Gender norms of employability; a case study of females' technical and vocational education in Multan and Bahawalpur, South Punjab, Pakistan

This report focuses on gender dimensions, in the context of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Multan and Bahawalpur in South Punjab, Pakistan. Gender among TVET to employability is an essential determent of the access to power and resources. By employing qualitative methodology, the report tried to identify TVET scenario, female-learners’ perceptions and factors hindering the acquisition of employable skills through this education. Data was gathered in the form of observation and semi-structured in-depth interviews. Through data-analysis, it was found that TVET programs for females, have potential, and may contribute to improved outcomes for females in Pakistan, but the significant limitations including the systematic reinforcement of traditional gender identities within and outside the school have a negative impact on females’ learning. Study-findings strongly indicated that gender norms lead to minimising females’ TVET participation. Familial and institutional barriers, meanwhile can be primarily attributed to strict social norms rather than being own determents of inequality. The financial dependency then again leads to structural imbalances which consequently solidifies already existed marginalisation. Study-conclusions suggest that in order to deliver the envisaged outcomes for females through this educational pathway, provision of gender-friendly learning environment and improved instructional practices are needed to make a substantive change. By doing so, females’ empowerment and gender equality through TVET learning can be encouraged and promoted.publishedVersio

A Robust Variable Step Size Fractional Least Mean Square (RVSS-FLMS) Algorithm

In this paper, we propose an adaptive framework for the variable step size of the fractional least mean square (FLMS) algorithm. The proposed algorithm named the robust variable step size-FLMS (RVSS-FLMS), dynamically updates the step size of the FLMS to achieve high convergence rate with low steady state error. For the evaluation purpose, the problem of system identification is considered. The experiments clearly show that the proposed approach achieves better convergence rate compared to the FLMS and adaptive step-size modified FLMS (AMFLMS).Comment: 15 pages, 3 figures, 13th IEEE Colloquium on Signal Processing & its Applications (CSPA 2017

Osteomalacia in a Case of Adult-Onset Bartter Syndrome

Bartter syndrome is a rare heterogeneous disease characterised by a deficiency in sodium and chloride absorption. Gain-of-function mutations in the CASR gene have been described in some patients with Bartter syndrome associated with hypocalcaemia and hypercalciuria. We describe a case of adult-onset Bartter syndrome with hypocalcaemia severe enough to cause osteomalacia

The Level of Stress in Male and Female School Students

This study aimed at the level of stress in male and female school students. For the purpose of the study the researcher randomly selected 64 school students aged between 14-18 years. To collect the data researcher used students stress scale (SSS) developed by Dr. Zaki Akhtar (2011). During collection of data researcher used means and method fit for this scale. The result of the study showed boys having much more stress in comparison to girls. The study concluded that school boys are more stressful than school girls

Impact of Energy Crisis on Economic Growth of Pakistan

Energy plays vital role in growth of any economy. The study relates energy consumption with economic growth for Pakistan based on the sample data taken for the period of 1982-2011. Energy consumption is taken as independent and GDP as dependent variable. Data is analyzed through descriptive statistics, correlation and regression tests. Descriptive statistics gives general summary and features of the data. Correlation results show the variables are strongly related to each other. While regression shows that if energy consumption increases by 1 kilo ton of oil equivalent, the GDP will increase by $2.517 million. These results identify how important energy consumption is for the economic growth of Pakistan. Government of Pakistan should focus on utilization of energy resources which in turn will smooth the way for economic growth

Sports Achievement Motivation and Sports Competition Anxiety: A Relationship Study

Anxiety and Motivation are important psychological variables in sports and its need to achieve high level of competition. Without knowledge of these two variables athletes cannot give best in competition. The aim of study was to find out the relationship between Anxiety and Motivation of intervarsity Badminton players. The total sample consisted of twenty players age ranged from 17 to 25 years. Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT) and Sports Achievement Motivation Test was administered to collect the data. Mean, standard deviation, and Pearsion Product Moment Correlation were computed to analyze the data at .05 level of significant. It was found that significant negative relationship between Achievement Motivation and Anxiety

Self-esteem: A Gender based analysis

Self-esteem refers to the amount of realistic respect that you have for yourself. It is important for a person to have an elated profile in order to lead a contented and successful life, both at the personal and professional level. People with low self-esteems often suffer from a feeling of discontentment. A person with a high profile has the realization that he/she can make achievements and can lead a successful life. On the other hand, a person with low profile possesses low desiring level with minimum achievements. In this study the topic is categorically elaborated especially that how male and female consider their self-esteem accordingly. The data was collected from the both genders; all of them were students of MBA and MPA department, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan. To fulfill the purpose, the independent variables were utilized to reach the conclusion. Keywords: Gender, Self-esteem, MBA`s, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Kha