LAHORE, Aug 6: Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool has directed all universities in the province to introduce three- or four-year semester-based programmes without considering the objections raised by affiliated and mofussil colleges.
The governor said that affiliated and mofussil colleges would also be launching semester-based programmes after acquiring the necessary facilities and expertise. The governor also approved revised curricula for 26 disciplines, presented by chairpersons/conveners of Inter-University Faculty Boards (IUFBs) from eight leading universities.
He directed the universities concerned to implement the revised courses for the forthcoming graduate and postgraduate academic sessions. He said the process of revising and updating curricula would remain open-ended for more revisions as and when required.
Mr Maqbool was presiding over a meeting of conveners of IUFBs at Governor's House on Friday. Having revised the curricula in a series of meetings, the IUFB conveners were called again to make presentations about deficiencies in the old curricula and salient features and the likely impact of the new curricula.
Eight of the 11 universities given the lead role through formation of IUFBs, made presentations on Friday. IUFB conveners from the Punjab University, University of Health Sciences and University of Education will make presentations on Saturday (today).
In his concluding speech, the governor stressed that new curricula must help channelize communication skills, create awareness about computers and enhance leadership qualities among students.
He said that universities must promote student internships and develop linkages with the industry and the organizations concerned. He stressed that the universities should also promote advanced functional skills through teaching programmes without becoming polytechnic institutes.
He said that the education imparted by universities must promote self-employment and entrepreneurship among students. Referring to a booklet prepared by the Punjab University that included outlines of revised bachelor, postgraduate, M.Phil and PhD programmes and courses, the governor directed all the universities to prepare booklets to clarify what would be taught and when under the semester system. He said he would send the booklet prepared by the PU to all universities in the province.
During the presentations, the governor issued directions that the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences should devise courses and launch an MBA programme in livestock management. He also said that the Bahaudin Zakariya University, Multan, should start veterinary courses at its agriculture college.
Mr Maqbool stressed that each university must use the language of the world, otherwise local universities' potential would go unnoticed at the international level. He said there was great need for learning the international language to compete at the international level.
He directed all degree colleges equipped with fine arts departments to move beyond paintings and graphics and introduce courses in calligraphy, performing arts and products designing.
The governor also told the meeting that he was also planning to call Punjab University vice-chancellors' meeting to review the whole process of revision of curricula. He said he would request President Gen Pervez Musharraf to preside over the meeting.
Earlier, conveners of IUFBs from the University of Engineering and Technology, Government College University, Lahore College for Women University, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Agriculture University, Faisalabad, Bahaudin Zakariya University, Multan, and Islamia University, Bahawalpur, made presentations on the revised curricula.