LAHORE: The Government College University (GCU) Syndicate Monday approved the appointment of senior faculty, including Professors and distinguished professors, besides sanctioning a new academic programme of BA (Hons) in Sociology.
With the new appointments, the total number of professors in the university has increased to 19; distinguish professors to 7, associate professors to 38 and assistant professors to 134.
The Syndicate, in its 54th meeting on Saturday chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Hassan Amir Shah, also accorded approval to induction of five eminent academicians, including renowned philosopher, novelist and playwright Prof Dr Mirza Ather Baig. It is pertinent to mention here that Prof Baig’s fiction work Ghulam Bagh is considered as one of the central works in Urdu literature.
The Syndicate also approved the selection of renowned economist Prof Dr Anjum Nasim. Prof Nasir holds a BA (Hons) degree in Economics from London School of Economics and the PhD degree from University of Essex, UK and has held various senior positions at the Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad.
The university also inducted four full professors; Dr Salamat Ali, Dr Mujahid Abbas, Dr Muhammad Zahid Qureshi and Dr Ali Iqtidar Mirza. Dr Hafiz Muhammad Naeem, Dr Jamal Abdul Nasir and Mr Erfan Ullah Babar have been appointed associate professors.
The Syndicate also sanctioned appointment of Dr Khalid Sanjarni as the associate professor of Urdu literature on tenure track.
The GCU also revived the statutory promotions of faculty members on seniority basis. The syndicate also approved promotion of nine lectures to assistant professors. Those promoted include Uzma Hanif, Saba Ibrahim, Mahrukh Nishat, Azhar Ifthikar, Saima Jabeen, Muhammad Altafur Rehman, Sadia Rafique, Naseer Ahmad Taib and Nadeem Zafar.
Keeping in view the increasing strength of female students, staff and faculty members, the university also appointed Dr Aqsa Shahbaz as the female medical officer, whereas Deputy Registrar (Academic) Babar Ali Khan and Deputy Controller of Examinations Shahzad have also been promoted.
The Syndicate also approved the eligibility criteria for admissions to the BA (Hons) in Sociology, and also curriculum for the four year programme. The Syndicate approved amendments to the curriculum of various existing academic programmes.
However, the proposal of initiating BSc (Hons) in health and physical education was referred back by the Syndicate to the relevant committees for re-submission along with the proposal for the establishment of the Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences.
GCU Registrar Mr Saboor Ahmad Khan said that the new appointments had been being notified, and the new faculty members would be given 15 days to join the offices. However, he said, that the admissions to BA (Hons) in Sociology would be opened this year in August.