Punjab Higher Education Commission (๐๐๐๐) Chairperson ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ ๐๐ซ ๐๐ช๐ซ๐๐ซ ๐๐ก๐ฆ๐๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ง said that research and development clusters will be set up in order to integrate R&D strength among all universities of the Punjab. He chaired the ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ ๐ฆ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ at Syndicate Room, University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF).
UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali, GCUF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Rauf-i-Azam, GCWUF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Kanwal Amin, Vice Chancellors of different universities including Dr Faheem Aftab, Dr Muhammad Ali, Dr Zafar Ali Ch, Dr Yasir Nawab and others also attended.
Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan Chairperson PHEC directed the universities to establish the HR Office, strengthened financial aid and business Incubation centers as well. He said that they are collaborating with civil service academy for the training of Vice Chancellors and in August a week long training session will be carried out for 23 newly appointed Vice Chancellors. He also discussed the establishment of dedicated honhaar units on campus to oversee scholarship activities.
On this occasion, ๐๐ซ๐จ๐. ๐๐ซ. ๐๐๐ฎ๐-๐ข-๐๐ณ๐๐ฆ, ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐จ๐ซ, ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ง๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ง๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to aligning with these progressive goals. He stated that GCUF is actively implementing measures to develop a highly skilled and professionally trained workforce, capable of meeting both national and global demands.
Dr. Rauf-i-Azam also emphasized that institutional reforms in higher education are imperative to improve the quality of academic programs and research productivity. He advocated for modernizing administrative processes, enhancing faculty capabilities, improving student support services, and fostering a culture of accountability and excellence. Such reforms, he noted, are not only vital for academic integrity but also essential to ensure that university graduates are equipped to contribute meaningfully to the countryโs socio-economic development and global competitiveness.
