The Government College University Lahore Endowment Fund Trust (GCU EFT) Lahore has raised an amount of Rs 10 million for those the deserving students who cannot afford their academic charges. The amount was raised at a fundraiser chaired by Punjab Governor Sardar Muhammad Latif Khosa (an Old Ravian), while GCU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Khaleeq-ur-Rahman, EFT President Iqbal Z Ahmad, Secretary Dr Khalid Manzoor Butt and noted businessmen from all over the country attended the annual fundraiser. Speaking on the occasion, Khosa said nations had progressed by the mean of developing their educational institutions but unfortunately in Pakistan education was not given due priority. He said endowment fund trust of Harvard University, US alone stood 32 billion dollars and this was what which made the America a superpower. He said student unions inculcated awareness among students and played effective role in their character building. He said that it is the Bukhari Auditorium of the GC University which taught him art of public speaking and tolerance to face criticism. “This is where I am hooted and appreciated,” he added. Prof Khaleeq revealed that the Endowment Fund had swelled to Rs 128 million with the efforts of Old Ravians. He said that he wanted to provide free education to all GCU students, but unfortunately resources did not allow him. However, he said, despite all the budgetary deficits, he had slashed the university fee by 35 percent and hostels charges by almost 50 percent. He said the university wa also giving financial aid to students from its own budget, besides GCU EFT would also give away 11 golden and 15 silver scholarships to students this year. He said each golden scholarship covered the hostels and university fee of a student.
