Indian journalists visit PU

A nine-member delegation of renowned Indian journalists from India's leading media organisation visited Punjab University on Thursday.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr Mujahid Kamran, Colonel Ikramullah, Assistant Professor Maria Maldonado, Dr Hassan Askari Rizvi, Professor Dr Qalb-i-Abid, Professor Dr Shahida Hussnain, Professor Dr Javed Ahmad and other faculty members received the delegation consisting of Raj Changapa (Tribune Chandigarh), Suhasini Haider (CNN-IBN), Rohit Gandhi (Television Journalist), Prasannan Radhakrishnan (The Week), Ajit Sahi (Tehelka), Shastri Ramachandaran (Tehelka), Seema Guha (Bengal Post), Roy Agni (Ananda Bazar Patrika) and Geeta Mohan (X News TV).
Vice-Chancellor, Dr Mujahid Kamran briefed the delegation about the history, infrastructure and academic staff of the varsity. He apprised the delegation of the functions of various committees, academic programmes, examination system, and collaboration with foreign and local institutes. He stated the varsity's academic environment has produced three noble laureates and said that the university is trying to improve academic relations with South Asian countries, but a significant problem that PU faculty is facing is refusal of visa applications. He explained that video conferencing could also be hosted among the varsities of the region.
Professor Emeritus, Dr Hassan Askari Rizvi told the delegation that human interaction between the two countries is limited and younger generation should be allowed to enhance bilateral relations, which would help reduce misperceptions. Later, under the guidance of Colonel Ikramullah and Maria Maldonado the delegation visited the Centre for South Asian Studies (CSAS) where Dr Umbreen Javed briefed the delegation about the institute's history, regional languages being taught and research activities. Dr Umbreen told the delegation that different South Asian languages are being taught to the students including Hindi. She said that the centre aimed at conducting research on South Asian studies and most of the researches are based on Pak-India relations.
Professor Emeritus, Professor Dr Kh. Muhammad Zakriya said it was difficult to conduct research on Pak-India relations, as access to libraries of each other s countries was restricted. The delegation also visited PU Library where Chief Librarian, Chaudhry Muhammad Hanif briefed the delegation about Persian, IRC and other sections of the library. The delegation was astonished to know about the antiquity of some books in various regional languages including Sanskrit, tamil, etc.
Institute of Communication Studies Director, Dr Ahsan Akhtar Naz welcomed the delegation on their arrival at the institute. The delegates also visited PU FM Radio 104.6, PU TV Studio, Audio-Visual Lab, Hameed Nizami Seminar Hall, Noam Chomsky Multi-Media Lab and library. A documentary on the functioning of the Institute produced by the ICS students was also screened where the delegates also interacted with the students and exchanged their views and experiences.
In a lunch hosted in their honour at Executive Club, the leader of the delegation Raj Changapa expressed his vote of thanks for the great hospitality of the administration, faculty members and students of the varsity. He said that he was impressed seeing the facilities provided to students and promotion of research culture at the varsity. He stated that media could play a positive role in strengthening bilateral relations and softening environment between the two countries.