OKARA: The University of Okara’s Academic Council, in its 11th meeting chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Sajjad Mubin, unanimously approved the establishment of three new faculties and 16 new degree programmes.

The meeting’s agenda was presented by UO Registrar Dr Ghulam Mustafa and Director Academics Dr Khalid Nadeem Riaz, with expert guidance provided by Additional Registrar Jamil Asim.

The newly established faculties include pharmacy, nursing and midwifery and allied health sciences.

Approved degree programmes are: Doctor of Pharmacy, BS Nursing and Midwifery, Doctor of Physical Therapy, BSc Agriculture (Agronomy), BSc Horticulture and Plant Pathology, Bachelor of Architecture, BSc City and Regional Planning, BS Islamic Art and Architecture, BFA Product Design, BS Artificial Intelligence, BS Cyber Security, BS Mathematics (Data Science), MS/MPhil Climate Change and Sustainable Development, MS/MPhil Disaster Management, MS Political Science, and MS International Relations.

The VC said, “The dynamics of the modern job market are rapidly changing and traditional degrees are no longer sufficient for students seeking reasonable jobs. Our market-driven programmes will enable students to secure highly paid jobs and start small businesses.”

The council also approved the establishment of the UO’s Skills Development Centre to enhance students’ professional capabilities.

DEAD: Two farmers were found dead early Sunday morning in their fields at village Mahtiky Bukan, tehsil Dipalpur.

According to the first information report, Muhammad Shahbaz and Hafiz Sajid Amin had gone to their maize fields on Saturday night to irrigate the crops but did not return home.

Shahbaz’s brother Muhammad Abbas and his son Waqas went to the fields and found Shahbaz’s motorcycle parked beside the field road.

After a search, they discovered Shahbaz and Hafiz Amin lying dead in the watercourse. Alarmed by the situation, they alerted the villagers.

On Muhammad Abbas’s complaint, Chorasta Mian Khan police registered a case under Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code against unidentified suspects.

A forensic team from the Punjab Forensic Science Agency also visited the scene and collected evidence.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2025