LAHORE: Governor Chaudhry Sarwar says the government will extend full support to the universities for improving their international ranking and ensure merit and transparency in appointment of vice chancellors and deans without any political interference.

He was addressing the Punjab University’s second phase of 126th Convocation at Faisal Auditorium on Saturday.

Mr Sarwar said the principles of merit, transparency and accountability must be followed for improving international ranking of the universities. He urged the youth to follow the teachings of Allama Iqbal and Quaid-i-Azam for progress and prosperity of the country.

The governor said development of nations was linked with education and those nations were ruling the world that spent their energies on education.

PU Vice Chancellor Dr Niaz Ahmad said the administration was making efforts to improve international ranking of the university. He said the government had organised meetings of all the statutory bodies and the Senate after 11 years ensuring smooth functioning of the university affairs.

“The new administration of the university has promoted faculty members in five months who were waiting for their promotions from many years and it would ensure 100pc merit in appointments. The administration is also focusing on training of teachers and staff and curriculum is being designed on modern lines.”

Mr Ahmad said the administration had appointed heads of departments on a seniority basis and one man, one post policy was being implemented for the first time.

As many as 103 PhDs and 1,051 MPhil degrees, 25 medals and seven cash prizes were distributed among the graduates and scholars in the convocation.

Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) chairman Prof Dr Muhammad Nizamuddin, Controller of Examinations Rauf Nawaz, Registrar Dr Muhammad Khalid Khan, Syndicate and Senate’s members and deans were also present.

ATHLETICS: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) 42nd All Pakistan Inter-University Athletics Championship began at the Punjab Stadium.

Twenty-four teams from all over the country are participating in the event.

In the inaugural ceremony, PU VC Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhter, Lahore College for Women University VC Dr Farkhanda Manzoor, Chairman Organizing Committee Prof Dr Shahid Kamal and a large number of players participated in the launch.

On the first day, competitions of 800 meters, 400 meters, shot put, high/long jump and other sports competitions were held.

Published in Dawn, November 11th, 2018