Sarwar determined to revamp libraries

*Governor says government to upgrade libraries for on line and digital networking

Government is working actively to discuss ways, means and modalities to upgrade libraries on modern lines in all major districts of the province in a phased programme, said Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar in an interview with a news agency on Sunday.

The governor said that libraries was part and parcel in education system and always contribute a major role in promoting quality education.

He said that all out efforts were being made to introduce ‘Online and digital networking’ in libraries throughout the province on the pattern of main library of the Punjab University.

He said that during the last visit to the Punjab University, he found its main library as one the best in the country.

About the sorry state of affairs of the Quaid-i-Azam Library at Bagh Jinnah, he said that although it was a reference library in the city but its contribution towards pursuits of modern knowledge was yet not up to the mark and it badly needed revamping to make it an effective institution.

He said that experts from Pakistan Library Association, LUMS and the Punjab University Department of Library and Information Science would also be involved in proper up-gradation of libraries.

Regarding education, he said that the government would continue to focus on promotion of quality education in the province especially public and private sector universities.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif attached great importance to provision of modern quality education to people at their door-steps, the governor added.

He said that during last vice chancellors’ conference at the Governor House, four high level committees of VCs each headed by a senior VC were constituted for viable proposals.

He said these proposals were now being studied and examined thoroughly for implementing in the entire education department, including private and public sector varsities.

He said a scientific mechanism within the ambit of law was also being evolved to monitor the overall academic performance of the universities.

The governor said 24 public sector and 22 in private sector universities were imparting education in various teaching disciplines across the province and the Punjab University having over 80 faculties had the highest number of 33,252 students with lowest free structure in the world.

He said that in the light of the recommendations of the VC committees, a complete concrete summary would be sent to the chief minister.

Responding to a question regarding deteriorating educational standard in most of the private sector universities and enrolment of maximum number of students beyond the capacity of their campuses in different cities, he said complaints were being examined seriously and all efforts would be made to put the things in proper track.

He said the Higher Education Commission chairman would also be involved to check the malpractices in private universities and no one would be allowed to play with the destiny of the nation for the monetary gains.