The Old Ravians and philanthropists have donated about Rs 17 million to the Government College University Lahore Endowment Fund Trust (GCU-EFT) at the Annual Fundraising Dinner 2019 for the scholarships of the university’s financially-challenged students. Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar hosted the fundraiser at the Governor House which was also addressed by eminent industrialist and GCU EFT President Mr. Iqbal Z. Ahmed, Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Hassan Amir Shah and eminent singer and Old Ravian Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan. In the annual report, the endowment fund’s Executive Committee Secretary Prof Dr Khalid Manzoor Butt said that this year, the trust awarded scholarships worth 15 million to around 600 financially-challenged students. The fund included more than 50 golden scholarships which covered the full university fee and hostel expenses of a student. He said that the trust had overall awarded more than Rs. 85 million scholarships to 2,850 students since 2009. Vice Chancellor Prof Hassan Shah said that the fund had also supported the university in establishment of facilities for the physically challenged students and and in hiring a foreign faculty member for Sociology Department. He assured the trust donors that the scholarships were given purely on merit after the interview of candidates by the GCU Financial Aid Committee. He said that all documents of applicants from income certificates to utility bills were examined in detail, so that only truly deserving students avail the scholarships. Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar said that GCU Endowment Fund Trust was a role model for other universities as well and he would ensure its establishment in all leading educational institutions. He also pledged that all vice chancellors in public sector universities would be appointed on merit. Speaking on the occasion, the eminent industrialist and Mr. Iqbal Z. Ahmed said that GCU was yet to receive a donation of Rs 50 million announced by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbassi on behalf of federal government last year for GCU EFT. Shafaqaat Amanat Ali Khan stressed that GCU EFT must hold fundraising dinners overseas for the scholarships of financially-challenged students. Later, the Punjab governor and Vice Chancellor appreciated the untiring efforts of the GCU EFT executive committee members, Mr Iqbal Z. Ahmed, Mian Misbah ur Rehman, Dr Parvez Hassan, Mian Muhammad Ashraf, Mr Javaid Oberoi, Mr Zia Rizvi and Dr Khalid Maznoor Butt for strengthening the university’s Endowment fund.