The Punjab University French Department organised a French language inter-institutional speech contest on Thursday, to celebrate the Francophony Day at the Undergraduate Study Centre Al Raazi Hall.
Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran was the chief guest on the occasion while French Ambassador Philippe Thiebaud was the guest of honour.
French Embassy Councilor Bessat, Alliance Française Director D Scobry, , French Department Chairwoman Prof Dr Saleha Nazir, senior faculty members and a large number of students from the PU and other institutions were present on the occasion.
Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Kamran said it was a rare opportunity for the students to express themselves in a language they were learning and urged students to learn French and other important languages of the world.
He thanked the French ambassador for collaborating with the PU’s French department and lauded the efforts of Prof Dr Nazir.
Dr Kamran said the university administration understood the importance of the French language and had provided a separate building to the department.
The French ambassador said French was the official language of around 30-34 countries and was spreading rapidly.
He stated that French was not only the language of art and culture but a large number of science and economics books had also been written in the language.
He added that Pakistan was one of the biggest trade partners of the European Union and that the EU was keen to increase Pakistani exports to Europe.
Dr Saleha Nazir highlighted the major achievements of the department and announced that a four-year BS (French) programme will be launched in the forthcoming session.
She said it was after a lapse of almost 40 years that the French department had a faculty member with a PhD in French.
Six institutions participated in the speech contest, in which the Aitchison College stood first, the Alliance Française stood second and Kinnaird College third.
The topic for the contest was, ‘Is today’s education adequate for our character building?’ Students from LUMS, Lahore College for Women University, and Fatima Jinnah Girls College also took part in the contest.
PU VC visits medical college: Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran, accompanied by senior professors of the university, visited the Aamna Inayat Medical College, a projected medical and dental college complex of the Punjab University.
Prof Dr Murtaza Cheema and the college principal welcomed the delegation and showed them around the college. The PU delegation included PU Registrar Prof Dr Khan Raas Masood, elected syndicate members, PU’s medical and dental college focal person Prof Dr Shaukat Ali and other faculty members.
PU medical college focal person writes to YDA: PU Medical and Dental College Focal Person Prof Dr Shaukat Ali, has reacted to the press release issued by 13 representatives of young doctors, terming their allegation baseless and demanding the YDA to reconsider their actions and send a word or regret to the PU.
In his letter to the Young Doctors Association, he said the college was being set up as a constituent college of the Punjab University, which would be run on a merit basis, at a low fee structure within the financial reach of the poorer section of the community.
He stated that no effort had been made by the 13 YDA office bearers to verify the matter with the vice chancellor or the focal person for the project.
He termed the allegations unethical.
Dr Shaukat said the first inaugural meeting for the medical and dental college complex was attended by 20 senior doctors who approved the project. He stated that the YDA needed experience and patience.
He said Vice Chancellor Dr Kamran had initiated merit-based scholarships for needy students to promote the cause of education.
He added that the fees for any programme had not been increased in the last four years.
