14 March 2004	Sunday	22 Muharram 1425

LAHORE, March 13: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has asked the universities in the country to lay more stress on research.

Speaking at the 114th convocation of the Punjab University on Saturday, he observed that people talked a lot about the value of research, but did not give due attention to it. "We must realise that university and research are two sides of the same coin," he added.

He also wished that every university should adopt a certain field for comprehensive and intensive research and expend all its intellectual energies to pursue it. He pledged that the government would assist the universities in this initiative to make these competitive.

The universities, he said, should also serve as intellectual components to assist the state in analysing public problems. He, however, added that no government had ever consulted any university on the matters pertaining to international relations.

The prime minister said the government was deeply interested in higher education, as it understood its value and the need for today's world.

Responding to the report presented by PU vice-chancellor Arshad Mahmood, he was reluctant to react to the substantial increase in enrolment of students.

He directed the university administration to improve the quality of education by striking a balance between enrolling student and providing them with quality education.

Mr Jamali lauded the PU's initiatives of opening the new departments, newly emerging disciplines and endeavours to make the whole process of education relevant to the future needs of society. He also asked the public sector universities to offer affordable education to the masses.

He promised to consider the demand of giving financial help to construct infrastructure, for accommodation and the sports complex at the university. He announced a grant of Rs100 million, two coasters, as many air-conditioned buses, and 100 computers for the university.

On behalf of the federal government, he announced one Haj seat for every department of the university. He said one person each, preferably student, would be selected through a draw for Haj.

Earlier, Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool, who is chancellor, and the VC spoke on the occasion.

The prime minister also presented degrees to the PhD and MPhil graduates as well as medals to the position holders.