TOBA TEK SINGH: As many as 38,262 students of different sessions of associate degree programme, master`s degree, LLB and BS Honours were awarded degrees along with gold medals to 249 male and female students at the 10th convocation of the Government College University, Faisalabad, (GCUF) held on Thursday.

Governor Balighur Rehman attended the event as the chief guest. University deans, directors and principals along with Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Shahid Kamal participated in the ceremony.

Former controller of examinations Prof Dr Mazhar Hayat along with eight retired faculty members and officials from the university were awarded honorary certificates in recognition of their services.

Speaking on the occasion, the governor congratulated the students for their outstanding success and appreciated the efforts of the university administration in highlighting the professional skills of the students.

He said: `It`s a matter of pride for me that GC University Faisalabad won the first position not only in Punjab but also earned distinction in the World TimesHigher Education Ranking.

He exhorted the students to be part of positive activities on social media and develop leadership skills. He appreciated the efforts of the VC and the university administration for providing financial assistance to the flood victims.

Dr Shahid Kamal informed the governor in detail about the achievements and developmentprojects of the university in the past years. He said much attention is being paid to modern research and teaching in the university.

In order to bring down the teacher-student ratio to the minimum level, a selection board has been conducted through which appointments of professors, associate professors and other staff have been made on the basis ofmerit, he said.

With the construction of a medical centre equipped with modern facilities, sports complex, new hostels for female students, four new academic blocks, attention is being paid to the welfare of university employees.

He said a pension fund, an endowment fund and a research fund in the university had been constituted.