LAHORE: The Punjab University (PU) Academic Council on Friday approved several programmes and upgraded the curriculum of various courses.

PU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar chaired the meeting of the Academic Council at Al Raazi Hall here on Friday. The council approved a four-year BS in Chinese Language and Culture, under which students would study two years each in Punjab University and China. The meeting also approved the establishment of a Women Development Centre.

Various departments proposed MPhil/PhD programmes, however, the council decided to get them approved by the Higher Education Commission.

Prof Niaz said that the international ranking was improved due to good governance and making all statutory bodies functioning to ensure transparency for the first time in the last 40 years.

He said that keeping in view national and academic requirements for the next 50 years, the PU was academically restructured and 67 new teaching and research institutions were created and several departments were upgraded.

He said that for the first time, those research projects were particularly promoted and encouraged which could resolve the socio-economic problems of the country.

He said unprecedented appointments and promotions were made in these four years which have never been witnessed before.

He said that for the first time in the recent 50-year history, eight meetings of the Senate were conducted in the last four years as per the requirement of the calendar and in the past, the Senate meeting was conducted over eight to 10 year gap and the university was run through statutory bodies to ensure a model of good governance.

Prof Niaz said progress was made in academic, research and administrative fields and international ranking was improved by 16 percent.

He said that a jump of 87 points was improved in QS Asian ranking and Nature Publishing had declared PU No 1 in natural sciences in Pakistan.

He said that no subject was internationally recognized till 2018 and 15 subjects were ranked in QS subject-wise ranking in 2022.

He said that the Petroleum Engineering subject was ranked among the world’s top 101-150 institutions while religious studies were among the top 101-130 subjects.

VACATION: The PU announced summer vacations from June 6 to July 29. However, departments concerned can make a little amendment regarding the start of summer vacations due to semester examinations.

Vacations for MPhil and PhD students will be issued by the departments concerned. The courses will also be completed before the start of summer vacations.

Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2022