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Government College University Lahore
Issue I Ravians make Pakistan proud with ‘Harry Potter’ remake! USL 2020 Trophies unveiled at GCU 18th Convocation: 2,044 students awarded degrees, medals Syndicate told five research chairs being revived
Annual Edition of GCU Quarterly
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Official Newsletter - Vol. 8: Issue I,II,III & IV
Issue II Governor opens Punjab Mental Health Helpline at GCU GCU initiates tele-counselling for caregivers of Dementia, Alzheimer's patients GCU conducts its first online PhD viva Health Minister visits Coronavirus hospital at KSK campus
Issue III Flag-hoisting ceremony on Independence Day GCU Vice Chancellor awarded Tamgha-i-Imtiaz GCU VC gets additional charge of Baba Guru Nanak University GCU Confers awards on Covide-19 fight Champions
Issue IV GCU ensured 100pc merit in sports admission GCU holds webinar on smart lockdown Group discussion on barriers of inclusion at higher education Chairman PEMRA visits his alma mater, GCU
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HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
Work of the Vice Chancellor at GCU Lahore during 2020 We developed a five-point 2020-2024 Strategic Vision outlining key measures necessary in improving (1) the quality of teaching, (2) the impactful research, (3) internationalisation, (4) infrastructure development and (5) good governance. Measures taken in the first year align are summarised below. 1)
Strict adherence of merit-based admissions. The Chairpersons, Directorate of Sports and Advisors of Clubs/ Societies were empowered to ensure that all admissions, including sports-based and extracurricular admissions, have been done based strictly on merit.
2)
Merit-based selection of Visiting Faculty. The selection criteria for appointments of Visiting Faculty were revised to ensure selection of the best possible individuals, via adverts in national dailies and through the reformation of the departmental selection committees.
3)
Development of a structured Online Education Policy helped faculty and students for effective virtual teaching/assessments during the lockdown, by GCU LMS and MS-Teams.
4)
New clubs and societies established by a fresh reappraisal of their roles/functions; many new societies were established, to engage students and promote their leadership skills. The new GCU's Kashmir Society established strengthening students' voice for Kashmir bretherin.
5)
The GCU's New Campus at KSK populated by adopting an initial policy in which each dept is encouraged to hold classes. New Boys' Hostel started easing pressure on other hostels. Likewise, model classrooms in the old campus for better teaching facilities.
6)
The Dars-e-Quran was re-initiated. Islamic scholars were invited to impart the Quranic education to our students on regular basis. As a member of Chancellor's Committee, I helped develop guidelines to start teaching of Quran with translation at the
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
University level. 7)
Revamping of the tutorial system undertaken so as to offer more systematic and vibrant tutorial system towards a better learning, character building and teaching experience.
8)
Research Culture strengthened. Many face-to-face/online seminars/conferences/workshops organized to promote research generating impact on the society.Two new research chairs established; and graduate rooms are revamped to facilitate senior researchers. GCU Press established to provide a forum to students and faculty to publish high quality research.
9)
Enhancing intake of Foreign Students via steps like establishing a new Office of International Students. Increased intake of domestic students for the best interests of an increasing number of aspiring students to become Ravians.
10) New health and well-being centre established. Biometric attendance of intermediate students introduced to enhance attendance. Better access to the VC granted by open-door events for students and staff. Strengthened Anti-harassment Policies/Practices. 11) New Website and New Prospectus introduced in view of the best top university practices. 12) Measures taken towards establishing Drug Free Campus makes first-of-its-kind commitment in a public sector university.The Chancellor and Federal Ministers facilitates this initiative. My team at GCU Lahore worked beyond the call of their duty and beyond our capacities to render services during the pandemic of coronavirus. We offered a platform for mental health helpline; make available buildings for the Quarantine Centre and Field Hospital and supplied disinfectants to hospitals all across Punjab. The creative and intellectual apparatuses of the GCU have been well engaged in order to make GCU the topmost educational institution of the country. We are now committing ourselves to make 2021 one of the best years for the GCU Lahore.
Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi Vice Chancellor
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
GCU Quarterly
01 Vol. 8 Issue I 2020
HIGHLIGHTS 2020
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Government College University Lahore
Ravians make Pakistan proud with ‘Harry Potter’ remake!
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h e G o ve r n m e n t C o l l e g e University Lahore is tr uly blessed with brightest and creative young minds. Bringing back all the magic and witchcraft, GCU students are gar nering praises nationally and internationally as they remake the popular “Harry Potter”. Filled with action, adventure and perfectly constructed storyline, the 84min is an accurate portrayal of the franchise characters. Having a successful opening night for their film, the official Facebook page of GCU shared the trailer online. Netizens were thrilled to see the released clip. The film, full of magical visuals and inventive and exciting sequences, was
exclusively premiered at the GCU Bukhari Auditorium. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi was the Chief Guest at the movie premier which was attended by a large number of students and Ravians. The main cast of the movie includes rising stars, Umer Darr, Jazib Alram, Mariam Hassan Naqvi, Talha Chahour, Dua Marium, Sheikh Mubashir and Habib Chaudary. The visual effects are done by Zeeshan Hameed. Ibrahim Hassan was the Associate Director and Productions head of the movie. Hammad Javed led production while Sheikh Mubashir is the Assistant Director of the movie. The movie has been written and
directed by a very talented Ravian, Waleed Akram, who says that, the gothic architecture of GCU pushed him to introduce this new genre in the industry. “I started this venture with a single camera and the whole movie has been shot with this not much high-tech camera.” Waleed Akram expressed gratitude to VC Prof. Zaidi for encouragement and support to team Khyaali Productions throughout the process of finalising and releasing this movie. Prof. Zaidi said that Pakistan is full of talented youth in every field of life, and the leadership need to nurture the habit of strong encouragements of youth whenever they show talent like this.
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
GCU Book Fair receives overwhelming response Vice Chancellor requests publishers to offer maximum discount to students
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book fair offering up to 50 percent discounts by publishers has received an o ve r w h e l m i n g r e s p o n s e f r o m students and teachers at the GC University Lahore. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi inaugurated the B o o k Fa i r o r ga n i ze d by t h e University's Library Society at the
Abdus Salam Hall where more than 52 eminent publishers set up their stalls for two-days. GCU Chief Librarian Muhammad Naeem and faculty Deans Prof. Dr. Sultan Shah, Prof. Dr. Raiz Ahmad and Prof. Dr. Khalid Manzoor Butt also attended the Book Fair. Talking to media, Vice Chancellor Prof.
Asghar Zaidi said that books still had a great significance and information technology could not replace them. He called upon parents and students to promote a culture of gifting books on special occasions to promote reading habits. He personally requested publishers to give maximum discount to students.
Fine Arts students design advertisement campaigns
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he final-year students of the Gover nment College University Lahore Fine Arts Department put on display the promotional and awareness campaigns on different brands a n d s o c i a l i s s u e s, a s t h e i r semester thesis, which included a new food chain idea “Khaabay Online Homemade Food” by Nageen Hassan and a unique style wedding decoration “Warda Decor” by Warda Noor. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi inaugurated the thesis display at the University's Abdus Salam Hall, while Fine Arts Department Chairperson Prof. Dr.
Erfan Ullah Babar was also present۔ As many as 20 students of Bachelors in Fine Arts (Hons.) displayed their projects which comprised of complete promotional material including mobile applications, calendars, pamphlets, press and electronic media advertisements, and social media pages for promotion of
their brands and raising awareness about social issues. The campaigns social issues including Condemnation of Social Standards by Hafiza Haifza and Human Mind Manipulation by Mahnoor Sohail were also remained centre of attraction at the exhibition.
NAMS performance at Alhamra meets with loud applause
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he Lahore Arts Council (LAC) organized “Roshan Sitarey” with Nazir Ahmad Music Society (NAMS) of Government College University Lahore. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi and LAC Board of Governors Chairperson Ms. Moneeza Hashmi and GCU music maestro Mr. Tariq Farhani were also present on the occasion. The members of GCU NAMS enthralled the audiences with their surs and singing at a cultural music night organised in their honor. Time and again, the audience awarded them with a thundering round of applause.
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government The Last Follower College Harry University Potter Fanmade Lahore
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o rediscover the art of Daastan Goi (storytelling), the Government College University Safdar Mir English Literary Circle (SMELC) of held a graceful event titled 'Shab-e-Daastan' at the Univer sity's Amphithea tre. The evening also included performances and dramatic enactments based on folk stories and dastans from the multi-cultural landscape of the subcontinent and beyond, Talking to media, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi said that the literary
event was aimed at reviving and celebrating the oral tradition of stor ytelling as a form of human communication wherein knowledge, art, ideas and cultural material was received, preserved and transmitted orally from one generation to another. The first performance of the evening was based on an excerpt of Dastan Amir Hamza which was delivered by MPhil English Literature student Muhammad Ali. It was followed by a Ghazal sung by Awais Nekokara. The Urdu part was followed by Heer
Ranjha, delivered by Hafiz Amir and Ali Haider. The exhilarating tone of the piece was maintained by the performers. The soulfulness was continued through Mian Muhammad Bukhsh's Saif-ul-Maluk presented by Hafiz Shakeel. It was followed by a remarkable reenactment of the legend of Hamlet from a female perspective presented by Eesha Raazia. With these dastans and folklores, the evening entered into a more somber tone with a medley of songs from Amna and Rumaysa, assisted by Awais Nekokara.
Engineering students exhibit tech skills at IUPEX
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ngineering students from different universities put on display their indigenous smart devices for patients and autonomous robots at the Inter-University Project Exhibition (IUPEX 2020). The one-day exhibition was held here at GCU Lahore under the auspices of its Electrical Engineering Depar tment and Of fice Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC). About 22 smart devices were put on display which included robotic glove for rehabilitation of patients, QR code-based medicine vending machine, indigenous por table ECG machine, wireless power t ra n s fe r s y s t e m , hy b r i d electric motorcycle, library security system, WIFI multipurpose autonomous drone and voice controlled
wheel chair for the disabled. Vice Chancellor Prof. Asghar Zaidi said that creativity, innovation and technology development were the key to the economic prosperity of Pakistan. Philanthropist and entrepreneur Sabahat Rafiq also visited the exhibition and announced a donation of $ 5 , 0 0 0 t o t h e G C U fo r
promotion of innovation culture among youth. ORIC Director Dr Junaid Zafar said IUPEX 2020 was not only aimed at providing opportunities to students of dif ferent univer sities to exhibit their innovate work to companies but also it educated and motivated other students to come up
with more innovative ideas and technologies. He said that more than 100 students submitted projects, out of which only 22 projects were displayed. Different companies and funding agencies were also invited to IUPEX 2020 to witness and fund the projects.
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Rediscovering the art of Daastan Goi
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
GCU research wins first prize at dengue conference
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oology Department's research o n “ t ra n s fe c t i o n o f l o c a l l y isolated Wolbachia in Aedes aegypti” has won the first prize and cash a wa r d o f R s. 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 / - a t t h e international conference on "Dengue Prevention and Control" organized by the Punjab government here at a local hotel. Punjab Health Minister Dr.Yasmin Rashid handed over the cash award to principal researcher Prof. Dr. Nusrat Jahan at the concluding ceremony of
the conference held under the auspices of provincial Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department. Giving details of the research, Prof. Jahan said that this transfection was aimed at blocking the transmission of dengue virus to humans through its bite. She said that Wolbachia made the mosquito incapable of carrying and transmitting dengue virus. Vice Chancellor Prof. Asghar Zaidi congratulated Prof. Nusrat Jahan and
her team on winning the award He said dengue was becoming an epidemic in Pakistan with over 400 deaths since 2006. In 2019, more than 47,000 positive cases including 75 deaths from Punjab, KPK and other provinces indicated an alarming situation with tremendous risk of future epidemics in Pakistan. Prof. Zaidi said that the university would provide every possible support to Zoology Department for their research.
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GCU to have Har Gobind Khorana Chair
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he Government College University (GCU) will establish a chair in the name of its alumni Har Gobind Khorana, who won the 1968 Nobel Prize for medicine. Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Asghar Zaidi announced this at ceremony to celebrate the 98th birth anniversary of one of its most eminent alumni, Prof Khorana. Prof Khorana, an American-Indian, won the Nobel Prize in 1968 for unraveling the nucleotide sequence of RNA and deciphering the genetic code. He died in 2011. Vice Chancellor Prof. Zaidi said the GCU would soon establish a Research Chair at its Chemistry Department in the name P r o f K h o ra n a . Ta l k i n g a b o u t t h e fascinating story of Prof Khorana, he said: “A child born in small Raipur village
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in Multan in 1922 became the world's top biochemist and shared the 1968 Nobel Prize for Medicine with Marshall W Nirenberg and Robert W Holley for research that showed the order of nucleotides in nucleic acids, which carry
he genetic code of the cell and control the cell's synthesis of proteins.” Later, Dr. Asghar Zaidi along with other academic and administrative heads cut the Prof Khorana's birth anniversary cake.
Ravian officer embraces martyrdom in air crash
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baadur Rehman, a flying officer and former student of GC University Lahore, has embraced #martyrdom when an aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) was crashed on a training mission near Mianwali. The funeral prayers of Ibaadur Rehman were offered near his residence in Wapda Town, Lahore. Besides PAF officials, GCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr Asghar Zaidi, senior faculty members and a large number of students attended the funeral.
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government The Last Follower College Harry University Potter Fanmade Lahore
University Sports League 2020 Trophies unveiled at GCU Page 8
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he University Sports League (USL) 2020 kicked off here as trophies for the tournaments were unveiled at a ceremony at the Government College University (GCU). Former test cricketer Saeed Ajmal, Olympian Samiullah Khan, Punjab Higher Education Minister Raja Yasir Hamayun Sarfraz, Punjab Higher Education Secretary Sajid Zafar Dall and GCU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Asghar Zaidi unveiled the trophies for the winners of USL. Other legendary sportsmen, including Pakistan hockey team head coach Khawaja Muhammad Junaid, volleyball team ex-captain Muhammad Naseer and Pakistan's first woman athlete who competed a t Olympics in 1996, Shabana Akhtar were also present. Addressing the ceremony, the minister hoped the USL would become the finest sports nursery for producing and grooming sportsmen for Olympics and national teams. He said as many as 381 teams from 59 universities were participating in 10 games, including athletics, cricket, squash, tennis, volley ball, badminton, football, hockey and basketball at the USL. He said scholarships and cash awards worth Rs19 million would be awarded to the best sports persons of the USL 2020. He added that the winners would also be offered foreign tours and trainings.
He announced that USL would become an annual feature of Punjab's sports calendar and help promote sporting culture among the youth of their province and provided them with healthy activities around the year. “I am sure that once this idea takes off, it will also provide a new revenue stream to the academic institutions through sponsorships and alumni funding,” the minister concluded. Mr Dall regretted lack of integration among universities in Punjab and added that the USL would also provide a pla tfor m to varsity teachers and
students to interact and learn from each other's experiences. VC Prof Zaidi asked students to play for the glory of sports and of their alma mater and never use unfair means to achieve vain glory which ultimately proved short-lived and fruitless. Olympian Samiullah Khan said USL was a great idea as Pakistan desperately needed a system and a nursery for producing sportsmen and sportswomen. Philanthropist Sabahat Rafique announced rupees one million scholarship/cash award for the best sportsmen and sportswomen of the USL.
HIGHLIGHTS 2020
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Government College University Lahore
HIGHLIGHTS 2020
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Government College University Lahore
18th Convocation
2,044 students awarded degrees, medals Honorary PhD degree conferred upon British MP Afzal Khan
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s many as 2,044 students were awarded degrees at the 18th convocation of the Gover nment College University Lahore. Out of the total 2,044 students, 68 received PhD, 644 MS/M.Phil, 344 MA/MSc degrees, while 988 others were awarded BA/BSc (Hons) degrees on the first day of the two-day event. Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar was the chief guest at the first session of the convocation held at the Bokhari Auditorium where he along with Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi awarded the degrees and medals to PhD scholars and position holders. The governor, while addressing the convocation ceremony, announced to set up Chancellor's Fund for providing sc holar ships to the deser ving students. He said as the government
had appointed vice chancellors in different universities on merit so it was expected from the VC to uphold the merit in their respective institutions. VC Prof. Zaidi said diversity, curiosity and creativity were essential to human growth but unfortunately these elements were being suppressed by the culture of education that was prevalent in our country. He regretted that a culture of standardisation in the education system didn't encourage diversity, rather it laid a great stress on conformity. He said the students could learn and excel through a broad-based curriculum that celebrated their various talents. Registrar Dr. Shuakat Ali presented a disser ta tion to the chancellor for awarding honorary PhD degree to Afzal Khan, an Honorable Member of British Parliament, in the recognition of his remarkable contribution for the promotion
of political, diplomatic, economic and cultural relations between the United Kingdom and Pakistan. Earlier, the gover nor and the vice chancellor presented Prof G D Sondhi Medal for overall excellent performance to Rabia Javeed, Mohammad Idrees Medal for the best debater to Muhammad Abdullah Mohsin, Daud Ilyas Medal for outstanding intermediate student to Muhammad Abdullah Hamid, Dr Saida Karamat Medal for the best woman graduate to Shehr Bano, Waleed Iqbal Medal for the best English parliamentary speaker to Harris Ali Virk, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif Medal for the best Urdu speaker to Amna Ghafoor and Madeeha Gohar Medal for the best female actor to Seemab Shafiq while Thespian Medal for excellent performance in dramatics was conferred upon Muhammad Affaq Imran and Hafiz Muhammad Najamul Saqib.
HIGHLIGHTS 2020
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Government College University Lahore
HIGHLIGHTS 2020
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Government College University Lahore
Chief Justice awards medal to GCU positions holders
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ustice Mamun Rasheed Sheikh, an eminent Ravian and the Chief Justice of Lahore High Court Lahore, on We d n e s d ay, l a i d s t r e s s o n research for alternative energy resources and mass tress plantation to protect Pakistan against environmental degradation. He was addressing the concluding session of the two-day 18th convocation of his alma mater i.e. the GCU Lahore where he along with Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi awarded medals to the position-holders of MS/MPhil programs and rolls of honor to the graduates who excelled in co-curricular activities and sports. The CJ was accompanied by his fellow judges; Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Shahid Bilal
Hassan, Justice Faisal Zaman Khan, Justice Masud Abid Naqvi, Justice Muzamil Akhtar Shabir, Justice Anwaarul Haq Pannun and Justice Shakil-ur-Rehman Khan. Mrs. Mamun Rasheed Sheikh, the wife of Honorable Chief Justice, was the Guest of Honor while Registrar Lahore High Court Ashtar Abbas also attended the GCU convocation proceedings. “Pakistan is badly affected by the global warming and in such situation, deforestation of any kind is suicide,” said the Chief Justice who also shared his college memories with the young graduates. He said that it had been an honor for him to be a student of a historical institution like Government College Lahore. He said his dear father, brother and many family members were also Ravians. He said that 14 out of 43 judges of Lahore High Court
were Ravian, which was a testimony to the impor tance of this great institution. Referring to a meeting in London with the late Ravian Nobel Laureate Dr. Abdul Salam, he said that Dr. Salam had spoken about the importance of biotechnology when no one was familiar with the concept. He assured the Vice Chancellor of his all-out support for establishing the law faculty at the GCU Lahore. He also paid glowing tribute to the teachers who taught him at the Government College Lahore. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi shared his vision for the development of GCU, saying that “Indeed, there is a lot to be proud of in our history– yet, there is little time to rest on these laurels. The strategic need is to develop the potential of the GCU staff to maximize our contributions to the GCU and to the rest of society.”
HIGHLIGHTS 2020
Session-II: GCU Convocation 2020
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Government College University Lahore
GC University Lahore to occupy leading place in World Universities’ Ranking: Education Minister
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unjab Minister for Higher Education Raja Yassir Humayun chaired the first session on second day of the convocation where he along with eminent painter artist Salima Hashmi and former GCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr, Khaleeq-urRahman awarded medals to the position-holders of BA/BSc (Hons) programs. Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that the government wanted GCU to occupy a leading place in the international ranking of top universities of the world. He congratulated the graduates asking them to preserve the traditions of creativity, insight and perseverance which were always cherished at GCU. Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi shared his plans and initiatives for improving the quality of education, strengthening research and innovation base and linkages to the policy-making communities and industries, modernizing the state of university governance and infrastructure and populating the newly built campus at the Kala Shah Kaku. He said that more than six research chairs had been lying vacant at the GCU for many years and they were now encouraging the highly-qualified and eminent persons to come forth and occupy these research chairs.
GCU Convocation 2020 LAHORE: As many as 2,044 students were awarded degrees on the first day of the 1 8 t h c o nvo c a t i o n o f t h e Government College University (GCU) on Tuesday. Out of the total 2,044 students, 6 8 r e c e i v e d P h D, 6 4 4 MS/M.Phil, 344 MA/MSc degrees, while 988 others were a w a r d e d BA / B S c ( H o n s ) degrees on the first day of the two-day event. Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar was the chief guest of the ceremony held at the B o k h a r i Au d i t o r i u m . V i c e Chancellor Prof Dr Asghar Zaidi awarded the degrees and
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
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h e G o ve r n m e n t C o l l e g e University (GCU) Syndicate took several decisions in its last meeting, including revival of six research chairs for promotion of research and provision of official residence to the vice chancellor (VC). The 62nd meeting of the Syndicate was held at the university a few days ago where VC Prof Dr Asghar Zaidi had briefed the members about different initiatives and his vision for the development of the institution. Vice Chancellor Prof Dr. Zaidi took the Syndica te into confidence regarding development work on the new campus at Kala Shah Kaku, adver tisements for heads of six research chairs, appointment of new heads of departments and formation of a committee probing the alleged foreign faculty hiring scam at the Abdus Salam School of Mathematical
Sciences. The six research chairs, including Hazrat Ali Bin Usman Hajveri -- known as Data Ganj Bakhsh in Persian, Dr G.W. Leitner in History, Dr Allama Iqbal Philosophy, Dr Sultan Ahmed Biological Sciences, Dr Mahbubul Haq Economics and Dr Abdus Salam Physics, had been established long ago and five of them remained dormant despite their budgets being approved. Only the Abdus Salam Chair was functioning for at least 15 years. Home Economics University VC Prof Dr Kanwal Ameen, GCU Chemistry and Live Sciences Dean Prof Dr Ahmed Adnan and Institute of Biotechnology Director Prof Dr Hamid Mukhtar were included as new members of the Syndicate. The Syndicate also discussed matters related to the provision of a residence for the VC and approved Rs150,000 to get a house on rent till the construction of an official residence.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi told Dawn that the research chairs were dormant for several years and they had now advertised the posts. The budget for these chairs was also available but he said he did not know why their heads were not appointed yet. He said the meeting was also briefed about the inquiry being conducted to probe into the alleged foreign faculty hiring scam at the Abdus Salam School of Mathematical Sciences. The findings of the report would be shared with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Higher Education Commission. Old Ravian Prof Sajda Vandal and former test cricketer Shafqat Rana, Hina Jillani, Qazi Fareed Humayun, GCU Registrar Dr Shaukat Ali and other members of the Syndicate as well as higher education department, finance and law ministries representatives attended the meeting.
GCU signs accord with Pakistan Stock Exchange
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he Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) Lahore Regional Office and Government College University Lahore signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the cooperation in providing financial literacy and training to the university students about the functioning of capital markets and their role in economic development through hands-on experience. GCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi and Pakistan Stock Exchange Limited Regional In-charge Mr. Sarmad Hussain signed the six-point accord at a graceful ceremony organized by the GCU Directorate of Academic Planning and External Links (AP&EL) at the University's Syndicate Committee Room. GCU Registrar Dr. Shaukat Ali, Treasurer Abid Shahzad, Deans Prof. Dr. Raiz Ahmad and Prof. Dr. Sultan Shah, and Department of Commerce & Finance Incharge Ms. Nosheen Rashool were also present. According the 6-point accord, both the institutions have agreed to launch a joint seminars, training and conferences about the role of capital markets in world economy. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sarmad Hussain laid stress on mass awareness campaigns among youth about capital markets, saying that less than one percent of Pakistan's population had knowledge about functioning of Pakistan Stock Exchange. He said that PSX would organize minimum
two special free-of-cost training sessions bi-annually for GCU students. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi said universities must capitalize opportunities to provide applied skills and technical knowledge to its students. He said that USA, Chinese and Korean universities occupy the top positions in ranking of world universities due to their strong linkages with high technology industries and leading organizations. He appreciated the GCU Department of Commerce & Finance for actively working with PSX for training of students and updating curriculum and pledged towards strengthening this department for the public policy research and teaching.
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Syndicate told five research chairs being revived
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
GCU opens admissions to 11 language courses
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irst time in its history, the Gover nment College University Lahore has offered admissions to students in eleven foreign and national language courses which include Hindi, French, Russian, Tur kish and German. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Zaidi said that in European countries students
took a gap year and spent a whole year engaging in a mixture of language lessons and cultural courses so as to improve their life skills. “So, we have decided to open admissions in the Language Communication Skills Courses which were specially designed to focus on refining the students' communicative ability with emphasis on listening, speaking, reading and writing
Girls' Hostel named after Mader-e-Millat Fatima Jinnah
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he Girls' Hostel of Government College University Lahore has been named after Mader-eM i l l a t Fa t i m a J i n n a h . A notification in this regard has been issued with the approval Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr Asghar Zaidi. A boys' hostel of GCU Lahore was already named after Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Old Ravians and the female students highly appreciated the decision. Vice Chancellor Prof. Zaidi said that Fatima Jinnah was a beacon of light for the Muslim women; she was an inspiration for them to stand and work shoulder-to-shoulder with men.
skills,” Prof. Zaidi said. Prof. Zaidi said that classes were scheduled in the evening, so that regular university students and professionals from different fields could also join. According to the notification, the GCU Lahore has opened admission to the Arabic, English, French, German, Hindi, Persian, Punjabi, Turkish, Russian and the Urdu languages.
GCU Student Represent Pakistan in China
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r. Haris Ali Virk, Former President GCU Debating Society and an Honours Final Year student at the Department of English, was selected by the Federal government to represent Pakistan in China. The delegation, hosted by All China Youth Federation, comprised of 100 young leaders from all across Pakistan who've been doing amazing work in their respective fields. It included Sana Mir, former captain of Pakistan's Women Cricket Team, Samina Baig, the brave young woman from Hunza who is the first and only Pakistani woman to climb Everest and the seven summits, Zoe Viccaji, singer and musician. The delegation had four major agendas including education, poverty alleviation, small and medium enterprises, and special economic zones. The meetings, discussions, and visits focused on urban planning, public transport, quality of education, resource and waste management, economic reforms, conservation of environment through developing techniques of renewable energy, and the Belt and Road Initiative.
Farewell to Dr. G Murtaza
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farewell ceremony was held here at the GCU Lahore to pay glowing tribute to the services of 81-year-old eminent plasma physicist Prof. Dr. G. Mur taza for the Government College University Lahore. Prof. Zaidi chaired the farewell and graciously offered Dr. Murtaza the position of Distinguished Professor of Physics. “Dr. Murtaza is an inspiration for all of us, his tenure as Prof. Salam Chair is concluding
but his affiliation with GCU and with his research students would continue,” the VC said. Prof. Zaidi paid glowing tribute to 19 year services of Prof. Murtaza for GCU, saying that “the entire faculty and your students wish to thank you for the untiring zeal you have demonstra ted towards researc h and education, and also helped the university in various administrative matters through your wide experience.”
Ambassador of Hungary visits GCU
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mbassador of Hungary to Pakistan Mr. Istvan Szabo visited the GC University Lahore to pay tribute to the College's founder principal and Hungarian national, Prof. Dr. Gottlieb Wilhelm Leitner (1840-1899). The Ambassador along with the Counselor of Hungry laid a laurel
wreath on the plaque of Dr. Leitner at the University's Bukhari Auditorium. GCU Faculty Deans Prof. Dr. Ahmad Adnan and Prof. Dr. Khalid Manzoor Butt were also present. The plaque of Dr. Leitner as founder principal of Government College University Lahore was also fixed at the University's B u k h a r i Au d i t o r i u m i n 2 0 1 5 i n
collaboration with the Embassy of Hungry. The Ambassador said that he had a great love and respect for Pakistani people because of their tradition, hospitality and history. He added that the Government of Hungary offered 200 Sc holar ships for Pakistani students.
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Pakistan's historically-embedded elites may have undermined the education and long-run development. He argued that the impact of Islam on economic development could be strongly conditioned by history, and expressed through interplay with formal institutional structures. In his concluding remarks, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi highlighted the impor tance of scholarly activities to broaden the vision of students.
GCU celebrates Surprise Day
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ceremony was held here at the Government College University Lahore to celebrate the 'Surprise Day' as a tribute to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) for downing the Indian aircrafts this time last year. Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof. Zaidi said that nations ruled the world through the excellence of their institutions and knowledge and skills of their people. He said “our armed forces are our pride; and they have full support of the whole nation.” He praised the role of the Prime Minister, Imran Khan about deterrence of war arising from downing the Indian aircrafts.
GCU begins biometric attendance for Intermediate classes
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he Government College University (GCU) introduced biometric attendance system on a trial basis for intermediate students. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi held meeting with faculty of intermediate studies at the University's Faiz Seminar Hall. Mr Zaidi also formed a five-member oversight committee to ensure quality of education and minimum 75 percent of attendance of students as per the regulations of the Board
of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Lahore. He said that in pursuit of excellence in research and higher studies, the GCU Lahore would wish to retain its focus on its intermediate section where it received only top merit students from all over Pakistan. Mr Zaidi said that a biometric attendance system was introduced on trial basis in an English class and it would be expanded in phases to all classes of intermediate.
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Seminar on “Islam and Politics of Development” seminar on “Islam and the Politics of Development” was held h e r e a t t h e G ove r n m e n t College University Lahore under the auspices of its Mehboob ul Haq Economic Society (MHES). In his key-note address, Prof. Dr. Adeel Malik, the Globe Fellow in the Economics of Muslim Societies at the University of Oxford, explained how
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
QUA VC stresses effective engagment of students on campuses
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uaid-i-Azam University Islamabad Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali, who is also the Chairman of Vice Chancellors Committee, remarked that the desired results could not be achieved in the higher education sector without ef fective engagement of students on campuses and devising studentcentric policies. He also acknowledged that the Government College University is one of most prestigious and historical institution of Pakistan and its students have made great
contributions in shaping Pakistan. The event was aimed at promoting informal interaction among delegates and discussion about the History and Culture, Historiography and Cultural Mapping, Various perspectives in History Writing Historical Evolution of the Punjab (from ancient to the present), Indus Valley Civilization , Harrapan Civilization and the Punjab (Ancient Narratives), Archeology and Museology, Mysticism: S u f i s a n d S a i n t s o f t h e P u n j a b, Cultural/Lingual traditions and diversity, and The Punjab's Arts, Crafts and Civil Society. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi
has said that that the Government College (now University) Lahore has played a vital role in promotion of culture and literature of Punjab and overall s o c i o - e c o n o m i c d eve l o p m e n t o f Pakistan; its decades-old effective model of student societies is needed to be replicated in other higher education institutes. Speaking on the occasion, InterUniversity Consortium for Promotion of Social Sciences (IUCPSS) National C o o r d i n a t o r M r. M u r t a z a N o o r emphasized strengthening collaboration across universities in promoting campusbased student activities.
Ravian businessman donates golden scholarship
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r Hassan Malik, a Ravian businessman, has donated rupees one million to the Government College University Lahore Endowment Fund Trust (GCU-EFT) for the scholarship of financially-challenged students. Mr. Malik called upon Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi, and handed over the donation cheque to him, while Dean Faculty of Social Sciences Prof. Dr. Khalid Manzoor Butt was also present. The donor expressed his wish to the Vice-Chancellor to initiate a Golden Scholarship from his donation in the name of his late uncle and former federal minister Mr. Malik Naeem. It was the second golden scholarship initiated by Mr. Hassan Malik, and it would be given to a financially-challenged student every year on merit.
Meeting with Director General, NAB
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ice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi and National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore Director General Major (r) Shahzad Saleem have held a meeting to discuss collaboration between the two institutes in promoting good governance and transparency at GCU Lahore. Prof. Zaidi and Mr. Saleem met at the latter's office alongside GCU faculty deans Prof. Dr. Sultan Shah and Prof. Dr. Ahmed Adnan, Treasurer Abid
Shahzad and Additional Registrar Dr. Shaukat Ali. A senior director of NAB was also present. The Vice Chancellor informed the NAB about the newlyformed audit committee for inquiry into the report regarding foreign faculty hiring programme at the University's Abdus Salam School of Mathematical Sciences (ASSMS). Director General Shahzad Saleem appreciated the actions and assured the Vice Chancellor for their cooperation in all internal enquiries by the university.
GCU VC highlights problems in education system Says it confronts three very basic principles on which human life flourishes i.e. diversity, curiosity and creativity
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here are three very basic principles on which human life f l o u r i s h e s i . e. d ive r s i t y, curiosity and creativity, but very unfortunately they are contradicted by a culture of education that is currently prevalent in our country. It was said by Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi, an international social policy expert and Vice Chancellor of GC University Lahore, at a ceremony held in his honor at University the Punjab. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar hosted the ceremony attended by eminent academicians, senior journalists and analysts. Talking about the problems in Pakistan's education system, Prof. Zaidi said that all human beings were naturally different from each other but standardization culture in their education system was not based on diversity but conformity. He said that students could learn and excel best with a broad-based curriculum that celebrated their various talents, not just through a small arrangement of course system and examinations. Prof. Zaidi said the “second principle that drives human life is curiosity; if a teacher can just light the spark of curiosity in a student, he will learn without any assistance.” He believes
that instead of focusing only on improving system, the government and policymakers needs to focus more on teachers to make them creative. “There is no system, r any school or a university in the world that is better than its teachers,” he said. The Vice Chancellor, who did his PhD from Oxford University, UK, stressed that teachers were not there just to pass on received information; great teachers didn't do that, rather this sacred profession was all about mentorship. He criticized that education system in Pakistan didn't focus on teaching and learning instead it just prepared students for a standardized testing mostly through rote learning. “This system of examination encourages our student and teachers to follow same kind of routine every year instead of using classrooms as platforms to excite the power of imagination and curiosity in our youth,” he said. Prof. Zaidi demanded that at least in schools, they needed to have a human system instead of a course system. He called upon policy-makers to study the education system of Finland where there was no standardized testing in schools. Talking about GCU, Prof. Zaidi said it was a matter for great pride for him to be appointed as VC of this historical institution. “There was a lot to be proud of
in the history and traditions of GCU, yet it has a little time to rest on these laurels. The strategic need is to develop the potential of our faculty and staff to maximize our contributions to the rest of society,” he added. He said that besides improving quality of teaching, they were working towards strengthening its research and innovation base and linkages to the policy-making communities. Prof. Zaidi said that he had proposed the Punjab government a mechanism in the shape of Social Policy Advisory Council through Education (SPACE) to involve ex p e r t s f r o m u n ive r s i t i e s, n o n g ove r n m e n t a l o r g a n i z a t i o n s a n d international institutions in policy-making for social development, public finance management and improved governance. He said that his immediate administrative challenge was to modernize the process of admissions and appointments and populating the newly-built campus at the Kala Shah Kaku, enhancing the quality of living experiences of students and staff by building a new hostel for girls and improving the living conditions of our existing hostels. He said that he was promoting sports, cultural and co-curricular activities through GCU societies and clubs for effective engagement of students on their campuses.
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Ceremony in the honor of Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi at Punjab University
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
How the poor are excluded from social mobility?
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panel discussion on “How the poor are excluded from social mobility” was held here at Gover nment College University Lahore under the auspices of its Economics Department. Eminent economists and rights activists from different educational institutions and research organizations participated in the panel discussion, moderated by Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi, the Vice Chancellor GC University Lahore. In his keynote address, Prof. Dr. Nadeem ul Haque, the Vice Chancellor of Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) Islamabad, emphasized the impor tance of intellectual debate and research headed by the leading educational institutions. He stressed on involving academia, researchers and rights activists in policy making, saying that there should be academic and intellectual background to all the political slogans. Prof. Haque gave an insight into the economic system of Pakistan, saying that centralization of power, lack of regulations and enforcement, ineffective taxation system, absence of
innovation, conformity of colonial status quo and utter dependence on donors had impeded development of the country and encouraged suppression of the people at large. He also highlighted lack of coordination among government departments and unavailability of authentic data for policy debate and research analysis.
Prof. Haque believed informal sector gave boost to their economy, so it should not be suppressed through heavy taxa tion. He also said tha t the government couldn't end pover ty through c harity pro g rammes; it immediately needed to devise polices to enhance the productivity of the people to increase the growth rate and for
poverty alleviation. To o b a S ye d , a n e m i n e n t ge n d e r researcher, talked about protecting basic rights of women and of the poor who came to urban centers to seek work or employment. Prof. Zaidi, VC GCU Lahore, Prof. Zaidi deliberated upon the current policies to discover right models for inclusive growth in Pakistan. He said that poverty was always caused by exclusion from opportunity. Give the poor a chance and they will lift themselves out of poverty. He appreciated the effor ts of the government that inspite of financial crunch and fiscal deficit, it was also pushing its EHSAAS progamme for the welfare of the poor. He pledged to hold debates on these crucial topics of social and economic policies at GCU regularly to bridge the gap between academia and policy-makers. Both of the Vice Chancellors, in the end, agreed to enhance cooperation between the two institutions through exchange of ideas, faculty and students. Besides university's faculty deans and academic heads, lawyer Usama Khawar, development practitioner Mr. Ammar Rashid and Mr. Zia Banday from PIDE Islamabad participated in the discussion.
North Waziristan students visit GCU
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delegation of students and teachers from Frontier Corps Public School, Miranshah, N o r t h Wa z i r i s t a n v i s i t e d t h e Gover nment College University,
Lahore on a study tour. The delegation visited various academic departments of GCU and also met with Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi. Prof Zaidi told the students that GCU
had produced countless legendar y personalities, including Allama Muhammad Iqbal and Nobel Prize winner s Dr Abdus Salam and Dr Hargobind Khorana.
HIGHLIGHTS 2020
GCU celebrates Chinese New Year
Government College University Lahore
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Khalid Butt said celebra ting and observing other cultures helped them understanding their own. He said China had not only contributed immensely to economic progress of Pakistan but has also helped them in strengthening its
defense capabilities. The Chinese New Year celebration was followed by a cake-cutting and heartfelt blessings were delivered to the Chinese people by the students of Government College University.
Thought-provoking discussion on economic inequality at ThinkFest 2020
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nfortunately these achievements were overshadowed by the sharp rise in income and wealth inequality,” said Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi, a social policy expert and the VC of Government College University while addressing the book launch at the TinkFest2020. The book titled “Getting Even: Public Policies to Tackle Inequality in Asia” is edited by Mustafa Talpur from Oxfam International. The book brings together a
select group of academics across Asia to examine and bring forth positive stories about public policies to address economic inequality.
According to statistics, Vice Chancellor Prof. Zaidi said, top 5 percent richest people held approxima tely 70% of the wealth in some of the Asian
countries. “Contrar y to the c o m m o n b e l i e f, e c o n o m i c development has ra ther increased the inequality instead of decreasing it,” he added. Speaking on the occasion, M u s t a f a Ta l p u r s a i d “ t h i s economic disparity has pervasive consequences for everyone; it stifles social mobility, undermines social cohesion, hur ts long-term growth and reinforces inequality of o p p o r t u n i t i e s, a n d i t a l s o encoura ges crime, spar ks corruption and can lead to violent conflict,”.
Dry Flower Competion
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he Intercollegiate and Universities Dry Flower Competition 2020 was held here at the Government College Univer sity Lahore under the auspices of its Horticulture Society. Students from 12 different colleges and universities participated in five different competitions of dry flower, shirt painting and poster
painting on the themes related to environment issues. Government College Baghbanpora was declared the overall winner of this competition taking away six points in four different categories. Addressing the ceremony, VC Prof. Zaidi appreciated the widespread participation of students from 12 different colleges and universities of Lahore.
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he Gover nment College University Lahore Center of Excellence, China Studies (CECS) has organized a ceremony to celebrate Chinese New Year which was followed by an oncampus solidarity walk titled “fight out coronavirus, we stand by China.” A good number of Chinese living in Lahore also participated in the walk from the Center of Excellence, China Studies to Vice Chancellor's office. GCU faculty members and students along with the Chinese community planted a sapling on the university's campus in the memory of those w h o l o s t t h e i r l i ve s d u e t o coronavirus. Earlier, the day-long event was marked by Chinese musical and cultural festivities which included eating competition with chopsticks and Chinese calligraphy. Speaking on the occasion, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences Prof. Dr.
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
HED XI beats GCU VC XI by six wickets
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he Higher Education Department, Punjab (HED XI) beat the Government College University, Lahore (GCU VC XI) by six wickets at a friendly cricket match here at the University's Cricket Ground. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi led the GCU VC XI while Secretary Higher Education Punjab Sajid Zafar Dall was seen in action from HED XI. Earlier, winning the toss GCU VC XI chose to bat first and posted 119 runs in just 20 overs. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi scored 23 quick runs in the early overs of the inning. Engineer Dr. Junaid Zafar scored 34 runs which included six boundaries. The HED XI chased the score in the 19th over. Secretary HED played fine innings of 15 runs, while Prof. Anees scored 46 runs. Prof. Anees declared man of the match while Prof. Dr. A
har Zaidi won the all round p e r fo r m a n c e a wa r d fo r scoring 23 runs and getting two wickets for just 18 runs. Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi said that that the friendly ma tc h was organized in the spirit of University Sports League to inspire youth towards healthy sports activities. He said that faculty and staff members from private universities including LUMS and FCC University were also participating in this friendly match which would foster their relationships with the Higher Education Department. He also said GCU was providing ample sports facilities to students in d i ve r s e f i e l d s s u c h a s athletics, cricket, hockey, tennis, gymnastics, basketball, table tennis, boxing, swimming, rowing and squash.
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Seminar on “Peaceful Pakistan - our right our duty”
Minister talks about history of violence in student unions
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he Gover nment College University Lahore is going to set up the Vice Chancellor's Web Portal as a formal communication c h a n n e l b e t we e n s t u d e n t s a n d university administration, to listen to their issues and have a continuous feedback for different initiatives. This was announced by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi while addressing a seminar on “peaceful Pakistan – our right, our duty”. The concluding session of the seminar, chaired by Punjab Minister for Higher Education Raja Yassir Humayun Sarfraz, was dedicated to commemorate the sacrifices rendered by the young martyrs of Army Public School, Peshawar. “Our people, our armed forces and our c h i l d r e n h ave m a d e i n c r e d i b l e sacrifices for restoring peace in Pakistan and it's our sacred duty to maintain this peace and promote
tolerance and harmony,” said Prof. Zaidi in his address at the seminar organized by GCU Lahore in collaboration with the I n t e r U n i ve r s i t y C o n s o r t i u m f o r Promotion of Social Sciences (IUCPSS) and Centre for Inclusive Governance. “Educationists are not against the union of students but they are just cautious that these energetic raw minds are not manipulated or exploited by political
parties or any other organization for their ulterior motives,” the Prof. Zaidi added. Raja Yassir talked in detail about history of violence in student unions due to exploitation by political and religious parties. He also underlined importance of campus-based student societies and clubs for effective engagement of students in various co-curricular and healthy activities.
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
A day out with Pakistan Army
SOCH holds a panel discussion on Archaeology, Heritage and Culture
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he Society of Culture and Heritage (SOCH) of Government College University Lahore has organized a panel discussion on "Archaeology, Heritage, and Culture: Theory and Practice". The panel comprised of Secretary, Office of the Ombudsman Punjab Mr. Ijaz Ahmad, former secretary of Directorate of Archeology, Punjab Malik Maqsood Ahmad, eminent philosopher Mirza Athar Baig and Punjab A delegation of students and faculty members from the Government College University Lahore spent a day out visiting various University Department of Archaeology Chairman Dr. Muhammad military units and formations of Pakistan Army at the Lahore Garrison. Hameed. VC Prof. Zaidi attended the event as guest of honour. The day-long programme was specifically organized toThe enlighten students onstarted the functioning and training Pakistan Army,the its panel discussion with Mirza Athar Baigofwho discussed importance of cultural studies in the universities and the preservation of the Archaeological sites. He illustrated his point through an example of a neglected and unrecognized dilapidated site on the outskirts of Lahore. Malik Maqsood Ahmad gave a presentation on the work of Directorate of Archaeology. Mr Malik showed a wide range of preservation and renovation projects taken up by the Department of Archeology, Punjab. Later, Dr. Hameed touched upon the importance of Archaeological Heritage and why it is necessary to take care of the sites. He pointed out how the Archaeology department is not appreciated by the academia. VC Prof. Zaidi also stated that GCU would try to work on the documentation of the Government College's historical building. He highlighted a need for collaboration with the Directorate of Archaeology, Government of Punjab for restoration of some parts of GCU building.
SOCH holds a panel discussion on Archaeology, Heritage, and Culture
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delegation of students and faculty members from the Government College University Lahore spent a day out visiting various military units and formations of Pakistan Army at the Lahore Garrison. The day-long programme was specifically organized to enlighten students on the functioning and training of Pakistan Army, its organization and defense capability. GCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi also joined the delegation at the IV Corps Headquarters and met with Corps Commander Lt. Gen. Majid Ehsan. The Corps Commander briefed students about the sacrifices rendered by the Pakistan Army for maintaining peace in the country. Lt. Gen. Ehsan pledged his assistance and support to GCU in establishing a museum of Iqbaliat, and arranging activities for the character-building of students. Prof. Zaidi paid rich tributes to Pak Army for its success in war against terrorism. "Our armed forces have written a new history of bravery, its officers and jawans, who embraced martyrdom, are the heroes of the whole nation,” he said. Later, the students witnessed a demonstration by Quick Reaction Force to combat terrorists and commended the agility and fighting capability of the elements of Light Commando Battalion. They were also imparted technical knowhow in weapon handling and small arms firing skills.They also visited Yadgar-e-Shuhada and Army Museum.
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
Vice Chancellor meets physically-challenged students; pledges to provide all facilities
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he GCU Lahore is alma mater of the highest number of visually-impaired and physically-challenged students as compared to any other university of the country and has a state-of-the-art Centre for Special Students (GCU CSS), said Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Asghar Zaidi while chairing a meeting with the physically-challenged students. The Vice Chancellor reviewed the facilities being provided to the visually-impaired students at GCU. He said that the white cane should not be taken a symbol of weakness, rather, it is a symbol of safety, mobility, resistance and independence of every visually challenged individual. Prof. Zaidi pledged that said that GCU CSS would facilitate visually-impaired students in every possible manner with latest reading and hearing facilities which include, computer with reader (screen reading programmes/software) which enabled them to hear the text which is shown on the computer screen.This software allows blind students to access the internet, web browsing and book reading.
Inzamam-ul-Haq addresses GCU students on importance of Islam in daily lives
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minent Old Ravian and Pakistan cricket team former Captain Inzamam-ul-Haq was invited to address a special session of Durs-e-Quran at the Government College University Lahore. The former cricketer delivered a talk on the importance of Islam in our daily lives, upholding of moral values and abiding by the rights and responsibilities as Muslims. The lecture was attended by more than 400 students, staff and faculty members who were keen to listen to the cricket hero of the nation. Using wide-ranging examples from his professional and personal life, Inzamam-ul-Haq motivated the students to alter their ways of life in accordance with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and be proud of their heritage and Muslim identity. He emphasized the role of self-discipline, harmony, and active creation of a peaceful environment for ultimate success. Prior to the lecture, Inzamam-ul-Haq with Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi where talked the golden memories of his college days.
MoU signed with Pakistan Institute of Living and Learning
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he Pakistan Institute of Living and Learning and Government College University Lahore have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the cooperation in research in different areas especially to improve the health and well-being of people with mental health difficulties. GCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi and Pakistan Institute of Living and Learning CEO Prof. Dr. Nasim Chaudhry signed the eight-point accord at a graceful ceremony organized by the GCU Directorate of Academic Planning and External Links (AP&EL) at the University's Vice Chancellor Office. Both the institutions have also agreed to launch a joint seminars, training and conferences about the role of capital markets in world economy. Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi said universities must capitalize opportunities to provide applied skills and technical knowledge to its students.
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
Internationl Urdu Conference
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rof Dr Khurshid Rizvi, a poet and scholar of oriental languages, says social acceptance and popularity of literature has declined in the last one and a half centuries and it is gradually getting limited to only literary circles. Giving the reasons, he thinks says of the major reasons for this change is that after industrial revolution, we s t a r t e d ev a l u a t i n g eve r y t h i n g, including knowledge, on the basis of its materialistic or monetary gains instead of its spiritual benefits. Prof Rizvi was making his keynote address at the inaugural session of the two-day 'inter national Urdu conference on literature and social acceptance,' being organised by the Gover nment College University (GCU), in collaboration with the Ankara University,Turkey. Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Asghar Zaidi chaired the opening session of the
conference. It has more than 50 eminent writers and academicians from Turkey, Iran and other universities of Pakistan. Prof Rizvi said depression, dr ug addiction and other negative trends had increased in society since the decline in the study of literature. He said literature was a genuine expression of writer's personality and if it's not genuine, it could be termed as propaganda. Poet and playwright Amjad Islam Amjad shared a speech of Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong in w h i c h h e s a i d a l l l i t e ra t u r e wa s propaganda but all propaganda was not literature. He also recited his poetry on the request of the participants. Ankara University Urdu Department Chairperson Dr Assman Belan said society needed popular literature because it promoted debate, critical thinking and reading culture. However, she added, it was not necessary that p o p u l a r wa s w i d e l y a c c e p t e d o r
appreciated every time. GCU Vice Chancellor Prof Asghar Zaidi laid stress on impor tance of such conferences for debate on crucial topics, saying that a university was not a teaching centre only rather but it's also a place for research, innovation and creativity; where they didn't only transfer the academic traditions to the youth but also created new traditions. In her opening speech, GCU Urdu Department Chairperson Dr Saima Iram welcomed the guest speakers and highlighted the role of Government College and its alumni in promotion of quality Urdu literature in the subcontinent. She said that not only the promotion of Urdu language and literature but also the creation of new knowledge was a tradition of the GCU. GCU Dean Faculty of Languages Prof Dr Sultan Shah and Urdu critic Prof Dr Khalid Sanjrani also spoke.
Law to declare thalassemia test mandatory before marriages coming soon: Hanif Khan Pitafi
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thalassemia awareness seminar was held here at the Government College University Lahore under the auspices of its Blood Donor Society (BDS) and a nongovernment organization (NGO), Kashif Iqbal Thalassemia Care Centre (KITCRC). Advisor to Chief Minister on Health advisor Hanif Khan Pitafi was the chief guest at the seminar which was addressed by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi and KITCC representative Asif Hameed Butt. Speaking on the occasion, Health advisor Hanif Khan Pitafi said that they were working on a law to declare thalassemia test mandatory for couples before marriages to reduce chances of this fatal disease. He asked students to act as volunteers in their families and areas, and also use social media to raise awareness about this genetic disorder. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi said prevention case is always better than cure. He paid glowing tribute to NGOs working for thalassemia prevention and care, saying that said thalassemia major child had a very difficult and painful life and in order to survive, these children require regular monthly blood transfusions. A plea was made by the seminar participants to enact the law to declare thalassemia test mandatory for couples before marriages.
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“Popularity of literature declined in last 150 years”
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
GCU establishes Kashmir Society
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h e G ove r n m e n t C o l l e ge Univer sity esta blished Kashmir Society in collaboration with the Peace and Culture Organisation headed by Mushaal Mullick, a human rights activist and the wife of Kashmiri leader Yasin Malik. The Government College University Kashmir Society will be led by a group of the most brilliant students of the university who will project the
plight of the incarcerated people of Kashmir at all levels by employing creative ways and means. Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Asghar Zaidi and Peace and Culture Organisation Chair person Mrs Mullick jointly signed the agreement for establishing the society after a seminar on liberation of Kashmir in which she highlighted the need for exposing before the international community with evidence human rights violations
i n t h e Va l l e y a n d g e n o c i d e o f Kashmiris. She said: “India is following the Israeli pattern of occupation; villages after villages are being evacuated to settle Hindus there as the sons of soil are being gradually pushed towards the Line of Control (LoC). She paid glowing tributes to the Kashmiri women, being harassed in every street of the Valley by Indian forces.
GCU students form human chain to express solidarity with Kashmiris
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tudents and faculty members of Government College University Lahore has formed a human chain after a seminar at the University's Bukhari Auditorium to express solidarity with their brothers and sisters of Indian-occupied Kashmir, support their ongoing struggle against human rights violations, and pay homage to the Kashmiri martyrs who lost their lives fighting for their freedom. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Hamayun Zaman Mirza said that silence of international community over bloodshed and severe human rights violations in Kashmir was criminal; more than 10,000 women and children were stilling missing in valley and nobody knew that whether they were alive or not. Vice Chancellor Prof. Asghar Zaidi called upon Pakistani youth to become a voice of their Kahsmiri brothers and sisters, and highlight this human issue on all platforms including social media. Dr. Saadat Saeed shed light on the history of Kashmiri
freedom struggle, saying that peace in the region was not possible without giving Kashmiris right of self-determination in the light of UN resolutions. Mr. Khaylan Singh said that minorities were safer in Pakistan than India. He said even Sikh community was being oppressed in many areas of India. He said that the Indian Citizenship Act 2019 had proved Quaid e Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah was right.
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
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rize distribution ceremony at the university's Oval ground. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi chaired the ceremony whic h also as addressed by Spokesperson Punjab Government Dr. Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur. The Computer Science & Commerce Group won the general trophy of the third annual sports on the basis of overall scored points. Football was won by Pre-Medical group, while Pre-
Engineering and General Science & Arts groups stood first in Table Tennis a n d Vo l l ey B a l l c h a m p i o n s h i p s. Computer Science & Commerce Group won the tug-of-war and Basketball competitions. Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi said sports and co-curricular activities were as important as academics for the overall grooming and personality development of students, so they
should be widely promoted in educational institutions right from the schools to curb the inclination of youth towards nega tive and unhealthy activities. He also wished the intermediate students best of luck for their final examinations. Dr. Zarqa Suharwardy said “hardships we faced in achieving something in life, teach us the strongest and most v a l u a b l e l e s s o n s.” S h e i n s p i r e d students to always dream and think big.
GCU launches SDGs teaching, learning experiences
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he Gover nment College University Lahore launched a campaign “Know your Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” for mainstreaming United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in teaching and learning experiences across the university. The campaign, jointly initiated by the University's Environment Protection Society (EPS) in collaboration with the Green Box, is aimed at supporting and accelera ting local and na tional capacity of key stakeholders including teachers and students to implement the SDGs. In his key note address at the workshop held in connection with the campaign's launch, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi talked about the SDGs and their relevance for the elderly people. The Vice Chancellor said that GCU faculty members were well positioned to provide learners with skills to think
through complexity, transcend paradigms, learn through dialogue and communication, engage in deep reflection, develop worldview and values sensitivity, and assess when activities support or detract from achieving the SDGs – as well as other important skills, knowledge and vocational expertise which could help create more effective SDG implementers and would also help accelerate the implementation of all the
SDGs. The one-day workshop was attended by faculty members and staff from across all academic disciplines in the university and were provided with the knowledge, skills and motivation to understand and address the UN SDGs building on in-depth academic or vocational exper tise to implement SDG solutions through teaching, lear ning and research processes at the university.
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GCU intermediate sports gala concludes
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
GCU Quarterly
02 Vol. 8 Issue II 2020
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
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unja b Gover nor and Chancellor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar inaugurated the Punjab Mental Health Helpline which would provide online counselling to people suffering from depression, anxiety or other mental health issues across Pakistan due to Coronavir us outbreak and subsequent lockdown. The Helpline (0304-1110063) is established by the Government College University Lahore under the a u s p i c e s o f i t s P s yc h o l o g y Department. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr Asghar Zaidi briefed the governor about the working of the Helpline at a graceful ceremony in the GCU's Syndicate Committee Room. Speaking on the occasion, the governor proudly said that GCU had set up Punjab's first tele-counseling center which was a milestone addition to their already existed 30 other telemedicine centers. He said that he had established first telemedicine helpline on March 19, 2020, and to-date more than 80,000 people had benefitted from these telemedicine helplines. He said merit appointments were the key to progress; he had appointed all vice chancellors on merit and now in these crucial times,
universities with their competent vice chancellors were playing an effective role in fighting coronavirus outbreak. He appreciated that GCU had been at the forefront of the fight against the Coronavirus; it established a quarantine centre for 364 people and 200 bed hospital at its Kala Shah Kaku Campus besides providing 25,000 liters disinfectant and 500 liters hand sanitizers to hospitals across Punjab. Vice Chancellor Prof. Asghar Zaidi said that coronavirus affects not just the physical health but also mental health; doctors and paramedics are playing a most significant part and now expert clinical psychologists star t offering their services to counter mental health issues. He said that the Mental Health Helpline would be a great service by GCU to their nation in helping them deal with mental stress, negative t h i n k i n g , f u t u r e u n c e r t a i n t y, depression, etc. The Vice Chancellor said that their qualified clinical psychologists are providing counseling services to relieve the effects of stress and anxiety, management of isolation anxiety, building resilience, coping with activity restriction, dealing with Hypochondria and Cyber-chondria and supportive psychotherapy for dealing with illness anxiety and fear.
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Governor opens Punjab Mental Health Helpline at GCU
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
Health Minister visits Coronavirus Hospital at GCU New campus
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Administration Officers were also present on the occasion. The minister reviewed arrangements for providing treatment and care to
coronavirus were being reported from northern Punjab than southern Punjab. She maintained that the decision to extend or relax lockdown would be taken
Gover nment College University Lahore for Coronavirus patients. GCU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi, Additional Secretary (Development) Primar y and Secondary Health Care Department Umer Farooq and District
coronavirus patients, saying that all confirmed patients from Kala Shah Kaku quarantine centers should be shifted to this GCU field hospital. Dr. Yasmin Rashid said that they are reviewing the situation of all cities of Punjab on daily basis; more cases of
after April 14, 2020. She requested the people to strictly follow the government guidelines for their protection. The minister said that the government was maintaining the food supply chain besides taking initiatives to help and protect the labour class. She said that mostly coronavirus patients were being treated at Mayo Hospital. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi told the minister that Government College University is playing its role on several fronts, particularly helping Government of Punjab for disinfectants, and in setting up a Mental Health Tele-counseling Helpline for providing free online counselling services to people suffering from anxiety, stress, fear or other psychological issues arising due to the global pandemic of Coronavirus and the consequent lockdown.
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unjab Health Minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid visited the 200 bed field hospital established at the Kala Shah Kaku Campus of the
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
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he Government College University Lahore resumes online classes after the training of its teachers and quality control of courses. This helped the students in timely competition of graduation if the lockdown of universities is extended beyond May 31, 2020 due to coronavirus crisis. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi said that the GCU constituted a “Panel for Digital Learning Environment” and embarked upon a four-dimension strategy comprising teachers' training, preparation of approved online-ready courses, adoption of the Learning Management System and procedures
for online classes and providing time, support and guidance to students for readiness for online classes. Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi said that the panel which included senior faculty and administration has developed this policy consistent with the guidelines of the Federal and Provincial Higher Education Commission. For motivational and inspirational purposes, the Vice-Chancellor dedicated the working of this Panel for Digital Learning Environment to Dr. Mahbub ul Haq (1934 - 1998), a distinguished Ravian and economist, who radically transformed the development paradigm
to use Human Development Index data in promoting sustainable development. Prof. Zaidi said that the quality of teaching was his prime concern as producing substandard graduates was not much worse than the COVID19. He said that's the university was not in hesitate to restart online classes and paying special attention to teachers' training and availability of a well-defined course online. He went on to say that the crisis has offered us an opportunity and the availability of course material online would also help in making classes interactive.
GCU conducts its first online PhD viva
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n wake of the Coronavirus outbreak, the Government College University Lahore has arranged its first online viva of a PhD candidate of Political Science, Ms. Sadia Rafiq, who completed her research on the topic related to Sunni minorities in Iran. An external examiner, Prof. Dr. Umbreen Javaid, the Dean, Faculty of Behavioral & Social Sciences at Punjab University Lahore, conducted the PhD viva ONLINE via Skype, while another examiner, Prof. Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed Chaudhry, the former Dean of Bahaudin Zakria University Multan, was present in person at the GC University campus. Later, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr Asghar Zaidi presented the PhD notification to Dr. Sadia Rafiq, saying that the unusual situation due to COVID-19 posed additional challenges to all communities which is why it is the need of the hour that we learn to adapt and adopt innovative ways to tackle these challenges.
GCU starts Online Durs e Qur'an
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he Gover nment College University Lahore has started ONLINE Dur s e Qur'an to continue its tradition of characterbuilding of its students during lockdown due to COVID-19. Prof. Hafiz Muhammad Azmat on Friday delivered the first lecture on Taqwa (piety) through Facebook LIVE and University's YouTube channel. He laid great stress on developing a system of c h a r a c t e r- b u i l d i n g o f y o u t h i n educational institutions through Durs e
Qur'an. H e l a u d e d t h e e f fo r t s o f Vi c e Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi for reviving this decades-old tradition of Durs e Qur'an at GCU after a break of
many years. He said that Prof. Zaidi regularly organized weekly sessions of Durs e Qur'an on the University campus before lockdown and now this tradition would continue ONLINE upon his request. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Zaidi said that the Chancellor, Punjab Governor Chaudhry M u h a m m a d S a r wa r h a d r i g h t l y proposed the initiation of Qur'an education at the university level with equal emphasis on its translation and exegesis.
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GCU resumes online classes after teachers' training
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
GCU initiates tele-counselling for caregivers of Dementia, Alzheimer's patients
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he Punjab Mental Health Helpline of Government College University Lahore initiated telecounselling services for the caregivers of Dementia and Alzheimer's patients. Punjab Minister for Primar y and Secondary healthcare Prof. Dr Yasmin Rashid opened the new section Helpline providing people counseling to people suffering from depression, anxierty or other psychological issues due to COVID19 or subsequent lockdown. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi gave a briefing about this special section added to Helpline, under the guidance of Dr. Yasmin Rashid, and highlighted the role of family caregivers for the parents of Dementia and Alzheimer. A l z h e i m e r ' s Pa k i s t a n G e n e r a l Secretary Dr Hussain Jafri was also present. Speaking on the occasion, health minister Prof. Yasmin Rashid said that family caregivers of people with dementia or Alzheimer were called the i nv i s i b l e s e c o n d p a t i e n t s , a n d sometimes they needed psychological suppor t and counseling, and this Helpline for them would play a critical role especially in times of lockdown due to COVID-19. She said that these caregivers faced high rates of burden and psychological morbidity as well as social isolation during the lockdown and financial hardships, and these caregivers had high vulnerability to psychological issues like depression, anxiety etc. The minister appreciated the initiative of GCU Vice Chancellor of establishing
Mental Health Helpline, saying that their people were facing difficulties due to COVID19 and this imitative was helping them deal with mental stress, negative thinking, future uncertainty, depression, etc. She said that the coronavirus patients were recovering fast in different hospitals across Punjab, adding that people above the age of 60 were most affected by this virus.
sometimes unfortunately abused in their homes due to lack guidance and support to caregivers. Dr Hussain Jafferi said people in Pakistan lacked awareness about dementia, its prevalence and support options with around one million patients suffering in the country. He said that this Helpline was a great service to these patients and their family members.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi pledged that this special Mental Helpline for the caregivers and patients of Dementia and Alzheimer would continue after COVID 19 crisis. He said patients Dementia and Alzheimer were
Later, one-day salary cheque by the faculty and staff of Abdus Salam School of Mathematical Sciences was presented to Prof. Dr.Yasmin Rashid for the Chief Minister COVID19 Relief Fund.
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
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he Higher Education Commission has approved the Phase-II of development of GC University, Kala Shah Kaku Campus at a total cost of Rs. 1157.753 million with an implementation period of 36 months. The HEC DDWP (Depar tmental D e v e l o p m e n t Wo r k i n g P a r t y ) approved the project in its meeting chaired by HEC Executive Director Dr. Fateh M. Marri. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi himself appeared before the DDWP and briefed the participants about the space constraints on the existing campus, and also told them how Phase- II of the project was critical to the completion of new campus of GC University Lahore. The HEC directed the University to expedite the completion of Phase - I. Fur ther, it emphasized tha t all guidelines of the Environment P r o t e c t i o n A g e n c y ( E PA ) a n d Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) should be adhered. Earlier, the HEC had provided funds of Rs. 997. 608 million to GCU for the Phase-I to establish one academic block for 1200 students, boys' hostel for 300 students, Admin Block, residence apartments for staff, and other allied facilities including road infrastructure at the KSK Campus. T h e s e bu i l d i n g s a r e c u r r e n t l y providing facilities of quarantine and field hospital during the coronavirus crisis at KSK. The Phase –I envisaged academic infrastructure with a total covered area
of 197,750 sq ft with allied facilities, furniture & operational transpor t enabling shifting of the departments and start of new programmes at KSK campus. The Vice-Chancellor informed the meeting tha t GCU was of fering undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral studies in 27 academic depar tments and four researc h institutes with current enrolment of 14,085 students. He said that infrastructure at new KSK campus having land of 370 acres was essential to their requirements as the old campus had started to become very congested. He thanked the HEC and the members of DDWP for their support in the development of this historic educational institution. According to sources, some members of DDWP sought justification over the
provision of the residences and transport facility believing that KSK was equally accessible from Lahore and adjoining cities. They also emphasized on GCU to provide the impact of the project on socioeconomic development of the country. T h e r e p r e s e n t a t i ve o f Pa k i s t a n Engineering Council proposed that the university should ensure three buildings codes i.e. energy codes, safety codes, seismic codes during the implementation of the project. The Vice-Chancellor briefed them in detail the need for transport and need of on-campus staff. He said that the University would run shuttle service between its two campuses. GCU Works Committee Convener Engr. Dr. Abdullah Yasar and Director P&D Dr. Yasir Gillani also attended the meeting.
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The Last Follower HEC approves Rs. 1.16 Billion Phase-II Harry Potter Fanmade of GCU KSK Campus
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
GCU switches fast to virtual teaching
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n the wake of coronavirus outbreak, all the academic departments of Government College University Lahore have been fast switching to virtual teaching for the students of all degree programs. The chairpersons have been directed to maintain the record of all online classes, digital handouts and recorded audio and video lectures besides ensuring necessary training and facilitation of faculty members by the newly formed Directorate of IT. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr Asghar Zaidi also formed a WhatsApp Group with all chairpersons and faculty deans to monitor regularly the progress of virtual
teaching. He said that most departments of GCU including History, Physical Education, Botany, Environmental Science, Urdu, Sociology, Political Science, Commerce & Finance and English etc. have switched to virtual teaching, some of the departments like Physics are in process. He said that besides GC university's Learning Management System (GCULMS), the departments were using different pre-existing readily available Android/IOS/Windows applications, s u c h a s Z o o m , S k y p e, G o o g l e Classroom, Instagram live, email, WhatsApp Groups, recorded lectures
and others for virtual teaching. He directed that all depar tment c h a i r p e r s o n s t o ke e p e n g a g e d students virtually and find innovative ways to pass on teaching and training. The misconception that these are holidays for students and staff should be removed. Prof. Zaidi said the university would consider reimbursing at least the internet costs of those faculty members and students of remote areas who may need new connections for their online classes. “However, the students who have the required means at hand must not look for excuses to evade their studies,” he concluded.
GCU holds webinar on online teaching
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he Gover nment College University Lahore held a digital seminar informing details on “Online Teaching” that is going to resume at the University. The seminar was broadcasted on social media channels where the Vice Chancellor responded queries in comments. The GCU has established its LMS where lectures, assignments, grades and students attendance would be uploaded and under the policy students would also have to submit and upload their assignments online in this system. Prof. Zaidi said that more than 10,000 students and teachers are currently being registered with GCU LMS while new courses, class schedules and other academic calendar dates are also being updated. If students face any issue related to LMS, they must contact
with their relevant teachers who are in contact with the depar tment's IT coordinator. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi said the students who didn't have access to internet would be required also get in touch with their teachers
through conventional ways including Whatsapp and postal services. He said teachers could count the attendance of the students having connectivity issue by giving them different lecture related assignments.
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
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he Endowment Fund has swelled to about Rs. 450 million which makes it the biggest Endowment Fund in public sector universities across Pakistan. The fund would give away scholarships to 1,000 needy students of the University from the next financial year. It was revealed at the annual meeting of the Board of Trustees which was chaired by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi at the University's Syndicate Committee Room. Eminent Industrialist Mr. Iqbal Z. Ahmed, businessman and for mer federal minister Mian Misbah Ur Rehman, formal punjab minister and eminent advocate Mr. Zia Haider Rizvi, Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Riaz Ahmad,Treasurer Mr. Abid Shahzad, and EFT Executive
Committee Secretary Prof. Dr. Khalid Manzoor Butt attended the meeting. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi requested the trustees to also raise funds for students whose families' economic resources are affected from C OV I D - 1 9 o u t b r e a k , a n d fo r establishing a state-of-the-art business school at the GCU Lahore. The meeting also approved scholarships for students of evening programs. It was also informed that Old Ravians and philanthropists had donated almost Rs 45 million to Endowment Fund this year for the scholarships of deserving students. T h e Vi c e - C h a n c e l l o r ex p r e s s e d gratitude to the Old Ravians and philanthropists for their generous support to the Endowment Fund and
Christmas celebrations held at GCU
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he Government College University Lahore faculty, staf f member s and students celebrated the Christmas with the university's minority community. Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi and Guest of Honor Dr. Bishap Azad Marshall cut the Christmas cake with the university's Christian staff and faculty members. Speaking on the occasion, VC Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi said we should not only accept the minorities but also celebrate them. He added that that GCU had always stood out for promoting tolerance and religious harmony. He hoped that the second wave of COVID-19 would be over soon and they would hold a bigger event with the families on Easter. Dr. Bishap Azad Marshall said that all religions teach peace. He said the Christmas was a time of delight, sharing the joys and suf ferings of others, acceptance, forgiveness, reconciliation, celebrations and promoting love and peace. Dr Peter John from the university's Chemistry Department also spoke on the occasion. Earlier, GCU minority staff members expressed gratitude to the Vice Chancellor and other guests for celebrating Christmas with them. They said that Christmas gave the message of peace and love to all humanity.
appreciated executive committee. Prof. Asghar Zaidi said that the Fund would provide scholarships to minimum of 1,000 deserving students of GCU from the upcoming financial year, out of which 10 percent scholarship would go to the students of the evening programs. The Board of Trustees approved the annual audit report of the Trust and granted a three-year extension to its Executive Committee which included Mr. Iqbal Z Ahmed, eminent lawyer Dr. Parvez Hassan, Mian Muhammad Ashraf, Mr. Javed Oberoi, Mian Misbah ur Rehman, former federal secretary Kazi Afaq Hossain, noted radiologist Dr. Safdar Ali Malik and Prof. Dr. Khalid Manzoor Butt.
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GCU Endowment Fund swells to Rs 450 million, announces 1,000 scholarships
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
GCU Quarterly
03 Vol. 8 Issue III 2020
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
Flag-hoisting ceremony on Independence Day Later, the Punjab Governor inaugurated the newly-built Health and Wellbeing Centre at the Government College University and planted a tree at the Bukhari Lawns.
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h e G o ve r n m e n t C o l l e g e U n i ve r s i t y ( G C U ) celebrated the day with special prayers for peace and prosperity of the country and paid tribute to the frontline corona war riors, especially doctors and paramedics. Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar along with Vice Chancellor Government College University Lahore Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi and academic heads hoisted the national flag in the Bukhari Auditorium while a limited number of faculty members, staff and students were in attendance. Speaking on the occasion, the gover nor said the government's smar t lockdown strategy had yielded excellent results. Prof. Zaidi also spoke while a special video message of Mushaal Hussein Mullick, the wife of Kashmiri Hurriyat leader Yasin Malik, was also telecast on the occasion. The members of GCU Nazir Ahmed Music Society presented the national anthem and songs.
Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi awarded Tamgha-i-Imtiaz
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he President of Pakistan has conferred Tamgha-I-Imtiaz on Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi, the Vice Chancellor of GCU Lahore, for his outstanding contributions in the field of research and education especially attributing to his innovative research on population ageing. Working along the lines of the Human Development Index of Dr Mahbub ul Haq, Prof. Zaidi developed two global indexes, namely Global AgeWatch Index and Active Ageing Index. These indexes provided insights in studying the well-being of older populations around the world. His contributions are also recognised for the first of its kind study of dementia experiences in Pakistan with Alzheimer's Pakistan and in developing a nation-wide survey of human rights of older population for British Council Islamabad. The GC University's Academic Staff Association, faculty members and Old Ravians congratulated Prof. Zaidi on
the tremendous achievements he has made at the GC University since his arrival. In a statement, GCU ASA termed this achievement a stepping stone for his future work at GCU and o f fe r e d t h e i r f u l l e s t s u p p o r t i n achieving the strategy of uplifting the glorious position of GCU Lahore. Professor Zaidi, who holds a PhD in economics from the world's top university, University of Oxford, is a social policy analyst and renowned researcher. He holds vast experiences of working and teaching at the world's top universities around the world and would wish to bring this experience towards improvements in higher education in Pakistan. Asghar Zaidi's reward was attributed to his international research works on population ageing, on older people and people with disabilities. Last year, the G ove r n m e n t o f S h a n g h a i a l s o awarded him the 1,000 Foreign Experts Scholarship in 2019.
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
GCU VC gets additional charge of Baba Guru Nanak University
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over nment College University Lahore Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Asghar Zaidi has been given additional charge of the post of vice chancellor, Baba Guru Nanak University. A notification in this regard was issued by the Punjab Higher Education Department after the approval of Chancellor / Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar. On Oct 28, 2019, Prime Minister Imran Khan laid the foundation stone of the university in Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Baba Guru Nanak. According to the notification, Prof Zaidi will hold the additional charge of the post till the appointment of regular vice chancellor at the university. Prof. Zaidi is an eminent social policy analyst and a recent recipient of Tamgha-i-Imtiaz. Speaking to the media, he said it was a matter of great pride for him that he would work as the first VC of Baba Guru Nanak University. He pledged to work towards the goal of making
this new university an international centre of excellence for the study of Sikhism and for promotion of the Punjabi language. Earlier, the Punjab governor introduced Prof Asghar Zaidi to the global community of Sikhs in a video conference.
VC visited the GCU blood donation camp
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rof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi, the Vice Chancellor of Government College University Lahore, visited the GCU blood donation camp and donated a pint of blood for the cancer patients. The camp was organized by the university's Blood Donor Society (GCU BDS) in collaboration with the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre , Lahore. GCU BDS Incharge Dr Babar Naseem Aasi said that this donation by the Vice Chancellor would also inspire other students and faculty members to donate blood for saving lives of people suffering from different diseases. Vice Chancellor Prof Zaidi appreciated the efforts of Blood Donor Society members that donated more than 1600 pints of blood every year for the people suffering from different diseases including cancer and thalassemia. The VC also briefed students and faculty members about the health benefits of blood donation.
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he Government College University, Lahore, conferred the “Corona-Hero Awards” upon Ravian health professionals, including the late Prof Dr Mustafa Kamal Pasha, for their miraculous role in the containment of Covid-19. A graceful ceremony was held at the u n ive r s i t y ' s B o k h a r i Au d i t o r i u m where eminent Ravians including University of Health Sciences Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Javed Akram, Akhuwat Foundation founder Dr Amjad Saqib, KEMU VC Prof Khalid Masood Gondal, Corona Exper ts Advisory Group Chairman Prof Dr Mahmood Shaukat, Mayo Hospital CEO Prof Dr Asad Aslam and Government College University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Asghar Zaidi shed light on the unforgettable efforts of doctors and paramedics to bring Pakistan out of this pandemic less hurt than most other nations, says a press release. Prof Dr Bilquis Shabbir, a younger sister of the late Dr Mustafa Pasha (a famous surgeon and VC of Multan's Nishtar Medical University), received the award of her brother who laid down his life in the fight against the coronavirus. In his address, Prof Dr Javed Akram said “the pandemic is not fully over yet so many people are still needed to take precautions.” He called upon students to adopt healthy eating and active style to improve their immunity. He asked students and teachers to avoid smoking, saying that Covid-19 proved more fatal for smokers and people suffering from obesity and diabetes. GCU Vice Chancellor Prof Asghar Zaidi said “alumni's social work, success and achievements bring glory to their alma mater, and role played by these Ravian doctors and paramedics by putting their lives in danger is unforgettable and has filled us with great pride.” Prof. Dr. Asad Aslam Khan said: “The two years, I spent at the Government College played a vital role in my personality development and I can pay back the debt of my alma mater but I will do whatever I can to support this great institution.” Dr Amjad Saqib shared his personal experience of suffering from Covid-19 and living in lockdown, saying it revived and strengthened his friendship with books. He said he had written a book on services of eminent Ravian philanthropist Sir Bahadur Sir Ganga Ram, and expressed his wish to launch the book at GCU. Later, Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi presented awards to Prof Hafiz Ijaz, Prof Ghayyasul Nabi Tayyab, Prof Farid A Khan, Prof Arif Siddique, Prof Mahmood Nasir Malik, Prof Safdar A Malik, Prof Rana Arshad,
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
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GCU Confers “Corona Hero Awards” on Ravian Health Professional
Prof Khursheed Khan, Prof Khalid Khan, Prof Ashraf Zia, Prof Sadat Saleem, Prof Farooq Afzal, Prof Abdul Nayee, Prof Nasir Ch, Prof Ahsan Nasim, Dr Ashfaq Rana, Dr Kamran Ch, Dr Tahir Khalil, Prof Dr Shahid Malik, Dr Ali Saqlain Haider Dr Gulraiz Zulfiqar, Dr Shahid Chugtai, Dr Salman Kazmi, Dr Nasim Mansha Goraya, Dr Hafiz M. Waseem, Dr Hafiz Tahir Latif, Dr Hafiz Wasif, Dr Asad Shah and Dr Abdul Basit.
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
Indonesian scholar completes PhD from Government College University Lahore
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ndonesian sc holar Herolistra Baskoroputro has completed his doctorate of philosophy (PhD) in Mathematics from the Abdus Salam School of Mathematical Sciences (ASSMS), GC University Lahore. Mr. Baskoroputro completed his research on the topic of “Binomial Edge Ideals Associated with Proper Interval Graphs” under the supervision of foreign professor Dr.Viviana Ene.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi congratulated Herolistra Baskoroputro via skype and wished him a bright future ahead. ASSMS Director General Prof. Dr. Mujahid Abbas and Controller Examinations Muhammad Shahzad were also present on this occasion. Meanwhile, another scholar Ms. Nadia Shouka t also completed all the requirements for PhD award including
fulfilment of PhD quality criteria of HEC. She did here research on the topic of “Ideals and Rings Associated with Finite Lattices” under the supervision of foreign professor Dr. Viviana Ene. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi congratulated Ms. Nadia Shoukat and handed over PhD notification to her at a graceful ceremony at the Vice Chancellor's Office. .
GCU VC appoints new hostel GCU reinvigorates tutorial Superintendents, Director system to groom young Intermediate Studies Ravians
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he GC University Lahore Vice Chancellor appointed new superintendents of its four hostels after a rigorous process of applications and discussion about the interested faculty and staff members. Prof. Dr. Tehreema Iftikhar, the Chairperson of Botany Department of Botany, is appointed as the Superintendent of Fatima Jinnah Hostel, GCU Lahore, while Dr. Muhammad Abid Nadeem, Incharge Security and Associate Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies Department as Superintendent is directed to assume charge as the Superintendent of lqbal Hostel. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi also appointed Prof. Dr. Babar Aziz, the Chairperson of Economics Department and Mr. Muhammad Irfan Randhawa the Lecturer of English Department, as the superintendents of New Hostel and Quaid-e-Azam Hostel respectively for a period of two years. Dr. Asif Ali, Chairperson, Physical Education Program is appointed as Superintendent, Boys Hostel, KSK Campus. Prof. Zaidi said it was the first time when the University had adopted a merit-based system of selections to find most suitable faculty members for appointment as the hostels' superintendents. Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor also appointed Assistant Professor Mr. Siddique Awan as the Director, Intermediate Studies.
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he GCU Lahore has reinvigorated the tutorial system to groom the young Ravians and counsel them in all the academic, emotional, psychological, socio-political and career related issues. Prof. Zaidi said four new Chief Tutors had been appointed to look after the tutorial system in the four faculties of the University. They will select a total of 80 tutors and 80 senior tutors from their respective faculties. “These tutors will convene weekly meetings of the Intermediate and the first two years of the Undergraduate programs assigned to their groups in which they will groom students in the tradition of the legendary alumni of GCU and counsel them on all the academic, emotional, psychological, socio-political and career related issues. According the notification, Prof. Dr. Babar Aziz, Prof. Dr. Noman Sarwar Qureshi, Dr. Ghazala Yasmin Butt and Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Naeem are appointed Chief Tutors. These tutors are advised to arrange interactive discussions, debates, quiz contests, creative as well as critical thinking and writing and educational tours for their pupils. The tutors will be the first point of contact for the students who will guide them to resolve their educational and other university related problems. Above all, the students' interpersonal skills will be honed through activity based.
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
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ports contribute to groom our youth in a healthy environment where emphasis is laid on physical agility, spirit of competitiveness coupled with compassion, tolerance and moderation, said Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi, the VC of GCU Lahore. He was addressing the first meeting of University's Sports Board which was revamped by him a few months after his appointment to ensure merit and transparency in sports admissions and to rejuvenate the sports culture in the University. GCU Chairman Spor ts Board Dr. Ammad Uppal and presidents of different sports clubs attended the meeting. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi declared that the violation of merit in admissions on sports basis would not be tolerated this year. Most particularly,
a special focus shall be made on female students' participation in national and international competitions. The Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar
Zaidi said that the sports merit of Government College Lahore had always been higher than its academic merit, so it was expected from the University's Sports Board to revive this
tradition of excellence. He asked the President of each sports club to ensure merit in admissions in their respective games. He said that there would be a fixed number of sports seats for each games and no admission should be done over and above quota. Prof. Zaidi laid stress on providing ample spor ts facilities to female students, in such diverse fields as Cricket, Hockey, Tennis, Gymnastics, Basket Ball, Table Tennis, Boxing, Swimming, Rowing, Squash and athletics meets. Prof. Zaidi said that the Government College Lahore had been one of the finest sports nurseries for producing and grooming sportsmen for National teams, and it would continue to play this role in the future.
Webinar on ''Reshaping Pakistan's Future: Lessons from the Leadership of Quaid-I-Azam for Youth''
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n connection with 74th Independence Day Celebrations, Inter University Consor tium for Promotion of Social Sciences Pakistan, largest network of Pakistani universities and Government College University Lahore jointly organized webinar on the topic ''Reshaping Pakistan's Future: Lessons from the Leadership of QuaidI-Azam for Youth''. Senator Walid Iqbal highlighted the close interaction between Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal. Ju s t i c e ( r ) N a s i r a J a ve d I q b a l highlighted the impor tance of individual's par ticipation in
development and betterment of society. She also expressed that when we talk about the term “individual” we also count women as well. She said that our youth is full of potential, but due to lack of opportunities, they are unable to play their effective role. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali Shah ViceChancellor Q AU Islamabad and Chairman Vice-Chancellors Committee o f Pa k i s t a n s a i d t h e r e a l i z i n g importance of education, Quaid-i-Azam donated his own property to three educational institutions. Pakistan needs to declare education emergency to overcome challenges being faced in
education and higher education. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali Sheikh former Vice Chancellor Sindh Madressatul Islam University and Quaid-i-Azam's biographer, highlighted the vision of Quaid-i-Azam about the youth. Dr. Iqbal Chaudhar y Coordinator General COMSTECH Islamabad said that as per vision of Quaid-i-Azam, the young generation needs to be equipped with modern knowledge. Murtaza Noor National Coordinator IUCPSS has stressed upon collaborative efforts for empowering youth in every sphere of life as per vision of the founder of nation.
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GCU VC holds meeting to discuss sports admissions
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
‘Only one psychiatrist for 4m kids in Pakistan’
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b r e a k d o w n o f f a m i l y s t r u c t u r e, intolerance, crime, dr ugs and pandemics filled any society with psychosocial toxicity. He said children of the modern world were traumatised, inef fective methods of teaching, content shown on news and enter tainment media and excessive use of digital devices were adding fuel to the fire. Prof Malik said pedagogy and neurosciences were intricately linked, and
education, innovation and research. Symposium on psychosocial toxicity Punjab government spokesperson Dr Zarqa Taimur said there was a severe crisis of mental health in Pakistan; each of them had at least one affected person in their families. “We witness anxiety, depression, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), panic attacks, addictions and mental health issues in every home now,” she added. She highlighted that only one psychiatrist was available to 10,000 people in Pakistan, and one child psychiatrist to 4,000,000 children. The first session was followed by a
quality education was their ultimate saviour. He stressed teaching compassion, gratitude, forgiveness and humility in educational institutions and underlined a need for a moder n institute of neurosciences in Pakistan. Government College University Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi said universities were playing the role of a catalyst for change to bring a disruptive improvement in the existing system. He said a new education policy should be launched with focus on modern
panel discussion in which Bishop Dr Azad Marshall, MPA Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora and the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) for mer president also participated. The speakers said they should stop living in self-denial and immediately change the education system of Pakistan. “We need a system which can produce the human resource whic h can compete with technology,” they said. The last session of the symposium was a workshop, which covered important topics like what training and incentives are necessar y for teachers and mentors at a university, what challenges we need to overcome in institutional development.
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he Gover nment College University (GCU), in collaboration with the University of Sussex, the UK, and Changing Hear ts and Minds Programme (CHAMP) Pakistan organised a
symposium on “Psychosocial toxicity and its challenges for university education in Pakistan”. Consultant Psychiatrist Prof Dr Shakil Jehangir Malik said wars, terrorism, violence, disasters, conflicts, inequality, injustice, self-serving political and religious leadership, loss of civic values,
Vice Chancellor unveils “GCU Goals: 2020-23”
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Government College University Lahore
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rof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi, the Vice Chancellor of Government College University Lahore, unveiled his three-year strategic vision “GCU Goals: 2020-23” aimed at improving quality of education, promoting research culture, inter nationalization, infrastructure development and digitalization of university's learning and management systems. The Vice Chancellor unveiled the document “GCU Goals: 2020-23” at a monthly meeting of academic heads and deans at the University's meeting Rooms. “This monthly meeting of the University's academic heads will become a permanent feature of the University calendar and would be held on every first Tuesday of the month to review the progress on these goals and discuss challenges faced by the University,” said Prof. Asghar Zaidi. He said that the GCU Lahore is empowering its academic heads, and from this year onwards, instead of the University's Registrar Office, chairpersons and Deans are given responsibility to ensure merit and transparency in admissions and appointments. Talking about the importance of holding training of faculty and staff, Prof. Zaidi remarked that GCU will have HR policy to attract and retain the best talent.
HIGHLIGHTS 2020
Prof. Zaidi said that the biggest challenge, they would be facing this year, is to start academic activities on the new campus of GCU in Kala Shah Kaku. He said initially Physical Education and Fine Arts Departments would be shifted to the New Campus, while Chemistry Department had also consented to conduct its MPhil classes there. These Departments will also retain their buses in the old campus. The Vice Chancellor said that as many as ten focal persons were appointed under Clause 4 of Higher Education Commission (HEC) Policy against Sexual Harassment and students are encouraged to report any matter related to harassment to these focal persons. The VC also shared that the GCU Goals also aimed at strengthening employability of their graduates and developing entrepreneurial mindset, producing research leading to commercialization and social impact, developing linkages with policy making bodies, partnering with industry and academia abroad and improvement in all the underlying indicators used for international university rankings.
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
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Academic activities begin on GCU new campus
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historic day for the Government College University Lahore as academic activities began on the University's 400 acres new campus established at Kala Shah Kaku. Students from the University's eight departments including BA/BSc (Hons) Physical Education, Botany Zoology, Chemistry, Biotechnology, Psychology and Fine Arts studied their first classes in the Academic Bloc of new campus on Wednesday. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi visited the new campus, and addressed students and faculty members, saying “you've become history and future of this GCU new campus, and students in coming decades would look at you as the founders of this campus.” He said classes would be held on the new campus from 9:00am to 1:00pm, and shuttle transport service between both campuses would be provided to all students daily. Prof. Zaidi clarified that these six departments including BSc (Hons) Physical Education, had not been shifted to the new campus; their classes, research laboratories and faculty offices were intact on the main campus and initially they would enjoy all facilities on both campuses. He said that Phase-I of new campus was nearing completion and from next year, about two thousands students would study on this campus. He also said GCU had requested funds to the government for the Phase-II of construction of this campus. The Vice Chancellor appreciated the efforts of his team in disinfecting the whole campus and preparing it for classes in very short period of time. Prof. Zaidi requested the Punjab Health Department and the District Management to vacate the remaining parts of the academic bloc of hostel for further activities on the news campus.
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
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mass tree plantation drive started at the New Campus of t h e G ove r n m e n t C o l l e g e University in collaboration with the Prime Minister's Tiger Force and Deputy Commissioner Of fice, Shiekhupura. Member Punjab Assembly Umar Aftab Dhillon along with Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr Asghar Zaidi inaugurated the plantation drive by planting saplings outside the University's Boys' Hostel. Deputy Commissioner, Sheikhupura Muhammad Asghar Joya, Assistant Commissioner Ferozwala Zahid Khan,
Mr. Umar Sikandar Bhatti and the members of GCU Horticulture Society and PM Tiger Force were also present. Speaking on the occasion, MPA Umar Dhillon said that research in agriculture and mass tree plantation were crucial for the food security and counter the threats of climate change and pollution. He said he was a Ravian and it was a matter of great pride for him to plant a tree on the new campus of his own alma mater. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr Asghar Zaidi said that fighting the climate change was the collective responsibility of
whole nation. He said that he had a plan to develop this new campus of GCU Lahore as a research hub for agro biotechnology. Prof. Zaidi said there were some security concerns in this area of KSK and they needed the support of local administration to address these concerns for the safety of their faculty, students and staff members. Deputy Commissioner, Sheikhupura Muhammad Asghar Joya emphasized the need to tackle pollution and smog through this plantation. He also assured of all collaborations with the GCU.
GCU focal persons administered training on protection against harassment
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one-day special training on the protection against harassment on workplace was held here at the Office of the Ombudsperson, Punjab for the focal persons of GC University Lahore. GCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi also attended the concluding session of the training conducted by Ombudsperson Punjab Ms. Rukhsana Gillani. Speaking on the occasion, Ms Gillani said sexual harassment, abuse and discrimination in Pakistan's workplaces, including universities, were pervasive, mostly unreported. She appreciated that the GCU Vice Chancellor had taken a step forward and appointed 10 focal persons for handling and prevention of sexual harassment cases on the campus. The training was designed to equip focal persons with maximum knowledge of this sensitive subject matter.They were given information of how to create a safe working environment for women/men, which is free of harassment, abuse and intimidation with a view towards fulfillment of their right to work with dignity. Prof. Dr. Zaidi said that there was a dire need to create awareness on this serious issue among faculty, students and staff of universities. He also informed that GCU had launched a massive awareness campaign in this regard that included training of the staff and students to make GCU a harassment-free university.
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Plantaiton Drive at GCU New Campus
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
GCU Quarterly
04 Vol. 8 Issue IV 2020
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
Governor lauds complete merit-based admissions in GCU
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ell Done Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi, you did a wonderful job, said Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar appreciating the e f f o r t s o f t h e V i c e C h a n c e l l o r, Government College University Lahore in ensuring 100 percent merit-based admissions, even on sports and cocurricular seats, this year. The Punjab governor also highlighted
the work done by vice chancellors and medical health professionals in fight against COVID19. He said coronavirus telemedicine helpline, established by the Governor House, was a huge success and their people from outside Pakistan benefited from it. He said that Prof. Zaidi's name was written on Corona warrior's wall in Governor House due entirely to his
untiring and sincere efforts to fight against this pandemic. Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof. Zaidi highlighted a need for establishing another girls hostel on the University Campus, saying that a large number of girls from other cities secure admission in GCU on merit and face difficulties due to limited seats in girls hostel.
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he Government College University Lahore Mahbub ul Economic Society has held a webinar on the topic of “Smart Lockdown and its Impact” which was addressed by Federal Minister for Science and Technology Mr. Fawad Chaudhry. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi moderated the webinar which was also attended a large number of students and faculty members through Zoom application. In his address, Federal Minister Fawad Chaudhry said the complete lockdown was not possible in countries where there had been no system of social protection. “Pakistan has witnessed the peak of COVID19 cases in June last month, as mentioned earlier by the Ministry of Science and Technology, and now there is a steep decline of almost 40 percent in cases,” he added.
Social Sciences in Pakistan: Challenges, Prospects and Opportunities
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webinar on a very pertinent topic of "Social Sciences in Pakistan: Challenges, Prospects, and Opportunities" was held here under the auspices of GC University Lahore and Quaid-i-Azam Alumni Association Pakistan. Eminent academicians including GCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University Peshawar Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Razia Sultana and former Dean Faculty of Arts & Humanities, Punjab University, Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Chawla addressed the hour long webinar broadcasted live for students and faculty members. Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi said that norms
determined the importance and role of social thinkers; these norms needed to change so as to emphasize on the role of social engineers in the society. Prof. Dr. Razia Sultana also shed light on role
of universities in strengthening social sciences especially bridging gap between academia and policy-makers. However, Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Chawla talked about various challenges to
social science subjects in the historical context and stressed upon promoting indigenous research. Prof. Dr. Kaleem Ullah Barec h, the President of Academic Staff Association, University of Balochistan, Quetta put emphasis on inter-provincial faculty and student exchanges especially in the discipline o f s o c i a l s c i e n c e s. M u h a m m a d Murtaza Noor, the National Coordinator of Inter-University Consor tium for Promotion of Social Sciences Pakistan laid stress on inter-disciplinary and intra-disciplinary collaborations and coordination to undertake joint efforts to resolve socio-economic problems of the society. Quaid I Azam University, Islamabad Assistant Professor Dr. Munawar Hussain also addressed the webinar.
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GCU holds webinar on smart lockdown
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
Seminar, walk at GCU mark World Alzheimer's Day
seminar on Alzheimer's disease and related dementia was held here at Government College University Lahore on the occasion of World Alzheimer's Day. Punjab Health Minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid chaired the seminar and also led an on-campus awareness walk along with Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr Asghar Zaidi, Alzheimer's Pakistan President Mr. Zia Haider Rizvi and eminent doctors to raise awareness about memory-loss related diseases and their risk factors. Addressing the seminar, Dr. Yasmin Rashid laid stress on raising awareness about healthy lifestyle and early detection of dementia related diseases. She said Alzheimer's is a
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progressive disease and worsens over time; in its early stages, memory loss is mild, but with late-stage Alzheimer's, individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment. The Health Minister said awareness about Alzheimer is still very low in Pakistan, a couple of decades ago much people in Pakistan were not even aware of its name. She asked students and teachers to act as volunteers in their families and communities to raise awareness about different diseases. Dr.Yasmin Rahsid appreciated the work done by Alzheimer's Pakistan towards the welfare of people with dementia and their caregivers. Alzheimer's Pakistan Secretary, Dr. Hussain Jafri provided details of ser vices offered to persons with dementia their caregivers. Vice Chancellor Prof. Zaidi said that Pakistan has close to 14 Million older persons and by the time it would get to 2050, we will have 44 million older persons in our society.“We need to start preparing for the challenge we are going to face in the next three decades,” he added.
E m i n e n t n e u r o l o g i s t P r o f. D r. Muhammad Athar Javed briefed the symptoms and risks factors of Alzheimer. He said all memory loses were not dementia anyone experiencing dementia-like symptoms should see a doctor as soon as possible. He said as Alzheimer's advances through the brain it leads to increasingly severe problems, including disorientation, deepening confusion a b o u t e ve n t s , t i m e a n d p l a c e ; suspicions about family, friends and professional caregivers and more serious dif ficulty in speaking, swallowing and walking. D r. A l i H a s h m i , a P r o fe s s o r o f Psychiatry at King Edward Medical University Lahore, said Alzheimer could not be fully cured but quality of life of patients could be improved. He advised the caregivers to regularly consult d o c t o r s a n d p h y s i a t r i s t s , ke e p environment comfortable and calm for patients, maintain their regular daily activities and structure and assess sleep and eating patterns.
GCU ensured 100pc merit in sports admission
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he annual meeting of the University Sports Board was held here at GC University Lahore which provisionally approved admissions of 87 students to intermediate classes on sports basis. Prof. Zaidi chairing the meeting thanked all Presidents of GCU Sports Clubs for their efforts towards ensuring admissions completely on merit. The Board discussed criteria, credentials and trial results of each candidate before granting approval for the admission. Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof. Zaidi said 100 percent admissions on merit was a prerequisite to win back our titles and positions in sports. He appreciated the efforts of GCU Sports Board to ensure merit and transparency in trials. Prof. Zaidi said he had personally inspected many of the trials where winners were announced on the spot. Vice Chancellor also announced special scholarships for three candidates of each sports. He also discussed improved sports facilities for the students and staff. VC proudly said this year GCU sports merit remained high and champions of different sports competitions showed interest in becoming GCU student. All members of Sports Board unanimously paid glowing tributes to the Vice Chancellor for ensuring 100 percent merit on sports admissions, and revealed many national level professional sportsmen were selected during the trials.
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
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he World Ozone Day is observed on September 16, 2020 to s p r e a d a wa r e n e s s a m o n g people about the ozone layer and discover possible solutions to preserve it. In this connection, the Government College University Lahore Geography Department held a seminar pm the theme “Ozone for Life: 35years of Ozone layer protection” given by United
Nations (UN). Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi chaired the seminar which was followed by a poster exhibition to raise awareness among the University students about the Ozone layer. Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof. Zaidi told students the ozone layer, or ozone shield, is a region of Earth's stratosphere that contains a high concentration of ozone (O3) and how it absorbs about 97-99% of the sun's harmful ultraviolet light rays, which otherwise would severely deter life on Earth. He suggested that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of United Nations should have been the part of this event. He stressed the importance of plantation of trees and population control to combat pollution and climate
change. L a t e r, t h e G ove r n m e n t C o l l e ge University Vice Chancellor visited the poster exhibition based on themes of World Ozone Day, Ozone for Life, Ban Pollution; Ozone is precious, Ozone Depletion and Ozone healing. Chairperson Depar tment of Geography Dr. Shakil Mahmood was also present.
Group discussion on barriers of inclusion at higher education
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group discussion on “barriers of inclusion at higher education” was held here at Government College University Lahore. Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi chaired the discussion which was held under the auspices of Pace 2 Life Welfare Fo u n d a t i o n , a n o n - g ove r n m e n t organization founded by a physically
challenged Ravian Mr. Waqas Ahmed to support and fund physically challenged students all across Pakistan. GCU Registrar Dr. Shauka t Ali, Sociology Department Incharge Dr. Ayesha Farooq, PhD scholar Abdul Basit Rana, Sonia Fareed, Dr Ashfaq f r o m U n i ve r s i t y o f E d u c a t i o n , Chairperson Center for Child Rights
and Safety Education Tariq Mehmood, Dr Faisal Anees form UMT, Iffat Batool from GCU Psychology Department and special educationist Abdul Qudoos also participated in discussion. Zania Chaudhr y represented the transgender community in the discussion and highlighted their problems.
GCU holds webinar on coronavirus vaccine and myths related to it
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we b i n a r o n “ C o r o n av i r u s vaccine and myths related to it” was held here at the Government College University Lahore under the auspices of its Disease Awareness and Prevention Society (GCU-DAAPS). The two-hour webinar, addressed by the renowned infectious diseases and
internal medicine expert Dr. Faheem Younus and Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi, was aimed at diminishing misconceptions regarding the Coronavirus and its vaccines, while s i m u l t a n e o u s l y p r ov i d i n g ex a c t information to the university students regarding its future prospects in Pakistan.
Addressing the webinar via zoom Dr. Younus said that two successful RNAbased vaccines (Pfizer and Modernma) would be soon available in the global biotech market for all countries, and explained their mode of operation. DAAPS President Sarmad Bilal and coordinator Sannan Virk also addressed the webinar..
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GCU celebrates World Ozone Day
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
Chairman, PEMRA visits his alma mater
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uhammad Saleem Baig, an eminent Old Ravian and the Chairman Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), visited the Gover nment College University Lahore, and met with Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Saleem Baig said this was a knowledge driven world and the role of universities is very crucial for development of Pakistan. He shared memories of his student life at the Government College Lahore where he was the President of the college union. VC Prof. Zaidi discussed with the
PEMRA Chair man his four-year strategic vision for the development of GCU, saying that the real spirit of
GCU holds orientation ceremony for newly admitted students
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ing Edward Medical University Lahore VC Professor Khalid Masood Gondal shared reminiscences about his student life at the Government College Lahore back in late 1970s. He was addressing the orientation session of newly-admitted pre-medical students of GCU Lahore on the special invitation of VC Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi. “It was a matter of great pride for me that I spent my student days in the hostel in the same room where Poet of the East Allama Muhammad Iqbal stayed as the student of GC Lahore,” Professor Gondal said. KEMU VC said universities should focus on character building and personality development of students through their active participation in debates, sports and other co-curricular
research should be societal impact, not increments and promotions. Prof. Zaidi says alumni's achievements in professional lives bring laurels to their alma mater, and they feel very proud when they see Old Ravian play their leading role for development of Pakistan The Vice Chancellor also requested the PEMRA Chairman that GCU was looking forward to set up a noncommercial radio station for its students, and would look forward to the regulatory authority for the grant of license.
activities He advised the students to join the medical profession with an aim to serve the humanity. He impressed upon them the multifarious responsibilities that they are expected to shoulder as promising young students as well as the ultimate hope for the future of Pakistan.
80pc attendance mandatory for Inter students
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he Government College University (GCU) Lahore organized an orientation session for the newly-admitted pre-engineering students. Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi said that minimum 80 percent attendance was mandatory for the FA/FSc students and GCU would send the examination forms of only those students to the Lahore Board who fulfilled the minimum attendance criteria. The VC drew attention of students to their inherent talent that could help them trace the footsteps of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, Dr Abdus Salam, Faiz Ahmad Faiz and Dr. Samar Mubarikmand who are all distinguished Old Ravians. On the invitation of GCU Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) Chairman Dr. Fazal Ahmed Khalid also participated in the ceremony and shed light on how technological advancement and digital revolution was changing skills requirements for different kinds of jobs.
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
GCU, Pink Pakistan sign accord to promote women wellbeing, empowerment and External Links (AP&EL) at the University's Meeting Rooms. Particularly, both the two institutions will work together for spreading awareness to reduce the mortality rate due to breast cancer and promote women wellbeing and empowerment. Dr. Zubaida Qazi, President Pink Pakistan Trust said that underprivileged women are more likely to fall prey to serious diseases such as breast cancer due to lack of awareness caused by
Call to eliminate social stigmas attached to breast cancer
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seminar and on-campus walk were held here at the Gover nment College University Lahore in connection with Pinktober 2020 to raise awareness among female students and faculty members about the breast cancer. Speakers at the seminar laid stress to eliminate social stigmas attached to breast cancer and other female diseases, saying girls in Pakistan even feel shy talking to their parents about their basic health issues. Vice Chancellor Prof. Asghar Zaidi and senior faculty members along with their family members attended the seminar. Speaking on the occasion, the founder of Pink Ribbon Pakistan, O m e r A f t a b, l a i d s t r e s s o n prevention, saying that according to latest studies, 40 percent cases of the breast cancer were preventable by adopting active lifestyle, healthy eating and positive thinking.“Not only physical, but your mental health is also important to prevent yourself from different diseases,” he added. He said that when they started this awareness in Pakistan, the media was not supportive due the stigma
attached to this word “breast cancer”, but today they had a lot of support f r o m m e d i a a n d g o ve r n m e n t institutes. District Health Education Officer Ms. Tahira Mariam briefed the students about the risk factors and methods of self-examina tion, saying if detected at an early stage, the chance of surviving increases by up to 90 per cent. She said that young girls was being diagnosed of the disease at very alarming rate. She said that risk factors included obesity, age, unhealthy diet, inactive lifestyle, late child birth, radiation exposure and hormonal disturbance. Sehr Chawala, an eminent m o t i v a t i o n a l s p e a k e r, a l s o addressed the seminar and encouraged the female students to speak up about their rights and health issues. Later, Vice Chancellor Government College University Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi and Omer Aftab led an oncampus awareness walk where students were holding posters inscribed with motivational and awareness messages about the breast cancer.
poverty. “Pink Pakistan Trust aims to empower breast cancer survivors to fight against the adverse social and financial consequences caused by this disease,” she said. The Vice Chancellor Government College University Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi briefed the participants about the initiatives taken by the GCU for women development and showed his support to working with Pink Pakistan Trust for promoting female well- being. Page 50
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memorandum of understating was singed between the GCU, Lahore and Pink Pakistan Trust, to work towards the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGS) of eradicating poverty, good health and wellbeing, gender equality, reduced inequalities and economic growth. Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi and Pink Pakistan Trust President signed the accord at a graceful ceremony organized by the GCU Directorate of Academic Planning
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
GCU launches Drug Free Campus drive
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he Gover nment College University Lahore launched a 'Drug-Free Campus Drive' to raise awareness on the issue among its students, staff, and faculty. Federal Minister for Narcotics Control Azam Khan Swati inaugurated the campaign at a ceremony held at the varsity's Bukhari Auditorium.
The ceremony was also addressed by Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) Regional Directorate Commander Brig Rashid Minhas, Punjab gover nment spokesperson Dr Zarqa Suharwardy, Punjab Assembly members Zainab Umair and Ms Shawana Bashir and emeritus consultant psychiatrist, University of Sussex, Prof Shakil
Je h a n g i r M a l i k . T h e eve n t wa s organised in collaboration with a nongovernment organisation, CHAMP, and ANF Punjab. Prof Zaidi announced establishment of the GCU Anti-Narcotics Society, patronised by the federal minister for narcotics control and Prof Shakil Malik as one of its external advisers.
Universities asked to establish anti-narcotics societies
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ederal Minister for Narcotics Control Muhammad Azam Khan Swa ti has stressed tha t a network of students-led anti-narcotics societies should spread in all universities and colleges across Pakistan, along the lines of establishment of the GCU's AntiNarcotics Society. The purpose is to raise awareness, report suspicious activities and create a n e nv i r o n m e n t i n e d u c a t i o n a l institutions that is free of illicit drug use. He was addressing online the Advisory Board meeting of GCU Anti-Narcotics Society established this year under his co-patronage with Vice Chancellor. Mr. Swati appreciated GCU for taking a lead in establishing Anti-Narcotics Society to make its campus drug free, and asked other universities to follow in
the GCU's footprints and establish students-led anti-narcotics societies. The Federal Minister said, youth was our future and our aim was to protect and nurture them so that they can lead a healthy and successful life. He assured that the Ministry of Narcotics will coopera te and suppor t all initiatives of GCU's Anti-Narcotics Society. Vice Chancellor stressed the need for a meaningful collaboration among student bodies and all agencies i n vo l ve d i n n a r c o t i c s c o n t r o l . Spokesperson of Punjab Government, Dr. Zarqa Suharwardy, said drug abuse as a social evil which destroys families and social fabric of the Society. She e m p h a s i s e d t h e n e e d t o m a ke educational institutions drug-free, saying that every individual would have
to play his or her best role in preventing people from addiction and use of drugs. MPA Ms.Talath Naqvi said for narcotics control, the society must provide alter native healthy and creative activities to youth.
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
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minent speakers at a seminar at t h e G ove r n m e n t C o l l e ge Univer sity Lahore have emphasized on growing fisheries industry on scientific grounds, saying that the country has a great potential for fish farming which needed government suppor t and collaboration among universities, research institutions and farming industry. In his keynote address at the seminar organized by the GC University's Zoology Department in connection with t h e Wo r l d F i s h e r i e s D a y, V i c e Chancellor Prof Dr. Asghar Zaidi stressed tha t the promotion of aquaculture and safe utilization of aquatic resources was very crucial particularly for our economic growth, employment generation and social prosperity. “This can only be achieved if people from industry, academia, investors and g ove r n m e n t wo r k t o ge t h e r a n d transform this into research oriented industry,” the Vice Chancellor said.
The seminar, held in collaboration with the Pakistan Fisheries Society (PFS), Tawakal Fish Hatcheries and AlTech Pakistan Pvt. Ltd, was followed by an awareness walk and inauguration of PFS Headquarters GCU. P r o f. Z a i d i s a i d t h a t t h i s P F S Headquarters would work towards building trust amongst our partners. He also proposed the establishment of centre of excellence in the research of fisheries and aquaculture. He offered the availability of resources and technical skills of the university to the industrial partners suggesting that a viable collaborative working model could be devised. PSF President Dr Muhammad Ayub said that this year, the theme of the World Fisheries Day 2020 was “end human trafficking and force labor in fisheries”. He emphasized on improving national resources to enhance the export of fish trade to one billion dollars from current 300 million dollars. Dr. Noor Elahi and Mr Sami Ullah Khan
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Speakers stress growing fisheries industry on scientific grounds
from Himalya Fish Hatcher y highlighted the c hallenges and oppor tunities to establish a fish hatchery in Pakistan, saying that some organizations should provide funding facilities for fisheries sector.
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
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GCU VC pays homage to Allama Iqbal
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delegation from the alma mater of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi, visited the Iqbal's mausoleum to pay homage to the great Old Ravian philosopher on his
birth anniversary. Vice Chancellor Prof Zaidi and his wife also offered fateha for the soul of the great national poet and laid a floral wreath. The Vice Chancellor recorded his views in the visitors' book.The Vice Chancellor said
that it was a matter of great pride and inspiration for all Ravians that Allama Muhammad Iqbal had been a student of Government College Lahore. He said Iqbal's philosophy is beacon of light for our youth.
World largest collection of stamps displayed at GCU
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ian Sajid Ali, the Chairman of Allama Iqbal Stamps Society, displayed world's largest collection of stamps at an exhibition at the GCU Lahore in connection with the Allama Iqbal Day. The university's faculty members and students showed keen interest in precious collection of postal stamps, postal envelopes, aerogramme, coins, currency notes, medals, printed envelopes, first day covers, post marks, Iqbal memorial funds stamps, and signature collection related to Allama Muhammad Iqbal. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi inaugurated the exhibition along academic and administrative heads of the university. He said that the U n ive r s i t y ' s e d u c a t i o n e n t a i l s unbiased learning which enables the youth to chalk out their destination based on their individual journey in the realm of intellect. He expressed that the youth must follow the footsteps of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, an illustrious Ravian, in order to achieve
the heights of successes. Speaking on occasion, Chief Librarian Muhammad Naeem pledged GCU Librar y Society would keep on organizing suc h events in the university to flourish knowledge and spread awareness about our national heroes. Later, Prof. Asghar Zaidi presented a souvenir to Mian Sajid Ali for displaying rare collection of postal stamps and other precious items at GC University Lahore.
UET wins GCU's Allama Iqbal Declamation Contest
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Government College University Lahore
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team of University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore has won the 40th All Pakistan Allama Muhammad Iqbal Bilingual Declamation Contest, hosted by the Government College University Lahore Debating Society (GCUDS). The Ravian orators opened and closed the House with their memorable speeches. However, as a matter of principle, they as hosts didn't contest for medals. UET student Danish Azam was adjudicated the Best Urdu Speaker of the declamation contest and awarded with the Dr. Majid Nizami Medal, while University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore student Mahnoor Rana was awarded the Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Medal for the Best English Speaker of the event. In the final round, the serious topics that remained closely contested by the teams were: “the world will not fail if Pakistan fails, but the world will be healthier if Pakistan is healthy”, “globalization is incredibly efficient but also so far incredibly
HIGHLIGHTS 2020
unjust”, “for girls, becoming women is inevitability: for boys, becoming men is ambition” and “the moment you recognize what is beautiful in this world, you stop being a slave”. Ms Nadia Saquib, Additional Secretary Finance, Government of the Punjab, who was also president GCU's Debating Society 20 years ago, was the Chief Guest at the final round of one of the country's biggest gala. Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi congratulated the GCU Debating Society for organising this mega contest of public speaking while observing SoPs for protection against Coronavirus. The Vice Chancellor also said that debates played a crucial role in overall grooming and personality development of students. “It teaches how to disagree with others respectfully with arguments.” he concluded.
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
GCU three professors make it to top scientists list
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moment of great pride for the Government College University Lahore as its three senior faculty members made it to the list of the top two percent scientists in the world as compiled by the Stanford University, USA. Gover nment College University Lahore, Mathematics Depar tment Chairperson Prof. Dr. Mujahid Abbass, Professor Rafi Chaudar y Dr Muhammad Zakaullah and Dr Abdul
research. Government College University, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi congratulated Prof. Abbass, Prof. Zakaullah and Sattar Nizami saying that faculty and students' achievements brought laurels to their institutions. He called upon all faculty members to improve the quality of their research, saying that research should have demonstrable impact in the form of societal value.
Sattar Nizami from Sustainable Development Study Centre made to the list that covers more than 170 scientific sub-specialties and 22 major specialties in different areas of sciences. The inclusion is based on several factors: the most important is the power of inter national scientific publications, the number of scientific citations and the participation in the review and editing of scientific
GCU holds Rehmatul-LilAlameen (SAW) Seminar
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he Government College University Lahore organized the Rehmatul-LilAlameen (SAW) Seminar in connection with the Eid Milad-un-Nabi. Chairman Kashmir Committee Mr. Shehryar Afridi addressed the seminar which was also attended by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi. Speaking on the occasion, Shehryar Afridi highlighted the importance of this month in Islam. He said Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is a role model for the Muslims, adding that it is only by following his teachings one can become a true human being and bring reforms in the society by eradicating social ills and immoral activities. He said the Jews despite being small in number, had criminalized the denial of Holocaust in some countries because it hurt them. He highlighted need to make the Western world understand that the Muslims get hurt the most and could not tolerate any kind of disrespect of Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
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he Vice Chancellor's XI beat the Old Ravians XI by 5 wickets in the festival cricket match played at the Government College University Lahore's Oval Ground. Former Pakistan cricket team capitan Mr. Intikhab Alam was the chief guest at the festival match held under the auspices of the Old Ravians Union (ORU). The Old Ravians IX under the captaincy of Minister Higher Education Raja Yasir Humayun Sarfraz decided to bat first after winning the toss.They scored 129 runs in 12 overs. Former GC cricket team capitan Shahab Bashrat scored a quick fire of 55 runs of just 29 balls. His innings included four fours and three sixes.The Minister Higher Education started his innings with two quick fours but he was caught and bowled by former test cricketer Manzoor Elahi. Vice Chancellor's XI chased the total of 129 runs in the 12th over at a loss only 5 wickets. Batting maestro, GCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi scored quick 39 runs in early overs which immensely helped his team winning the match. Speaking on the occasion, Raja Yasir Humayun Sarfraz said that he had played from kookaburra cricket ball after many years, adding that sports activities were highly crucial for healthy mind. He said he had started inter university sports to promote healthy sports activities among students. He said playing for Old Ravians as former alumni of the GC was a big proud moment for him. Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Asghar Zaidi expressed gratitude to Old Ravians Union for organizing a colorful match, saying that Old Ravians would bring in a tougher team next year. He said that GCU had been one of the finest sports nurseries for producing top sportsmen for the country's national teams. He said this year he personally ensured sports admissions on merit, so that GCU maintained its tradition of excellence in sports. ORU President Ashfaq Mohlan remembered many sportsmen who played cricket for GC and some of them later made it the Test team of Pakistan. He also pledged to provide full support to the Vice Chancellor for promotion healthy sports activities in GCU.
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VC XI beats Old Ravians XI by 5 wickets
HIGHLIGHTS 2020 Government College University Lahore
GCU to have Kashmir Centre of Excellence
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ashmir Centre of Excellence' will be established at the Government College University (GCU) to effectively highlight the Kashmir issues. This was stated by Government College University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Asghar Zaidi here during his meeting with Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Sardar Masood Khan at the Jammu and Kashmir House here. Prof Zaidi said the centre of excellence would help create opportunities for the GCU students and faculty members to fully
understand various dimensions of the Kashmir dispute and also generate academic discourses on this issue. The VC added that various GCU societies including deba ting, culture, arts and performing arts societies would collaborate with the Kashmir society to produce plays a n d s o n g s, b e s i d e s h o l d i n g debating competitions on Kashmir. The AJK president appreciated the GCU initiatives for highlighting the Kashmir issue. He said that GCU could be instrumental in organising national and international conferences on the dispute.
The president said groundwork could be done for student and faculty exchange programmes between five AJK varsities and the GCU to enhance mutual linkages, create an atmosphere of learning and focus on capacity building.
GCU, UET join hands for research collaboration
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he Government College University Lahore and University of Engineering & Technology Lahore are joining hands for teaching and research collaboration in the fields of sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities and languages. GCU VC Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi and UET VC Prof. Dr. Syed Mansoor Sarwar signed the accord at graceful ceremony at the engineering university. Both the universities have agreed to develop a partnership for exchanging teaching and research staff, student exchange, joint research projects, providing each other access to laboratories and facilities, sharing of academic data and publications and holding joint conferences and, workshops and seminars. He also talked about the rich history and traditions of GCU and its strong students' society system which helped in character building and personality development of students.
Kashmir is bleeding Seminar at GCU
HIGHLIGHTS 2020
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he fifth generation hybrid war has been launched against Pakistan to distract and disappoint its youth from its culture, leadership and values, said the Chairman Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir, Shehryar Khan Afridi, while addressing a seminar at the Government College University (GCU) Lahore. The seminar titled "Kashmir is Bleeding" organized by the GCU's Kashmir Society was also addressed by eminent defense analyst Lt. General (r) Ghulam Mustafa, Salman Ghani of Dunya News, Salman Abid and Punjab government spokesperson Dr. Zarka Suharwardy. Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi announced establishing a Research Chair on Kashmir at GCU to lead research across the Departments on Kashmir issues. He highlighted the work of GCU's Kashmir Society to compile a data of human rights violations and genocide of Kashmiris in the Indian-held Kashmir. GCU's Kashmir Society had been formed earlier this year under his and Ms. Mushaal Mullick's patronage. He said the Society had been regularly holding academic debates to enlighten the youth about the Kashmir issue. Earlier, Shehryar Khan Afridi said the role of their youth was not less important than our soldiers who are very bravely protecting our borders. He pledged to expose India on Kashmir issue at all the international forums with truth and arguments. He said resistance runs in the blood and breath of the Kashmiri people, and Indian authorities under Modi are employing all dirty tricks to damage the identity and culture of Kashmiris. He also invited the members of GCU Kashmir Society to interactive session in the Parliament. Lt. General (r) Ghulam Mustafa enlightened the youth about the real history of Kashmir dispute and Indian propaganda.
Mental Health Week
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he annual Mental Health Week (MHW) celebrations were held at the Government College University Lahore under the auspices of Dr. Muhammad Ajmal Psychological Society and Psychology Department on the theme of “Ageing: Challenges and Management.” Addressing the webinar, Vice Chancellor Prof Dr. Ashgar Zaidi reflected upon the stigmas and perceptions associated with dementia, especially the concerns of the caregivers. He noted that the greatest stress is generated for patients with mild dementia about their inabilities in performing religious obligations. Dr. Zaidi stressed upon the need for indigenous social science research on dementia. Dr Syeda Salma Hasan, Chairperson of the Psychology Department GC University Lahore, expressed that old age along with leisure and pleasures of grand parenting brings many physical, cognitive and socioemotional challenges which are experienced by the older people in the form of decreased strength, memory problems, coping with retirement and coping with bereavement and grief.
Government College University, Katchery Road, Lahore-54000, Pakistan, UAN: 111-000-010, Website: www.gcu.edu.pk