|
In the Spotlight
|
|
Uncovering the secrets of Deosai
|
|
What's the number one must-see site in Skardu? Without a doubt, the Deosai National Park. But for LUMSxUoBS students, it is so much more than a tourist destination.
|
|
Deosai's rich biodiversity, multiple river systems and lush greenery make it a living lab for our young scientists and researchers. It has even stood in as their classroom – literally! Over the past few weeks, students from the Water Resource Management and Introduction to Life Science courses have taken their classes outdoors in the beautiful expanse of Deosai. They have panned the plains to collect water, soil and plant samples for further study and analysis. Data obtained from these samples has the potential to be used in medicine, for documenting flora and fauna, and to design creative solutions for water scarcity and climate change. Stay tuned as we share more of their exciting discoveries.
|
|
|
Discoveries by Our Young Scientists
|
|
Blue: the rarest colour in nature
|
|
“I came across this blue flower in Deosai. Usually when we see blue in nature, it’s not a natural pigment; it’s a reflection that comes about by modifications to some red pigments in the plants called anthocyanins.
|
|
There is a fascinating range of blue flowers in Deosai, and I'm wondering if the presence of such a deceptive colour could have anything to do with the high altitude, since we found this 14,000 feet above sea-level."
|
Ahmed Hassan Abro,
Teaching Assistant, Introduction to Life Science, LUMS
|
|
|
Life in Skardu
|
Orange, green,
yellow, and pink!
|
|
The Apricot Festival at the stunning Hashopi Gardens featured over 30 varieties of apricots grown in Baltistan. About an hour's drive from Skardu city, Hashopi Bagh, located in the appropriately named 'Khubanistan', features an abundance of trees laden with crisp, green apples, and sweet, fuzzy apricots. On July 26, a group of students from the LUMSxUoBS E-commerce class attended the festival where they sampled a variety of delicious apricots, plums, and berries, and also spoke to local businesses to evaluate their potential for E-commerce.
|
|
- Picture courtesy of Shoaib Riaz (BSc 2024)
|
|
|
|
|
Learning Together
|
|
Through thick and thin
|
|
We may only be halfway through the programme, but our students have already formed friendships for life! Pictured here are Nasir Hussain (BS 2023), UoBS, and Salman Baig (BSc 2023), LUMS. “We met each other on the very first day at the welcome party, and have been friends ever since,” shares Nasir.
|
|
|
Thoughts and Impressions
|
“I am so proud of the resilience our students have shown as they settle into hostel life. It is not easy to adjust to electricity and water shortages or to live without the privileges we may be used to. But they have been very adaptive and cooperative, and I am sure they are gaining a fresh perspective about life.”
- Sadia Manzoor, Head of Department, Student Hostels,
on how students are adjusting to life in Skardu
|
|
|
What's the secret to a long and healthy life? LUMSxUoBS Introduction to Life Science students are trying to find out! This week, they interviewed locals above the age of 50 about their dietary and lifestyle habits. Pictured above is a Balti elder having a candid conversation with a LUMS student. At 95 years old, he is not on any medication and still wakes up at 5 am everyday to earn a living.
|
|
- Picture courtesy of Muhammad Hamza (BS 2023)
|
|
Bakshis (Thank You) for reading this issue of Stories from Skardu, an initiative by the Communications Team at the Office of Advancement.
Join us on this journey by following us on
For feedback and suggestions,
email us at communications@lums.edu.pk
|
|
|
|
