LAHORE: The Syndicate of the Government College University (GCU) Lahore announced full tuition fee waivers for students with physical disabilities.
The decision was made during the 72nd meeting of the Syndicate, chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Omer Chaudhry, where many new academic, administrative, and welfare initiatives were also approved.
The Syndicate approved three new PhD programs, six MS/MPhil programs, and five new BS degrees, including BS Computational Statistics and BS Criminology.
The university’s Rs. 3.25 billion budget for 2025–26 was also approved, which encompasses enhanced support for students and staff alike. The session was attended by Punjab Assembly members Salma Butt and Sultan Bajwa, along with representatives from the Higher Education Commission and various provincial departments.
Some of the new degree offerings include BS and PhD in Molecular Biology, PhD in Accounting and Finance, MPhil in Genetics, MS in English Linguistics, MS and PhD in Pharmacology, MS in Artificial Intelligence, BS in Library and Information Sciences, MPhil in Peace and Conflict Studies, and BS in Public Administration.
In order to promote links between academia and industry, the Syndicate also approved that co-opted members from the corporate sector be included in the Boards of Studies of all departments.
Further seats will also be added to accommodate students from the OIC member countries, and new programs for diplomas and certificates are to be initiated in subjects such as income tax law, banking law, law of forensics and criminology. Short summer workshops in arts, languages, debate, and theater were approved.
The university introduced health insurance for its faculty and staff, cleared pending increments for TTS faculty, and enhanced the rates of remuneration, including raising summer semester pay from Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 50,000.
Additionally, visiting faculty and administrative staff in scales 1–16 will be given enhanced compensation for extra work hours and weekends, coupled with an increased breakfast allowance.
Other welfare measures include reduced PhD fees for university employees, lower charges for overseas students and the daycare center, and a new policy to open sports facilities such as the gym and swimming pool to external members. The meeting was participated in by senior university officials, including Prof. Dr. Babar Aziz, the Dean of Arts and Social Sciences, and Dr. Shaukat Ali, the Registrar of GCU Lahore.
