Public opinion vital for success of system: VC, Punjab University

LAHORE: Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran has said that system cannot meet success unless public opinion and input of relevant stakeholders are not included in development projects. He was addressing the launching ceremony of Youth Development Corps (YDC) in the light of Pakistan Vision 2025 in Punjab University at Al Raazi Hall here on Wednesday. Young Development Corp Coordinator Ahmad Butt, PU Registrar Prof Dr Liaqat Ali, Advisor to Vice Chancellor and President Pakistan National Forum Col (r) Ikram Ullah Khan, Director Centre for Coal Technology Prof Dr Shahid Munir, Director Institute of Chemical Engineering and Technology Prof Dr Amir Ejaz, faculty members and a large number of students enthusiastic to become part of YDC were present on the occasion. Addressing the ceremony, Dr Mujahid Kamran said that YDC would prove an interesting experience for young talent of universities where students from various academic fields would play their role for positive development in the society. He said that YDC would be a good platform for students to show and polish their skills. He thanked Federal Minister for Planning and Development Prof Ahsan Iqbal for his support in the meeting of ECNEC for approval of various development projects in PU. Giving a detailed briefing on the project, YDC Coordinator Ahmad Bilal said that YDC sought to create a link of Planning Commission with the universities where the intellectual/social capital of the country resides. He said that we wanted to ensure that the youth be actively engaged in setting a positive development based narrative of the country. He said that this would help Planning Commission to revitalize itself as a premier development think tank with the input from young and ambitious minds and would also enable students to make contribution towards national development by applying their skills to solve development problems. He said that the key-objective of the project was to directly involve youth in the socio-economic development of Pakistan and generate a citizen feedback system that prioritizes issues and shapes the paradigm in the all actors could act together in cohesively productive manner. He said that various campaigns, events and competitions regarding development plans and policies would also be launched. He said that to create a talent pool from which students could be recruited and selected from Summer Internship program as well as young development fellowships. Later, Col Ikram Ullah Khan thanked the guests and participants.