LAHORE: (May 14): Punjab University and London Metropolitan University (LMU) have decided to collaborate in the areas of banking and finance sector. The decision was taken in a meeting between a three-member delegation from London Metropolitan University and Punjab University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran at vice-chancellor’s office here New Campus Wednesday.

The LMU delegate included LMU Director International Development Mark Bickerton, Regional Director (Pakistan) Faisal Hassan and Manager Operation (Pakistan) Seema Khan. Punjab University External Linkages Director Prof Dr Najma Najam and Registrar Prof Dr Muhammad Naeem Khan were also present on the occasion.

VC Dr Mujahid Kamran said there are many avenues where we look for collaboration including financial marketing, economics modeling, science particularly nutrition and sociology. He suggested the delegate to have interaction with Prof Dr Khawaja Amjad Saeed to search out areas in banking and finance sector. He said Dr Amjad is a dynamic and motive personality in the sector. Dr Mujahid said faculty exchange development, including both long-term and short-term, is a must for research projects and we need to look at the practical ways of setting our linkages. Higher Education Commission (HEC) has been funding to various programmes of public sector universities and as far as funding is concerned for various academic and research projects, it’s not a problem under HEC policies.

He also shared his experiences about his visit to US recently with the delegation where he promoted the soft image of Punjab University as well as the geological importance of Pakistan. He said PU has been supporting its researchers and provided them opportunities of foreign studies under its students exchange programme and at present at least only 6 from Physics department had been studying abroad. He said the varsity had over 30,000 on-campus students but it lacks number of PhD faculty and now after the adoption of Tenure Track System (TTS) the number of PhD faculty would be increased gradually.

PU External Linkages Director Dr Najma Najam briefed the delegation about various academic programmes and infrastructure of the varsity. She also briefed about the Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) signed with other foreign varsities, including St Andrews, Glasgow, KSU, for collaboration in areas of mutual interest.

Registrar Dr Muhammad Naeem Khan said the PU has best potential of talented students and opportunities are being provided to them to demonstrate their skills at various national and international forums.