University of the Punjab turns 135
The administration says measures including promotion of modern research and de-politicisation of the campus are being taken. Photo: Wikimedia
(Web desk) - University of the Punjab turns 135 years old today making it the oldest seat of learning in the country.
In a statement released by the varsity on the occasion, Dr. Zaffar Mueen Nasar reiterated his unwavering determination to ensure the university lands a prestigious position in worldwide ranking. For this, he said measures were being taken to promote modern research besides de-politicising the campus by strictly adhering to merit in all disciplines and faculties.
The varsity offers education in a record number of over 82 disciplines.
The first vice chancellor was James Broadwood Lyall, after whom the city of Lyallpur, now Faislabad, was named. Dr. Nasar is the 44th VC of the university.
Talking to faculty members, he said that all out efforts were being made on war footings to encourage faculty to conduct research at par with international standards.
He added that existing courses of most of the disciplines were also being revised in keeping with market demands to help students compete locally and globally.
University of the Punjab s Faculty of Education, based in the University s New Campus. Photo: PU website
Under the supervision of a 30-member high level committee headed by Dean Faculty of Engineering Prof Dr. Muhammad Taqi Zahid Butt, he said all new admissions to various 4-year programs were being conducted on merit.
Dr. Nasar said that first time in the history of the university, vacant posts of teachers and non-teaching staff were being filled on merit following a strict selection process.
He said that in order to select the best of the best candidates, the services of the top class subject specialists have been acquired.
“The Faculty Development Programme is among several capacity-building projects introduced in this regard,” he said.
VC said the university had recently introduced a campus mail system to improve coordination with the university’s 39,000 students.
He said the university had also improved linkages with foreign universities and had signed MOUs on student exchange programmes, foreign language courses and cultural-educational visits.
Celebratory events marking the occasion will also be held on campus today.
