Introduction

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The Department of Economics at GC University is providing quality education at the undergraduate, postgraduate level and professional disciplines related to Banking and Financial Economics, Entrepreneurship and SME management. It is committed to achieving academic excellence by producing quality graduates and research in the field of economics and finance.

The Department of Economics has a long distinguished history of widening the horizons of its students and helping them to gain knowledge required for competing internationally. The graduates of the department have achieved preeminence in various spheres of life. They are working at various national and international organizations, financial institutions, non profit sector besides serving on the boards of various banks and multinational organizations.

Apart from imparting quality education, we focus on character-building, grooming and personal development of our students through active participation in co curricular activities organized by various Societies. These activities include seminars, workshops, debates, quizzes and dialogues on current and emerging economic and financial issues which make life at GCU fruitful, productive enjoyable.

Since its establishment, the Department of Economics has been one of the leading Departments of GC University Lahore. The Department has been chaired by eminent academic luminaries like:

Facilities

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The department is equipped with the latest instructional aids and technology in class lecture, seminar rooms and computer lab which provides online access to journals through GC University library for undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Research

Some of the successful research projects of the department are:

• Fan Industry of Pakistan: Growth Dynamics of Small, Medium and Large Enterprises.

• Development of Women Entrepreneurship.

• An Economic analysis of Micro and Small Scale Shoemaking Units of Lahore

• Pak-India Trade Study. A case study of Fans and Bicycles Industries

• Development of Curriculum on Entrepreneurship and SME Management

• Short Courses on WTO and Economy of Pakistan

Research Groups

The department has set up research groups in the following areas:

1. Banking and Financial Economics

2. Entrepreneurship and SME Management

3. International Trade, WTO and Finance

4. Quantitative Economics

5. Urban Economics and Development

6. Economic Growth, Poverty, Inequality and Social Sector Development.

7. Macroeconomic Issues and Public Economics

Over the last four years, more than 40 papers have been published in these areas in different national and international journals.

Research Journal

The department publishes its refereed research journal “GCU Economics Journal” under the ISSN 02422815 which is subscribed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), The World Bank (WB) and other international institutions. It is also subscribed by the leading universities of UK and USA.

Academic Links

The department takes pride in its endeavours for developing higher education link programs with national and international organizations. It has completed two research links with the Strathclyde University and University of Cranfield, UK. The third research link on Development of Skills in SMEs has been completed with the launch of a report on the fan industry of Pakistan. An MOU with SMEDA has been signed in order to encourage research on entrepreneurship and SMEs in Pakistan.

Career Scope/ Opportunities

Graduates of the department are likely to start their careers in different economic sectors and professional places of Management, Accountancy, Consultancy, Insurance, Corporate Sector, Public policy institutions, etc.

Future Plans

Maintaining and ensuring quality in the academic programmes is an ongoing exercise which is constantly refined through expert opinion of the Board of Studies, foreign faculty and faculty members of the department. At present all academic programmes have research as an integral component and the department plans to strengthen its research linkages in order to encourage and promote research on economic issues of national and international significance. The department also plans to arrange a national level conference on Economics and Finance in order to highlight the contributions made by researchers across the country.

Academic Programmes

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The department offers the following undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

• BSc (Hons) Business Accounting and Finance
• BSc (Hons)
• B. Com (Hons)
• MS in Banking and Financial Economics
• MS in Entrepreneurship and SME Management
• MPhil
• PhD

B. Com 4- Year (Hons) Degree Programme

Description of the Programme:

The courses is more balanced by realigning the course contents to modern needs to include both commerce and social sciences subjects for overall professional and character development of the student. Courses were classified into core and specialized courses in Commerce. Support courses in social sciences and humanities were introduced for producing the effective leaders in commerce to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

The objective of the programme is to provide the banking, financial sectors and as well as to non-financial sector with relevant human resource equipped with academic and applied knowledge. The programme will enable the participants to develop a good understanding of accounting, finance, money, banking, management and marketing and to understand the role of these factors in economic development. Moreover, they will be better able to analyze the behavior and structure of domestic and international products & financial markets and institutions in the light of current crises and challenges and may play their role in the development of manufacturing sector, trading sector, banking and non- banking financial institutions and capital markets.

Objectives of the Programme:

At the end of the programme the students will be able to:

• Evaluate different financial proposals by exhibiting strong theoretical Knowledge and quantitative techniques.

• Establish an accounting system for new concern or handle the accounts of any ongoing concern.

• Have a broader understanding of corporate, legal and business affairs.

• Understand the modern business scenario.

• Use strong managerial, interpersonal and negotiation skills.

• Conduct research independently recommend policy implication regarding current economic and financial scenarios.

• Comprehend business and economic environment.

B.Com (Hons) Eligibility Criteria for admission

1. The applicant (Male/Female) applying for admission to BCom 4-years (Hons) programme must hove passed his/her HSSC (Pre-Engineering, Pre-Medical, ICS, Gen. Science, ICom and DCom) with at least 50% marks or A-level/12 Grade or equivalent in three subjects in first annual examination of the year of admission or in the preceding year of the admission.

2. There is no age limit for an applicant seeking admission to B.Com (Hons).

3. Admission will be strictly on merit which shall be determined on the basis of overall marks test and interview.

MS Banking & Financial Economics

The programme will enable the participants to develop a good understanding of money, banking and financial economics and understand the role of these factors in economic development. Moreover, they will be able to analyze the behaviour and structure of domestic and international financial markets and institutions in the light of current crisis and challenges and thus contribute in the development of banking sector, financial institutions and capital markets.

Eligibility Criteria

• Minimum 16 years of education will be required with at least 2.50 CGPA or 60% marks for admission in MS Programme.

• Only those candidates will be eligible to apply for admission to MS in Banking and Financial Economics who have completed MSc or BA/BSc (Hons) in Economics/Banking & Finance/Commerce or other relevant disciplines.

• Only those candidates are eligible to apply for admission who have passed GAT (General) Test with at least 50% valid score.

MS Entrepreneurship and SME Management

The programme is aimed at entrepreneurial development and management in order to enable the would be entrepreneurs to start successful business ventures. The programme will focus on cutting edge issues of business environment and development plan, highlighting the key elements of business creation, entrepreneurship development, marketing, organizational behavior and financial planning and development.

Eligibility Criteria

• Minimum 16 years of education will be required with at least 2.50 CGPA or 60% marks for admission in MS Programme.

• Only those candidates are eligible to apply for admission who have passed GAT (General) Test with at least 50% valid score.

• All candidates will be eligible to apply for admission in MS Entrepreneurship & SME Management who have completed MSc or BA/BSc (Hons) in any discipline.

Future Plans

Maintaining and ensuring quality in the academic programmes is an ongoing exercise which is constantly refined through expert opinion of the Board of Studies, foreign faculty and faculty members of the department. At present all academic programmes have research as an integral component and the department plans to strengthen its research linkages in order to encourage and promote research on economic issues of national and international significance. The Department also plans to arrange a national level conference on Economics and Finance in order highlight the contributions made by researchers across the country.

Courses

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• BSc (Hons.) Business Accounting & Finance

• Allied Courses (Business Accounting & Finance)

• BSc (Hons) Economics

• Allied Courses (Economics)

• B. Com 4- Year (Hons) Degree Programme

• MS in Banking and Finance Economic

• MS in Entrepreneurship and SME Management

• MPhil Economics

• PhD Economics

BSc (Hons.) Business Accounting and Finance

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4 Credit Hours Must Include Lab/Practical

Elective Courses

Note: Students will have to choose a total of 4 courses (two in semester VII & two in semester VIII) out of the 12 courses given above.

The scheme of studies is subject to revision and change.

Allied Courses (Business Accounting and Finance)

BSc (Hons.) Economics

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4 Credit Hours Must Include Lab/Practical

Elective Subjects

Note: Students will have to choose a total of 4 courses (two in semester VII & two in semester VIII) out of the 12 courses given above.

The scheme of studies is subject to revision and change.

Allied Courses (Economics)

B. Com (Hons) Degree Programme

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MPhil Economics

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Note: The scheme of studies is subject to change and revision.

MS in Banking and Financial Economics

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MS in Entrepreneurship and SME Management

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Note: The scheme of studies is subject to change and revision.

PhD Economics

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 Note: The scheme of studies is subject to change and revision.

Faculty

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Journals & Publications

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• The Department has published papers and proceedings of the conference "Financing Higher Education in Pakistan", held in November 10, 2007.

• The Department has also published its refereed Research Journal "GCU Economic Journal" under the ISSN 0242­2815 which is subscribed by IMF, The World Bank and other research institutions. It is also sent to the leading universities in UK and USA on reciprocal basis.

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