and other valuables.

* Taking safe-hidden travel wallet
This item is a must carry for all those travelers out there as it can help in hiding all your valuables such as cash, credit cards etc. This wallet is designed to keep the moisture away and can be easily strapped around your calf.

If you have any other information on the items that you should carry to have a safe and secure trip, then do share it with us in the comments section below.

Five tips to mastering the LUMS Open Day

2016 is almost at a close, and as the New Year draws near, ‘deadline’ is the buzzword du jour for students all over. Test registration deadline, academic references deadline, personal statement deadline, attesteddocuments submission deadline – if you’re looking to head to university, it’s likely that deadlines are all you’re currently thinking about. Before you dive into the deadline pool, however, there is one decisionthat precedes all the fever: figuring out which universities to apply to in the first place.

While knowing your major subject or a specific field of study can help a lot when deciding where to apply, the university experience (especially at the undergraduate level) is about far more than merely academics. Campus life, the facilities on offer, extra-curricular activities, and the demographic of your fellow students all play a crucial role in determining which universities catch your eye, and what institution holds the coveted place of ‘dream school’ in your mind.

Talking to alumni, university brochures,and websites are all great ways to gather information about your prospective university; however, Open Days offer students the best insights by covering all aspects of life. It is only by visiting a campus in person and actually experiencing on ground the actual life of a particular university that one can really know what it’s like to be a student there. Moreover, Open Days allow students to meet the admissions personnel who will be assessing their applications, giving you a chance to pick up valuable tips about what they’re looking for in successful candidates– whether undergraduate or post-graduate.

While prevalent in most countries abroad, the majority of universities in Pakistan do not organise regular Open Days. The Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), the country’s most pre-eminent higher education institution, is an exception to this rule. This year, LUMS is holding 3 separateOpen Days in Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad. And if you’re looking to join the august crowd of notable LUMS alumni, these five tips will give you great insights on what to look out for and what questions to ask, so you can make the most of the short time slot available.

1.    Research:Before you head to LUMS for their Open Day, do some quick research. The University website is a great source of hardcoreofficial information, but if you really want to get a feel for what LUMS students think and feel, make sure you check out their official social media pageson Facebook,Twitter,LinkedIn. Be sure to look at the comments under specific posts, and to look at what content has been re-posted, re-Tweeted etc.

2.    Campus Life:Coming to an Open Day is the best way to assess the chemistry between you and the university. Each of us has a set of priorities and expectations from our academic institutions;so visit the campus in real life and see if it checks all the boxes you’re looking for.Check out the library, labs, classrooms, cafeterias, sports centre, and grounds. See the campus in real-time.

3.    Chat with existing students:And while roaming around the campus, take a moment to catch up with existing students and let them tell you about their experiences so far. If cornering an unsuspecting student doesn’t appeal to you, ask your student tour guide if they are part of any societies, where they go out in the evening, and how they knew that this university was the right choice for them.

4.    Know the curriculum and faculty: Be sure you know what subjects are being offered – and if you really want to make an impression, research the professors who will be teaching the subjects you are most interested in. The Open Day is your chance to interact with your potential future teachers and offers a unique opportunity for you to impress them with your knowledge of their academic work.

5.    Queries and Fee structure: This is also the best time to meet financial advisors, who can answer all your potential queries. One-on-one conversations are possibly the best way to get information about financial support such as scholarships, flexi-payments of tuition fee, support for disability, and student loans.

More than anything else, the LUMS Open Day gives you a chance to put yourself in the shoes of a real Luminite. By the end of the day, you should be in a much better position to assess whether or not LUMS is the right fit for you and you for it. It’s also important to remember that Open Days – especially those held by LUMS – are not exclusive to those looking to dip their toes into Higher Education. From post-graduate applicants to management executives looking to hone their professional skills, Open Days are a font of knowledge and experience. It may be worthwhile dropping by even if you are only toying with the idea of returning to academia.You never know,you might end up surprising yourself by enrolling in an after-work post-gradclass or short course which could end up playing an integral role in your career.

5 Destinations in Pakistan to Head Out to This Winter Season

The four seasons are a blessing of Mother Nature for human beings. They provide Earth to experience the different changes that occur in the weather. There are only a handful of countries all over the globe that are able to experience all four seasons and enjoy the various offerings as a result of the changes in weather.

Pakistan is one those countries that are blessed with the opportunity to enjoy all the four seasons. The various natural wonders that the country possesses, enthrall  travellers with the  different views in all the four seasons.

As the winter season is just around the corner, Jovago Pakistan brings to you a list of 5 destinations in Pakistan that are a must visit in the cold season.

1.    Hunza valley

Referred to as heaven on Earth, Hunza is situated at an approximate distance of 100 kilometers from Gilgit. Hunza is a valley in the region of Gilgit Baltistan and is situated at the North/ West side of the Hunza River. The valley is surrounded by various mountain peaks and provides a stunning view in the winter season when the snow encase these mountains in a white blanket.

      2.  Ziarat Valley

Ziarat valley is located in the Ziarat District, Balochistan. It is basically a hill station that is located at an altitude of 8000 feets. The valley is home to the world’s second largest juniper forest with its Juniper trees being one of the oldest trees in the world. A stunning view, which is certainly enchanting, is provided to the travellers when the area is covered with a blanket of snow in the winter season.

      3.  Leepa Valley

Located at a distance of 45 kilometers from Muzaffarabad, the Leepa Valley is considered to be one the most stunning wonders that Azad Kashmir seem to possess. The valley is surrounded by mountains. The pine trees which cover these mountains provide an picturesque allure in the winter season when snow decides to wrap them in its white blanket.

       4.  Quetta

The capital city of Balochistan, which is the largest province of Pakistan. The city is famous for the Pashtun delicacies that comprise of delicious fruits, both dry and fresh. As a result, Quetta is known as the fruit garden of Pakistan. Although it gets pretty cold in the winter season, Quetta offers an alluring sight to the travelers that makes it a must-visit destination.

   5.  Malam Jabba

Malam Jabba is the only ski resort in Pakistan and is a popular tourist destination where tourists head to in order to enjoy the winter season. It is equipped with various tourist facilities including chair lift, ice-skating rinks and skiing platforms.

If you have any information on any other tourist destination that is a must visit in the winter season, then do share it with us in the comments section below.

  

5 Famous Sufi Shrines in Pakistan

Pakistan is among those few countries that are blessed in various departments. Apart from the sheer natural beauty that Pakistan possesses, the country also has a diverse yet rich heritage and culture. This can be contributed to the various dynasties and civilizations that have resided, over the course of history, in this part of the South Asia.

The diversity that the country possesses in the form of various tourist sites, pertaining to different facets of history, religion, culture etc, is phenomenal. One aspect of this diversity can be seen through a large number of Sufi shrines that are spread all over the country. Keeping in mind the large number of devotees that these shrines attract, Jovago brings you an exclusive article on the 5 famous Sufi Shrines in Pakistan.

1.    Data Darbar, Lahore

Situated in the city considered to be the heart of Pakistan, Data Darbar is the shrine of the famous Sufi saint Hazrat Abul Hassan Ali Hajvery, who is commonly known as Data Ganj Baksh. The Sufi mausoleum is one of the oldest Muslim shrines in South Asia. It was built in 11th century by Sultan Zakiruddin Ibrahim, one of the rulers of the Ghaznavi Dynasty, and is located near the Bhatti gate.

     2.   Shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, Sehwan Sharif

Syed Muhammad Usman Marwandi, popularly known as Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, was a 12th century Sufi. He traveled to various parts of the subcontinent and then finally resided in the area which is known today as Sehwan. The saint is adorned not only by Muslims but Hindus as well.

     3.   Shrine of Abdullah Shah Ghazi, Karachi

The largest Sufi shrine in the largest city of Pakistan is that of the shrine of Abdullah Shah Ghazi. The shrine was built, almost 10 centuries ago, on a sandy hill on the coastal area of Karachi. It is believed that the saint protects the city from the cyclones.

   4.  Mausoleum of Hazrat Baha-ud-Din Zakaria, Multan

Multan, which is known as the city of saints, is the resting place for the famous Sufi saint Hazrat Baha-ud-Din Zakaria. The mausoleum was built in 1267 and is made from red bricks. It suffered during the British Rule but was restored by people belonging to different faiths.

 

   5. Shrine of Ghulam Farid Shakar Ganj, Pakpatan

Fareeduddin Masood Ganjshakar, popularly known as Baba Farid, is a Sufi saint belonging to the Chishti clan of the Muslims. The white mausoleum made of marble in Pakpattan, Punjab is said to have a Bahishtī Darwāza, or 'Gate of Paradise' .

If you have information on any other Sufi shrine in Pakistan, then do share it with us in the comments section below.

Do’s and Don'ts of Purchasing Products During Black Friday

The largest shopping extravaganza is just around the corner. It will mark the official start of the holiday and shopping season all over the world. Amidst the globalization, there can be seen an exchange of not only people but tradition and culture as well. The western event of ‘Black Friday” was introduced in Pakistan in 2015.

The initial launch of Black Friday proved to be a massive hit among shoppers. As people make plans to get the most out of this shopping spree, Jovago Pakistan brings an exclusive article on the Do’s and Don'ts of purchasing products during the Black Friday.

Do’s

●     Make a list of items

Rather than just adding everything that you like to your cart on the actual sale day, it is advised that you make a list of items that you need to purchase prior to the Black Friday. This will help in avoiding those unnecessary items, which most probably you won’t use, that you just purchase in the spur of the moment.

●     Set a budget

Rather than  purchasing whatever items you like on the Black Friday, it is strongly recommended that you set up a budget for the Black Friday. This will help you to avoid straining your bank account.

●     Do pre-shop

It will be better if you browse the websites, that will be offering exciting deals and discounts, prior to the Black Friday. This will give you an idea about which items to find in which category. Also, you can compare the prices of various websites which will help in purchasing items that are worthy of your money.

Dont’s

●     Purchasing things just for the sake of it

Don’t get tempted into buying a large quantity of an item just because the discounts offered on them are too irresistible. Instead, it will be better to spend money on items that you will actually use.

●     Waiting until the last minute

Rather than being lazy and waiting until the last moment to shop on Black Friday, it is better that you visit all these websites quickly before all the good deals are sold out.

If you have any other tips on the Do’s and Don’ts of purchasing products during Black Friday, then do share them with us in the comments section below.

Kashf Foundation becomes first Pakistani institution to win European Microfinance Award

23^rd November 2016, Lahore: Kashf Foundation, one of Pakistan's leading microfinance institutions, has been awarded the prestigious European Microfinance Award by the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. The award is a first-time win for Pakistan and is in recognition of the Foundation’s credit and training facilities to low-cost private schools.

Pakistan suffers from a serious dearth of quality education, especially within the public sector. As a result, the country has seen a rise in low-cost private schools which look to fill the gap left by inadequate equipment and facilities in public sector schools. After extensively researching the needs of low-cost private schools, Kashf Foundation tailored an integrated solution that provides access to finance, school development trainings, and general pedagogy trainings for teachers. To date, the Foundation has serviced over 1,100 schools, trained 4,500 teachers, trained over 1,800 school owners, and positively impacted more than 570,000 students in low-cost private schools across Pakistan with a product unmatched anywhere in the world.

The Award, which highlights the importance of having an innovative approach and structural impact, also acknowledges the creative use of both financial and non-financial tools to improve the quality of the social and economic lives of families and communities.

Ms Roshaneh Zafar, Founder and Managing Director of the Kashf Foundation, expressed her pride in how the Award recognizes the importance of microfinance in reaching the goal of universal education: “Every child deserves a good education, and education provision needs to be child-centric. The Kashf program provides a new way to address quality issues of low-cost private schools and can also provide means of getting more out of school children into schools.” ”

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About Kashf Foundation 

Kashf Foundation has been working for the economic and social empowerment of women since 1996. It offers a holistic suite of products and services for the financial and non-financial needs of low-income households. Kashf provides low-income households, especially women, access to finance through micro-credit and micro-savings, access to social safety nets via micro-health insurance and life insurance, access to capacity building services such as financial management trainings, business development trainings, and vocational trainings, and access to social advocacy interventions such as mainstream media campaigns, social theatre, and gender justice trainings. 

European Microfinance Award

The only one of its kind in the world, the European Microfinance Award was launched in October 2005 by the Directorate for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs of the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs to nurture innovative microfinance initiatives. It is jointly organised by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, the European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP) and the Inclusive Finance Network Luxembourg (InFiNe.lu).

ACCA launches innovations to its qualification to shape the future of global accountancy

ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) today takes a major step forward in shaping the future of accountancy by unveiling major innovations to its Master’s level qualification, tailored to meet the strategic challenges of the 21^st century’s disruptive economy.

ACCA’s new ground-breaking design of its qualification draws on an extensive, two-year review and consultation with members, employers and learning providers.

Helen Brand OBE, chief executive of ACCA, says: ‘We’re updating the ACCA Qualification to give students the forward-thinking strategic abilities and advanced skill-set required of modern professional accountants who will shape the future of global business.’

New developments

ACCA’s latest innovations to its qualification are new Strategic Professional exams which will replace the existing Professional level exams in September 2018 and a new Ethics and Professional Skills module, which will be introduced in 2017.

The redesign enhances the breadth and depth of the qualification, with greater focus on employability and the practical application of core skills in the contemporary workplace and includes:

·       Strategic Business Leader– an innovative case studyexam, based on a realistic business scenario. This gives students the skills and technical expertise required by modern business where decisions need to be made, measured and effectively communicated to the wider organisation.

·       Strategic Business Reporting– a new exam exposing students to the wider context of finance and business reporting, giving them the vital skills needed to explain and communicate to stakeholders the implications of transactions  and reporting.

·       An Ethics and Professional Skillsmodule - making modifications to the existing ethics module which ACCA was the first professional body to offer to students in 2008. This new module will equip them with the professional skills thatare needed in the modern workplace.

Added to these developments, ACCA also offers the world’s first Master’s degree integrated with a professional accountancy qualification, delivered in partnership with the University of London. This unique arrangement means students can take the Master’s route while completing their Strategic Professional exams, or take the Master’s degree after the ACCA Qualification.

Sajjeed Aslam, Head of ACCA Pakistan at the launch event in Pakistan highlighted, ‘The ACCA Qualification is the only professional accountancy qualification which combines local relevance with international best practice. This means that our members are able to work at the highest level in any industry in any sector. In a globalised world this unique feature offers a real edge and benefit to employers.’

The chief guest Dr Aisha Ghaus Pasha at the launch event stated, ‘ACCA is recognised as an organisation with a reputation for innovation, vision and leadership in the profession. Churning out professionals with strong ethical grounding will in turn help business grow and the economy flourish.’

Breakout takes up the Pink Ribbon cause

Lahore, 24^th October 2016: In observance and support of breast cancer issue, Breakout, Pakistan’s fastest growing high street clothing brand has collaborated with Pink Ribbon, the leading charity organization for support of breast cancer patients. October has been proclaimed as Breast Cancer Awareness month.

The Pink Ribbon donation boxes have been placed at all Breakout stores nationwide throughout October in support of National Breast Cancer Awareness. The boxes will help cater to the need of medical services for breast cancer and contribute to Pakistan’s first dedicated breast cancer hospital built by Pink Ribbon so that few people will suffer the horror of losing a mother, a sister, a wife or a daughter. Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer in females in Pakistan, and this is one step closer to technological and medical advancements in the early detection and treatment of this nerve-racking disease.

A graduation ceremony was held for ACCA students at PAC to celebrate their successful journey of becoming ACCA Affiliates

The high achievers were awarded and appreciated for their accomplishments by PAC’s Principal Jafar Husain and he highlighted, “The ACCA Qualification prepares people for the world of work; and importantly, as a member of a professional body, ACCA members will always be ahead of the curve.”

Expressing his views at the ceremony, Sajjeed Aslam, Head of ACCA Pakistan said: “We are very excited to be here and celebrate the success of the CFOs, accountants, and finance experts of the future. Pakistan is very talent rich when it comes to the finance industry that is on the global rise.”

The high spot of the evening was without a doubt the standing ovation for all the students who had very successfully passed their exams to rejoice and celebrate their remarkable achievement.