Pakistan’s oldest seat of learning turns 135

University of the Punjab (PU), the oldest seat of learning in Pakistan, turned 135 years on October 14.

The varsity has emerged as one of the leading public and private sector varsities, offering education in more than 82 disciplines, which is a record number. PU Vice Chancellor Dr Zaffar Mueen Nasar on Friday reiterated his unwavering determination to attain a prestigious position in worldwide rankings by promoting ultramodern research besides depoliticising the campus.

Talking to faculty members at his office, he said efforts were being made to fully encourage the faculty to conduct research on important topics.

He said these activities must be at par with international standards and existing old courses of most of the disciplines have almost been revised, keeping in view market oriented demands to help students compete locally and globally.

He said all admissions to MA, MSc, BS Honour were being conducted purely on merit under the supervision of a 30-member committee, headed by Dean Faculty of Engineering Prof Dr Muhammad Taqi Zahid Butt.

Dr Nasar, who is the 44th vice chancellor of PU, said in order to select the best of the best candidates, the services of top class subject specialists have been employed.

The VC said the university had recently introduced a campus mail system to improve coordination with the 39,000 enrolled students. He said the university had also improved links with foreign institutes and had signed several agreements on student exchange, foreign language courses and cultural-educational visits.

The first vice chancellor of the varsity was James Broadwood Lyall, after whom Lyallpur was named. The city is now known as Faisalabad.

Published in The Express Tribune