The Department of Applied Psychology at Beaconhouse National University Lahore arranged a Seminar on “The Role of School Counselor in Educational Institutions” at its City Campus, Zafar Ali Road Lahore, on Thursday 10th April. Mr. Sartaj Aziz, the Vice Chancellor of BNU was the Chief Guest of the Seminar. Chairperson Board of Directors, Beaconhouse National University Foundation, Mrs. Nasreen Mahmud Kasuri was also present at the event as Special Guest. Expert Clinical Psychologists from public and private institutions talked about the need and importance of School Counselors in today’s stressful and competitive world. They highlighted that School Counselors help children and youth succeed academically, socially, and emotionally; as they collaborate with educators, parents, and other professionals to create safe, healthy and supporting learning environments. The Seminar was well-participated by educators and administrators from various prestigious schools. At the end, Mrs. Nasreen Mahmud Kasuri emphasized that it is imperative to have professionally trained school psychologists as an integral part of the school community, working to help children, teachers & other school personnel and parents. She agreed to extend all kinds of support in this regard.

The Department of Applied Psychology at Beaconhouse National University Lahore arranged a Seminar on “Management of Learning Disabilities” at its City Campus, Zafar Ali Road Lahore, on Monday 28th April. Dr. Akmal Makhdum, a senior UK-based Psychiatrist and founder president of British Pakistani Psychiatrist Association talked about the need for having a humanitarian view of the people with learning disabilities. He said that lack of consideration of psychological disorders by the society creates handicap for these people.
He emphasized that there is a need for integration in our society. Mental health professionals play a key role in this integration. Psychologists have to be on the forefront of this socio-educational movement as they can build teams for policy making and have a better understanding of group dynamics. They are also able to educate parents and encourage teachers to effectively deal with the issues of people with learning disabilities.

POLYPTYCH, an exhibition by SAARC students studying at the Beaconhouse National University (BNU), opened at the Alhamra Art Gallery on 28 January 2008. The exhibition was inaugurated by Chairperson of the BNU Foundation Mrs Nasreen Kasuri and BNU Vice-Chancellor Sartaj Aziz while Dean Faculty of School of Visual Arts Prof Salima Hashmi, other teachers and a large number of students were also present on the occasion. The exhibition will continue till 31 January 2008.

Paintings, sculptures, photographs and different artworks have been put on display, exhibiting the culture, traditions, myths and lifestyles of the SAARC countries i-e Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The art work of Barun Gurung of Bhutan displayed traditional Thanka painting done in Bhutan. He said he wanted to highlight the culture of his country through his work. “The Journey”, painting of Mona Lisa, by another student from Bhutan, Sonam Wangchuk, has been done in a unique style, highlighting the revival of art history.

Sajana Joshi of Nepal while covering a second-hand scooter entirely with goat skin tried to relate helplessness of vehicles to helplessness of animals. The title of her art work is “I Like It Loud”.

”Speak Up”, a work by Bangladeshi student, Musharrat A Chowdhury, highlights recent political situation of Pakistan. An Indian student of the BNU, Rony James Martin, by covering objects like a bench and a table with plastic grass, tried to highlight illusion of nature having unbelievable presence and features.

Photographs of women covering their faces with different hair styles by Mehr Javed of Pakistan are among other interesting pieces of.artwoeks. Other students whose work has been put on display at the exhibition include Farid Ahmed Khurammi and Ghulam Mujtaba Wardak from Afghanistan, Swarnaly Mitra Rini and Muhammad Rafiqul Islam Shuvo from Bangladesh, Chimi Lhamo, Choney Pelzang and Zuki Nima from Bhutan, Vidha Saumya from India, Ahmed Azmee and Maimoona from Maldives, Pratima Thakali and Koshal Kumar from Nepal, Haroon Mughal, Mehr Javed, Saima Abaidullah and Sajjad Ahmad from Pakistan and Janaka Senevirathna and Sakunthala Galanga from Sri Lanka.

After going round the exhibits, BNU VC Sartaj Aziz said the exhibition was in fact based on creativity of SAARC students who presented tradition and culture of their respective countries in a beautiful way, besides highlighting their individual creativity. He said the exhibition was a wonderful example of cooperation among the SAARC countries. “BNU will also organize a virtual exhibition of SAARC students through internet so that the world may know their talent as well as the potential in the field of art.” he added.