GUJRAT – The 26th meeting of the Advanced Studies & Research Board (AS&RB) of the University of Gujrat (UoG) reaffirmed the varsity’s commitment to strengthening advanced academic programs and enhancing the quality and scope of research activities across all departments.
Chairing the session at Hafiz Hayat Campus online, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Zahoor‑ul‑Haq underscored that transparency in research training and timely completion of dissertations are shared responsibilities of both research scholars and their supervisors. He emphasized that adherence to prescribed timelines is essential for maintaining academic integrity and research excellence.
On campus, Prof. Dr. Faisal Mehmood Mirza, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences, presided over the proceedings on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, while Ms. Sarwat Khurshid, Deputy Registrar AS&RB, provided administrative support.
During the meeting, the Board reviewed proposals, revisions and progress reports, offering recommendations on strengthening UoG’s advanced academic programs — PhD, MPhil, MS, and LLM. Members discussed strategies to improve research governance, enhance academic rigour and expand the University’s research footprint.
The session began with the approval of recommendations and agenda items from the 25th AS&RB meeting. In detailed deliberations, the Board examined the status of MPhil and PhD programs across various departments. Research scholars, accompanied by their supervisors and departmental heads, presented the objectives, significance and academic value of their research topics, responding to queries raised by the Board.
Reiterating HEC Pakistan regulations, the Board noted that the maximum duration for completing an MPhil program is four years, while the PhD program must be completed within eight years.
The meeting was attended by senior faculty members including Prof. Dr. Shahid Iqbal, Prof. Dr. Zahid Yousaf, Prof. Dr. Audil Rasheed, Prof. Muhammad Asif Sharif (Director FADFA), AS&RB members from affiliated colleges, directors of ORIC and QEC, along with other senior academics.