Rs 32m scholarships disbursed among 1,200 GCU students

Lahore: The Government College University, Lahore, despite all the financial challenges, has disbursed scholarships worth rupees 32 million among its 1,200 financially-challenged students in the last academic year, said Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Khaleeq-ur-Rahman while addressing a 11-member delegation from National School of Public Policy (NSPP) during their visit to the Government College University, Lahore. The delegation, led by NSSP senior faculty member Muhammad Illyas, discussed with the Vice Chancellor policy formulation, vision, financial resources, research output and future plans of GCU.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof Rahman said that the university had allocated Rs 24 million for scholarships from its own budget, while scholarships worth rupees eight  million were disbursed by the GCU Endowment Fund Trust from the donations of philanthropists and Old Ravians. He said that these scholarships were given purely on merit through a high-level Financial Aid Committee comprising of five head of departments.

Prof Rahman proudly told the delegation that the university’s Endowment Fund had been increased to Rs 200 million from Rs 80 million since his appointment as the GCU Vice Chancellor in July 2011. He said that he had not increased the university fee in the last three years.

He also expressed firm resolve that GCU would not leave its deserving students in the lurch and despite all financial constraints it would make all possible efforts to provide financial aid to them. “Students are my top priority and I will continue to take necessary steps to facilitate,” he added.  He also urged philanthropists and Old Ravians to support needy students through GCU Endowment Fund Trust.

Addressing the meeting, the members of delegation said lack of opportunities for quality education was one of the biggest problems being faced by the financially-challenged students of the country. He said every year thousands of high talented students in Pakistan left their education due financial hardships.

They appreciated the efforts of the vice chancellor for keeping GCU an affordable university for talented financially-challenged students of the society.

Later, GCU Academic Planning and External Link Director Ms Fauzia Shaheen gave away detailed presentation to the delegation about the academic and research achievements of the university. GCU Dean Prof Dr Islam Ullah Khan, Director Research Prof Dr Muhammad Zakria Butt and  Resgistar Akhyar Farrukh were also present.