Body to decide fate of programmes on campuses

LAHORE: In order to review academic programmes being offered by sub-campuses of private universities in Punjab, a meeting of the accreditation committee has been scheduled for Wednesday (today).

The committee would review the academic programmes and take subsequent decisions, including approval of the programmes or their discontinuation, in case the universities failed to meet the requirements set by the Higher Education Department (HED), Punjab, and the Higher Education Commission.

Meanwhile, the DGPR while quoting HED Punjab Secretary Sajid Zafar Daal stated that the department had stopped fresh intake of students at the unauthorised sub-campuses of private universities but academic activities of the students already enrolled in the sub-campuses were fully protected.

It is pertinent to mention here that on January 10, the HED Punjab had stopped seven private universities of the province from further intake of students at their 23 unauthorised sub-campuses. The department had declared these sub-campuses unauthorised as the same had been operating without the approval of the Punjab governor who by virtue of his office is patron of the universities.

When contacted, HED Punjab Secretary Sajid Zafar Daal confirmed that a meeting of the Accreditation Committee would be held on Wednesday (today).

encourage people: Punjab University (PU) Vice-Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmad has stressed upon the need to polish and encourage individuals’ unique qualities for promotion of entrepreneurial culture as there are a lot of opportunities to explore in the country.

He was addressing a seminar “The University as Driver for Economic Growth and Social Change: Key Strategic Challenges” at the university’s Al Raazi Hall here on Tuesday. Prof Dr Sarfraz A Mian from State University, New York, IBA Karachi’s Centre for Entrepreneurial Development Programme Director Dr Shahid Qureshi, Prof Dr Muhammad Saleem Mazhar, heads of various departments, faculty members and students participated in the seminar.

Prof Niaz Ahmad said that the role of universities was to create new knowledge, introduce innovations and produce civilised citizens. He urged the teachers and students to do research having socio-economic impact. He said the university would fund new ideas of teachers and students.

Prof Dr Sarfraz A Mian said, “We need to promote the concept of entrepreneurial universities.” He said innovation was an important part of entrepreneurship and it could help eradicate poverty from society and improve the economy of the country. He also presented a model and role of entrepreneurial universities. Dr Shahid Qureshi claimed that money did not matter in entrepreneurship and one’s brain was the biggest resource. He said even education was not a hindrance to make one an excellent entrepreneur. He said, “Every human being has unique abilities and we must engage them to utilise their qualities.”