LAHORE:Syed Abidi, a prominent educationist and career counsellor, recently engaged in an enlightening discussion with Prof Dr Muhammad Ali, the newly appointed Vice Chancellor of the University of Punjab, Lahore.
During their conversation, Dr Ali outlined his vision for the future of Punjab University (PU), one of Pakistan’s most esteemed and largest academic institutions. With extensive experience from his service at various educational institutions across the country and a strong personal connection to PU, Dr Ali brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role.
Prof Dr Muhammad Ali expressed his deep sense of pride and honour in leading Punjab University, an institution that has been a part of his family’s academic journey for generations. Reflecting on this personal connection, he said, ‘It is especially meaningful because my daughter also graduated from Punjab University. For any academic, leading the top university in the country is truly a dream come true.’ This personal investment, coupled with his professional experience, fuels his passion for making a positive impact on the institution.
Upon taking charge, one of the primary challenges the new Vice Chancellor identified was the university’s financial situation, which was in a state of disarray. In his interview with Syed Abidi, he shared, ‘The university’s finances were in deficit, around 31%, whereas it should ideally be below 7-8%. Our first priority is to manage the finances more efficiently.’
Dr Ali outlined his approach to addressing these financial issues by focusing on generating more income, controlling expenses, and exploring cost-saving initiatives, such as investing in solar energy. His goal is to bring the deficit down to 10% in the short term and balance the university’s books entirely within the next year.
Additionally, he addressed the issue of unnecessary expansion, noting that many departments and buildings were established without proper planning, placing a burden on the university’s infrastructure. Dr Ali emphasised the need to consolidate resources and prioritise contemporary programmes such as IT, skills development, and allied health sciences. He also hinted at establishing an IT incubation center and a science and technology park to better utilise the university’s existing resources.
Dr Ali strongly believes that focusing on research can significantly enhance the university’s financial health and overall reputation. Recalling his success in transforming the Government College University Faisalabad into a research powerhouse, he shared his confidence that Punjab University can follow a similar path.‘The faculty here is highly competent and dynamic. If we provide them with the right platform and encourage them to apply for competitive research grants, I’m sure we can achieve significant progress,’ he explained during the interview. Dr Ali plans to reward excellence in research and teaching with promotions and administrative roles, which will help to shift the focus from internal politics to academic and research achievements.
Moreover, the new Vice Chancellor has set his sights on improving Punjab University’s global standing. With multiple centers of excellence in research and a vast infrastructure, he believes that, with proper direction, the university can elevate its world ranking from its current position of 570th into the top 500, with the ultimate goal of breaking into the top 300.
Syed Abidi was particularly intrigued by Dr Ali’s plans for digitalising Punjab University, a critical step in enhancing efficiency and transparency. Dr Ali revealed that many of the university’s operations, including those involving affiliated colleges, were still managed manually. He has ambitious plans to digitise all university operations within the next 4-5 months. This includes student admissions, degree awards, faculty recruitment, and the complete life cycle of both students and employees.
‘My goal is to digitise everything. This will not only enhance efficiency but also enable me to manage the university from a single dashboard,’ the Vice Chancellor stated. However, he acknowledged that the challenge lies not in the technology itself but in overcoming resistance to change. He expressed confidence that with time, the shift to digital systems will be embraced by all stakeholders.
In addressing concerns about human resources, Dr Ali noted that the university is overstaffed. However, rather than downsizing, he plans to set clear performance targets and ensure that employees are trained in digital tools to increase productivity. ‘We will provide training for both staff and faculty on teaching excellence and technology,’ he said. Employees who resist these changes may be reassigned to other tasks, such as working on the university’s agricultural land.
One of the key issues discussed during the interview was the gap between academia and industry, which affects the employability of graduates. The PU VC highlighted the importance of aligning academic programmes with market demands to ensure that graduates are equipped with the skills needed to succeed in the workforce.
‘One of my first steps was to form a committee to reform the university’s academic and research programmes,’ Dr Ali shared. This committee will focus on developing new degree programmes in high-demand fields such as IT, fintech, and allied health sciences. In addition, the university is exploring joint degrees, sandwich programmes, and partnerships with industry to provide students with practical experience and internship opportunities.
With a clear vision and a strategic approach, Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Ali is confident that Punjab University is on the cusp of a transformative journey. His focus on financial stability, research excellence, digital transformation, and industry engagement is poised to elevate the institution’s standing, both within Pakistan and globally. Under his leadership, Punjab University is set to reclaim its position as a leading academic institution, fully equipped to meet the challenges of the modern world.
