Daily Times

LAHORE: Punjab University clinched team trophy and Rs 100,000 cash award in universities/colleges category while The Punjab School and Garrison Academy Sarwar Shaheed Campus were in a tie to share an equal cash award and team trophy during the 2nd All Pakistan Co-Curricular Competition 2018, jointly organised by PU, Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC), The Educationist and National Accountability Bureau (NAB) at Faisal Auditorium.

After a five-day long tough competition in 48 event categories, Government College University (GCU) Lahore and GCU Faisalabad shared the 2nd position and Rs 50,000 cash award while University of Veterinary and Animal Science (UVAS) secured 3rd position.

In the schools category, WAPDA High Schools Shalimar and Daanish School Boys Chishtian obtained 2nd and 3rd positions respectively. In total, Rs 300,000 cash awards were announced by PU while PHEC Chairperson Dr Nizamuddin while addressing on the announced individual cash awards for all those participants who secured first, second and third position.

He was addressing the prize distribution ceremony at Faisal Auditorium on Friday. PU Professor Dr Muhammad Iqbal Chawla presided over, The Educationist Chief Editor Professor Dr Shafiq Jullandhry, senior analysts Professor Dr Mujahid Mansuri, Afzaal Rehan, NAB Lahore Director Syed Muhammad Husnain, PU Institute of Education & Research Director Rafaqat Ali Akbar, The Educationist Editor Shabbir Sarwar, events director AR Sajid and over 1,500 participants from 350 institutions of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Gilgit Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir participated in the five-day-long event.

Addressing the ceremony, Dr Nizamuddin said that it was a very successful event as students from schools, colleges and universities participated together.

“Such events should be adopted as a model by the educational institutions. These events teach us discipline and lessons of winning and losing,” he said, adding that there was need to promote national unity through such events and PHEC would continue to support such competitions.

He said that “our educational institutions should revise curriculum and teaching methodologies by emphasising much on practical work. Class work should not exceed 60 percent of the evaluation and rest of 40 percent learning should be through such co-curricular activities.

Earlier, two dramas were staged on the venue including one mesmerising performance by Punjab Univeristy College of Art & Design team reflecting a corrupt and an honest officer. Another award-winning play was staged by UVAS team who depicted corrupt politicians who do not focus on public welfare works. However, in the drop scene they were forced to work due to public pressure and people’s empowerment.

Later, Dr Shafiq Jullandhry, Dr Mujahid Mansuri and others distributed cash prizes, certificates, trophies and shields among the winning teams and organisers. Most of the outstation teams were provided accommodation in PU hostels.

Published in Daily Times, April 28^th 2018.