REDCORDER REPORT

LAHORE: The Syndicate of Government College University Lahore has approved the appointment of senior faculty including the Professors and Distinguish Professors, besides sanctioning a new academic programme of BA (Hons.) in Sociology.

With these appointments, a total number of Professors in the university have increased to nineteen, Distinguish Professors to seven, Associate Professors to thirty-eight and Assistant Professors to 134. However, it is worth mentioning that the university was facing a severe dearth of senior faculty just one year ago.

The Syndicate, in its 54th meeting on Saturday chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Hassan Amir Shah also gave its assent to the induction of five eminent academicians including the renowned philosopher, novelist and playwright, Prof Dr Mirza Ather Baig, as the Distinguish Professors. It is pertinent to mention here that Prof Baig’s fiction work Ghulam Bagh is considered one of the central works of Urdu literature.

The other appointments of Distinguish Professors are Prof Dr Saadat Saeed in Urdu, Prof Dr Aminul Haq Khan and Prof Dr Zaheer-ud-Din Khan in Botany and Prof Dr Muhammad Sharif Mughal in Zoology.

The Syndicate also approved the selection of renowned economist Prof Dr Anjum Nasim on Dr. Mehboob-ul-Haq by the Search Committee. The Chair was lying vacant since 2006. Prof Nasir holds a BA (Hons) in Economics from London School of Economics and the PhD degree from University of Essex, UK and has held various senior positions at the Quaid-iAzam University, Islamabad and Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS).

The university also inducted four full professors; Dr Salamat Ali in Physics, Dr Mujahid Abbas in Mathematics, Dr Muhammad Zahid Qureshi in Chemistry and Dr Ali Iqtidar Mirza in Geography. Dr Hafiz Muhammad Naeem, Dr Jamal Abdul Nasir and Irfan Ullah Babar are appointed Associate Professors in Islamic Studies, Statistics and Fine Arts. The Syndicate also sanctioned the appointment of Dr Khalid Sanjarni, as the Associate Professor of Urdu Literature on Tenure Track.

The GCU also revived the statutory promotions of faculty members on seniority basis; the system which was held back for more than six years. In its 54th meeting, the syndicate also approved the promotion of nine lectures to assistant professors. Those promoted are Uzma Hanif, Saba Ibrahim, Mahrukh Nishat, Azhar Iftikhar, Saima Jabeen, Muhammad Altafur-Rehman, Sadia Rafique, Naseer Ahmad Taib and Nadeem Zafar.

Keeping in view the increasing strength of female students, staff and faculty members, the University also appointed Dr Aqsa Shahbaz as the female medical officer, whereas Deputy Registrar (Academic) Babar Ali Khan and Deputy Controller of Examinations Shahzad are promoted as Additional Registrar and Additional Controller.

The GCU Syndicate on the recommendation of the Academic Council also approved the institution of three medals; Ch Amir Din Medal for first position in BSc (Hons) in Mathematics, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif Medal for the Best Declamation Speaker and The Thespian Medal for outstanding performance in dramatics.

The Syndicate also approved the eligibility criteria for admissions to the BA (Hons.) in Sociology, and also curriculum for the four year programme. The Syndicate also consented to the amendments and additions to the curriculum of various existing academic programmes of the University.

However, the proposal of initiating BSc (Hons) in Health and Physical Education was referred back by the Syndicate to the relevant committees for re-submission along with the proposal for the establishment of the Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences.

It is pertinent to mention here that Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has recently at GCU Convocation lauded much needed activism of the GCU VC in appointment of senior faculty, filling the vacant positions of professors and deans, and activating the research chairs and Abdus Salam School of Mathematical School in a very short period of one and half years

GCU Registrar Saboor Ahmad Khan said that the new appointments were being notified, and the new faculty members would be given 15 days to join the offices. He said that the admissions to BA (Hons) in Sociology would open this year in August.