LAHORE, Nov 24: Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool on Monday directed to launch an MA in Art Education and a two-year diploma course in calligraphic art at the Punjab University’s Institute of Arts and Design to promote the Islamic art of calligraphy.

The decision was taken in a meeting chaired by the governor. PU vice-chancellor Arshad Mahmood, principal secretary to governor Tariq Mahmood, Punjab transport secretary Athar Tahir, PU IAD faculty members and other experts in the field also attended the meeting.

The meeting decided that a multi-storey building would be built at PU Old Campus with an expenditure of Rs30 million. The building would house workshops to facilitate students to do their practicals in the fields of textile designing, print-making and product design.

The governor also approved to grant the status of university’s constituent college to the IAD. The institute would now be called as the University College of Arts and Design. He said the college would also be extended complete administrative and financial autonomy.

With the passage of time, the governor suggested that a School of Cinematography should also be established in the college to promote the disciplines of musicology, theatre and film production.