- Gillani says all universities must follow example
The University of Management and Technology (UMT) has been declared a drug-free campus by the City District Government Lahore (CDGL) and the Youth Councils for Anti-Narcotics (YOCFAN), under the US State Department project. The project is being implemented as part of the Colombo Plan that aims at planning prosperity together in the Asian region.
After meeting the requirements set forth by the relevant agencies and government departments, UMT has been officially declared a drug free campus and it is the first Pakistani university to receive the status of drug-free campus in South Asia leaving behind all public and private sector institutions.
Addressing the ceremony, Punjab Minister for Higher Education Syed Raza Ali Gillani highly appreciated the UMT management to cultivate a drug-free environment at the university campus. He said he was delighted to note that the UMT had competed with all institutions of private and public sector and achieved the status of drug-free campus. He said that the Punjab government was committed to wiping out illegal and harmful drugs from the educational institutions.
Speaking on the occasion, UMT Rector Dr Hasan Sohaib Murad said that it was a matter of great privilege that UMT had been declared a drug-free campus and it was the only institution in the entire South Asian Region, to receive the distinction. In order to protect this achievement and maintain the status, we need to work more passionately and produce results that are more concrete.
Dr Murad emphasised that all stakeholders must take the responsibility of being vigilant regarding drug users and make sure that no drug addicts enter the varsity premises. He said that a system was being established to safeguard every girl, boy, staff and faculty member of the university from the curse of illegal and harmful drugs.
According to the UN estimate, there are 6.7 million drug addicts in the country. The situation is more alarming in colleges and universities where the students, faculty, and staff are under drug attack and the consumption is increasing day-by-day.
Drugs are brought to Pakistan via neighbouring country Afghanistan, which is responsible for producing 75 percent of the world’s total heroin.
The rector also took the opportunity to instruct the audience to ensure their engagement in positive and healthy activities and find meaning in life.
For years, the University of Management and Technology (UMT) Lahore has worked with the government and non-governmental organisations to raise awareness among students, faculty and staff about the rapidly increasing drug culture in Lahore and how students can be smart enough when it comes to securing themselves from the attacks of hazardous drugs and helping other members of society.
The ceremony was attended by of Zulfiqar Hussain Shah, consultant Anti-Narcotics Campaign, Naveda Kitchlew, associate dean Academics, Dr Shaukat, additional secretary Education Department Punjab, Dr Rukhsana Kaleem, vice-chancellor Lahore College for Women University and deans and principals from other colleges and universities.
