Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool has said Pakistan can no longer exist without proving itself in the today's competitive world and we should be a part of global producers and investment system for our survival.
Infrastructure in the public sector varsities of Pakistan is much better compared to Indian varsities however, Indian teachers are very committed towards their profession and we also needed to focus on it, he added. His comments came in the Punjab University in a presentation on "future goals and reform strategy" at the vice chancellor office's committee room.
Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Mujahid Kamran, Deans of all faculties and heads of administrative offices were also present. The governor said PU should only give hostel accommodations to female students from other cities and rest of hostels should be used for academic purposes. He said a separate hostel should be established for foreign students in order to get good ranking by international ranking authorities.
At this PU Vice Chancellor Dr Mujahid Kamran told the governor that a separate hostel for international students was already being set up for foreign students. Maqbool said Punjab University has great potential to open centre of excellence in agriculture, a centre for modern languages, a performing arts centre. He said PU has certain expertise, which are nowhere available in the country i.e. centre for excellence in molecular biology, and the administration must focus on them.
He also asked the PU administration to establish a system of imparting excellent English language and communication skill to student of every programme so that they could express well themselves at various forums and excel in life.
Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Mujahid Kamran told the governor that in the last year's budget, PU had only Rs 0.5 million for research. He said he had asked to make it at least 50 million. He said that main problem of the PU is the shortage of PhD teachers. He said over 240 young and dynamic lecturers are serving in the varsity and the administration's target is to facilitate them to do PhDs as soon as possible and 20 of them are being sent abroad shortly.
Dr Mujahid said that the adoption of Tenure Track System (TTS) would also help improve quality of research and education in the Punjab University. The VC said that it has been decided at Dean's meeting of the PU that certain measures would be taken to assess the satisfaction level of the students.
Regular meetings of all deans would be held on monthly basis to make sure the university's practical contribution towards the solution of national problems. When Dr Saeed pointed out that PU has been declared No 1 public sector university of the Pakistan, the governor asked the vice-chancellor that PU must celebrate on this great achievement.
Later the governor visited PU English Language and Literature Department and Psychology and Applied Psychology Department and interacted with the teachers and the students. Professor Shaista Sonu, Siraj-ud-Din and Professor Dr Yasmin Farooqi gave presentations about the courses being offered in their departments and their practical output.