SAFDAR RASHEED

LAHORE: Former Chief of Army Staff, General Raheel Sharif (retd) has donated Rs two million to the Government College University Lahore Endowment Fund Trust (GCU EFT) for the fee of financially-challenged students.

Addressing the Old Ravians Union (ORU) Annual Dinner where he was the chief guest at the university’s Oval Ground, General Raheel Sharif(retd) said that this visit to his alma mater had filled him with nostalgia of student life. “It’s been the most memorable days; I strongly miss the maroon blazer, my motorbike and all the flavors of a Ravian life, especially the respect we get as a student of this prestigious institution,” he added.

He said his association with Government College Lahore went back to 1964 when his sister completed masters from here and he came here to attend her degree awarding ceremony. “My two brothers Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed (Nishan-e-Haider) and Captain Mumtaz Sharif also studied from this great institution,” he added.

The former army chief paid glowing tribute to his professors for inculcating in him the values and spirit to fight various challenges in life with dignity and honor. “I am proud to be a Ravian,” he added. He said “I am one call away whenever my alma mater needs me. He also gave shields to the members executive Committee of the union.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Hassan Amir Shah reiterated that Old Ravians were their real strength who always helped them in advancing the University’s vision and mission. He added that the university’s Endowment Fund Trust, established from their support, had swelled to Rs 360 million supporting the education of more than 600 current Ravians every year from its profit/interest.

The VC said that a university requires multibillion rupees investment for new buildings, laboratories, classrooms, equipment etc, so therefore it is essential that both the government funding and fundraising by Old Ravians Union must continue.