The Government College University (GCU) on Tuesday formed a new society by the name of SOCH, to study and represent the multiple cultures within their society. Institute for Art & Culture Pro Vice Chancellor Professor Pervaiz Vandal chaired the launching ceremony of Soch which stands for the Society of Culture & Heritage. Addressing the ceremony, eminent novelist Professor Mirza Ather Baig highlighted the deep contradictions between the academic culture practiced in their educational institutions and the cultural systems of signification prevalent in their society. He said this state of affairs hampered the processes of learning, creativity and education. Professor Baig, who is also the chairman of GCU Societies Board, said that the objectives of SOCH were divided in three categories ie conceptual, exploratory and per-formative. “The first category is to have intellectual discourse, second to explore the indigenous heritage and in the third category, this society will encourage students to perform folk culture, singing, theater and music,” he concluded. Speaking on the occasion, Professor Pervaiz Vandal said that it was very unfortunate that the quest for knowledge was suppressed in their society. Published in Daily Times, December 5th 2018.