PU to set up three new teaching, training and research centres

LAHORE:Punjab University (PU) Academic Council has approved the establishment of three new teaching, training and research centres with an aim to contribute towards socio-economic development of the country.

PU Vice-Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmad chaired a meeting of the Academic Council in this regard which discussed the need to establish such purposeful centres for development of country, economic growth and improvement in social sectors. Deans, heads of departments and professors participated in the meeting.

The meeting approved establishment of Centre for Civility and Integrity Development (CCID) at Department of Political Science, Centre for Social Development and Social Entrepreneurship (CSDSE) at Department of Social Work and Centre for Research on SDGs at Institute of Social and Cultural Studies (ISCS). Addressing the meeting, Prof Niaz Ahmad said this was the role of the universities in creating latest knowledge to serve the country as well as society. He said that in the developed countries, universities had an important role in socio-economic development and Pakistan’s universities should also contribute in this regard. He said the CCID had been established to develop skills, strengthen the students’ character and produce citizens having better civic responsibility as high moral values among students were necessary to build a great nation. He said since the need for training on civility and honesty of individuals could not be overstated, CCID was being set up to help resolve challenges at workplace and society at large.

The VC said CSDSE was being set up for promoting social inclusion of the poor and vulnerable by empowering people, building cohesive and resilient societies and making institutions accessible and accountable to citizens. He said CSDSE would make efforts to promote economic growth and higher quality of life in the country. He was of the view that one of Pakistan’s challenges was how to deal with issues which deepen the state of social under-development, social stratification and social chaos. He said CSDSE would also promote a culture of entrepreneurship to resolve social issues and generate economic activities for the people.

Prof Niaz Ahmad said that universities were also responsible to assume a leadership role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) besides the government, civil society and non-government organisations. He expressed that through the establishment of Centre for Research on SDGs PU would conduct research on the SDGs indicators by adopting interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and trans-disciplinary approaches. He said that the centre would create map of research related to SDGs in various fields and provide innovative solutions for SDGs’ operationalisation, implementation and scaling as well as by monitoring progress towards their respective targets.

The VC announced funding those ideas and projects which would resolve social issues and create business opportunities.