LAHORE, Sept 29: The Punjab University will establish an institute of modern languages. Speaking at the certificate distribution ceremony of international language programmes at the mass communication department on Thursday, vice-chancellor Arshad Mahmood said the institute would be established at the Oriental College.

He said the varsity was already offering diploma courses in French, German, Spanish, Arabic, Hindi, Pushto, Persian, Urdu, Kashmiri, Sindhi, Balochi, Punjabi, Chinese, Turkish, Russian and Irish languages at the Oriental College.

He announced cash prizes for top three position-holders in each language course, besides announcing Rs100,000 for the mass communication department for the launch of the programme.

Punjab Education Minister Mian Imran Masood highlighted the importance of languages and said such programmes provided opportunities to talented students.

Director of Iranian Cultural Centre in Lahore Ameeni Mashhadi announced a free trip to Iran for the first position holder in Persian language certificate course. A visiting Iranian cultural delegation presented national anthems of both the countries in Persian and also performed a few skits.

Mass communication department chairman Prof Dr Mugheesudin Sheikh said the initiative to introduce foreign languages was taken to broaden the students’ horizon and create opportunities for them after the completion of their education.

GCU results: The Government College University declared the results of MA Persian (Part-II) and MA Political Science (Part-I), final examinations, 2005, on Thursday.

CONDOLENCE: The GCU is holding a condolence reference for the late Prof Syed Mueenurehman, former chairman of the Urdu department, on Friday at 10am.