The Government College University Lahore, one of the oldest seats of higher learning in Pakistan, has turned 156. Founded on January 1, 1864 in the Haveli of Raja Dhyan Singh in the Walled City Lahore as the liberal arts and Science College, it served as a nourishing stream to the generations of talented men and women.

A ceremony was held on Wednesday at the university's Abdus Salam Hall under the auspices of the Old Ravians Union (ORU) where Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Asghar Zaidi, former caretaker chief minister Hassan Askari Rizvi and esteemed lawyer Zia Haider Rizvi cut the GCU 157th Founders' Day cake along with the other eminent Old Ravians. Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof Zaidi announced establishing three more research chairs at the different departments of GCU, besides reiterating his commitment to appoint highly eminent and qualified people on six existing vacant chairs.

Giving details of the researchers' chairs, the Vice Chancellor said they would be established in the name of veteran psychologist Prof Dr Muhamamd Ajmal, eminent writer Syed Ahmed Shah Patras Bokhari and Old Ravian Nobel Laureate Prof Dr Hargobind Khorana.

Prof Zaidi also elaborated his idea of establishing the Social Policy Advisory Council (SPAC) for the betterment of their society. He said Punjab Governor Ch Muhammad Sarwar had kindly consented to be the chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Council having five key stakeholders including media, international organizations, academia and public policy makers.

He said he had five point agenda for GCU which included improving the quality of education, research for betterment of society, bridging the gap between industry and academia, modernization/digitalization of admissions, appointments and other systems and promotion of sports and co-curricular of activities. The Vice Chancellor said SPAC would work towards improving key social outcomes of Pakistan inckuding awareness of mental health issues and promoting tolerance and harmony.