LAHORE: Governor Chaudhry Sarwar inaugurated a project for the strengthening the main campus of the University of Education (UoE) on Monday.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held at the UoE, Township Campus, which was also attended by Minister for Higher Education Raja Yasir Hamyun, Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Rauf-i-Azam and Registrar Dr Manzoom Akhtar.

The total cost of the project is Rs969.552 million. Dr Rauf-i-Azam briefed the governor/chancellor about the project which is aimed at addressing the immediate needs of the UoE main campus in terms of addition of new infrastructure and other teaching facilities, construction of central library, central science lab, students hostel, bachelor faculty hostel, students service center and purchase of buses as well ambulances for the students.

Mr Sarwar said he was excited to support universities for their better infrastructure and all other necessary facilities.

“I would like to recall the saying of Nelson Mandela ‘education is the most powerful weapon which we can use to change the world’ and I believe education with proper facilities can work miracles,” he said.

The governor said the UoE since its establishment was continuing to attract the most talented students and academicians across Pakistan. The beautiful and articulated buildings of the various Campuses of the University of Education reflects the learning and cultural heritage of Lahore.

“The significant increase in the number of PhD faculty members is really impressive. A continuous growth of admission in every faculty, expansion in the academic progress, research publications and students enrollment in all its campuses and divisions are truly remarkable,” the governor added.

Minister Hamyun said that the PTI government attached great importance to higher education in accordance with its manifesto. He said that the schemes for establishment of six new universities has been included in ADP 2019-20 with the estimated cost of Rs250 million. Further, the scheme with the estimated cost of Rs100 million for establishment of smart classrooms in colleges all over the Punjab had also been included in ADP 2019-20 to provide interactive learning environment.

At the end, the governor planted a tree along with other dignitaries under Green and Clean Pakistan Campaign.

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2019