LAHORE: Higher Education Minister Raza Gilani on Friday presented a cheque for Rs100 million to Government College University Vice-Chancellor Dr Hasan Ameer Shah and termed it a strong commitment of the Punjab government towards studies.

“As announced by the chief minister on Thursday, the cheque has been delivered to the GCU within 24 hours,” the minister said while speaking to the second day proceedings of the GCU’s 15th annual convocation. The cheque was given as grant for GCU’s endowment fund to shoulder the studies of the financially-challenged students.

The minister gave away academic certificates and rolls of honour to students showing good performance in their graduation level studies.

Minister gives Rs100m cheque for endowment fund

Sidra Amin, the star batsman of Pakistan women cricket team, received her degree of masters in physical education and sports roll of honour in cricket, while Zara Ahmad Khan, the centre-forward of Pakistan basketball team, was conferred upon the degree of BSc (Hons) in biotechnology and sports roll of honour in basketball and tennis.

Saifur Rehman, Hamza Malik, Hassan Yaqoob and Shoaib Ahmed were also awarded sports rolls of honour in bodybuilding, swimming, hockey and wrestling, respectively.

In his address, the minister discussed the changing role of universities in the backdrop of 21st century when ‘change’ is the only constant, and said they must act as ‘change-agents’ to further develop our country. He said that universities had profound role in educating the students as handlers of new ideas for accelerating the development process.

He appreciated that the government had provided institutional support to the needy students in the shape of financial assistance through Punjab Educational Endowment Fund (PEEF) and the Punjab Education Foundation.

Being ‘Ravian’ is an honour, but always remember that Pakistan is your prime identity, he added. So the students should act in a manner to bring laurels home.

“We are the best nation in the world and our educational reforms have paved the way for a developed and prosperous country,” he added.

VC Prof Shah, in his address of welcome, thanked the Punjab government for Rs100 million grant and also presented a report about university’s performance.

Meanwhile, Minister for Higher Education Raza Gilani met students of different universities who returned from a tour of Balochistan at Al-Razi Hall of the Punjab University.

The students thanked the people of Balochistan for their hospitality and said the tour would help enhance inter-provincial harmony through youth exchange programmes.

Published in Dawn January 21st, 2017