Government College University marks 148th birth anniversary with grand ceremony

GCU marks 148th birth anniversary with grand ceremony
LAHORE: The Government College University (GCU) is the only educational institution of Pakistan where as many as forty-nine student unions, called societies, are active and playing a crucial role in the personality development of Ravians by engaging them in intellectual, cultural, co-curricular and sports activities, said GCU Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Dr Muhammad Khaleequr Rahman, while addressing a grand ceremony held in connection with GCU’s 148th Founders Day at the Abdus Salam Hall.

Former GCU principal Prof Dr Abdul Majid Awan was the chief guest at the event, which was attended by all the heads of the university’s different departments.

Naming all the student unions; GCU Dramatics Club, Debating Society, Majlis-e-Iqbal, GCU Welfare Society, Nazir Ahmad Music Society (NAMS), Library Society, Quaid-e-Azam Political Science Society, Punjabi Majlis, Dunnicliff Chemical Society, and Media Watch, the VC said each one of them was totally apolitical. The unions have their individual offices within the university premises, each one having its own president and an annual budget, which they spent on professional and personal development of their members by arranging different activities and functions.

The VC said these student bodies along with dedicated teachers were the strong pillars on which the university is firmly standing since the last 148 years, producing alumni like Allama Muhammad Iqbal, Faiz Ahmad Faiz and Prof Dr Abdus Salam. He said the literary works and achievements of these great Old Ravians are like lampposts that guide everybody towards peace and progress.

Talking about the college’s foundation, the VC elaborated that GCU was established in 1864 by the British, with the aim of making it one of the best world-class centres of higher education. He said the college was established on the pattern of Cambridge and Oxford. He added that the historical records showed that scholarships were given to students from the very start of the educational institution, the academic fee being Rs 2 during the first year.

The VC further said the faculty members and university’s administration was struggling and working hard to make the university such that it makes into the list ranking world’s best universities.

Meanwhile, he called upon the alumni to play an effective role in the development of their alma mater through financial, moral and intellectual support.

Revealing plans for GCU’s 150th birth anniversary, the VC said that all Old Ravians from India would also be invited on the auspicious occasion.

Separately, while addressing the audience, Prof Dr Abdul Majid Awan reminisced about the old days spent at GCU during his 12-year service as the university’s principal.