The Government College Women University, Faisalabad (GCWUF) has announced the introduction of a compulsory Punjabi language and literature course for undergraduate students, marking a significant step toward promoting regional languages in higher education.
Approved by Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Kanwal Ameen, the two-credit-hour course titled Punjabi Zaban Te Adab will be mandatory for students enrolled in the Faculties of Arts and Social Sciences, Humanities and Languages, and Management Sciences. The course aims to strengthen students’ understanding of Punjabi’s rich literary traditions and cultural heritage while fostering a deeper connection with the region’s indigenous language.
University officials stated that the initiative reflects GCWUF’s broader commitment to celebrating Pakistan’s linguistic diversity and integrating local languages into formal academic curricula. By institutionalizing Punjabi studies at the undergraduate level, the university seeks to preserve and promote cultural identity alongside modern academic pursuits.
However, the requirement will not apply uniformly to all students. Undergraduates domiciled outside Punjab will instead undertake an alternative compulsory course titled Urdu: Fables, Wisdom Literature, and Epic. This provision ensures inclusivity while maintaining the focus on regional relevance.
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Only students holding a Punjab domicile will be required to complete the Punjabi course where applicable, as part of their degree requirements. The move has been widely viewed as a progressive effort to elevate regional languages within Pakistan’s higher education framework.
