Punjab University 129th Birthday

LAHORE: The Punjab University, a historic seat of learning in the sub-continent on October 16, 2011 turned 129 years and its 43rd Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran expressed firm resolve to improve the university's ranking through depoliticization of the campuses and promotion of research work.

James Broadwood Lyall was the first VC and Lyallpur was named after him.

In an interview, the VC highlighted efforts to ensure an ideal apolitical environment for the students, asserting, any pressure group, or student organization even from teachers and employees would not be allowed to violate discipline of the institution as well as the future of more than 30,000 students.

Dr Mujahid Kamran said the Higher Education Commission had improved the ranking of Punjab University to fourth position among universities of the country as its research publications had increased from 352 to 421 in 2011 and the total number of research publications during his term from 2008 to 2010 was 2,384 which was a positive sign.

The VC said that he took revolutionary steps for Faculty Development Programme and improved the efficiency of teachers through their capacity building and research.

He said the university produced more than 120 PhDs every year during his three-year term and 421 PhDs had so far been produced.

"We have the potential to produce more PhDs and the task will be achieved through hard work, dedication, depoliticisation and continuation of policies," he observed.

Referring to communication with more than 30,000 university students, he said that an email system had been designed where the students send their mails and necessary action was taken on their applications.

He said the university also improved linkages with foreign universities and various agreements had been signed for students exchange, foreign language courses and visits to benefit from the experience of each other.

The VC said that he not only reorganized the human resources department at the university, but also regularized more than 2,300 people and also promoted almost 100 percent employees.

He was of the view that with the support of the government, teachers and students, the university could be included among top 200 universities of the world. (APP)