About the GCU Research

The Directorate of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (DRIC) is an initiative of Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan. HEC has taken this step to enhance the capacity of the academic institutions to manage all research issues.

In pursuit to this Prof. Dr. Muhammad Khaleeq-ur-Rahman, Vice Chancellor, GC University, Lahore has recently established Directorate of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (DRIC) to promote the research culture in the University. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zakria Butt, (TI.) has been appointed as its founder Director.

The main purpose of the DRIC is to develop, expand, enhance and manage the University’s research programmes and to link research activities directly to the educational, social and economic priorities ofthe University and its broader community. The DRIC is also responsible for assuring that the quality of research reflects the highest international standards and advances the stature of the University among the world’s best research institutions.

The DRIC is further responsible to guarantee that all research programmes and policies reflect the core values of academic freedom, professional integrity and ethical conduct and full compliance with all policies, legal requirements and operational standards of the University. The Syndicate GC University, Lahore in its 35th meeting held on November 22, 2011 has entrusted the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (DRIC) with the following functions and duties:

Directorate of Research Innovation and Commercialization

The following matters shall be dealt by the Directorate of Research innovation and Commercialization (DIRC).

• Formulating GCU policy and implementation strategies for research and innovation.

• Coordinating and supporting national and regional research and innovation programmes.

• Improving quality of GCU research journals! publications.

• Creating uniformity, transparency and internal efficiency in prioritizing, planning, implementing and monitoring research projects at GCU.

• Developing procedures for approval, control and monitoring of research projects.

• Encouraging academic staff and researchers to promote research activities within the University.

• Identifying and locating research funds and providing assistance to academic staff for preparing and sending research proposals to national and international funding agencies.

• Coordinating MS/MPhil/PhD research programmes.

• Increasing and diversifying external research funding.

• Improving and ensuring quality of research produced by faculty, researchers and students of GC University, Lahore, etc.

• Coordinating advisory services of the University for the benefit of the Government Departments and Industries.

• Commercialization of research results! products.

• Arranging evaluation of research publications of faculty members and publishing of research journal’s ofthe University.

• Providing recommendations and suggestions to Advanced Studies and Research Board (ASRB) on regular basis and acting as Secretariat of Advanced Studies and Research Board.

Research Work  

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Though, GC University, Lahore has a long and established tradition of research, emphasize is now shifted to the quality of output. Accordingly, we have re-designed our research programmes across disciplines to make this work meaningful and academically rewarding.

GC University allocates fairly large sum of money for the research projects of all departments and the allocation has been substantially increased over the years. This year GC University research allocation is Rs. 6.0 Million in addition to the research grants given by HEC, the Science Foundation, PTCL and other agencies. Consequently, we have managed to constantly improve the quality of research work in physical and social sciences besides increasing the scope of research activities. This work is carried out under the supervision of GC University Advanced Studies and Research Board. Please click Here for the list of Synopses of PhD Theses approved by the Advanced Studies and Research Board (ASRB) GC University Lahore

Foreign Professors and Researchers

At present, twelve foreign professors are working in different departments of GC University, Lahore on long-term basis. Some foreign professors are expected to join very soon. We also had a number of foreign visiting professors last year, who taught short courses in different disciplines during the academic session. Their presence on our campus has reinvigorated academic programmes and strengthened research activities.

The World Bank Research Project

The World Bank has commissioned the Economics Department of GC University, Lahore to carry out a study on the impact of WTO Regime on Pak-India trade and industry. This study has great academic and economic significance in the current environment. 

Major Research Projects in collaboration with Different Industries

The following major sponsored research programmes are in progress in Biotechnology Research Centre in collaboration with different Industries:-

1. Process development for celluloses production for industrial use (sponsored by HEC in collaboration with National Feed Industry, Sheikhupura).

2. Optimization of cultural conditions on the biosynthesis of xylanases by locally isolated Aspergillus niger (sponsored by Pakistan Science Foundation in collaboration with National Feed Industry, Sheikhupura).

3. Improvement of Aspergillus niger stain for citric acid production (sponsored by Pakistan Science Foundation in collaboration with Razo Chemicals, Lahore).

4. Improvement of a yeast strain for the biosynthesis of L-phenylacetylcarbinol (L-PAC) (sponsored by HEC in collaboration with Alpha Chemical, Lahore).

University Society Interactive Group (USIG) has been established to promote interaction between the University and Society to enrich the intellectual and cultural resources of the University and reciprocally to fulfil the multidimensional needs of the clients of the University.

University-Industry Linkage Group (UILG) has been formed to explore the possibilities of Linkages between the University and the Industrial world.

Technology Transfer Office (TTO) was established in GC University in November 2001 to develop linkages and research collaborations between GC University and Private Sector Industries. Following steps have already been taken in this connection:-

1. Inducted representative from industries in our Board of Studies as one of the members helping us to tailor our curricula in accordance with needs of the industrial market

2. Launched M.Sc. Industrial Chemistry Programme and the Internship in a leading industry of at least three months is the basic requirement of this programme.

Research Grant

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GC University postgraduate departments are receiving research grants mostly from the foreign universities, like Strathclyde University, U.K., Cranfield University, UK, etc, World Bank, British Council, national institutes and organizations like PAEC, PSF, KRL, etc, Higher Education Commission, Islamabad, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of Pakistan and University's own resources.

Research Facilities

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Science Departments like Botany, Chemistry, Physics and Zoology are well equipped with the necessary equipment/instruments required for the research work. Centre for Advanced Studies in Physics (CASP) has latest labs, including Laser lab, Material lab, Accelerator lab, Nano Technology lab, Plasm Focus lab. Computer Science Department has latest computing facilities including SUN SERVERS (Sun Solaris) for students and faculty. Testing and computer labs and Internet facility are available. Collaboration of the foreign faculty of School of Mathematical Sciences (SMS) and National Centre for Mathematics (NCM) is available to carry on advanced research. Computer labs, internet facility, multimedia, overhead projector, air conditioned library, research lab and seminar room are available in various departments of Science and Arts (Humanities) group.

Research leading to a higher degree may be undertaken on an individual basis or as part of a team working on a specific project. For individuals, the possibilities are limitless, but since advice and guidance from your research supervisor is invaluable, it obviously makes good sense to choose an area where there is particular expertise among the staff.

Research opportunities are available in all Faculties, Schools/Centers  of the University. Further information on research opportunities can be obtained from the Chairperson of the appropriate departments. 

GCU Faculty Publications

Please click here for detail of the GCU Faculty Publications.

(Source: System Analyst Office GCUL 12-01-2011)

Faculty Wise Research Publications

(Source: System Analyst Office GCUL 27-10-2011)

Faculty wise research projects

(Source: System Analyst Office GCUL 27-10-2011)

News & Events

VC, 22 teachers of GCU win PCST’s Research Award

The record 23 faculty members of GC University Lahore including Vice Chancellor Prof (Meritorious) Dr Muhammad Kahleeq-ur-Rahman; Izaz-I-Kamal, were awarded the prestigious Research Productivity Award by the Pakistan Council for Science & Technology (PCST) in recognition of their outstanding research publications which were published in the international impact factor journals.

Dean Faculty of Science and Technology Prof Dr Islam Ullah Khan, Director Research Prof Dr Muhammad Zakria Butt, Physics Department Chairperson Prof Dr Hassan A Shah, Professor Salam Chair Prof Dr Ghulam Murtaza, Institute of Biotechnology Director Prof Dr Ikram-ul-Haq, Centre for Advance Studies in Physics Director Prof Dr Riaz Ahmad, Prof Dr Salamat Ali, Dr Ahmad Adnan, Dr Shazia Bashir, Dr Durre Shahwar, Dr Aziz-ur-Rehman, Dr M. Akhyar Farrukh, Naveed Afzal, Dr Sikandar Ali, Dr Asim Malik, Dr Muhammad Nouman Sarwar Qureshi, Dr Dilawar Ali, Dr Fazeel Mahmood Khan, Dr. Muhammad Athar Abbasi, Muhammad Ajaib, Muhammad Ejaz and Shahzad Sharif are among the faculty members who have won the award.

Congratulating the University’s faculty members, the Vice Chancellor said GCU was providing maximum research facilities to its faculty members, so that they can increase their research output. He said that there should be a healthy competition among the University’s departments regarding research output and impact factor of their research papers. However, the Vice Chancellor said that quantity was not everything; severe attention should also be made to the quality of research papers.

Talking about his Research Productivity Award, the Vice Chancellor said “his passion for science and research is still as strong as it was when joined the university service 38 years back. He said that he would continue his research work despite the pressure of administrative work.

(10-04-2013)

Notification

The Vice Chancellor has been pleased to order that Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zakria Butt, Professor, Rafi Chair, will look after the office of Directorate of Research Innovation and Commercialization in addition to his own duties with immediate effect till further orders.

No. EA-1/101-13/13

(10-04-2013)

BS-20 officers visit GCU

A delegation of BS-20 Officers participating in 97th National Management Course (NMC) at the National School of Public Policy (NSPP) visited the GC University Lahore and met with Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Khaleeq-ur-Rahman. GCU Dean of Science and Technology Prof. Dr. Islam Ullah Khan, Director Research Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zakria Butt and Director Academic Planning were also present on the occasion. The delegation led by Ms. Rukhsana Shah was briefed in detail about policy formulation, financial resources and future plans of the University. Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Khaleeq-ur-Rahman said they had increased the role of academic heads and young energetic faculty members in development, administration and policy-making to strengthen the University. He said that qualitative change was evident in higher education system of country during the last five years due to the positive role played by HEC.  The Vice Chancellor aspired to place GCU on top in the world ranking of universities through the unflinching support of his experienced and motivated colleagues. He vowed to facilitate the faculty for the promotion of research in the university. Prof. Khaleeq also briefed the delegation about the future projects of the GC University Lahore.

(28-12-2012)

GCU doubles research honorarium FOR ITS FACULTY AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

The GC University Lahore administration, besides reviewing PhD rules and regulations as per international standards, has doubled the research honorarium for its faculty and administrative staff to promote the research culture in the university. The decision in this regard was taken at the 23rd meeting of the GCU Advanced Studies and Research Board (ASRB), chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof. (Meritorious) Dr. Muhammad Khaleeq-ur-Rahman while Director Research, Innovation & Commercialization Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zakria Butt presented the agenda.

Addressing the meeting, Vice Chancellor Prof. Khaleeq announced that the research honorarium would be given from research funds of the GC University Lahore which had already been separated from the main budget to ensure smooth funding for the research projects. “Now, any GCU employee, from faculty or administration, would get Rs 10,000 for each research paper published in ISI-index International Research Journal with impact factor, while in the past maximum research honorarium was Rs 5,000 only,” the Vice Chancellor said.

Prof. Khaleeq also announced giving an honorarium of Rs 5,000 to GCU employees for their each research paper published in HEC-recognized national research journal.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zakria Butt clarified that the research honorarium would be released by the GCU Directorate of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (DRIC) after verification that there is no plagiarism in the research article.

The Advanced Studies and Research Board also reviewed that PhD rules and regulations and directed all the PhD scholars to submit their quarterly progress report to DRIC on Prescribed Performa and they might be asked to make presentations before the ASRB.

The Board approved that if a PhD supervisor leaves the university for aboard for 3 to 12 months, the Chairperson concerned would notify ‘look-after supervisor’ in consultation with the supervisor for his/her PhD students. If a PhD supervisor leaves the university for more than year, a new supervisor would be appointed for his/her students.

The Board also dissolved the Research Small Grants and Publication Committee and assigned its functions to the Directorate of Research, Innovation & Commercialization under the directions from HEC.

(18-06-2012)

GCU HOLDS LAPTOPS DISTRIBUTION CEREMONY FOR 168 FINAL YEAR STUDENTS INCLUDING ONE SPECIAL STUDENT

GC University Lahore held a graceful ceremony in its Bukhari Auditorium to distribute laptops among 168 final year students including Hafiz Muhammad Irfan, a “special (disable) student” with the Punjab Chief Minister’s E-Youth Initiative during the first round. GCU Director Research, Innovation and Commercialization Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zakria Butt handed over the laptop to Hafiz Muhammad Irfan and 167 to other GCU students. “This is the first laptop of my life and nobody can understand, what does it mean to me when I am doing the final project of B.Sc Electrical Engineering,” said Hafiz Muhammad Irfan, who belongs to a lower middle class from Duska.

Hafiz Irfan said that they are developing a Radar System as their final project which would use radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction and speed of objects coming towards it. He said that due to illness of father, his elder brother supports the whole family and in these circumstances, he could not even think of buying a personal laptop.

GCU Director Research Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zakria Butt is giving away laptop to special student,

Hafiz Muhammad Irfan at Bukhari Auditorium.

Hafiz Ifran also paid rich tribute to Vice Chancellor Prof. (Meritorious) Dr. Muhammad Khaleeq-ur-Rahman for waiving off his University’s tuition fee, which made it possible for him to study at the GC University Lahore. However, he requested the Punjab Chief Minister to also increase job opportunities for youth on merit. “I don’t want job on quota and I want it on merit,” he added. He said that industries are closing down in Pakistan due to power crisis and engineers are left with very few job opportunities. 

Addressing the ceremony, GCU Director Research Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zakria Butt called upon students that morality and ethics are more legality, so that they should refrain from misuse of laptops given to them for their academic and professional development. He advised students to release the burden of responsibility that the Chief Minister has placed on their shoulders by providing them free-of-cost laptops. “It is expected of you to pay him back befittingly by producing excellent results in all fields of scholarship,” Prof. Zakria Butt said.

(08-06-2012)

PCST Confers 13 Research productivity awards to GCU faculty

Pakistan Council for Science and Technology (PCST) has uploaded the list of scientists achieving the "Research Product Award-2011-12" on its website (http://www.pcst.org.pk). It is pertinent to be mentioned here that GC University Lahore prolific faculty members have been included in the award list for their outstanding contribution for research. Merit list of approved scientists/engineers for research productivity award 2011-2012 from GC University Lahore includes the followings:

 (26-03-2012)

VICE CHANCELLOR eyes slot for GCU in world ranking

Eminent Physicist Prof. (Meritorious) Dr Muhammad Khaleeq-ur-Rahman; Izaz-I-Kamal, appointed as third Vice Chancellor of the GC University Lahore in July last year, eyes a slot for GCU in the ranking of world best universities, as he strongly believes that the Government College Lahore was established, by the British rulers in 1864 on the pattern of Cambridge and Oxford, with the aim of making it one of the best world-class centers of higher learning, but was later not given the due financial resources and importance. “We are now engaging our students and faculty members in rigorous intellectual and research activities instead of just relying on traditional teaching methods for which the university and examinations’ rules are also rationalized as per the world’s best standards,” said Prof Khaleeq in an interview with The Nation. He said that they were also striving to work in three additional strategic directions: institutional collaboration, international links and open-learning to increase flexibility and interaction. “We aim to extend the University’s reach and its capacity for research pursuits. This, we believe, is the best means of promoting creativity and generating innovative solutions to problems,” he added. Prof Khaleeq said GCU had also established Directorate of Research, Innovation and Commercialization at that would identify and locate research funds and provide assistance to academic staff for preparing and sending research proposals to national and international funding agencies.

The Vice Chancellor said that when he joined GCU there were only eight full Professors in the university, but now, the university had advertised professors’ posts to attract qualified faculty with market-based incentives. He said that they had also decided in principle to affiliate other colleges with GCU to share its academic excellence, particularly in reference with curriculum design, teaching, assessment strategies and research, with a wide spectrum of students and researchers. “An Affiliation Committee has been formed to formulate rules and regulations for the affiliation of other educational institutions with the University. The university’s Academic Council and Syndicate have also approved the constitution of the committee,” he added.

Talking about GCU new campus, the Vice Chancellor said they were planning varsity’s new campus at around 400 acres of land at Kala Shah Kaku. The GCU new campus, he said, would introduce cutting-edge technologies and modern disciplines that would meet the needs of the modern world in next 50 years. He said that they were perusing the governments, both federal and provincial, to grant extensive funds for the GCU new campus as it was the state’s responsibility to invest in the development of human resources.  He strongly objected to the activities of political organizations in universities in the name student groups, saying a model system of apolitical student unions was full of life at the GCU which needed to be adopted in other colleges as well. He elaborated that 49 students’ societies such as Dramatics Club, Debating Society, Majlis-e-Iqbal, Welfare Society, Nazir Ahmad Music Society (NAMS), Library Society, Quaid-e-Azam Political Science Society, Punjabi Majlis, Dunnicliff Chemical Society and Media Watch were playing a vital role in personality development of Ravians by engaging them in intellectual, cultural, co-curricular and sports activities. He said that he had doubled the financial budget of all these societies and now there was hardly a day in GCU when there was no lecture, debates, seminar, conference, drama or literary sitting.

To a question whether a person from even lower middle class can afford higher education in Pakistan, the VC said that the situation was really alarming, but in his capacity as Vice Chancellor, he was making all-out efforts to keep GCU an affordable university, besides he had slashed the university fee by 35pc, which he hoped, provided a great relief to the students and their parents. He said that he had also given scholarships of Rs 14 million to deserving students from GCU funds. He also said that GCU Endowment Fund Trust was also giving scholarships to deserving students.

Expressing pleasure at receiving gold medal from Pakistan Academy of Sciences, Prof Khaleeq said, “His passion for science and research is still as strong as it was when joined the university service 37 years back.” He said that he would continue his research work despite the pressure of administrative work as the Vice Chancellor of GC University.

Courtesy: NATION LAHORE by Arshad Bhati

(27-01-2012)

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zakria Butt JOINED AS Director (RESEARCH) DRIC

The GCU has established the Directorate of Research Innovation and Commercialization (DIRC) to hone research potential of the university. The directorate is established after the approval of the university syndicate. As per notification No. EA-I/74-01/DRIC/11 issued by the Registrar’s office Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zakria Butt has joined as Director (Research), Directorate of Research Innovation and Commercialization (DRIC) GC University Lahore w.e.f. 20-01-2012. He will also look after the affairs of Director Academic Planning and External Links.

Prior to his current assignment, Prof. Zakria served Lahore Board and GCU Physics Department as Chairman. He did his PhD in Physics from Brunel University London UK. He was awarded Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Medal of Excellence) by the Government of Pakistan for his meritorious service in education sector in 1997. Prof. Zakria has over 118 research articles published in international and national journals to his credit besides several books on the subject of Physics. He was instrumental in establishing the Metal Research Laboratories and Laser Physics Laboratory at GCU Center for Advanced Studies in Physics. Taking charge as the DIRC Director on Friday, Prof. Zakria said that the DIRC would work to train young researchers and seek sustainable international and national collaborations to broaden the impact of research projects and their sustainability. He said that young faculty members are needed to be trained in effective bidding for external sources of funding, inter-cultural communication, advance research techniques and strategic skills like influencing, negotiating, presenting and embedding international partnership impact across institutions for developing and maintaining international networks. GCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Khaleeq-ur-Rahman has congratulated Prof. Zakria Butt on his appointment as Director DIRC.

(20-01-2012)

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