After formal launching of regular transmission of radio FM 104.6, the Punjab University Department of Mass Communication has decided to install close circuit TV during next two months.
The announcement was made at the launching of FM Radio 104.6 by the Department of Mass Communication here at Law College Auditorium on Wednesday.
Governor Punjab Lieutenant General (R) Khalid Maqbool by pressing a computer button inaugurated the regular transmission of FM 104.6.
Vice chancellor Punjab University Lieutenant General (R) Arshad Mehmood and Chairman Department of Mass Communication Dr Mughees-ud-Din Shaikh were also present on this occasion.
A live interview of Governor Punjab was also broadcast on the occasion.
While addressing the inaugural ceremony, Khalid Maqbool stressed the need for making education practical so as to meet the present day challenges. He said launching of that radio would help a lot in providing practical training to the students of Mass Communication Department with regard to radio production and operation.
He said education sector of Pakistan cannot compete developed countries in infrastructure and other facilities but Pakistani students and teachers have potential and abilities to improve quality of education with dedication and hard work.
He further said those engaged in education sector must keep in mind changes taking place world over. He said providing quality education was the main challenge posed to the education sector in Pakistan and the institutions like Punjab University were working devotedly to achieve this goal.
He was of the view that Pakistani universities must not impart education in isolation rather education must be linked with the problems prevailing in the society.
He disclosed that similar radio stations would also be set up in the Journalism Departments of Baha-ud-din Zikriya University Multan and Islamic University Bahawalpur.
Praising the performance of Department of Mass Communication Punjab University, he said the department would be a role model for others in different universities. He assured that the government would extend all out co-operation to the Department of Mass Communication.
Vice-chancellor Punjab University, Arshad Mahmood said the students of Mass Communication Department must also focus on character building and value system and added that its radio would be helpful in sending this message to other people. He announced to upgrade the Department of Mass Communication by according it status of Institute of Communication Studies. He also announced a grant of Rs 0.5 million for the department.
Speaking on the occasion, representative of Unesco Dr Hamala Khalid said it was an honour for Unesco to provide necessary equipment for setting up radio FM 104.6. She was of the view that channels like FM 104.6 must also focus to promote Pakistani culture apart from creating awareness among the masses regarding various socio-economic problems.
Chairman of the department Professor Dr Mughees-ud-Din Sheikh said necessary arrangements were being made to launch TV Channel of the department during next two months. He said that history of the department is being written and Dr Maskeen Ali Hijazi had been requested to do this job. At present, the department was conducting various courses including electronic media, development support communication, journalism theory and research, B.A Hons, M.Phil and Ph.D. etc. We are going to start a new diploma course on multi media arts from January 2005, he added.
On this occasion, awards were also given to those students and professionals who contributed in various assignments of radio production. A documentary about various projects initiated by the students of Mass Communication department was also shown on the occasion.