Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Asghar Zaidi has said that that the Government College University (GCU) Lahore has played a vital role in promotion of culture and literature of Punjab and overall socio-economic development of Pakistan; its decades-old effective model of student societies is needed to be replicated in other higher education institutes.

Prof Zaidi was addressing a graceful ceremony held here at the GCU Lahore in the honor of delegates of the International Conference titled "The Punjab: History and Culture".

The ceremony was attended by eminent writers, academicians and vice chancellors of different universities.

The event was aimed at promoting informal interaction among delegates and discussion about the History and Culture, Historiography and Cultural Mapping, Various perspectives in History Writing Historical Evolution of the Punjab (from ancient to the present), Indus Valley Civilization , Harrapan Civilization and the Punjab (Ancient Narratives), Archeology and Museology, Mysticism: Sufis and Saints of the Punjab, Cultural/Lingual traditions and diversity, and The Punjab's Arts, Crafts and Civil Society.

Speaking on the occasion, Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad VC Prof Dr Muhammad Ali, who is also the Chairman of Vice Chancellors Committee, remarked that the desired results could not be achieved in the higher education sector without effective engagement of students on campuses and devising student-centric policies. He also acknowledged that the GCU is one of most prestigious and historical institution of Pakistan and its students have made great contributions in shaping Pakistan.