LAHORE: Punjab University (PU) Institute of Administrative Sciences (IAS) has dedicated the seminar and conference halls of Punjab University Khanaspur Campus, Ayubia to the late Prof Dr Muhammad Afzal, founding chairman of IAS.
Dr Afzal was an educationist, researcher and administrator. Starting his career as a lecturer at PU’s Hailey College of Commerce, he achieved the highest positions of advisor to the president on higher education, federal minister of education, first chairman of University Grants Commission and first rector of the Islamic International University.
He was also awarded Hilal-e-Imtiaz in recognition of his contributions to the education sector of the country. In 1963, on his return from Cornell University, he established the Department of Administrative Sciences at PU with assistance from USAID.
Dr Afzal not only founded the Punjab University New Campus, but was also instrumental in acquiring land in the hills of Khanaspur, Ayubia for a summer retreat, seminars and field trips of the varsity students and staff.
A Prof Dr Mohammad Afzal Educational Endowment Trust was also established at IAS in 2013, by the institute’s alumni and his family, to provide financial assistance to deserving students on a need-cum-merit basis.
The institute has a tradition of paying tribute to its teachers, academicians and eminent scholars, who played a significant role in the development of the institution. To remember and acknowledge such dedicated educationists, IAS held a ceremony at the Seminar Hall building of the varsity’s Khanaspur Campus.
PU Resident Officer-I Jaleel Tariq hosted the event while former resident officer-I Iftikhar Chaudhry, who had known and worked with Dr Afzal, shared how the campus was developed. He also spoke of the efforts made by Dr Afzal in acquiring the land.
IAS Director Prof Dr Nasira Jabeen lauded the presence of all members and welcomed Dr Afzal’s family at the event. She also appreciated the efforts of his family to keep Dr Afzal’s name alive by contributing to noble causes towards education reforms.
Dr Afzal’s family, on the occasion, shared some interesting, private and fond memories of the time spent with their father, which inspired all those present.
Prof Dr Nasira Jabeen and Jaleel Tariq also presented a souvenir to Dr Afzal’s wife on behalf of varsity Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Niaz Ahmed Akhtar. A plaque was also inaugurated besides the plantation of a tree in Dr Afzal’s name.
