PU to establish three new research centres

VC urges researchers to come up with solutions to problems faced by country

LAHORE: Punjab University Vice Chancellor Professor Niaz Ahmed has announced the establishment of three new academic, training and research centres for enhancing the development of country in economic and social sectors of Pakistan.

A high-level meeting was presided over in this regard at Al-Razi Hall, chaired by Prof Niaz Ahmed. The meeting was attended by the deans of various faculties, heads of departments and professors.

It was decided in the meeting to set up ‘Centre for Solidarity and Integrity’ in the Department of Political Science, Centre for Social Development and Entrepreneurship in the department of social work whereas in Institute of Social and Cultural Studies, a Centre for Research on SDGs to be established.

Addressing the meeting, Vice Chancellor Dr Niaz Ahmed said that the key role of universities is to research about new academic domains, and come up with the solutions for the problems faced by the country. He added that universities in developed countries are playing significant role in the development and universities in Pakistan should also play their part in this regard.

The establishment of the Centre for Solidarity and Integrity aims to create honest and responsible citizens of high moral values who would play their role in excelling the nation and make the institutions great, Ahmad elaborated. He briefed that the Centre for Social Development and Social Entrepreneurship will help improve the quality of life in society and resolve the problems of the poor and the marginalised segments of society, also it is expected that this centre will provide new job opportunities at the lower levels and will create business opportunities.

While the Centre for Research on SGDs would investigate the factors to achieve these objectives and in the light of research findings, the mapping will be done in the fields of education, health, climate change, food and agriculture in Pakistan, which would be helpful to achieve the goals of SGDs and propose new solutions.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 16^th, 2019.