PU syndicate approves Rs 5.534 billion budget

Punjab University syndicate meeting, presided over by VC Professor Dr Mujahid Kamran, has approved Rs 5.534 billion budget for the year 2012-13 with a deficit of Rs 1.565 billion. The university expects grant of Rs 1.482 billion and tenure track grant of Rs 69.896 million from HEC. The carry forward deficit is Rs 618.262 million.
Despite financial constraints, Punjab University administration has increased research budget from Rs 75 million to Rs 85 million. In the interest of students, it has also been decided that tuition and hostel fees will not be increased. Vice Chancellor Dr Mujahid Kamran has announced one reserved seat for students from Balochistan at each department, free education and free boarding facilities will be provided to Baloch students. Special students will also be provided with free education and boarding facilities while students taking admission on sports basis will also be provided with free education. The university will continue to waive tuition fee of Hafiz-e-Quran.
Amount of Rs 50 million has been allocated for the establishment of Punjab University Medical and Dental College. The university has allocated Rs 75 million for overseas scholarships, Rs 31 million for national and international conferences, Rs 18 million for laptops, teachers and labs, Rs 312 million for lab equipments, furniture and development projects, Rs 151.96 million on scholarships for teachers and students, Rs 40 million for libraries, Rs 2.5 million for co-curricular activities of students and Rs 10 million for hostel facilities.
While Punjab University spokesman has said that in order to promote research culture and provide the best academic facilities to the students, the current administration headed by Vice Chancellor Dr Kamran has made record number of appointments which has never been done in any past administration's tenure. During the four-year period of previous administration from 2004-2007, 347 teachers were recruited while during the first four years tenure of Dr Kamran from 2008-2012, 555 teaching posts have been fulfilled which is a record in the history of the university.
Moreover, from January 2012 to June 2012, 23 teachers have been recruited while 93 cases are in process and 66 cases are ready for selection board. Punjab University Academic Staff Association has also expressed satisfaction on record number of recruitments on teaching posts.