Globalization and market-based orientation of higher education institutions has increased interest of students, parents, employers, universities, funding agencies, governments, and relevant stakeholders in knowing the rank of their concerned universities at national/global level. This has led to the emergence of several global university ranking systems. Aligned with international trends of ranking, Higher Education of Pakistan [HEC] also initiated ranking of universities at the national level in Pakistan. Subsequently, HEC designed comprehensive ranking criteria for ranking of universities and has implemented it since 2010. This study analyzes the nature of HEC ranking criteria and its constituent indicators from the perspective of global university ranking systems. Using content and thematic analysis, this study found that global university ranking systems mainly focus quality of research and teaching, while HEC additionally focuses effective and efficient use of resources, provision of facilities, social integration, and impact on community development.

The study identifies the factors of intra temporal and intra generational household mobility in three districts of Central Punjab. The intra- temporal household mobility estimates the direction of transformation as disequalizing long term income. For the current analysis, three districts of Central Punjab are selected for data collection using literacy rate as prevalence rate. The results of the study show an improvement in education of head of household and other household members which may lead to upward transformation. Furthermore, geography and occupation progression contribute to inter temporal and intra generational mobility in Central Punjab. The results show big cities of central Punjab have considerable benefits of occupational movers from one sector to another as there are sufficient job opportunities available to the households and in rural areas of all the districts households are reluctant to get the benefits of occupational movement. The study concludes that most of the heads of household are educated but occupationally deprived which lead to low extent of intra generational mobility as compared to intra temporal mobility.

This study was undertaken for costing out education needs for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa based on location, gender, district and grade. The sample consisted of 778 schools, including 364 females and 414 males. The study used descriptive statistics for analysis. It was found that rural students get slightly less pocket money than urban students. The cost of average monthly stationery, uniform cost, teacher cost and total cost for urban student was higher than for rural students. District Haripur was found to be the most successful school district. It was further found that better results need good financing. The study also confirmed that the girl student cost is less than a boy student. It was also concluded that the pocket money on average increases with grade. There was no significant difference of stationery cost across grades while grade one and grade four students’ cost on uniform was slightly higher than other grades.

Esprit-De-Corps encompasses cohesion, loyalty and unity within an organization. The study is focused on the existing threads of EspritDe-Corps and its comparison in public and private sector universities. A sample of 533 faculty members was taken. The team STTEPS (T-TAQ) questionnaire was adapted for collecting the data. The data was analyzed through Percentage, mean and t-test. It was concluded that the strands of Esprit-De-Corps are more prevalent in private sector universities. It is recommended that faculty members may be involved in decision making process and trainings pertaining to leadership, communication and other live skills may be imparted.

This research analyzes the soft power and cultural diplomacy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Over the years, the Kingdom has been using its cultural diplomacy as an instrument of foreign policy for the promotion of its soft power at regional and global level. The analysis suggest the use of soft power and cultural diplomacy are part of Kingdom’s foreign policy, bringing a wider gesture of aptness and goodwill. In this sense, the study of cultural diplomacy allows the understanding of new concepts and ideas of international insertion, with the participation of higher education institutions, research centers, government agencies and non-governmental organizations. King Abdullah has pioneered this initiative of soft power projection of the Kingdom through cultural diplomacy. The study revolves around the era of King Abdullah (2005-2015) while significant reinforcement of this policy is undertaken by King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman (MBS).

The study was designed to calculate the waiting time for employment for graduates in KP with respect to their level of education and specialization in the field. Contribution of demographic, socioeconomic status, language proficiency, job preferences, job search methods and nepotisms was also measured regarding thewaiting time for employment. Responses of 791 respondents collected through multi-stage non-probability sampling were analyzed with the help of the wellknown Kaplan Meier and Cox regression models and Cox proportional hazard models. The study concluded that a graduate waited for 15 months to be employed during the period 2003-2014. Age, language proficiency, level of education, specialization, language proficiency, nepotism and socio economic factors have significant influence on waiting time for employment. The study recommends the development of integrated frame work for information about trends of unemployment, career counseling and elimination of unemployment at national level.

This research aims at testing and confirming existence of selected behavioral biases of investors that affect their decisions. Five behavioral biases affecting irrational behavior of investors were selected: overconfidence bias, illusion of control bias, confirmation bias and recency bias and optimism bias. Primary data was collected through a questionnaire from 300 investors from banks, insurance companies, stock exchanges etc. The results were obtained by employing a correlation and regression analysis for the presence of behavioral biases and to detect degrees of their influence on decision making. Correlation results indicate moderate association between behavioral biases and decisions of investors. Outcome of the research indicates that while making financial decisions investors are moderately affected by behavioral biases.

The current research investigated authentic leadership and organization citizenship behavior relationship in the presence of mediator corporate social responsibility in services organizations of Pakistan. Data from the respondents were gathered through structured questionnaire. The instrument validity and reliability were ensured. A total of 220 respondents participate in the study. Participants were informed about the aim of the study. Based on regression and mediation analysis, it was found that authentic leadership was significantly related with organization citizenship behavior. We also found that corporate social responsibility partially mediates authentic leadership and organization citizenship behavior. It was concluded that managers should treat their employees fairly as a result their citizenship behavior towards organization will increase which lead to overall organization performance.

This study analyzed the association between household employment and household poverty using logit regression on survey data of Multan District. It is found that qualification of household head, gender of household head, household employment rate, number of males employed in formal sector, number of females employed in informal sector, females permitted to paid work outside home, female’s autonomy to utilize household resources, possession of agricultural land, residence, possession of livestock and government health facility in household’s vicinity have significantly negative impact on probability of household’s poverty. Household size and number of children (= 5 years) are positively associated with household poverty. It is suggested that empowering women and creating productive employment opportunities in both formal and informal sectors may help to reduce poverty..

The purpose of this study is to find out the factors which stimulate university teachers towards self-motivated professional development at university level. It was a descriptive study based on survey design; a mixed methods design was selected to collect the data through mixed method techniques. 200 questionnaires were distributed with the help of the snowball sampling technique, which helped in reaching 57 teachers for interview. Thematic Analysis, Descriptive Statistics and Chi- Square Test were applied to data. The result shows the intrinsic factors of stimulation were self-thrust towards excellence, respect, acknowledgment and inner satisfaction. On the contrary, extrinsic factors were a good salary package, promotion, better social and professional status and ability to cope with the advanced educational requirements. The study recommends that action through teachers’ consideration, reflection and shared vision may include extrinsic and intrinsic factors of motivation.

Several factors directly or indirectly influence academic achievement of students. There is immense variation in students’ academic achievement due to individual differences. Therefore, every individual has different personality characteristics that influence life, especially students’ academic achievement. Thus, the current study investigates the influence of personality types A and B on academic achievement of university students. This study presents a descriptive design. Furthermore, a random sampling technique was used for the sample selection. The Anjum-Khalique Scale and students’ GPAs were utilized as research tools. Correlation, regression and t-test were employed for data analysis. Findings exposed that personality types A and B have overall significant impact on academic achievement of students. Significant academic achievement difference was found between male and female students of type B personality unlike type A personality. It is recommended that deficiencies in personalities may be taken into consideration by teachers, administrators, educators, curriculum developers and policymakers for improvement in academic achievement.

This study analyses the influence of high-performance work systems on organizational performance. As, previous studies have mostly focused on individual HR practices in determining the influence of HR practices on performance so research is needed to analyze the combined effect of HRM practices as system to understand the importance of HR on performance. Based on AMO framework, this study investigated the effect of HR system on organizational performance using employees’ perspectives in highly interdependent work settings. In this study, primary data was obtained from 218 bank branches in collaboration with Institute of bankers Pakistan and bank management in the form of managers’ and employees’ perceptions about HPWS and its effect on performance. Results suggest that HPWS was significantly linked to deposits, advances and unit level profitability. Results pointed out new insights to HPWSperformance literature from employees perspectives.

English is a global language and it plays its role as the second and official language in many countries. Untrained teachers, rote learning, grammar translation method and overcrowded classrooms are the factors which affect the process of language learning in the school sector. The study was designed to analyze reading preferences of literary and language habits of Teacher Educators of RITE colleges and faculty members. The sample of the study comprised 119 faculty members i.e. teachers" educators of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Responses were collected through a questionnaire. It was found that reading material has a positive relationship with the preferences of faculty members and teacher educators. It is suggested that faculty members may be provided with a variety of reading material and sources for their professional grooming of teaching.

The study analyzes Psychological Trauma as a result of Corporal Punishment at Secondary Level. The population was all the students of 10th class which made a population of 30200 students in Tehsils of District Malakand of KPK. Sixteen secondary schools and twenty-six students from each school were taken as a sample by using a simple random method. The research instrument DASS 42 about corporal punishment used four options, i.e.at home, at school, both at home and school and neither at home nor at school. The questionnaire was administered to 416 students and 400 were received. The findings of the study were that a significant association of corporal punishment with psychological trauma i.e. depression, anxiety and stress was found. The students were corporally punished both at homes and schools had moderate or severe level of stress, anxiety and depression..

This is a descriptive study. Objectives of the research included: examination of modern tendencies in Teacher Education and find out the breaks and give ideas for improvement of Teacher Education Programs of the region. The population of the research was all teacher education organizations of the province. The sample comprised 55 Course instructors of these institutions. The device of the research analysis was a questionnaire. The data was analyzed and the result was shown in percentage in tables. The literature review explored diverse directions of the concern and reflected the requirements of Teacher Education and Transformations, teachers Quality, Teachers Competencies and Policy. The traditional trend is in practice and the pursuit of quality scares teaching. It is recommended in the research report that technology integration in Teacher Education. The research suggests that the government should take timely notice of the need and importance of the use of modern technologies.

This paper discusses an important aspect of human society, the gendered use of power on women and its portrayal through the literary texts of Nadeem Aslam. Literature mirrors human society through fictional characters and imaginary situations. A co-relation between gendered power, in the historical and contemporary social context and resultant discrimination through oppression and patriarchal hegemonic structures on women is therein established. Themes of female oppression and exploitation, othering and gendered discriminative power dynamics are the basis of this study. Gendered power through its trajectories is the basis of problems faced by women in androcentric societies, creating situational conflicts at the macro and micro level. The resultant feminist concerns give significance to this study as they give rise to pertinent issues, which need to be addressed in human society.

Several factors are important determinants of students achievement. Students positive perceptions about these factors contribute to their achievement. Considering importance of students perceptions about themselves, teachers support, and institutional climate in influencing their academic achievement, this study specifically examines students perceptions about themselves as learners, teachers support, and institutional climate for predicting their achievement. This research employed survey and correlational research designs. For this research, 372 students were randomly selected as a sample using cluster and stratified random sampling techniques. For data collection in this study, a questionnaire was adapted from Donahue (1994). For data analysis, both descriptive and inferential statistics were used, with help of SPSS. It was concluded from multiple regression analysis that university students achievement (i.e., dependent variable) can be significantly predicted from their self-perceptions, teachers support and institutional climate (i.e., independent variables).

Language is product of four skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. English language learning and examination has been reduced to reading and writing in Pakistan, at the University level. However, English Speaking Skills (ESS) are in high demand in professional life. ESS require testing and grading like English writing skills. This study is based on developing ESS through testing criteria. A survey of university freshmen was used to collect data. Using Kim"s (2010) testing scales, the freshmen"s ESS progress was gauged through their speaking performances. As a case study, this research used a longitudinal approach (two academic semesters) with a mixed methods approach. University English Language Teachers" (UELTs) and University Administrators /Management"s (UANM) interviews were analyzed textually. A criterion as a yardstick helped the learners to fit in to the optimum.

This experimental study explored the effect of the 4WsHs active learning model on learning engagement in mathematics classes. The research design used for conducting this study was true experimental research design (pre-test post-test equivalent group design). A sample comprising 190 students selected from two public sector schools was divided into experimental and control groups using a matched random sampling technique. The newly developed active learning model was used as treatment for an experimental group while the same contents of mathematics were taught to the control group using a traditional method. After practice of three months, learning engagement of both groups was measured using a classroom observation checklist. The analyzed data revealed a significant superiority of students belonging to the experimental group over their counterparts in learning engagement. Hence, the newly developed active learning model proved to be effective for developing learning engagement among students.

The study finds the effects of marketing strategies on the SME performance. Further, it explores the marketing strategies adopted by the pharmaceutical companies in various industrial sectors of KP. The Industrial Estate Hayatabad, Industrial Estate Hattar and Industrial Estate Gadoon were taken as sample areas for the selection of firms. Data was collected from 300 pharmaceutical firms in these Industrial Estates. Closedended questionnaire was used to collect data. The segmentation strategy, differentiation strategy, cost leadership strategy i.e. porter generic strategies were analyzed. The study used the correlation and regression model. Results reveal the cost leadership, differentiation strategy, segmentation have positive relationship with the firm performance. The findings also show that the cost leadership and differentiation strategy have significant effect while the segmentation strategy has insignificant effect on the performance of a firm.

The aim of this study is to find the moderating role of cognitive style index on servant leadership style and leadership effectiveness relationship. For this purpose, a survey was conducted on 415 teaching staff from public and private universities. A total of 200 completed questionnaires were returned and used in the analysis. Bivariate correlation and hierarchical multiple regression were used to test the hypotheses. It is concluded that cognitive style index does acts as moderator voluntary subordination, covenantal relationship and transcendent spirituality while for other it does not act as moderator. So, it means that these variables can bring change in the effectiveness of leaders while making decision to serve for society, community, employees, followers or customers.

This paper highlights the importance of energy in the determination of growth for economy of Pakistan. This study has been taken for the period of 1972-2015. Along with energy consumption some other important variables are also put into investigation. The Johansson co-integration estimation technique has been used to estimate the required impact. The results show that energy consumption contributed positively and significantly to long run economic growth. While the said impact is statistically insignificant in the short run, the study suggested on the basis of results that energy sources should be explored to boost which may possible to satisfy the energy need of the country and to get guaranteed economic growth in the long run. Therefore, Government should pay special attention toward the country’s energy sector to stabilize the economy which assures prosperity in the country.

Economic recession of 2009 marked the end of the US dominance in the world. The subsequent period brought transition in the global order. China stepped forward by taking “Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)”, establishing Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and creating alternative forums to engage various regions by assuming a global role. Chinese World Order here is not aimed at referring to the world dominated by China but Chinese sphere of influence with its greater role. Pakistan’s profile has improved with success against terrorism, Chinese investment and interest by other countries to invest under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). CPEC is a flagship project of BRI which enables Pakistan’s growth and extend it economic integration with China. Pakistan’s close partnership with China enables it to play a greater political role in South Asia, Central Asia, Middle East, the Islamic world and the world at large.

Affective Commitment (AC) is a key determinant of positive organizational outcomes. However, certain climatic factors like lack of leader openness to voice (LLV), lack of open communication opportunity (LOC), defensive norms of organizational culture (DNO) and defensive silence (DS) may lead to low level (AC). A mixed method, sequential explanatory design based on quantitative phase followed by qualitative phase is used. The quantitative phase used the probability sampling, questionnaire, structural equation modelling, whereas the qualitative phase used a semi-structured interview, thematic coding and causal networking for sampling, data collection and interpretation respectively. All hypotheses were supported by evidence and explanation was provided for why such relationships exist in the banking context of Pakistan. The implications, future guidelines and study limitations are also discussed.

This study traces the representation of deconstructed history in Gerald Vizenors fictional work The Heirs of Columbus. The study highlights the metanarrative techniques through which the officialized history is subverted and decentralized. The study is grounded in postmodern Historiographic Metafiction theory of Linda Hutcheon for investigation of the data. Historiographic metafiction dismantles the overriding official version of history and presents many mini versions of truths. The study exhibits the dismantled version of overriding history of American Indians. It gives an insight into the American Indian approach of United States history.

Five Central Asian Republics (CARs) got independence in December 1991 as a result of the collapse of the USSR. Politically, economically, strategically and geographically Central Asia is regarded as the Heart of Asia. This region is the hub of the natural resources. It became a battle ground for the states which have interest in its hydrocarbon reserves. The paper examines the ongoing competition between China and India for the resources of Central Asia. Both of these countries are eyeing the huge potential of trade relations with this large market. They were also trying to create energy partnerships with the gas- and oil-rich region. This resulted in competition between the two countries inof the region. This article describes China and India as competitors in this region. As a neighbouring country, this engagement of China and India has serious implications for Pakistan.

This study overviews development and validity of a pool of multiple choice test items of geometry part of Mathematics for secondary level. A table of specifications was prepared and a pool of 48 multiple-choice type test items was developed from the test universe. The content validity and face validity of test items was determined with the help of a team of experts. Sample of the study was 488 students of class 10. After determining the validity and reliability through item analysis and quantitative and qualitative analysis of the test, it was concluded that 30 out of 48 items in the test were valid, reliable and suitable for measurement of the learning achievements in the course. Therefore, these items are useful in the boards of examinations for 9th class in Punjab (Pakistan).

The demand for counterfeit goods has exponentially grown and counterfeit goods trade has consequently emerged as a global problem. The present study investigates the determinants that encourage consumers to acquire counterfeit luxury goods. This research further analyzes purchase intention as mediator and gender role as a moderator between the contextual factors and consumer behavior. A quantitative approach was applied through a questionnaire to gather data from 380 Pakistani respondents. The measurement and structural model assessed through Smart PLS. The results confirmed that purchase intention acts as a mediator between hedonic motives, materialism and consumer behavior. However, purchase intention has no mediating effect on economic benefits. Similarly, gender role as moderator was insignificant.

This paper explores leadership technology competence of college principals in six domains, (1) vision and leadership, (2) teaching learning, (3) professional practice and productivity, (4) operations and support management, (5) evaluation and assessment, and (6) legal, ethical and social issues. Competence of the principals for using technology gadgets in the domains of teaching -learning was found high whereas his/her social, legal and ethical considerations for technology use were found to be low. Most respondents valued technology competence but focused incorporating its administrative use. Furthermore, leadership training programmes may contain modules related to professional use of databases, content and data management systems in order to enhance principals use of these for day-to-day administrative purposes.

Political discourse is inarguably deemed an essential tool, impercetably influencing people’s perception within a socio-political zone. The present research revolve around the critical discourse analysis of manifestos of Pakistani political parties, pertaining to the general election of 2013. The theoretical framework for the study triangulates VanDijks (1998) Socio-Cognitive Model, along with the support of Turner and Tajfels (1979) Social identity approach and Budge and Farlies Salience theory (1983). The research revealed that all the political parties under study used the discursive strategies in their party manifestos in order to enhance the positive self-image of party to in-group people, by focusing the negative aspects of the out-group, thereby (re)constructing peoples political identities and ideologies and achieving the desired hegemony for itself.