LAHORE : Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) Chairman Prof Dr Muhammad Nizamuddin has said the concept of libraries has changed in the modern world and traditional system of libraries must be replaced with “cybraries” containing multi-media facilities.

He said this while addressing the launching ceremony of PHEC’s newly initiated project “Capacity Building of University Librarians of Punjab” at Punjab University Library here Friday.

PU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Zakria Zakar, Mian Nawaz Sharif University of Engineering and Technology, Multan Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Amir Ejaz, GCU Lahore former Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Khaleeq-ur-Rehman, Women University, Multan Vice-Chancellor Talat Afza, PU Chief Librarian Dr Haroon Usmani and chief librarians from various public sector universities in Punjab were present on the occasion.

Addressing the ceremony, Dr Nizam said library is not the name of huge building containing book shelves. He said now our libraries must have theatre, multi-media sections, discussion room, art and culture galleries and online access to thousands of books. He said scientific documentaries must be screened at the theatres to show latest development to students in their relevant fields because traditional mean of delivering only lectures to students was not sufficient.

Dr Nizam said without building capacity of librarians, faculty members and students could not properly benefit from the libraries. He said PHEC was aiming at providing such facilities to the libraries in Punjab to bring them on a par with modern libraries in the world. He said that PHEC would establish network among all the libraries in the province and would also launch a journal covering their activities. He said libraries should also provide assistance in compiling research work and literature on specific topics.

Prof Dr Zakria Zakar said libraries played an important role in knowledge production, which was the prime responsibility of universities.

He said without having state-of-the-art libraries, we could not integrate with modern system of knowledge. He said we were not communicating latest scientific knowledge and we were not aware of modern developments, which was a major problem being faced today. He said we had good scientists but their scientific knowledge was not reaching out to the policymakers, industrialists and societies. He said various branches of knowledge were merging and a lot of new subjects had emerged. The two-day workshop would continue today (Saturday).

Meanwhile, a delegation of minorities called on PU VC Prof Dr Zakria Zakar at his office on Friday. Mr Kalyan Sing from GCU Lahore, Shahzada Francis, Afrka Inatrias, Asif Aqeel, Romana Bashir and Khalid Shahzad from various walks of life participated in the meeting. PU Planning and Development Director Shabbir Sarwar was also present.

Addressing the meeting, Dr Zakria Zakar said he was advocate of not using the word “minority” because every Pakistani national had the constitutional identity of “citizen of Pakistan”. He said all sorts of discrimination must come to an end. The delegation submitted some demands with regard to jobs and admission quota.

The VC assured the delegation of fulfilling their just demands and instructed the officials concerned in this regard.

UVAS: University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Friday organised students’ business start-up launching ceremony.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Talat Naseer Pasha chaired the launching ceremony while UVAS Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Masood Rabbani, Office of Research Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) Director Dr Hafsa Zenab, University Advancement and Financial Aid Director Dr Shoaib Sarwar and students were present on the occasion.

Muhammad Zaid, an MBA graduate, his idea was based on animal nutrition and silage making, Ayesha Ikhlaq, gold medalist and the first female entrepreneur from UVAS, her idea was about garments designing and Ahmad Ali’s idea was Urea molasses block and animal feed.

Prof Talat asked the students to come up with innovative ideas. “UVAS will provide assistance in implementing their ideas to start a business,” he added.