GCU LAHORE literati pay tribute to Farkhana Lodhi

Majlis-e-Iqbal Government College University Lahore on Tuesday paid a glowing tribute to Farkhanda Lodhi a noted Punjabi and Urdu fiction writer and a recipient of President's Pride of Performance, at a national reference. Prof. Dr Saleem Akhtar chaired the reference which was attended by a large number scholars and students from all over the country. The family members of the late Farkhanda Lodhi including her husband Prof. Sabir Lodhi and daughter Siasha Khan also spoke on the occasion.

In his is message, GCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Khalid Aftab says that Farkhanda Lodhi knew the art of surprising her readers. “She makes them share the same pain and feelings that was felt by her characters,” he said. Professor Khalid Aftab also paid her tribute for her services to the Government College Library.

Addressing the reference, Dr Saleem Akhtar said that that inequality, cruelty, injustice and corruption heightened the disappointment and sorrows of Farkhanda Lodhi and writing was the only means of ventilation.

The late writer’s husband, a noted writer, Prof. Sabir Lodhi said Farkhanda believed that women refine society and a country can not progress where a woman is supposed to walk a step behind man. Prof Sabir Lodhi told the audience that Farkhanda wrote ‘Parvati’ in reaction to the Indo-Pak war of 1965, as she was deeply depressed by the situation of the two countries and her emotions came out in form ‘Parvati’. “In this short story, Frakhanda highlighted that while the men went to war, it was the woman who suffered, regardless of who she was or which country she lived in,” Sabir Lodhi said.

Saisha Khan shared with the audience the very last moments that she spent with the late writer. She also said that her mother lived her life for others. 

GCU Chief Librarian Abdul Waheed highlighted the managerial qualities of Farkhanda Lodhi, saying that as the chief librarian at the Government College Lahore, Lodhi rearranged the library’s 150 years old record and preserved the centuries-old books for the generations to come. He said that she automated all the record of the library with the help her few students and colleagues in just two years as the services of IT specialists were not available to the library at that time.

Prof. Nabeela Kiyani paying tribute to the works of Frakhanda Lodhi said the birth of a novelist reflects the cultural level of the society. “It shows that the people in that society are not selfish and they feel of the sufferings of other people,” she added.

GCU Urdu Department Chairperson Saadat Saeed said that the death of Frakhanda Lodhi came as a big blow to the feminism movement in Pakistan as the renowned Urdu and Punjabi writer was the prominent voice of women in the country. However, he said that Farkhanda Lodhi was equally popular with Punjabi circles in India also.

Majlis-e-Iqbal Adviser Prof. Tariq Zaidi, Mahmood-ul-Hassan Bazmi and a large number of other scholars also paid tribute

Later, the teachers and students prayed to the Allah Almighty for the salvation for the soul of Farkhanda Lodhi and patience for their siblings.

(07-07-2010)

GCU Lahore contributes first ever book from Pakistan to WDL

The GC University Lahore contributed the first ever digital book from Pakistan to the World Digital Library, a cooperative project of the Library of Congress and the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The University shared with the world an historical book titled “The History of the Afghans” published in English in 1829. GCU Chief Librarian Abdul Waheed said that the Government College University Lahore Library was the only library in the world which houses the 181-year-old book and the same can be confirmed from the electronic catalogue of the World Digital Library.

The book is the first history of the Afghan people translated from a non-Western language to appear in a European language. The original work was composed in Persian in 1609-11 by Neamet Ullah in the court of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Neamet Ullah based his work on material compiled by Hybet Khan, an attendant of the Afghan General Khan Jahan Lodi. The translation is by the German philologist Bernhard Dorn (1805-81). The book covers the history of Yacoob Israel, to whom the work attributes the origin of the Afghans; the life of Yacoob’s grandson, King Talut (Saul), and the migration of his descendants to Ghor (in present-day Afghanistan); and the spread of Islam and the influence of Khaled ben Valeed, a celebrated army officer who converted to Islam and spread it in central and south Asia.

Please click here for Full text

The work then chronicles the reigns of rulers of two dynasties that gave way to the rise of the Mughal Empire, namely the sultans Behlol, Sekander, and Ibrahim of the Lodi family, and Sher Shah of the Suri family. The last section recounts the lives of Afghan dervishes-turned-saints, and the book concludes with accounts of the genealogy of the Afghan tribes that descend from Sarbanni, Batni, and Ghurghust, the three sons of the forefather Abd Ulrashid (also known as Pathan, a variation of the term “pashtun”), a descendent of King Talut. It is pertinent to mention here that the WDL is an online library which is in multilingual format and has significant primary materials from countries and cultures around the world including manuscripts, maps, rare books, musical scores, recordings, films, photographs, architectural drawings and other significant materials.

Abdul Waheed said that GCU now stands with seven institutes like Library of Congress, Yale University Library and Brown University Library which have shared material on Central and South Asia through the platform of World Digital Library. “Only 37 libraries of World have yet succeeded to add its digital book on World Digital Library electronic catalogue as its criteria is very tough,” the chief librarian added. Abdul Waheed said that not only the GCU students but others are also being benefited from the rich resources of WDL. He said that the University would also upload more books on literature and history of the subcontinent on WDL in the near future.  He said that 5,000 original digitized letters of literary figures in the stock which can also be shared with the WDL.

GCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Khalid Aftab has expressed pleasure on this achievement executed of GCU Library.

(28-06-2010)

GCU LIBRARY LAHORE GETS ACCESS TO EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY PRESS AND ESDU, DATABASES

Thousands of new books, journals, engineering software and researches added to the digital network of the GC University library (GCUL) as the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has granted electronic access to two international databases to the university. “With the new addition, the total numbers of electronic databases available for GCU students have risen to 25, said GCU Chief Librarian Abdul Waheed, adding that the two new databases, Edinburgh University Press and ESDU, provide vide range of software, books, journals and other data to students and researchers.

The chief librarian said ESDU provides engineering designs, data, methods and software which are a vital resource for scientists and engineers in research establishments and academic institutions throughout the world. “The ESDU allows you to explore and optimize design solutions so you can validate your final design more quickly and easily,” the chief Librarian said.

He revealed that ESCU provides access to researchers on Aerodynamics, Aircraft Noise, Composites, Dynamics, Fatigue - Fracture Mechanics, Fluid Mechanics, Internal Flow, Fluid Mechanics, Internal Flow (Aerospace), Heat Transfer, Mechanisms, Metallic Materials, Performance, Chemical Engineering, Stress and Strength, Structures, Transonic Aerodynamics, Vibration and Acoustic Fatigue and Wind Engineering.

Abdul Waheed said that Edinburgh University Press is the premier Scottish publisher of academic books and journals and their electronic data base provide access to the huge number to journals and books on humanities and social sciences including African Studies, Film, Media & Cultural Studies, History, Islamic Studies, Language & Linguistics, Law, Literary Studies, Philosophy, Politics, Religious Studies, Science & Medicine and Scottish Studies. 

The chief librarian said that GCU students are also one of the top users of the HEC Digital Library Program, adding that the commission has provided access of high quality, peer-reviewed journals, databases, articles and e-books across a wide range of disciplines to the University.

(25-06-2010)

THE VICE CHANCELLOR AND THE LIBRARY STAFF CONDOLENCES ON THE DEATH OF FURKHANDA LODHI

GC University Lahore Vice Chancellor Prof. Khalid Aftab, Old Ravians Union, Chief Librarian Abdul Waheed and the library staff have expressed profound grief on the sad demise of noted literary figure and former GC chief librarian Farkhanda Lodhi. She was a recipient of the Pride of Performance from the Government of Pakistan. The vice chancellor paid tribute to her on account of her meritorious services rendered to realm of literature and library and information sciences. He said that it is almost impossible to bridge the void created by her departure. The vice chancellor said that Farkhanda’s contributions to Urdu and Punjabi literature have been acknowledged by contemporary literary critics at large. He also remembered her seven works and other writings.

GCU Chief Librarian Abdul Waheed said she was instrumental in the introduction and refinement of the service structure for the librarians, serving in the public sector of Pakistan. Farkhanda Lodhi was the student of MA English at the Government College for 1972-74 and first female librarian of the college from 1993-98.

In a condolence message to the bereaved family, the GCU staff prayed to the Almighty Allah to bless the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage to the deceased family members to bear the irreparable loss with fortitude.

(07-05-2010)

GC UNIVERSITY LIBRARY GETS THE HOLY QURAN IN BRAILLE FOR BLIND STUDENTS

The GC University Lahore Library has made available the full text the Holy Quran in Braille to the visually impaired students of the GCU Centre for Special Students (CSS). A copy of the Holy Quran in Braille is donated to the university library by the IQRA Educational Trust, UK Chairman Anees Qari.

The Chief Librarian GC University said that the donated copy of the Holy Quran is divided into twelve parts and has been placed in the Centre for Special Students (CSS). He said that the Holy Quran is published in Saudi Arabia and the Braille paper is acid-free. “Prof Dr Khalid Aftab Vice Chancellor GC University has issued special directions to provide all kinds of facilities to the university’s special students,” he added. He further said the University has already digitalized curriculum and pleasure-reading books for the blind students besides printing them in Braille. The GCU CSS has high-tech computers who can easily run heavy screen reading software. The Chief Librarian told “The centre surprises its visitors when they see blind students sending and receiving emails, chatting and browsing without any help,”    

The GCU visually impaired students have expressed pleasure at the availability of the Holy Quran in Braille at the Centre, saying that it would provide them an opportunity to read the Quran, the greatest gift by the Almighty Allah to mankind.

(06-05-2010)

THE VICE CHANCELLOR GCU CONDOLES ON THE DEATH OF FARKHANDA LODHI

Farkhanda Lodhi former Chief Librarian GC University Lahore, a noted novelist and educationist has passed away. Prof. Dr. Khalid Aftab Vice Chancellor GC University, Lahore has expressed profound grief on her sad demise. Mrs. Farkhanda Lodhi received the Pride of Performance from the Government of Pakistan. She had served GCU as Chief Librarian for more than six years. The Vice Chancellor paying glowing tribute to her on account of her meritorious services rendered to realm of literature and library and information sciences said that it is almost impossible to bridge the void created by her departure.

Her contribution to Urdu and Punjabi fiction is also acclaimed at the international level. She was instrumental in the introduction and refinement of the service structure for the librarians serving in the public sector of Pakistan. She was highly respected literary figure whose contributions have been acknowledged by contemporary literary critics at large.      

In his condolence message to the bereaved family, Prof. Dr. Khalid Aftab prayed to the Almighty Allah to bless the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage to the deceased family members to bear the irreparable loss with fortitude.

(06-05-2010)

CHIEF LIBRARIAN GCU to represent Pakistan at WDL Conference

The GC University Lahore will represent Pakistan at the World Digital Library (WDL) Conference to be held in June in Washington, United States. As many as 64 WDL partner institutions from 41 countries will take part in the deliberations at the Conference. However, the GC University Lahore is the only member institution from Pakistan. A university spokesman said that GCU Chief Librarian Abdul Waheed will attend the conference. ‘During the tour, he will also visit the Library of Congress, the largest library in the world, and also meet James H. Billington, the Librarian of Congress, who is appointed directly by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate,” the spokesman said.

The World Digital Library is a cooperative project of the Library of Congress, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and partner libraries, archives, and educational and cultural institutions from the United States and around the world. The WDL interface operates in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. The actual documents on the site are presented in their original languages. GCU Vice Chancellor Dr Khalid Aftab has expressed pleasure over the participation of GCU at the WDL conference.

(19-04-2010)

GCU Established Noon Meem Rashid Seminar Hall

Shahzad Ahmed Director Majlis-e-Taraqi-e-Adab Lahore inaugurated Noon Meem Rashid Seminar Hall at the Pg Library GCU Lahore, while Academy of Letters Chairman Iftikhar Arif handed over the literary chronicle maintained by N.M Rashid to the Prof. Khalid Aftab Vice Chancellor GCU Lahore. Iftikhar Arif commended the role of GCU in preserving the literary heritage of the Sub-continent. 

Speaking on the occasion, Shahzad Ahmed stressed the need to explore the literary nuances in the poetic works of NM Rashid. He lauded GCU’s efforts in compiling an anthology of criticism on Rashid’s poetic art by a distinguished Urdu professor, Dr Tabassum Kashmiri, which was expected to be published at the centenary birth anniversary of the poet.

Presiding over the inauguration ceremony of the NM Rashid Seminar Hall, Professor Aftab recollected memories of GCU’s struggle to commemorate the invaluable services of legendary old Ravians of such rare vintage as Professor Abdus Salam, Faiz Ahmed Faiz and NM Rashid.

The Advisor Majlis-e-Iqbal Tariq Zaidi elaborated upon the literary contribution of Rashid and his passionate association with his alma mater, GCU. He also announced that the GCU Urdu Department would host an international seminar on NM Rashid in October this year. The ceremony was attended by the literati of Lahore in huge numbers.

(19-04-2010)

GCU pays tribute to Azad

The Urdu Department GCU organized an international seminar on Mulana Muhammad Hussain Azad in connection with his 100th death anniversary. Agha Salman Baqir, the great grandson of Azad, gave away 500-year old manuscript to GCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr.  Khalid Aftab form the personal collection of Azad. He hoped that the precious manuscript would remain safe in the GC University Library and future generation would be benefited from it. Addressing the seminar, Prof. Khalid Aftab said Azad was a writer with unique literary sensibility. “His master piece Aabe Hayyat captures the literary traditions of the Muslims of subcontinent,” he added. Intizar Hussain, Dr Aslam Ansari, Dr Shamus-ur-Rehman Farooqui also spoke on the inaugural session of the seminar. Prominent literary figures and scholars were also present on the occasion.

(19-04-2010)

Munoo Bahi writes a column on Personal collections of GCU library in Daily JANG Lahore

(29-03-2010)

GCU Lahore to represent Pak libraries at Int’l moot

The GC University Library will represent all libraries of Pakistan at a three-day international conference titled ‘Third International Conference on Digital Libraries (ICDL 2010)’. As many as 105 speakers from about 54 countries will contribute their papers at the conference to be held February 23 to February 26 2010 in New Delhi, India.  The theme of this year conference is ‘Shaping the Information Paradigm.’ GCU Chief Librarian Abdul Waheed is scheduled to present his research paper on the “Collection Management of E-books: A Developing Country Perspective”. The tour has been sponsored by TERI and American Centre, New Delhi.

(20-02-2010)

GC UNIVERSITY LIBRARY LAHORE receives Dastan-i-Amir Hamzah

The GC University Library Lahore has received the digital copies of Dastan-i-Amir Hamzah from the Center for Research Libraries, Chicago University, USA. It comprises of about 50,000 pages. The Dastan was digitized by the South Asia Microform Project with the support of the American Institute of Pakistan Studies (AIPS).  Naval Kishor Press printed the Dastan from 1881 to 1906. However, in the late nineteenth century, it remained available only in Chicago University, USA in its complete form. Dastan-i-Amir Hamzah, an artistic masterpiece, was compiled in 1558–1573 under the Mughal emperor Akbar. The Dastan was designed to augment a storytelling performance. It originated more than 1,000 years ago, probably in Persia, and subsequently spread throughout the Islamic world in oral and written forms. The Dastan-i-Amir Hamzah contains the Naushervan Namah, Hurmuz Namah, Homan Namah, Kochak Bakhtar, Bala Bakhtar, and Iraj Nama and Tilism-e-Hoshruba. The digital copy received by the efforts of Dr Asar Ajmal of Psychology Department GCU Lahore. Majlis-e-Iqbal GC University Lahore organized a special function.  to present the CD’s of the Dastan-i-Amir Hamza to Chief Librarian. Prof. Athar Beg President Socities Board GCU Lahore to present the CD’s of the Dastan-i-Amir Hamza to Chief Librarian. The CD has been placed in the university’s digital library along with other digital books. Prof. Tariq Zaidi conducted the proceeding and introduced the sailent features of the received CD.

(07-10-2010)

GC UNIVERSITY LAHORE LIBRARY houses PROF. Dr Abdus Salam’s noble prize

The GC University Library, Lahore has the honour of housing the original Nobel Prize Certificate of Prof. Dr. Abdus Salam, the Pakistan’s only noble laureate. Dr Abdus Salam had studied from the Government College Lahore from 1942 to 1946. He taught at the Government College Lahore from 1951 to 1954. He was also editor The Ravi, an annual literay magazine magazine of the GCU.

Prof. Dr. Katepalli R. Sreenivasan, the Director of Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Italy, had the gifted the original Nobel Prize Certificate of Dr. Abdus Salam to his alma mater, GC University Lahore.

A girl looks at Dr Abdus Salam original Noble Prize Certificate at GCU library.

The certificate has been placed in GCU’s Library Museum, where around 4,000 letters written by renowned literary figures of Urdu are kept. A large number of students daily get inspiration from the great achievement of Dr Abdus Salam. He had received the Nobel Prize Certificate from King Carl XVI Gustav of Swede on Dec. 10, 1979. The words written on the certificate are “for his contributions to the theory of the unified weak and electromagnetic interaction between elementary particles, including, inter-alia, the prediction of the weak neutral current.”

(23-11-2009)

GCU digitalises books for visually impaired students

The GC University Lahore Centre for Special Children (GCU CSS) in collaboration with the GCU Lahore Library has digitised curriculum and pleasure-reading books for their blind students besides printing them in Braille...more

(04-11-2009)

GCU Lahore becomes World Digital Library member: THE Vice Chancellor and Librarian of Library Congress USA ink MoU

The GC University, Lahore has become the member of the World Digital Library, an international digital library being operated by the United States Library of Congress and UNESCO.

Dr. Khalid Aftab Vice Chancellor GCU Lahore and Librarian of Library of Congress James H. Billington have inked a memorandum of understating (MoU) in this regard. The Government College University Lahore is the first and only University of Pakistan who has become the member of the World Digital Library (WDL).

The WDL is an online library which is in multilingual format and has significant primary materials from countries and cultures around the world including manuscripts, maps, rare books, musical scores, recordings, films, photographs, architectural drawings and other significant materials. The project is initiated by the Library of Congress in cooperation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and other institutions from around the world.

Talking about the achievement, GCU Director Academic Planning and External Link Fouzia Shahin said the purpose of singing the MoU with WDL is to discover the cultural treasures from around the world on one site in a variety of ways. She further said that the WDL is working for the promotion of international and intercultural understanding and awareness, providing resources to educators and expanding non-English and non-Western content on the internet.

GCU Chief Librarian Abdul Waheed said that the MoU would be equally beneficial for the World Digital Library. He said that the university library has 3,05,837 books and more than 5,000 digitized letters of literary figures in the stock. The Chief Liberian said that in 2006, the library website won the first prize among the Pakistani Universities’ libraries in the competition organized by Elsevier Publishing in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission (HEC). Once again recently the library website has been recognized by a well-reputed international journal “Program: Electronic Library and Information Systems” as the Best Library Website of Pakistan.

(27-10-2009)

US Consulate Public Affairs Officer visits GCU Lahore Library

Consulate of United States, Lahore, Pakistan Public Affairs Officer Mr James has visited the GC University, Lahore. He visited the various sections of the University including libraries, Bokhari Auditorium and Abdus Salam Hall. He was given a detailed briefing about the 145-year history, infrastructure and achievements of the library.

The Chief Librarian Abdul Waheed showed him various sections of the university’s libraries. James took keen interest in the historical documents at the library museum. He lauded also the environment of the GC University, Lahore campus.

(19-10-2009)

Int’l journal published by EMERALD GROUP declares GCU Lahore library website the best

A well-reputed international journal “Program: Electronic Library and Information Systems” has declared the GC University, Library website “the best library website of Pakistan.”

The journal published by Emerald Group conducted a thorough research on library web sites in Pakistan to analyze their content, navigational strengths and weaknesses and to give recommendations for developing better web sites and quality assessment studies.

The survey of websites based on 77 item checklists including updates, number of visitors, essay accessibility and number of digital books and ranked the GC University Library website on the top. However, the library websites of Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and Punjab University stood second and third respectively.

The journal in its article “Library web sites in Pakistan: an analysis of content” gave a finding that in most cases no standards for content selection were considered in developing library websites so they lack uniformity and often miss important features.

Prof. Dr. Khalid Aftab Vice Chancellor Government College University, Lahore has congratulated Chief Librarian Abdul Waheeed and his team on this achievement. It is worth mentioned that GC University Library has the honour to win an International Competition ever in the history of Librarianship of Pakistan. The competition was organized by Elsevier in close coordination with the Higher Education Commission. The GCU Chief Librarian had received the prize in 72th IFLA World Library and Information Congress held in Seoul 2006.

(15-10-2009)

PARTICIPATION OF GCU LIBRARIANS IN THE 18^TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF PAKISTAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION AT ISLAMABAD

The two days 18th annual conference of Pakistan Library Association (PLA) was held in the Faisal Auditorium of International Islamic University (IIU) Islamabad from 11 to 12 May, 2009. The theme of the conference was “Role of Libraries in Creating a Knowledge Society”. Prof. Dr. Anwar Hassan Siddiuqi President International Islamic University was the chief guest of the opening ceremony.

Abdul Waheed (Chief Librarian), Muhammad Rafiq (Senior Librarian) and Abid Iqbal Abid, Ms. Samreen Lateef (Librarians) of GC University made presentations of their research papers. The topics of papers were “collection management of e-books, its organization and acquisition: basic issues for libraries”, “adoption of open source software in Pakistani libraries: a survey” and “library services for visually impaired students at GC University Lahore” respectively. Abdul Waheed also chaired the one session of the conference. It is pertinent to mention that GCU Library has the credit to present three papers in the conference which is the maximum in number presented from any university library of the country.

(21-05-2009)

GCU CHIEF LIBRARIAN GETS ‘SIG III INFO SHARE’ AWARD

The Chief Librarian of GC University Lahore Abdul Waheed got ‘SIG III Info Share Award’ from American Society for Information Science & Technology (ASIS&T). This award is given on the basis of nomination made by the members of American Society for Information Science & Technology (ASIS&T) and the professional standings of the nominee. During a month period, the chief librarian GCU got second international award. He will also attend the annual meeting of (ASIS&T) to be held in VANCOUR Canada from 6th to 11th November 2009. This year only two librarians around the world have achieved this milestone.

(07-05-2009)

CHIEF LIBRARIAN GC UNIVERSITY LAHORE GOT 21ST CENTURY IBC’S ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Government College University Lahore Chief Librarian Abdul Waheed has bagged the 21st Century IBC’s Achievement Award from International Biographical Centre, Cambridge, UK. His biography will be included in the 35th edition of “Dictionary of International Biography. The dictionary, expected t be published by the end of this year, will provide an easy access to detailed biographical information from many varied, prominent individuals. The entries into the “Dictionary of International Biography” are by invitation only.

(23-04-2009)

The Office Bearers 2008-2009 of the Library society, Vice Chancellor, Chief Librarian,

Advisor and members of the Society

CURRICULUM FOR BA (HONS) IN INFORMATION STUDIES APPROVES

Board of Studies in Library and Information Science has approved curriculum for 4 years BA (Hons) program in Information Studies. Curriculum includes specializations in Media Librarianship, Law Librarianship, Business and Industry Information, Digital Library, Data Base Design & Management, Web Development and Electronic Collection Management.

Prof. Dr. Sohail Ahmad Khan Dean Faculty of Languages Islamic and Oriental Learning was the convener while Dr. Khalid Pervaiz Dean Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Chairman Department of Library and Information Science Punjab University Lahore, Muhammad Taj, Chief Librarian Quaid-e-Azam Library, Muhammad Anwar, Chief Librarian, UMT and Abdul Waheed, Chief Librarian, GC University were members of the Board of Studies.

(19-02-2009)

LAHORE MUSEUM RESEARCH & REFERENCE LIBRARY

Lahore Museum Research & Reference Library has a collection on rarities in all fields of knowledge but specifically on Art, History, Archaeology, Museology, Painting, Culture, Coins and Civilization of the Sub-Continent.

The students, research scholars and faculty members of GCU may visit the Museum Library for their research.

(03-02-2009)

Donation of Ch. Jalal-ud-din Akbar collection to the GCU Library

Personal collection of Ch. Jalal-ud-Din Akbar a renowned old Ravian were received by his son Mr. Mujahid Akbar.

Donation of Dr. Laeeq Babri’s collection to the GCU Library

Personal collection of Prof. Dr. Laeeq Babri consisting of letters, handwritten drafts in English and French were received by his family members. A thesis of M. Phil Urdu is in progress under the supervision of Dean of Languages, Islamic & Oriental Learning. It is hoped that the translation of the same will be done in near future.

Personal Collections

Author:  GCU Library

(12-07-2007)

Donation of Major Muhammad Khan Ashraf's collection to the GCU Library

Personal collection of Major Muhammad Khan Ashraf was received to GC University Library. Many valuable books on Military Science and literature may be seen in this collection.

(12-04-2008)

 Donation of Dr. Zahid Munir Amir to the GCU Library

Dr. Zahid Munir Amir, Associate Professor at University Oriental College, Punjab University, Lahore and the author of “تاریخ جامعہ پنجاب ، جلد دوم” donated his personal books and periodicals to the GCU Library. It is his tribute to the services of GCU Library rendering to its users. For bibliographic details of the books please click here. Books, Journals.

(07-02-2008)

Dr. Muhamamd Yusuf Farooq donates his personal collection to the GCU Library

Dr. Muhammad Yusuf Farooq, resident of Warizabad presented his personal books and journals to the GCU Library. Along with books, he also presented precious complete set of Encyclopaedia Britannica, Collier's Encyclopedia and back files of National Geographic. For bibliographic details of the books please click here. Books, Journals

(07-02-2008)

GCU CHIEF LIBRARIAN TO ATTEND INT’L MOOT IN NEW DELHI AND SENIOR LIBRARIAN TO ATTEND WORLD CONGRESS IN Kuala Lumpur

Government College University Chief Librarian Adbul Waheed will represent his university at an international conference titled "Shaping the Future of Special Libraries: Beyond Boundaries" to be held from November 26 to 28 in New Delhi. Adbul Waheed will present his papers on resource sharing among university libraries of Pakistan. The moot will be held under the auspicious of the Special Libraries Association (SLA) Asian Chapter. Eminent speakers from 57 countries will participate in the conference.

Muhammad Rafiq, Senior Librarian is leaving to present his research paper titles "Issues Affecting ETD Initiatives in Pakistan: A Developing Country Perspective" in World Congress of Muslim Librarians and Information Scientists (wCOMLIS) 2008, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 24-28 November 2008.

(20-11-2008)

GCU Establishes a Centre for Special STUDENTS

The inaugural ceremony of the newly setup Centre for Special Students (CSS) at the GC University was held here at the campus on Tuesday.

The center is well equipped with latest IT based lab facilities for the special students. The lab has been designed and equipped keeping in view the specific needs of the blind/visually impaired students.

Syed Babar Ali, Advisor Packages Limited Lahore and Former Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs and Planning, Pakistan inaugurated the centre by cutting a ribbon. Syed Babar Ali, while expressing his views dilated upon his reminiscence during his college days at GCU and said that he did his graduation from the institute during 1944-45. He suggested that GCU to keep track record of its students so that when they enter into practical life, they could be the major source of contribution to their alma mater.

Speaking on the occasion, GCU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Aftab said that the varsity had allocated Rs 10 million for deserving students. He said that all out facilities would be extended to the GCU disabled students so that they could be provided with equal academic opportunities. Dr Khalid Aftab thanked Mr and Mrs Muhammad Salahuddin for their guidance and support in establishing the centre. Dr Khalid Aftab also thanked Syed Babar Ali for his compassion for the underprivileged.

Chief Executive Aziz Jehan Begum Trust for the blind, Muhammad Salahuddin said that GCU is an educational institute of international fame. He said that without proper training and education, a blind person is a burden on society. Talking about Aziz Jehan Begum Trust for the blind he said that English is the medium instruction and computer study is a compulsory at the trust. He paid tribute to the Vice Chancellor for his vigorous efforts for making the varsity a unique educational institution. The Centre is administrated by the GCU Library Lahore.

(12-03-2008)

Prof. Dr. Nosheen Khan donates Rs. 3 million to GCU library

The Chairperson of the English Department of GC University Lahore Prof. Dr. Nosheen Khan has donated Rs. 3 million to the GCU Library Lahore. The library will set up a special Amtul-Arifa corner in Postgraduate library. Amtul Hayee was the wife and Arifa Khan was the daughter of Prof. M.A. Khan former Principal Government College Lahore.

The library will purchase books on the topics in the disciplines of History, Political Science, Psychology and English Literature. It is worth mentioning here that Amtul Hayee was the alumni of the History Department of GCU in 1945-1947. The GCU library has the honor to receive 38 personal collections to date. All the books of these collections have been donated by the literary figures like Ashfaq Ahmed, Dr. Waheed Qureshi, Abdullah Malik, Syed Waqar Azim, Malik Meraj Khalid, Arshad Mir, Dr. Khalid Aftab and Dr. Zaheer Siddiqi. Vice Chancellor  GC University Lahore  Prof. Dr. Khalid Aftab has highly appreciated the donation extended by Dr. Nosheen Khan and hoped that the Old Ravians would continue their support to their alma mater for the academic uplift of the institution.

It is pertinent to mention here that Dr. Nosheen Khan accomplished her Ph. D in English Literature from the University of Warwick, UK and did her M.A English from Keele University UK. Dr. Nosheen Khan started her academic career as a Lecturer in English in 1977 at the Lahore College for Women, Lahore. She remained there till she attained the position of Dean, Faculty of Arts, Lahore College for Women, Lahore in 1990-2000.

(04-03-2008)

Unsubscribed Resources from the HEC - National Digital Library

HEC Pakistan has unsubscribed the following resources from the Digital Library:

• Mary Ann Liebert

• Taylor & Francis eBooks

• Royal Society of Chemistry

• Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS)

• Walter De Gruyter

• American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE)

• American Society of Microbiology (ASM)

• National Inquiry Service Centre - (NISC SA)

• NRC Research Press Journals Online

• Oxford University Press Journals

(24-01-2008)

Professor John Caughey Discusses plan to teach American studies at gcu

Professor John Caughey, an expert on American Studies today visited GC University Lahore and called on varsity academic officials. Dean of Arts and Social Sciences Prof. Dr. Khalid Pervaiz and Dean of Languages, Oriental and Islamic Learning Prof. Dr. Sohail Ahmed Khan received the guest at Vice Chancellor's committee room.

During the meeting, matters pertaining to the initiation of American Studies at GCU came under discussion. Dr. Sohail Ahmed Khan informed Prof. Caughey about the different discipline studies being offered especially about English Literature, History, Geography and Media studies in perspective of geo-political and inter-civilization arena. Prof. Caughey appreciated the kind of studies being offered at GCU and asked for future mutual interactions for the sake of starting the discipline of American Studies at GCU. Dr. Sohail suggested forming a committee which included professors from Philosophy, History, English and Political Science Departments in order to formulate courses for the subject of American studies to be taught at GCU. Dr. Khalid Pervaiz, Dean of Arts of the varsity apprised the scholar about the subject studies of Arts and Social Sciences at GCU.

Director Academic Planning and External Links, Fouzia Shaheen suggested to launch American Studies at the undergraduate level. Director Public Relations Muhammad Iqbal Anjum highlighted the role of present day media in perspective of opinion making and added that negative thinking about media's rationale role should be shunned by the Americans. Prof. Caughey while commenting on that showed a bit different idea by emphasizing to make people aware through understanding each other point of view and talked about the different cultural diversity and social aspects of the United States.

Head of English Department Mrs. Nosheen Khan apprised Prof. Caughey about the different discipline studies being offered in the English Department. Dr. Farhan Edadat Yar, Shafat Yar Khan and Anjum Nisar also participated in the mutual discussion.

Later, the American Professor was taken to the main Library of the varsity where he was shown books on Literature, geography and history. Prof. Caughey appreciated the lot of books placed in the GCU library. Prof. John Caughey was accompanied by Ms. Tahira  Habib cultural advisor consulate of the USA .

(29-10-2007)

DIGITAL LIBRARY WORKSHOP HELD AT GCU

The GCU Library Lahore today arranged a one day Digital Library workshop of e-books in collaboration with Higher Education Commission of Pakistan in the Bokhari auditorium of the varsity which was participated by the faculty members and students of the varsity.

Project Coordinator, National Digital Library Program, Higher Education Commission (HEC) Islamabad Hasan Zaidi said on the occasion that HEC is trying to ensure the availability of leading electronic books to the scholars across the country and is monitoring the usage of e-books in this connection. He said, there are few universities in the country whose scholars got their research papers published in the International journals. He apprised the audience that GCU Lahore is one of those universities whose scholars have been successful in getting their publications in the international reputed journals. He said, through the National Digital Library Program, GCU have access to e-books of Oxford Scholarship online, Taylor & Francis e-books and E-brary. Another resource person Sana Javed, Digital Library Operating Officer of HEC while making her presentation said that there are 40,000 in the HEC e-books library with more than 220 renowned publishers’ publications. Dean of Arts and Social Sciences of GCU Prof. Dr. Kahlid Pervaiz highly appreciated the Digital Library workshop and hoped that this activity would add to the valuable knowledge to the faculty and students of the varsity and make them aware of the basics and usage of the HEC e-books library. He said, GC University is endeavoring to excel in the all academic fields with an objective to help students improve their skills and build up their professional stature in their practical lives after completing their education from the university. Chief Librarian GCU Abdul Waheed thanked the HEC Project Coordinator for his gracing the workshop and for making a comprehensive presentation to the varsity faculty and students. Abid Iqbal Abid of the PG Library of the GCU conducted the proceedings of the program.

(24-10-2007)

Books of M.B. Sikander donated to GCU Library Lahore

A ceremony in connection with the donation of personal books collection of a renowned scholar late M.B. Sikander was arranged at the GCU Lahore today. The collection includes some rare Islamic literary journals and valuable books. 

The Acting Vice Chancellor and Dean of Languages, Islamic and Oriental Learning of GCU Lahore Prof. Dr. Sohail Ahmed Khan inaugurated the books collection ceremony. While talking about the books received by the GCU, Dr. Sohail highly appreciated the collection and said that the university has already received valuable books of many other literary personalities which is not only a great asset of the institution but also a part of its enriched traditions.

It is pertinent to mention here that GCU Lahore has already received 36 personal books collections as a gift which consists of more than 80 thousand books.

(26-07-2007)

 GCU DIGITAL LIBRARY REMOTE ACCESS IS NOW AVAILABLE

The Higher Education Commission has taken a number of initiatives for broadening the reach of Information Technology to meet the IT challenges of the country, especially for the education sector. The Higher Education Commission has recently signed a MoU with PTCL for the provisioning of Broadband DSL connections to students, faculty members and administrative staff at substantially subsidized rates at their residence. This DSL facility/service under this MoU offers Broadband connection at 256 kbps, 512 kbps and 1 Mbps with a 30% discount on prevailing PTCL commercial rates against each capacity.

The students, faculty members and staff of university can avail this opportunity and benefit from this exclusive offer. Applicants from the University can apply online through this link, http://bncc.ptcl.net.pk:88/. Once the application is submitted by the applicant, it will be forwarded via email to the Registrar of the University for verification. The Registrar will be issued an administrative user id and password by PTCL for this verification purpose.

For further information in this connection, please contact the IT Division of HEC through email (broadband@hec.gov.pk).

(23-07-2007)

FREE ACCESS TO e-Books!

Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC) has provided about 40,000 online books in addition to the already available 23,000 journals. The online books program will allow GCU Library Lahore users to access most of the important text and references books available electronically in various disciplines, such as Business & Management, Economics and Finance, Education, Geography, History, International Relations, Literature, Philosophy, Political Science, Religion and Sociology. For further details please Click HERE

(16-07-2007)

INAUGURAL CEREMONY OF Malik Miraj Khalid's donated books to GCU Library

The inaugural ceremony of the personal books collection of the former Prime Minister of Pakistan late Malik Miraj Khalid was held at the central library of the GC University Lahore. The library has received 613 books in the collection. The guests also met with the Prof. Dr. Khalid Aftab Vice Chancellor in the VC's committee room. Prof. Dr. Khalid Aftab while interacting with the guests said that books have greater importance in terms of disseminating knowledge to a person and enhancing his vision. He said that libraries play pivotal role in shaping the academic mind set of the students and GCU is one of the fortunate institution in the country which has excellent set up of libraries i.e. central library, post graduate library and the departmental libraries. Malik Zubair Khalid highly appreciated the standard of GCU library. The Deans of the university were present on the occasion.

(14-06-2007)

National Library of Iran and GCU LAHORE AGREED ON LIBRARY RESOURCE SHARING

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between GC University Lahore and the National Assembly Library of Islamic Republic of Iran for mutual exchange of unique books in the form of their copies. The Iranian Government offered to provide copy of any of these books for GCU library and it would be delivered at GCU doorstep. It is pertinent to mention here that National Library of Iran has a rich treasure of more than 10 million books out of which seven million are manuscripts.

(12-05-2007)

GCU OPENS NUQOOSH MUSEUM FOR ITS RESEARCHERS

The GC University Library Lahore has set up Nuqoosh Museum to preserve the historical letters and manuscripts of the renowned men of letters, Intellectuals and writers from the arena of Urdu and to help facilitate the Researchers. About 5,000 letters and complete file of Nuqoosh is placed in this museum and has been opened for the students of the varsity and researchers. The complete file of Nuqoosh has also preserved in the museum. The Chief Librarian of the varsity Abdul Waheed said that GC University Library is a rich source of research as it has thirty five personal collections with total number of 82,712 books on different topics. He further said as there was no other university library in Pakistan in the private or public sector where the catalogue of personal collections had been displayed on the internet.

The Vice Chancellor GC University Lahore Prof. Dr. Khalid Aftab while giving the brief history of the book collection said that from 1985 to 1990, GCU received only three personal collections of Qayyum Nazar, Zaka Rehmatullah and Shahid Hameed. From 1995 to 1999, five personal collections were handed over to GCU including that of Ishfaq Ahmed and Dr. Ebadat Brailvi. GCU, however, received a donation of five major personal Libraries including that of Muzaffar Ali Sayyed, Maqbool Baig and Badakhshani’s. Razi Wasti, Sardar Karim Nawaz, Dr. Abdul Hameed, Abdullah Malik, Jilani Kamran, Waqar Azim, Iftikhar Jalib and Dr. Waheed Qureshi’s personal collections were handed over to GCU in between 2001 and 2005. 2006 proved a very lucky year for GCU library as it received a rich treasure of personal collections of Muhammad Hasan Saddiqi, Prof. DR. Zaheer Ahmed Saddiqi, Malik Miraj Khalid, Bashir Moojad, Dr. Agha Yameen, Chaudhry Muzaffar Hussain, Ch. Ghulam Jilani. The Vice Chancellor also assured all out support for digitalizing the GCU books and for up-keeping the record of the books placed in the varsity library.

Dean of Arts of GCU Dr. Sohail Ahmed Khan on this occasion said that the present age is the age of digital library through internet and GCU was making special arrangements for its students. He said that out of 35 personal collections, books of 18 Urdu and English collections have been displayed on internet. The catalogue of 13 collections is there on the internet and the rest of the four personal collections would be given internet access before the end of this year. He further told that Ahmed Nasim Qasimi’s personal collection consisting of more than 1500 journals have also been delivered to GCU.

GC University Lahore has also displayed the manuscripts of the Holy Quran of various ages in different languages of the world. He also told that GCU Library has digitalized 3304 letters of 285 personalities and out of them, 1056 letters of the great personalities of the 20th century have been transferred on CD which is available against only 50 rupees at GCU Library for the facility of researchers. The CD contains letters written by Allama Iqbal, Shibli Nomani, Abdul Halim Sharar, Akbar Allahabadi, Patras, Imtiaz Ali Taj, Abdul Qadir, Manto, Jagan Nath Azad, Hafeez Jalandhari, Patras and so many others. The Vice Chancellor also thanked Javed Tufail son of Muhammad Tufail for reposing his trust in GCU and ensured that the treasure of literary letters would be preserved in the library in a befitting manner for the future researchers and men of literary taste.

(14-04-2007)

NUqoosh Museum Inaugurated at gc university library, lahore.

The inaugural ceremony of Nuqoosh Museum was held here at the GC University Library Lahore on Monday. The Vice Chancellor GC University Lahore Prof. Dr. Khalid Aftab performed the inaugural ceremony. Renowned Urdu literary personality Intizaar Hussain was the guest of honour on this occasion.

The Vice Chancellor thanked Javed Tufail for providing about 5000 letters etc. written to his father Muhammad Tufail, then editor of the Nuqoosh. He also hoped that researchers and scholars would benefit from this unique donation through digital library of the GCU. Dr. Khalid Aftab further said that after the completion of Nuqoosh Museum at the varsity, we are planning to establish Science Library with an aim to help researchers gain knowledge and relevant material in their respective disciplines. He said, that intellectual deficit has fostered number of problems especially   in the realm of educational activities, worth producing material is deficient.

The Vice Chancellor further said that the literary traditions are diminishing from among our literary circles and academic deficit takes shape due to the non- conducive ambiance of libraries. He commended Javed Tufail for his mutual willing of providing literary asset to GCU Lahore. The Vice Chancellor bewailed over the fact that the present day students just focus on their subject studies but do feel hesitation while getting inter-disciplinary approach. He said that GCU has enriched academic traditions and is trying to revive those traditions of the varsity by extending quality academic services to our students. He said we need to generate the interest of our students by extending modern facilities to them.

Intizaar Hussain, while expressing his views over the setting up of Nuqoosh Museum at GCU, said that this institution has been the right place to preserve this literary asset which Javed Tufail has provided to GCU. He hoped, researchers from all over the world through internet would benefit from the 5000 letters of the popular writers, intellectual and men of letters of the twentieth century placed in this Museum.

Dean of Arts of GCU Lahore Dr. Sohail Ahmed Khan said on the occasion that literary magazines have almost extinct leading to declining literary activities in our literary circles. He said that it is rare to find men of letters in contemporary literary scenario which is developing miserable situation.

Chief Librarian of GCU Abdul Waheed explained about the objectives and aims of establishing of Nuqoosh Museum at GCU. He said that Museum is based on 4589 unique and historical letters of renowned literary personalities written to Muhammad Tufail, the editor of the Nuqoosh, along with 212 positives of writings and 177 original scripts.

While expressing his views, Javed Tufail reposed his confidence that GCU is a right place where this intellectual repository could be preserved in a befitting manner. Later Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Khalid Aftab presented a souvenir shield to Javed Tufail and the GCU souvenir to Intizaar Hussain.

(02-04-2007)

GCU LIBRARY HAS GIVEN ACCESS TO 231 E-journals on the basis of user statistics

Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC) has provided more 231 online full text e-journals covering the disciplines of Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology to the GC University Library Lahore on the basis of user statistics. These newly provided journals are accessible on SCIENCE DIRECT Database on the GCU Local Area Network. Science Direct is the world's leading electronic collection of scientific journals. It is Renowned for the high-quality of its content in all branches of science and technology. It is worth mentioning that GCU Lahore is one of the top users of the HEC Digital Library Program. HEC had also executively given special access of more than 3000 books under e-brary online books program to the GC University, Lahore with only other three universities of Pakistan.

(19-03-2007)

GC University library given access to 4-thousand Digital Books

 The Higher Education Commission of Pakistan has provided electronic access to electronic library (Ebrary) to GC University Lahore. It is providing full text of thousands of books being published by renowned publishers around the world. The GC University Lahore is one of the seven multidisciplinary government sector universities to get this access to Ebrary program.

The Ebrary is a flexible electronic content platform by which library users may read full text books. This program also allows searching, viewing, copying and printing of books. There are more than 4000 Hyper E-books on subjects like Business, Marketing, Economics, Computer Sciences, Education, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, History and Humanities available on the GCU Library Network published by more than 260 world’s leading publishers.

(27-02-2007)

DR. WAHEED QURESHI DONATED HIS PERSONAL COLLECTION TO GCU

Display of Professor Dr. Waheed Qureshi’s personal collection of books, which have been donated to the Government College University Library, was held at the Bokhari Auditorium.

Prof. Dr. Waheed Qureshi while expressing his views spoke about his decades-long affiliation with his alma mater. He also apprised the audience about his experience of maintaining his literary collections.

Prof. Dr. Sohail Ahmed Khan, Dean Faculty of Arts GC University Lahore said Dr. Qureshi’s personal collection was a great addition to the varsity library and this would help students evolve their literary taste.

Prof. Dr. Tabassum Kashmiri, Prof. Dr. Maskeen Ali Hijazi and Abdul Waheed Chief Librarian GC University Lahore also spoke on the occasion

(15-02-2007)

GCU LIBRARY GETS ACCESS TO ONE MORE SUBJECT COLLECTION IN SCIENCE DIRECT DATABASE

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has offered the GCU library to access one more subject collection from Science Direct database, which offers more than a quarter of the world’s scientific information online.

(09-02-2007)

ASIAN FOUNDATION DIRECTOR VISITS GCU LAHORE

Mr. Gavin Tritt Director Books for Asia Programme of the Asia Foundation, United States visited GC University, Lahore. He held a meeting with Acting Vice Chancellor and Dean of Arts Prof. Dr. Suhail Ahmed Khan to discuss educational matters with particular reference of library books. It is pertinent to mention here that the Asia Foundation has already gifted 500 books and 900 CDs and audio cassettes of English poetry and prose to the varsity Library. Chief Librarian GCU introduced about the library services through multimedia presentation. Mr. Tritt appreciated the library administration for providing excellent IT based services to users. He also assured that Asia Foundation Pakistan will provide more books to the library. Dr. Amin-ul-Haq Dean of Sciences GCU and Syed Zahid Abbas Manager Asia Foundation Pakistan were also present.

(27-01-2007)

THE LIBRARY SOCIETY ARRANGED A CALLIGRAPHIC EXHIBITION

The Library Society arranged a three day solo exhibition of Shahid Imran Wasil, a young calligrapher. The Library Society has been arranging calligraphic exhibition annually in the month of Ramadan but this is for the first time that it takes the honour to celebrate the new year of Islamic calendar. The exhibition covers various aspects of Islamic thought and tradition. Most paintings have been made with thick knife strokes of oil colour. Poster colour has been used for calligraphy of Arabic and Persian origin.

Prof. Dr. Sohail Ahmed Khan Acting Vice Chancellor & Dean of Arts inaugurated the exhibition while Dean of Sciences and Heads of various departments, Abdul Waheed Chief Librarian and Muhammad Naeem Advisor Library Society were present on the occasion.

A painting titled Moher-e-Nabowat will be presented to the Vice Chancellor as a gift to GCU at the end of the exhibition. 28 calligraphic paintings will be on display till January 26 2007.

(25-01-2007)

GCU RECEIVES ORIGINAL NOBEL PRIZE CERTIFICATE OF DR. SALAM

Prof. Dr. Katepalli R. Sreenivasan, director of Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Italy, has gifted original Nobel prize certificate of Dr. Abdus Salam to his alma mater the Government College University.

Dr. Salam had received the Nobel Prize certificate from King Carl XVI Gustav of Swede on Dec. 10, 1979. The words written on the certificate are “for their contributions to the theory of the unified weak and electromagnetic interaction between elementary particles, including, inter-alia, the prediction of the weak neutral current.”

The certificate has been placed in GCU’s Library Museum, where around 4,000 letters written by renowned literary figures of Urdu are kept.

(16-01-2007)