Prof. Dr. Ashfaq Ahmad

Dean, Allied Health Sciences

Governance

Biography
Publications

Biography

Education

Experience

Publications

SrNo.	Title	Category	Sub Category
1	Frequency of low back and neck pain among female drivers	Publication	Journal Article
2	Frequency of jumper's knee in male basketball players	Publication	Journal Article
3	Depression among day scholars and hostellites; A comparative cross sectional survey	Publication	Journal Article
4	Effect of diabetes associated complications on quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes	Publication	Journal Article
5	Fear of fall among geriatric population	Publication	Journal Article
6	Prevalence of patellofemoral pain disorder or anterior knee pain in both genders ages between 18-35	Publication	Journal Article
7	Changes in gait parameters during multi-tasking in healthy young individuals using GAITRite system	Publication	Journal Article
8	Association of working hours and experience with thumb pain in physical therapists	Publication	Journal Article
9	Prevalence of cell phone elbow among young adults	Publication	Journal Article
10	Prevalance of work-related upper back and thoracic pain among health care professionals Lahore, Pakistan	Publication	Journal Article
11	Prevalence of flat foot among young adults and its relation with body mass index	Publication	Journal Article
12	Impact of foot function in healthcare professionals with flat foot: a cross sectional study	Publication	Journal Article
13	Knowledge, perception, and attitude of pregnant women towards the role of physical therapy in antenatal care: a cross sectional study in Lahore, Pakistan	Publication	Journal Article
14	Effectiveness of core stability with and without neck extension on pain intensity and functional disability in patients with chronic low back pain	Publication	Journal Article
15	Effectiveness of Pelvic floor muscle training versus Pfilates exercise program to treat stress urinary incontinence in females: A randomized control trial	Publication	Journal Article
16	Prevalence of Low Back Pain Among Hospital Nursing Staff	Publication	Journal Article
17	Effect of constraint induced therapy on upper extremity with vibration therapy in hemiplegic cerebral palsy	Publication	Journal Article
18	Frequency of pain in elbow, wrist and hand among farmers during harvesting	Publication	Journal Article
19	Continuous professional development among undergraduate students of physical therapy in Pakistan	Publication	Journal Article
20	Association of school bag weight & carriage style with shoulder pain among middle school students	Publication	Journal Article
21	Frequency of Plantar Fasciitis Among Traffic Wardens of Lahore	Publication	Journal Article
22	The validity and reliability of a sphygmomanometer in Assessing Isometric Muscle Strength of Shoulder Flexors and Abductors	Publication	Journal Article
23	Self-confidence in students of physical therapy to perform orthopaedic special tests for hip and knee joint	Publication	Journal Article
24	Prevalence of occupational low back pain and its association with job duration and working hours among nurses working in hospital , Lahore	Publication	Journal Article
25	"ASSOCIATION BETWEEN LUMBOPELVIC PAIN AND PELVIC FLOOR DYSFUNCTION IN WOMEN"	Publication	Journal Article
26	Prevalence of Low Back Pain in Computer Users of Lahore, Pakistan	Publication	Journal Article
27	Update on the genotyping distribution, epidemiology and associated risk factors in inflammatory disorder in adult subjects: A cross-sectional study	Publication	Journal Article
28	Correlation Between Shoulder Pain and Functional Disability among Nurses	Publication	Journal Article
29	Association among shoulder pain, working hours and device usage in male bankers, Lahore, Pakistan	Publication	Journal Article
30	Association of pain intensity with quality of life and functional disability in university students with lumbago	Publication	Journal Article
31	Prevalence of upper extremity pain among traffic police, Lahore, Pakistan	Publication	Journal Article
32	Comparison of Restricted Movement Pattern among Patients of Idiopathic, Diabetic and Traumatic Adhesive Capsulitis	Publication	Journal Article
33	Prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in traffic police wardens of Lahore, Pakistan	Publication	Journal Article
34	Prevalence of piriformis syndrome among university of Lahore male students	Publication	Journal Article
35	Musculoskeletal pain and discomfort among medical students of University of Lahore, Pakistan	Publication	Journal Article
36	Frequency of growing pains among children of Lahore, Pakistan	Publication	Journal Article
37	Prevalence of neck pain in goldsmiths	Publication	Journal Article
38	Prevalence of Shoulder Pain Among School Teachers of Lahore, Pakistan	Publication	Journal Article
39	Association of length and muscle strength of thumb with thumb pain among manual physical therapists	Publication	Journal Article
40	Quantitative comparison of handgrip strength between cardiac patients and age matched healthy controls using a handheld dynamometer	Publication	Journal Article
41	Association between neck pain and functional disability among nurses	Publication	Journal Article
42	Frequency of Neck Pain Due to School Bag Usage among Students of Public High Schools in Lahore, Pakistan	Publication	Journal Article
43	Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Hip Pain among Health-Care professionals of Lahore: A cross-sectional Study	Publication	Journal Article
44	PREVALENCE OF LOW BACK PAIN AMONG BANKERS OF LAHORE, PAKISTAN	Publication	Journal Article
45	Prevalence of work related neck pain in computer operators	Publication	Journal Article
46	Effect of low level laser therapy on partical tear of supraspinatus tendon	Publication	Journal Article
47	prevalence of work related elbow pain among allied heathcare providers a cross – sectional study	Publication	Journal Article
48	association with neck pain with use of andriod phone and its daily usage among students of universsities of Lahore	Publication	Journal Article
49	Effectiveness of routine physical therapy with and without eccentric loading training for the rehabilitation of rotator cuff tendinopathy	Publication	Journal Article
50	Frequency of migraine in students of university of lahore	Publication	Journal Article
51	Reliability of musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging to measure supraspinatus tendon thickness in heakthy subjects	Publication	Journal Article
52	Association of physical activity and satisfaction with life Among dpt students of azra naheed medical college, Lahore, pakistan	Publication	Journal Article
53	Effectiveness of Conservative Physical Therapy Treatment with and Without Diaphragmatic Strengthening Exercises in Non-Specific Low Back Pain	Publication	Journal Article
54	Frequency of non-traumatic anterior knee pain in secondary School students	Publication	Journal Article
55	Frequency and severity of insomnia in chronic low back pain	Publication	Journal Article
56	Prevalence of neck pain among undergraduate dtudents of Lahore	Publication	Journal Article
57	prevalence , risk factors, description and intensity of neck pain in sewing machine operators	Publication	Journal Article

Conferences

Awards

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Courses Taught

Project Supervisor

Services

Books

Research Fundings

Extracurricular Activities

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Languages and Skills

Active Collabrations

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Achievements / Rewards

Dr Akhtar represents Pakistan, explores collaboration with Germany on global issues

Description

In a substantial ambassadorial effort, Prof Dr Rabia Akhtar (Director of the Center for Security, Strategy, and Policy Research (CSSPR)) represented Pakistan as a thought leader in a delegation of five eminent scholars from Asia. This delegation, constituted by the Asia chapter of Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), visited Berlin, Germany, to engage in dialogues and meetings aimed at understanding Germany’s viewpoints on key global issues, from June 13-15, 2023.

The FES Strategic Foresight Group, comprising scholars from Pakistan, Thailand, India, South Korea, and Indonesia, sought to gain insights into Germany’s perception of the world, the interconnectedness of geopolitics and geoeconomics, and the overall security and stability of different regions. By interacting with parliamentarians, scholars, and think tank experts, the group aimed to identify Germany’s foreign policy direction amidst intensifying great power competition, technological advancements, and the Russo-Ukrainian war.

Dr Akhtar articulated Pakistan’s aspirations to become a regional and global connector, and expressed her belief that the country could serve as Germany’s partner in promoting peace. She said academic collaboration between the two countries must lay the groundwork for better ties. In that regard, she hoped that the University of Lahore (UOL) and CSSPR will like to establish linkages, to work on security and strategic issues with policymakers, universities, and think tankers in Germany.

Moreover, during the meetings with German officials and academicians, including Dr.Martin Thummel (Deputy Head for East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Federal Foreign Office), Dr Akhtar along with the delegation underlined the importance of collaboration between nations in an increasingly interconnected world. It was argued that Europe and Asia should not be considered separate arenas, as common threats and opportunities necessitate a collective approach.

The participants engaged in thought-provoking discussions on how Germany’s foreign policy has evolved amid geopolitical tensions and how the country aims to strike a balance between values-based and interests-based approaches, particularly in the face of the evolving Sino-U.S. rivalry. Central to these discussions was Germany’s embrace of Zeitenwende, signifying a transformative shift in its foreign and defence policies following the war in Ukraine. German officials highlighted that this philosophy would enable their country to contribute positively to regional and global stability.

Furthermore, the delegation stressed the importance of inter-regional dialogues, trade, and economic cooperation between Germany and Asian countries during their meetings with parliamentarians. Geoeconomics emerged as a key theme, with experts acknowledging its potential to promote interdependence, peace, and stability. However, they also expressed caution, and were mindful of the geopolitical complexities that could hinder its effectiveness.

Dr Ashraf becomes Pakistan’s top and world’s 12th most cited Plant Science researcher

Description

What traits set exceptional academic leaders apart? One is their ongoing commitment to academic excellence. Prof Dr Muhammed Ashraf (Rector, UOL), in an interview with the Press and Publications Cell (PPC) of the University of Lahore (UOL), shared how his commitment to academics and research led him to stand amongst the top-cited Plant Science researchers in the world.

The second edition of Research.com rankings of the best researchers was released recently. According to these rankings, Dr Ashraf stood 12th in the list of top-cited researchers with a massive number of 72,461 citations and 1,169 publications in the field of Plant Science.

While sharing his sentiments with the PPC team, he said, “It is a great honour and privilege for me to be among the world’s top-cited Plant Science researchers. Barely people from third-world countries like Pakistan get such immense acknowledgement for research, but I, hailing from a developing country, take pride in the fact that I was able to garner the limelight along with researchers from advanced countries like America, Germany, etc.”

Motivation for Plant Science Research

For most of his academic life, Dr Ashraf has been conducting research anchored on Plant Science, his field of specialisation for which he has recently been recognised globally. Revealing his motivation behind his research drive, he mentioned that “Research is the key element for institutions and even for academicians to leave an unprecedented imprint on the global academic spectrum. The only sound way to project novel ideas pertaining to your field is through research, and that is what keeps me right on track with research. To make significant contributions to the field of Plant Science, I try to continually explore and conduct impactful research.”

Global Acclamation

In continuing the discussion of his research motivation, on a lighter note, he shared that he received a congratulatory email from Mr Rattan Laal (The Ohio State University, the United States). “To my surprise, Mr Laal, the world’s most cited researcher, shared his congratulatory remarks with me. I am humbled to the core by this global acclamation that I have received so far,” he said.

Catering to Contemporary Plant Science Issues

In every field of study, researchers try to address and explore solutions for the most pressing issues. In Plant Science and Agronomy, the focal point of researchers nowadays is the impact of climate change on plants and, broadly, on the agriculture sector. Upon being asked about the impact of his research, the UOL Rector stated that “Climate change, undoubtedly, has adversely affected the lives of plants, animals, and even humans. My focus is particularly on plants and agriculture. Through my research, I have always tried to address and highlight the pressing issues that are being faced mainly by Asian and African countries, and this is also one of the reasons that my research is getting global acknowledgement because it caters to global issues. Majorly, my work is based on different plant stresses such as drought, salinity, waterlogging, temperature extremes etc.”

Fundamentals of Research, Publications, and Rankings

Not many people are familiar with the Research.com rankings, and in fact, they lack even the most basic knowledge of research rankings. During his interview with PPC, Dr Ashraf summarised the entire research ranking process by saying that “A researcher gets ranked based on his number of publications and citations. Researchers should try to publish their work in international journals, which will increase their chances of maximum citations. The more publications and citations, the higher the H-index, and ultimately, the better the chances of getting ranked at the top.”

Tips for soon-to-be Early-career Researchers

There is no short cut to conduct profoundly organic research, and that is what Dr Ashraf said. “Dedication and hard work are the keys to achieve research goals. Nevertheless, to stand out in the pool of researchers, it is pertinent, especially for Plant Science research aspirants, to focus on technological and digital advancements, keeping oneself up-to-date with international contemporary research trends, and fuelling the urge of discovery by gaining more and more knowledge,” he advised the students.

Dr Tahir explores the role of financial risk-taking attitude in consumer satisfaction

Description

A consumer’s attitude of financial risk tolerance (FRT) plays an important role in his/her financial decisions, thereby determining his well-being. FRT is a consumer’s preference for the amount of risk he undertakes while making investments. Recently, a lot of research studies have been conducted on consumer well-being and FRT. Being motivated by this trend in financial research, Dr Muhammad Tahir (Assistant Professor, Lahore Business School, the University of Lahore (UOL)) and fellow researchers explored the relationship amongst financial literacy, propensity to plan (PTP), FRT, financial satisfaction, and life satisfaction.

Though scholarly acumen for consumer well-being is rapidly developing, not much is known regarding the collective roles of financial literacy, PTP, and FRT. Dr Tahir’s study addressed this gap by showing that financial literacy, risk-taking attitudes, and planning propensities are all interconnected and necessary ingredients to improve financial and life satisfaction.

Dr Tahir’s analytical study titled “Role of financial risk-taking attitude in personal finances and consumer satisfaction: evidence from Australia” revealed a strong partial mediation of FRT between financial literacy and financial satisfaction. Moreover, the analysis showed that a high PTP combined with a high FRT results in high financial satisfaction.

For achieving the main objective of the research, the Household, Income, and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey was taken into consideration. Furthermore, Dr Tahir used the variance-based partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), also known as the PLS path modelling approach, to test the proposed hypotheses of the study empirically.

The findings of Dr Tahir’s research study showed the importance of creating financial plans in accordance with risk tolerance. Considering the relevance of increasing financial literacy, Dr Tahir suggested that the use of tools that could help consumers plan and spent in risky investments might lead them to have a more financial and life satisfaction.

UOL chemist explores an eco-friendly alternative thickening agent for textile printing

Description

Textile printing is the most versatile and vital methodology for introducing colour and design to textile fabrics. Different types of thickeners (chemical compounds) are used for printing, such as polysaccharide thickener, synthetic thickener, and emulsion thickener. Synthetic thickeners are highly criticised for endangering the environment at the manufacturing stages.

Dr Dure Najaf Iqbal (Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, The University of Lahore) and her team of researchers explored an eco-friendly alternative for synthetic thickeners that is effective in the textile printing process. The team revealed that guar gum could serve as an outstanding natural thickener, stabiliser, and gelling agent and could as well be used in various industrial units, including food, cosmetics, textiles, oil fracturing, and mining. Guar gum is one of the most important naturally occurring non-ionic high molecular weight polysaccharides and consists of galactomannan, which has vast applications in various fields.

Dr Iqbal and her team synthesised carboxymethyl guar gum (CMG) via monochloroacetic acid under alkaline conditions. The carboxymethylation of guar gum was accomplished by the Willianson ether technique and the reaction conditions were optimised during the course of the experiment. Guar derivatives with variable degrees of substitution (DS) were prepared and confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The DS was determined quantitatively by the titration method for each derivative.

For this research study, native guar gum was purchased from National Guar Industries, Karachi, with a molecular weight of 1.043 106 g/mol. Whereas, all the chemicals and reagents used were of analytical grade and were purchased from Merck, Germany.

The result proved that the substituted guar gum is an eco-friendly, non-hazardous thickener as compared to synthetic thickeners. Furthermore, the penetration properties, fixation ability, and colour fastness of guar gum were compared with those of commercial alginate thickeners. The printing trial of the thickener CMG also showed that carboxymethyl guar gum could easily replace conventional thickeners without any compromise on printing results and could prevent fabric stiffness. The tested water-holding capacity (a central aspect that determines commercial applications of gums) of guar gum made it ideal for improving the texture of end products in diverse industrial formulations.

Also, it was revealed that the implementation of carboxymethyl guar gum in textile printing can reduce the economic burden associated with exporting alginate and other synthetic thickeners. This, in turn, could enable exporters to offer competitive pricing without compromising on quality.

Faculty / Staff Profiles

Prof. Dr. Ashfaq Ahmad

Dean, Allied Health Sciences

Governance

Biography

Education

Experience

Publications

Conferences

Awards

Courses Taught

Project Supervisor

Services

Books

Research Fundings

Extracurricular Activities

Languages and Skills

Active Collabrations

Consulting Experience

Dr Akhtar represents Pakistan, explores collaboration with Germany on global issues

Dr Ashraf becomes Pakistan’s top and world’s 12th most cited Plant Science researcher

Dr Tahir explores the role of financial risk-taking attitude in consumer satisfaction

UOL chemist explores an eco-friendly alternative thickening agent for textile printing