Government College University (GCU) Lahore Geography Department will strengthen the database of the Regional Metrological Center Lahore (Met Office) by using the Remote Sensing Technology (RST) and Geographic Information System (GIS). A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Met Office and GCU Geography Department on Friday.
GCU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Ikramul Haq (S.I) and Regional Metrological Center Director Mahr Shaibzada Khan signed the agreement at a graceful ceremony held at the GCU syndicate committee room. Pakistan Metrological Center Director General Arif Mahmood, GCU Dean of Arts and Social Sciences Professor Dr Khalid Pervaiz, Registrar Anjum Nisar Geography Department Chairman Ali Iqtadar Mirza, GCU Director Academic Planning and External Links Fauzia Shaheen and a large number of other university faculty members and met office officials were also present on the occasion.
The Lahore Met Office has also pledged to provide research projects to the B.Sc (Hons) Geography students besides creating internship and job opportunities for them on priority basis in the Lahore Met Office. Both the parties would also jointly hold seminars, training workshops, conferences and lectures for the professional development students and met officials. The Met Office has also agreed to share information and data with the GCU students for their research projects.
Pakistan Metrological Center Director General Arif Mahmood said that the met office would further strengthen its ties with the GC University Lahore and would also sign agreements with its other departments for more research and development projects. He also expressed his confidence in the original research and troubleshooting capabilities of faculty at GC University Lahore.
Speaking on the occasion, GCU VC Professor Dr Ikramul Haq (S.I) said the GCU Geography Department is very well aware of the challenges and concern of the globalise world and faculty members have designed special courses to train its students in survey tools, GIS Remote Sensing technologies and their application urban planning, disaster management, water resource management, land use planning and management. He said that the GCU Geography Department is also working as co-investigator with Penn State University, USA in foreign-funded projects. He said that the department is equipped with Total Station, GIS laboratories, GPS, Automatic Level etc.