Government College University, (GCU) Lahore Vice-Chancellor (VC) Dr Khaliqur Rehman on Wednesday slashed university fee by 23 percent to facilitate students. A notification of the revised fee schedule was issued providing financial relief to more than 6,500 students from intermediate to postgraduate level. The VC already reduced GCU hostels’ fee by 35 percent. GCU claimed that it was in the first time in the 148-year history of the varsity that fee was reduced instead of being increased.
“The ongoing economic crunch is affecting budgets of all public-sector universities but it does not mean that the financial deficit is covered from students. Students and faculty members are my top priorities and I would take all necessary steps to facilitate them as per the government instructions,” said Khaliq said. GCU’s fee in most of the academic programmes was still more than any other public-sector varsity of the province but the varsity was considered to be one of the best in the country. Students hailed the decision by the varsity administration saying that in this era of inflation, the decision was timely and hopefully would prove to be productive for students. They claimed that education was the state’s responsibility but in Pakistan one did not found quality educational institutions providing quality education in affordable fee.
The VC said that the university was also making efforts to increase scholarships for deserving students, who could not afford their academic expenses. He said that philanthropists and well-off people should also come forward to help talented students in completing their education. Khaliq hoped the government realises the importance of higher education and increases the budget for public-sector universities.
GCU cares for the deserving and needy
