MA Urdu introduced in PU after Partition

LAHORE

Urdu language was introduced in Punjab University at Master’s level after partition in 1948 and the first examination of MA Urdu was held in 1950.

Before the establishment of Department of Journalism at Punjab University, there was a diploma programme in journalism and a Jewish teacher Dr Petrus used to teach the students of journalism. Punjab University Committee for the Literary History of the Muslims of Pakistan & India Director Professor Dr Khawaja Muhammad Zakria said this while speaking at the first ceremony of compiling oral history of Punjab University on Wednesday. Sharing his memories, Dr Zakria said at the time when Urdu language teaching was introduced, there was no teacher who had a degree in the national language and the teachers of Arabic and Persian used to teach Urdu. He said he joined university in 1960 as student and since then he was associated with the university and had the memories of 55 years during his stay in his Alma Mater. 

Dr Zakria said Syed Abdullah was the principal of Oriental College and used to deliver well-organised lectures. He said there had been Language Unit at Oriental College with the financial support of UK and later Canada also funded it.