New initiatives: 14-point agenda given to all VCs

The VC's were directed to submit a performance report that would be used for future appointments by the government

LAHORE: All vice-chancellors of public-sector universities in Punjab have been given a 14-point formula to develop and implement a composite roadmap for improving higher education standards.

The newly appointed Punjab Higher Education Minister Syed Raza Ali Gillani presided over a meeting of all the VCs at the Government College University (GCU) Lahore on Monday to discuss his agenda with them. Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) Chairman Dr Nizamuddin, Director-General Dr Shahid Saroya and Higher Education Department (HED) officials were also present.

Gillani said the standard of state-run universities in Punjab would be improved according to international standards to a point where they could be included in the top 500 universities of the world.

The VCs were directed to submit an annual performance report that would be reviewed and used for future appointments by the government.

The meeting also reviewed various features of public-sector universities, including the state of academics, future vision, financial and administrative position and available research facilities, being imparted to the students. The vice chancellors gave a detailed briefing about their universities’ working.

The minister announced that a complaint cell would be established under the PHEC, which would report to the minister. He asked the PHEC to sensitise the VCs about various available educational opportunities so that they could bring improvements in their universities.

Gillani also directed the VCs to set up e-libraries for students and to keep them informed about various local and international scholarship opportunities.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 20^th, 2016.