Dr Asif Iqbal Khan, Vice-Chancellor, Government College University (GCU), Faisalabad, has said that the new campus of the GCU will be developed over 600 acres of land on Chak Jhumra-Sahianwala bypass on both sides of the canal. It will be a mega project and would be implemented during the next five years at an estimated cost of Rs 497 million. Talking to newsmen, he said that during the last two-and-a-half years expansion has been made in GCU, Faisalabad, with the introduction of 34 new postgraduate and 11 B Sc Honours programs in addition to 10 M Phil programs leading to Ph D.
He appreciated the dynamic role of private sector and said that GCU had launched a number of costly but job-oriented and market-driven programs by involving the private sector. He said that GCU has now taken over these programs as the regular faculty has potential to handle these effectively.
"GCU is also working to reduce the fees of these programs, as HEC has increased its funding from Rs 30 million to Rs 60 million from this year", he added.
The V-C said that various measures have been taken to cater to the future needs of the local industry by providing educated, qualified, trained and skilled manpower in various emerging sectors. He talked of the industrial exhibition and technological fair, organised by GCU and said that seminars were conducted in collaboration with various industrial units to identify and assess the future needs of the industry. He said that it would help to introduce tailor-made programs for the local industry.
The V-C said that emphasis has now been shifted from quantity to quality and various steps are being taken to improve the quality of education. He also underlined the importance of internship for young graduates and said that arrangements are being made to offer internships in various subjects. In this connection, he said that an MoU has been signed with Bank Al-Falah for establishment of 'Institute of Banking and Finance'.
Bank Al-Falah will contribute 50 percent of the estimated cost of this institute, in addition to arranging internships for its students. It will also offer 5 scholarships during first year and later 2 scholarships every year for the next term of four years.
He said that the University was contemplating to start Master program in Punjabi and Journalism from next session. The V-C said that he has been assured by Shehzad Qaiser to establish 'Shah Hussain' or 'Bulle Shah' chair at GCU if it started MA in Punjabi.
He said that the number of Ph D teachers has been doubled after the elevation of the College to the status of University. "The University is also encouraging its teachers to get admission in Ph D courses," he said, and added that the number of M Phil teachers has also increased to 25.
The VC said that three HEC projects, involving Rs 110 million, are being implemented, while fourth project to strengthen 4-year Honours program will be launched from June this year.
About the shortage of space, he said that the number of students has jumped to 7000, from 3972 in 2002. He said that two blocks out of proposed five blocks are under completion. The first block, promised by Waqar Yousaf, an old student of this alma mater, is nearing completion and would be handed over to the University administration by the end of this year. It will resolve the problem of shortage of rooms where computer and multimedia support could be provided in addition to free access to computer and Internet.
Dr Asif condemned the allegations of irregularities and claimed that all recruitments in the GCU are being made in according with the rules and regulations.
Dr Shahid Mehboob, Dean Sciences, Akram Bhatti and office-bearers of Student Council were also present beside university teachers.
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