LAHORE, March 29: Governor Khalid Maqbool has said that vice-chancellors of all universities in the province have been directed to upgrade the curricula, raise the standard of education and improve the overall atmosphere in the universities.

Speaking at the fourth convocation of the Lahore School of Economics (LSE) at Aiwan-i-Iqbal on Saturday, he said the present government had changed the academic culture. It has set up five universities to provide general and specialized education in the province. It is also mindful of the

need for introducing those disciplines in universities, which are relevant to the present-day world.

The governor said private institutions had also been awarded charters in order to develop their sense of competition, which would improve the quality of education. He said the government believed in complete freedom and autonomy of educational institutions, but needed self-discipline on the part of institutions so that quality education could be ensured.

He also emphasized the need for conducting research and promoting linkages among all key sectors of the economy.

The governor, however, regretted that there were visible gaps in the educational tier. He said there was low literacy rate and a high dropout rate as well as a bias against female education. He also said that the available facilities were not properly manned.

LSE Board of Governors chairman M.A.K. Chaudhry said it was a matter of great satisfaction that the job market was readily accepting graduates of the school.

Acting rector Prof Viqar Ahmad said the existing school campus had reached the limits of its capacity and would soon be shifted to a bigger campus on Burki Road. A master plan in this regard had already been prepared, he said.

Later, the governor distributed awards and prizes among graduates. Shan Ahmad Rana (MBA), Ayesha Tanveer (MSc economics and finance), Maliha Ameen (BBA), Shaina Ahmad (BSc) and Haneen Qureshi (BSc Honours) received gold medals.