LAHORE, July 1: The Lahore College for Women University has been directed to further improve the revised curricula of fine arts in consultation with other universities and colleges offering the subject.

The directive was issued by Governor Khalid Maqbool, who is also university's chancellor, when the Inter-University Faculty Board (IUFB) in fine arts submitted its final curriculum reforms before him at a meeting at the Governor's House on Tuesday.

The presentation of the curriculum reforms by LCWU's Nadra Naeem, however, drew strong criticism from the representatives of the Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, and the National College of Arts.

Surayya Chaudhry from the FJ University and Mohammad Asif from the NCA objected to the course contents, and suggested that they could have improved further. They suggested introduction of computers in graphic designs and even paintings.

Ms Naeem contested that the LCWU had introduced computer as a minor subject because paintings were made manually. She, however, agreed that computers could be introduced as a major subject in graphic design courses.

She conceded that the university had started the Bachelor in Fine Arts course last year and it would keep on improving the curricula. LCWU vice-chancellor Prof Dr Bushra Mateen contested Mr Asif's arguments saying there should be a written outline of curriculum.

She said NCA courses were different from the Punjab University's Institute of Art and Design. At the NCA, students were at liberty to do anything they want and not bound to study the prescribed courses, she added.

Earlier, Ms Naeem told the meeting that the BA Fine Arts Part-I comprised theoretical paper in the history of Western Art, and two practical papers in drawing of human figure and still life painting. It also included exhibition of students' work in oil, pastel, water colour, pen and ink, and mixed media.

In Part-II, the students would study history of Indo-Pakistan painting and sculpture followed by two practical papers and exhibition of work. She said the LCWU was offering BFA degree in painting and graphic design and explained the detailed course works, credit hours and evaluation.

Concluding the discussion, the governor asked the LCWU to consult the Punjab University, the FJWU, the NCA and the Bahauddin Zikariya University, Multan, to improve the curriculum.

The governor asked Prof Mateen to appoint a lead person, who should discuss the whole issue and re-submit the final draft curriculum within 10 days. The LCWU had also submitted the final draft of revised curriculum in the environmental sciences at the meeting.