About the Chair

TOP

The Federal Government of Pakistan established Salam Chair in Physics at Government College University, Lahore in 1999 and named it after the Nobel Laureate of Pakistan, Dr. Abdus Salam who was also a student (1942-46) and a faculty member (1951-54) at the College. Dr. G. Murtaza was appointed Professor Salam Chair in March 2000.

A number of programs aimed at promoting research activity in Physics at the GCU have been initiated in collaboration with Salam Chair. Some important achievements in this regard are stated below:

Research Activities

TOP

Research Publications (since March  2000): 109

    (109=80 Research Papers +29 Conference Proceedings)

   (click here for complete list)

M Phil/Ph.D. Program

• Produced 7 Ph.Ds   (4 QAU+3 GCU) and 28 M.Phils (4 QAU+24 GCU).

• Currently twelve M. Phil and Ph.D students are working at Salam Chair.

• A number of young colleagues and research students at the GCUL have been inducted into the Plasma Physics program (Theoretical/Experimental).

• Plasma Technology Lab has been set up at CASP wherein the following devices are operational.

  1.  A 3kJ Plasma Focus device was fabricated, assembled and commissioned and has been in operation for several years now.

  2.  Plasma Focus Device (called MiniFocus) which was gifted to us by the Imperial College London is also functional and in use.

  3.  A plasma device used for the generation of low density Cold Plasma was designed and fabricated and is in operation. This device is for Surface Coating experiments on different substrates.

• A Central Facility of XRD has been added with financial assistance from the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and is in use.

Research Grants and Fellowships

TOP

·               Three student fellowships were awarded by The Abdus Salam ICTP for the years 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

·               Three research projects were granted by the Pakistan Science Foundation, the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission and the Dr. A. Q. Khan Research Laboratories, providing funds for setting up the lab and for supporting research scholars. In all, five student fellowships were awarded by these R&D institutions.

·               Federation Agreement was signed with The Abdus Salam ICTP under which three young faculty members of the University can participate in different research activities of the ICTP each year (eight have already visited the Center during the year 2002, 2003, 2005 & 2006 and 2008).

·               Received Research Productivity Allowance Award of Rs. 1,200,000/- for the year
2001-2002 by the PCST, half of which was for the awardee (Dr. G. Murtaza) and the rest for the promotion of Research Activity. From the latter amount, five M. Phil students were given fellowships @Rs.5,000/- p.m. and some equipment was purchased.

·               Received Research Productivity Allowance Award of Rs. 360,000/- for the year 2005, 80% of which was for the awardee (Dr. G. Murtaza) and the rest for the promotion of research activity. The latter was granted to a Ph.D student as fellowship.

·               Organised Eighth, Ninth, Tenth and Eleventh  National Symposia on Frontiers in Physics at the GCU Campus on November 20-22, 2000; January 28-30, 2003, January 11-14, 2005 , 29-31, January, 2009 respectively in which several foreign professors also participated.

·               Organised Salam Day Celebrations/ Salam Lectures by various eminent scientists on different occasions.  

·               Dr. G. Murtaza delivered many lectures, seminars and talks (more than 15) on various occasions.

·              Salam Chair Faculty participated in several National & International Conferences, Symposia etc.(more than 25).

Research Projects awarded to Salam Chair by various institutions

TOP

1.                 ICTP Contribution for three student fellowships at Salam Chair in Physics

ICTP remitted to Salam Chair amounts of US$4000 (2001), US$4800 (2002), US$ 5701.25 (2003), € 5,400 (2004), € 5,400 (2005), € 5,800 (2006), € 5,800 (2007), € 5,800 (2008) and € 3,560 (2009) for Research students:

2. Productivity Allowance (PCST)

Fellowships @Rs 5000/- p.m. were granted to following M. Phil students out of the PCST Productivity Allowance:

3.  PAEC Project

 

Title: Plasma Processing of Materials and Phase Changes Using Dense Plasma Focus

Duration: Three Years   Amount:  Rs. 6,18,000/-

Research Fellowships:   Two @ Rs 6,000/- p.m. each for three years

4.  MOST Project (Strengthening of Research Faculty)

Two Positions of Research Associates @Rs 8000/- p.m. were granted.

5.  KRL Project

Two fellowships @Rs 3000/- p.m. were granted for M. Phil students. Duration: Three months

List of scholars awarded higher degrees

TOP

Scholars awarded Ph.D degree

Students awarded M.Phil degree

TOP

List of researchers currently being supervised

TOP

Research students/scholars currently being supervised or co-supervised

1.                  Gohar Abbas            Ph.D Student, GCUL       ICTP Fellowship

2.                  Rozina Ch.               Ph.D. Student, GCUL      Salam Chair Fellowship

3.                  Mudassir Ali             Ph.D. Student, GCUL      HEC Fellowship

4.                  Abdur Rasheed         Ph.D. Student, GCUL      HEC Fellowship

5.                  Muhammad Razzaq    Ph.D. Student, GCUL      HEC Fellowship

6.                  Zahida Ehsan           Ph.D. Student, GCUL  Research Officer at Salam Chair

7.                  Muhammad Shahid    Ph.D. Student, GCUL      Salam Chair Fellowship

8.                  Azhar Hussain          M.Phil. Student, GCUL     HEC Fellowship

9.                  Hafsa Naeem            M.Phil Student, GCUL     Salam Chair Fellowship

10.              Zafar   Iqbal             M.Phil Student, GCUL     Salam Chair Fellowship

11.              Faraz Bashir             M.Phil Student, GCUL     Salam Chair Fellowship

12.              Imran Aslam             M.Phil Student, GCUL     Salam Chair Fellowship

Lectures/ Seminars

TOP

Dr.  Murtaza gave the following talks at various places / on different occasions:

• Gave talk at the International Workshop on Frontiers of Modern Plasma Physics at ICTP Trieste, Italy, July 14-25, 2008

“Anisotropic Temperature instability in Non-Maxwellian Plasmas”

• Gave talks at NESCOM  Islamabad on January 31 2005

1.      Tribute To Abdus Salam

2.      Quark Gluon Plasma-An Exotic Plasma State”

• Gave a talk at the ASICTP Workshop on Theoretical Plasma Physics 5-16 July, 2004 “Collective Modes and Linear Landau Damping in a Quark-Gluon Plasma”

• Gave a talk at the First Cairo Conference on Plasma Physics & Applications Cairo Egypt, October 11-15, 2003.

• Gave an Address,

“Some Recent Development in the World of Physics” at the inaugural ceremony of the 9^th National Symposium on Frontiers in Physics 28-30, January 2003 at GCU Lahore

• Gave a talk,

“Quark Gluon Plasma – Visiting the Early Universe”

at the 9^th National Symposium on Frontiers in Physics 28-30, January 2003 at GCU Lahore

• Delivered two lectures at the summer workshop on Mathematics 24-29 June, 2002 at GCUL:

-Quark Gluon Plasma (Visiting the Early Universe)

-New Trends in Plasma Physics

• Gave two invited lectures at the International Nathiagali Summer College on Physics and Contemporary Needs, 3-5 July, 2002, Nathiagali, Pakistan on

 (i)    Quark Gluon Plasma

 (ii)    Dusty Plasma

• Gave a talk entitled:

“Salam’s Dream-Unification of Fundamental Forces”

at Chawla Mathematical Society, April 24, 2000, GCU Lahore.

•  Gave a lecture at the Jones Physics Society, GCU Lahore

“Some New Trends in Plasma Physics”

• Gave a Seminar (August 2002) at the University of Albany, N. Y. USA on Quark Gluon Plasma

• Contributed an article to the GCU Magazine Ravi Science,

“Search for Simplicity and Unity in Nature”

• Gave a talk entitled: “Tribute to Abdus Salam”

• Gave a talk entitled: “Salam-my Teacher ”

• Gave a talk entitled: “Salam through Pictures”

• Gave a talk entitled: “ Legacy of Salam-the ICTP”

International Conferences, Seminars, Symposia and Summer Schools Attended/Organised etc

TOP

• Organised 11^th  National Symposium on Frontiers in Physics held on January 29-31, 2009 at GCU, Lahore

• Participated in Plasma Physics Conference, November 21-22, 2008 at the Hafiz Hayat Campus, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Pakistan

• Participated in the International Workshop on Frontiers of Modern Plasma Physics at ICTP Trieste, Italy, July 14-25, 2008

• Organised 10^th  National Symposium on Plasma Physics, 28-29 January 2008 at GCU, Lahore

• Attended the 32^nd International Nathiagalee Summer College on Physics and Contemporary Needs, June, 2007, Nathiagalee, Pakistan

• Participated in the International Workshop on Frontiers of Plasma Science at ICTP Trieste, Italy 21 Aug-1 Sept 2006

• Invited to the Workshop/Meeting on Fusion Research 16-18 June 2006 in Bangkok, Thailand (in conjunction with 21st Executive Council Meeting of AAAPT)

• Participated in the 13th International Congress on Plasma Physics May 22 – 26, 2006 Kiev, Ukraine

• Participated in the 12^th Regional Conference on Mathematical Physics March 27 – April 1, 2006 Islamabad.

• Organised Salam-Day Celebrations Meeting on Saturday, January 28, 2006 at GCU, Lahore.

• Organised Salam Memorial Meeting on Monday November 21, 2005 at GCU, Lahore.

• Organised One Day Symposium on Applications of Topology held on April 14, 2005 at GCU, Lahore

• Organised 10^th National Symposium on Frontiers in Physics held on January 11-14, 2005 at GCU, Lahore

• Organised One Day Symposium on Mathematics held on November 27, 2004 at GCU, Lahore

• Visited ASICTP as lecturer to the Workshop on Theoretical Plasma Physics 5-16 July, 2004

• Visited as Senior Associate the Abdus Salam ICTP October, 2003

• First Cairo Conference on Plasma Physics & Applications Cairo Egypt, October 11-15, 2003.

• Organized the 9^th National Symposium on Frontiers in Physics 28-30, January 2003

• Visited as Senior Associate the Abdus Salam ICTP July, 2002

• Participated in the 27^th International Nathiagali Summer College on Physics and Contemporary Needs, 3-5 July, 2002, Nathiagali, Pakistan.

• Organized the section on Plasma Physics and gave two invited talks entitled:

(i) Quark Gluon Plasma

(ii) Dusty Plasmas.

• Attended the National Symposium on Physics in Industry held on June 28–30, 2001 Karachi Pakistan

• Visited as Senior Associate the Abdus Salam ICTP August, 2001

• Attended the International Bhurban Conference on Applied Science & Technology 10-15, June 2002

• Visited the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy (ASICTP) and Ruhr University Bochum, Germany August 2001

• Organized Regional College on Plasma Physics held on January 29 -- February 03, 2001 at the National Centre for Physics, Islamabad, Pakistan

• Organized 8^th National Symposium on Frontiers in Physics held on November 20-22, 2000 at Govt. College University, Lahore, Pakistan

• As Senior Associate visited the Abdus Salam ICTP July 01-August 7, 2000 and also participated in the International Conference on Plasma Physics “Colloidal Plasma Science 3-7 July, 2000 Trieste, Italy.

• Regional Conference on Plasma Research in the 21st Century 7-12 May 2000 Bangkok and gave an invited talk.

Management Committee

TOP

News & Events

TOP

Salam Chair and JPS GCU LAHORE jointly celebrates Dr. Abdus Salam’s 84th birthday

Salam Chair GCU has organized a special function in collaboration with the Jones Physics Society to mark 84th birth anniversary of Prof Dr. Abdus Salam, Nobel Laureate and on Old Ravian. The event was kicked off with screening of a documentary about the great scientist. A large number of photographs of Prof Abdus Salam and books also put on display on this occasion.

Prof. G. Murtaza gave detailed biographical account of Prof. Salam’s life, starting from his humble beginnings in his home town Jhang and from there to Government College Lahore and then on to Cambridge University UK.

Dr. Hassan Shah gave a brief introduction to the importance of the theme of unification in Physics. Dr. Asim Malik gave a talk on the electroweak theory, the work for which Prof. Salam received the Nobel Prize in 1979. G.M. Piracha who was a close personal friend of Prof. Salam from the College days spoke about Salam as a young College student.

(01-02-2010)

Salam Chair GC UNIVERSITY LAHORE pays tribute to Dr. Abdus Salam on his 13^th death anniversary

Prof. Salam Chair, Physics Department GCU Lahore in collaboration with Pakistan Physical Society organized a memorial meeting to mark the 13th death anniversary of Dr Abdus Salam, the Pakistan’s only noble laureate. GCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr Khalid Aftab chaired the meeting.

Addressing the audience, Dr Khalid Aftab highlighted the services of the noble laureate for the third world countries in the field of science. He said that late Salam was concerned about the decline of science in Pakistan and struggled determinedly to take it to its deserving glory.

The Vice Chancellor also read some extracts from the book “Cosmic Anger written by Gordon Fraser”, which presents a biography of Dr Abdus Salam; the story of a boy from a small town who overcame enormous obstacles to emerge as a leader of science. He told the participants about the establishment of Salam Chair and Abdus Salam School of Mathematical Sciences by the University. He termed them the biggest achievements of GCU during his tenure.

Speaking on this occasion, Professor GCU Salam Chair Prof. Dr Ghulam Murtaza touched the humble upbringing, ambitions, achievements, fame and virtues of the great scientist. Dr Ghulam Murtaza, who was the student of the late Dr Abdus Salam, said that the noble laureate won a beauty contest in his hometown, Jhang, in his childhood. He also discussed the obstacles and resistance that Dr Abdus Salam faced in establishing the International Centre for Theoretical Physics which remains as his monument. Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) Prof. Dr Amer Iqbal paid exclusive tribute to Dr Salam about his Electro-weak theory and its modern implications. Prof. Hassan A Shah discussed the importance of unification in physics in reference to the Salam’s theory.

At the end Prof. Tariq Ziadi Urdu Department underlined the interest of Dr Abdus Salam in poetry and Urdu literature by reading some of his letters that he had written to his teachers and close friends.

(23-11-2009)

NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM On “FRONTIERS IN PHYSICS” AT GCU LAHORE

Department of Physics at GCU Lahore organised a symposium on “Frontiers in Physics” from 29th to 31st January 2009 in Bokhari Auditorium. In the Inaugural, the Chief Guest of the ceremony Prof. Riazuddin the eminent physicist of Pakistan said that the state of Physics in Pakistan is not very heartening, in fact it has somewhat declined from mid sixties to early 90s in perspective of quality not in quantity. Addressing the symposium Prof. Khalid Aftab the Vice Chancellor GC University Lahore mentioned that GCU Lahore has maintained wonderful traditions of academic excellence, research, promotion of new ideas and above all the respect for other’s views. He stated that GCU Lahore is modern, demand driven, research based, quality conscious, futuristic and affordable public institution.

Dr. Pervaiz Hoodbouy gave the inaugural lecture on “The Salam Weinberg theory and Beyond” . Prof. Hassan A Shah from the department of Physics at GCU Lahore spoke on the occasion. Dr. Riaz Ahmed the Chairperson Department of Physics at GCU Lahore and a large number of faculty members of different universities were present at the event.

(11-02-2009)

22 papers were presented on the 2^nd day of 11^th National Symposium on Frontiers of Physics at GCU Lahore

TOP

The proceedings of the 11th National Symposium on Frontiers of Physics continued for the 2nd day at GC University Lahore. A total of 22 papers were presented in two parallel sessions. Prof. Dr. Saleemullah (GCU) spoke on his research on quantum plasmas and Dr. Riaz Khan from the National Fusion Programme presented his research on Tokamak simulations. Dr. Sabieh Anwar (LUMS) gave presentation on seeing chemicals & Physical reactions through nuclear spins. Dr. A.S Bhatti spoke on bio sensors in the emerging field of nano technology.

The day concluded with a general body meeting of the Pakistan Physical Society where Past President and Organizers of the Conference spoke on the importance of holding such meetings more regularly. Prof. Dr. Hassan Shah President of the Society highlighted the heed to popularize physics students at school level.

(31-01-2009)

NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ‘FRONTIERS IN PHYSICS’ STARTS AT GC UNIVERSITY LAHORE

TOP

11^th National Symposium on ‘Frontiers in Physics’ has been started and will continue till 31^st January 2009 in the Bokhari Auditorium. Addressing the ceremony Chief Guest Prof. Dr. Riazuddin said that the state of Physics of Pakistan is not very encouraging. In fact, it has somewhat declined from mid sixties to early 90s in quality, not in quantity. The touchstone is whether the physics research carried out in Pakistan and by Pakistanis, who have spent major parts of their careers in Pakistan, has made a major impact on International Physics. He urged the Physicist to improve the state of Physics in Pakistan the initiative has to be taken by the Physics community itself. The Physics community is represented by the Pakistan Physical Society. The Society has to play a proactive role in this respect.

Addressing the Symposium, the Vice Chancellor GC University Lahore Prof. Dr. Khalid Aftab said that a society that is rich in vitality has more of creative persons like Salam. The GC University Lahore has maintained wonderful traditions of academic excellence, research, promotion of new ideas and above all, respect for others views. He said that GCU is modern demand driven, research based, quality conscious, futuristic and affordable public institution. He said, ‘I am pleased to put on record that, courtesy HEC, our university has 56 foreign professor in various departments which is the highest number in any Pakistani University’. Dr. Khalid Aftab said that the best intellectual out come of liberal Philosophy was the idea of Courage to Know- which Immanuel Kant called the best motto of enlightenment. Many histories consider the dawn of enlightenment as the true beginning of modernity. It is good luck that Courage to Know is the motto of Ravians.

Dr. G. Murtaza (Professor Salam Chair, GCU) said that this college (which is now a university) is Prof. Salam’s Alma matter, he was student here from 1942 to 46. He was perhaps the only practicing mathematician in the region at the time. He did mathematics all the time and nothing else. In recent years, effort has been made to revive that old tradition of this college. Two special Chairs in Physics – Salam Chair and more recently Rafi Chair have been created.

Dr. Parvaiz Hoodbhoy delivered the inaugural lecture on ‘The Salam – Weinberg Theory and Beyond’. The President Pakistan Physical Society, Dr. Hassan A. Shah also spoke on the occasion. A large number of faculty members of different universities and delegates from abroad were also present.

(29-01-2009)

Faculty

TOP

Contact Us

TOP

Dr. G. Murtaza

Salam Professor

Salam Chair in Physics, GC University, Lahore

Phone: 0092 42 99212245

Fax: 0092 42 99213374

Cell: 0331 4586520

E.Mail: murtaza_gcu@yahoo.com