Research culture in PU far better than the past’s: Dr Razi Abbas Shamsi

Lahore: (Press Release) Former Professor of Department of Botany Prof Dr Razi Abbas Shamsi has said that research culture in Punjab University today is far better than the past’s because of the promotion of research activities on campus and encouragement by the administration. He was addressing third ceremony of compiling oral history of Punjab University at Al-Raazi Hall here on Wednesday. PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran, Registrar Prof Dr Liaqat Ali, Dean Faculty of Life Sciences Prof Dr Javed Iqbal Qazi, Dr Naumana Amjad, Chief Librarian Haseeb Ahmed Paracha, faculty members and a large number of students were present on the occasion.

Sharing his memories, he said that the departments of Botany and Zoology faced various difficulties for many years and even the classes of the students had to be managed in the two departments existing in the building of Government College Lahore. He said that these two departments were shifted to Punjab University in 1963 to cater to the needs of the students. He said that in 1960s, no elections of Academic Staff Association used to be held and many times students used weapons during the elections their union. He said that the Department of Botany produced Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics and Plant Pathology.

He said that in 1977, the situation in country was deteriorated and it also affected the university. He said that after military coup, political environment prevailed in the university and there were almost no academic activities and meetings of Syndicate, Academic Council, Advanced Studies and Research Board etc were rarely held. He said that vice chancellors in the past had failed to control circumstances in the university. He said that vice chancellors in the past were appointed under political pressure but Dr Mujahid Kamran was the first vice chancellor who was appointed on the recommendation of the search committee and the results of this appointment on merit could be easily seen.

He said that vice chancellors in the past did not like to meet PU teachers while Dr Mujahid Kamran had discouraged this culture and was easily accessible. He said that Dr Kamran had restored confidence of teachers and promoted research culture on the campus. Addressing the ceremony, PU VC Dr Mujahid Kamran said that this activity was helpful for students to know about the past of the university and learn from the seniors.