Government College University (GCU) Lahore has taken a landmark step toward inclusive education by approving full tuition fee waivers for all students with physical disabilities. The decision, made during the university’s 72nd syndicate meeting chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Omer Chaudhry, marks a major expansion of welfare and academic initiatives aimed at strengthening access and equity across the institution.
The syndicate also approved a significant academic expansion, introducing three new PhD programs, six MS/MPhil programs, and five new BS degrees, including forward-looking disciplines such as BS Criminology, BS Computational Statistics, and BS Artificial Intelligence. The approvals reflect GCU’s focus on equipping students with modern, market-relevant skills.
In addition, the university passed a substantial Rs. 3.25 billion budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, underscoring its commitment to institutional development, faculty support, and student welfare.
The meeting brought forward a series of initiatives designed to improve academic quality and strengthen industry-academia linkages. Corporate representatives will now be included in departmental Boards of Studies to help align curricula with market needs. Seats for students from OIC member countries have also been increased to boost international engagement.
Skill development received a major push with new diploma and certificate programs in areas such as income tax law, forensic law, and banking law, alongside specialized summer workshops in arts and languages.
Faculty and staff welfare saw significant enhancements as well, with a new health insurance policy, clearance of pending increments for TTS faculty, and increased summer semester remuneration from Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 50,000. Visiting faculty and junior administrative staff will also benefit from enhanced compensation and breakfast allowances.
Community-centered measures were also approved, including reduced PhD fees for employees, lower daycare charges, and a policy to open campus sports facilities—such as the gym and swimming pool—to the public.
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Punjab Assembly members Salma Butt and Sultan Bajwa, along with representatives from the Higher Education Commission and provincial departments, attended the meeting, highlighting the broad importance and far-reaching impact of the decisions taken.