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Introduction
TOP
The GCU Welfare Society was formed in 2004; with
fund raising purpose for the University. GCU is committed to provide quality
education to its
 students from Intermediate to doctorate level at
comparatively nominal fees. GCU is facing financial constraints in the wake of
provision of financial support to its deserving students, expenditure on
construction of new blocks, renovation of existing blocks on regular basis.
Keeping in view all these requirements and many other obligations, GCU
Welfare society has been doing its utmost to raise funds to meet such
exigencies by organizing Music Concerts & Iftar Dinners etc. for the last
two years. The society, despite being in its nascent stage, collected more
than 1.2 million rupees last year by organizing different functions
After its commendable
performance Welfare society has been declared University level society,
which is a great honor because there are only four societies enjoying the
same status. Welfare Society has been attached to the
Executive Committee of
Endowment Fund Trust of GCU. Now this society will work in close
collaboration with the Endowment Fund Trust in future.
Welfare
Society encourages endeavors on part of all the students to work for the
University in the best possible manner by participating actively in the
process of fund raising.
News & Events:
GCU
LIGHTS UP THE NIGHT
Rocking performances coupled with shouts, shrieks, dances
and joy has marked the Bonfire Night of the GC University Lahore
held at its Amphie Theater. GCU Endowment Fund Executive Committee
President Iqbal Z. Ahmed inaugurated the event by lighting up the
fire while Punjab Education Minister and Old Ravian Mian Mujtaba
Shujaur Rehman, US Consul General Carmella Conroy, US Consulate
Public Affairs Officer Jennifer Larson and a large number other
dignitaries also attended the Bonfire Night. Famous singers
including Shafqat Amanat Ali, Arif Lohar, Annie, Jassie, Amnat Ali
Khan and music bands including Raga Boys and Call rocked the Bonfire
Night with their popular pop tracks. Iqbal Z. Ahmed announced a
donation of Rs 200,000 for the GCU students’ fund-raising campaign
for students.
The Bonfire, organized by GCU Welfare Society under its
fund-raising and awareness campaign “Help the Helpless”, was kicked
off with medley singing performance of two twin sisters Rida and
Nida who are students of BSC (Hons) at GCU. The Qawali on all-time
hit song “Inn Ankhon Ki Masti Ka” presented by GCU Welfare
Society students added fuel to the fire. The traditional dance by
five Baloch students and Michel Jackson dance by Basir Ahmed, a
student of intermediate, were also met with loud applause. A skit by
a student of GCU, Ahmed Sahi, in which he did the parody of noted
politicians, remained the most popular performance of the night. GCU
students Hassan Maqsood and Imran Fida also sang at the Bonfire
Night.
The Amphie Theatre resounded with shouts, whistles and
shrieks when Shafqat Amanat Ali, who is also an Old Ravian, reached
the stage. Shafqat gave his performance with his famous song “khamaaj”,
“terey naina” and “Mitwaa”. A thirty-second silence was also
observed for the sad demise of the son of Jamil Fakhri on the
request of Shafqat. Arif Lohar also gave sizzling performance in its
traditional folk style, which was very much enjoyed by the US
diplomats. The event was also marked by various fun games including
Musical Chairs, Balloon Busting and Pass the Parcel.
(24-11-2011)
GCU WELFARE SOCIETY uses art to help UNPRIVILEGED STUDENTS
Welfare Society GCU organized a one-day exhibition, which
housed scores of paintings and posters on topics including ‘Nobody
can do everything but everybody can do something’, ‘Rupee or a
Smile’, ‘Things can Change’, ‘Educate Pakistan’s Future’, ‘Together
we can’, ‘Remove the Barriers’, Say no to discrimination’ and
‘Education is my right too’, the exhibition was the part three-week
fund raising and awareness campaign "Help the Helpless” launched by
the GCU Welfare Society in collaboration with GCU Endowment Fund
Trust. The GCU amateur artists used art as a toll to sensitize the
society about the importance of helping poor students in completing
their education. United States Consul General Lahore Carmella Conroy
opened the exhibition titled “Help the Helpless”, while GCU Vice
Chancellor Prof. Khalid Aftab was also present.
Addressing the GCU students, Carmella Conroy said that
cultural activities and art exhibitions could play a vital role in
uplifting the image of Pakistan which was hit by the terrorism. She
said that cultural activities once had reduced to a minimum level in
Pakistan. But now, the US diplomat said, she is very happy to see
that such activities are again flourishing and reflecting the true
image of the country. She assured the students said that the United
States would continue its support for raising the standards of
education in Pakistan. She also appreciated the GCU Endowment Fund
Trust’s initiative of starting 24 perpetual scholarships to be given
to the deserving students every year on merit.
Speaking on the occasion, GCU Vice Chancellor Dr Khalid
Aftab appreciated the GCU students’ awareness and fund-raising drive
“Help the Helpless”, saying that universities are not only meant for
making students scholars, scientists and engineers, but also for
making them good humans who care for others. He said people should
realize that helping a student means changing the life of a whole
family. The Vice Chancellor also said that GCU has always encouraged
questioning, difference of opinion and argument, besides teaching
tolerance to students; tolerance towards the beliefs, faith, race,
religion and ideas of other people.
Later, Carmella Conroy and Prof. Dr. Khalid Aftab gave away
prizes to creators of best three paintings and posters displayed at
the exhibition. Ameer Hamza was declared first while Arslan Raza and
Adeel Akmal secured second and third positions respectively. Adeel
Akmal he donated his winning to the GCU Endowment Fund Trust.
(12-01-2011)
GCU kicks off “Help the Helpless”
The GCU Welfare Society has kicked off a three-week
fund-raising and awareness campaign titled ‘Help the Helpless’. The campaign
initiated in collaboration with GCU Endowment Fund Trust is aimed at raising
the awareness among the well-off old Ravians and students about the
importance of helping deserving students, and collecting funds for them.
GCU Welfare Society Adviser Dr. Khalid Manzoor Butt said
this is the consecutive second year the Society has launched the campaign
and this year about 150 volunteers have also joined hands with the Society
members to work for the cause. He said the Society has arranged number of
activities including art competition, workshops, movie and bonfire. The
motivational lectures on the importance of promotion of education are also
part of the three-week campaign. The society’s volunteers would also visit
classrooms on the campus to motivate students to take part in the noble
cause. The students would also meet members of civil society, business
organizations and noted old Ravians and request them to come forward and
help the deserving students.
"GCU Bonfire" will be held on January 18 at the Amphie
Theatre in which old Ravian celebrities and artists would be invited. A
painting and art competition is also scheduled to be held on the theme of
‘Help the Helpless’ on January 11 to raise awareness among students through
art.
GCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Khalid Aftab said that
universities are not only meant for making students scholars, scientists and
engineers, but also for making them good humans who care for others. He
appreciated the campaign, saying that the ‘haves’ have a responsibility
towards ‘have-nots’ about which they at least be aware of. He also called on
philanthropists, industrialists, businessmen and old Ravians to come forward
and help the university in the noble cause, so that the bright students can
continue their studies without mental stress.
Prof. Dr Khalid Aftab said that that every year more than
2,100 GCU students apply for financial aid to meet their academic expenses
but the university unfortunately could fully accommodate all of them due to
limited funds. Last year, the university allocated Rs 11 million for the
needy students from its budget. He said people should realize that helping a
student means changing the life of a whole family.
(10-01-2011)
PAK, US SHARE CONTRARY PERCEPTIONS OF FOREIGN POLICY
Pakistan
and United States share contrary perceptions of foreign policy which is
the biggest reason behind fluctuating relationship between both the
countries, said world renowned US scholar Prof. Walter Russell Mead
while addressing the students of GC University Lahore on “US Foreign
Policy towards Pakistan.” The discussion was organised by GCU Welfare
Society and Department of Political Science in collaboration with the US
Consulate Lahore.
Prof.
Walter Russell Mead said Pakistan have regional approach while America
has a global agenda. The US wants to promote its global system of trade
and commerce and is fighting against those who are threat to this
system. The US scholar further said that approach towards power is
another contrary aspect. He said that it is a common perception in
Pakistan that US is a “superpower” and can dictate any country of the
world to do anything; Pakistanis believe that if the US asks India to
withdraw forces from Kashmir, the later would do it. However, Prof.
Walter Russell Mead said, reality is all together different and even
Pakistan refused to agree with the United States on several occasions.
Every country keeps its national interests at priority. He added “No
doubt the US is the most powerful country but it is not as powerful as
people in Pakistan perceive,”
The US
foreign policy expert said that the US foreign policy is less
centralized and carries methods to identify the national interests while
on the other hand, Pakistan’s policies are more closely held with
central authorities of the state.
In reply
to questions of GCU students, Prof. Walter Russell Mead said that
economically strong, democratic and enlightened Pakistan is in the
interest of the United States for which the both countries are working.
He said that this year, the largest number of Fulbright scholars is from
Pakistan. “It is yet another step to bring the people of both countries
closer,” he said. In reply to another question regarding US foreign
policy towards India, he said that the regional importance of India can
not be denied. The lecture was appreciated by the students and faculty
members of GC University Lahore.
(29-07-2010)
UNITED STATES spent $600 mILLION on education in Pakistan since
2002: Carmela Conroy
The
Welfare Society organized a special lecture on “the role of the
United States for promotion of education in Pakistan. Carmela Conroy
U.S. Consul General Consulate
General Lahore
delivered the lecture followed by questions answers session. Prof. Dr.
Khalid Pervez Dean Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences GCU was the
chief guest of the program. She revealed that
United States
Agency for International Development (USAID) had invested
over $600million to reform and revitalize Pakistan’s education
system since 2002. She said that assistance to Pakistan for
education went back to 1950s when US provided resources for the
establishment of Peshawar University and Institute of Business
Administration, Karachi and sent faculty to teach there. She said
that US has been providing assistance of billions of rupees for
establishing and developing academic institutions and research
centres in Pakistan. She remarked that 98 percent of the visa
applications from Pakistan are rejected for being relied upon fake
documents. “Even strong candidates made their cases doubtful by just
attaching one fake document to their applications.
Addressing the GCU Welfare Society members, Carmela said that she is
impressed by the human resource in Pakistan and combined with the
incredible physical advantages that Pakistan possesses, rich land,
strategic location, ports — there is no reason why Pakistan cannot
be an economic and cultural giant. She said that the levels of
international assistance to Pakistan can contribute to elevating to
development, but it cannot be, and should not be, the main effort.
The greater burden lies on the shoulder of Pakistanis. She stressed
that Pakistan’s independent media and communities should expose the
missing facilities in education sector. She assured the students
that assistance to Pakistan for education would be increased. She
also said that that US would invite 100 Pakistan students to spend a
semester on the US campuses under the Near East and South Asia
Undergraduate Programme. More hundred will be sent to US for
one-year technical degree through the Community College Initiative.
While another 110 students would be invited to the American High
Schools and they will live with the American host families as part
of the Youth Exchange and Study Programme. US diplomat also revealed
that the there are plans to bring up 30 US scholars on the Fulbright
Specialist Program on short term trips to Pakistan to serve as
expert consultants on curriculum, faculty development and other
related programmes.
In
reply to query about Professional Exchanges, she said that the US
has invited 200 Pakistani leaderships on International Visitors
Leadership Programme. Carmela also announced that they are inviting
three English language fellows to Pakistan for training of English
teachers in Pakistan.
The
US diplomat also congratulated all the Ravians on the ranking of the
GC University Lahore as the best university of Lahore and 5th best
university of Pakistan.
Addressing the ceremony, Khalid Manzoor Butt Adviser GCU Welfare
Society said that there should be more exchange programmes between
US Pakistan not only political level but also at academic, sports
and cultural level.
Public Affairs Officer Jamie Dragon, Dean Faculty of Science and
Technology, Registrar, Chief Librarian, Prof. Dr. Zaheer Siddiqui,
faculty members of GCU besides number of students were present on
the occasion.
(21-07-2010)
GCU WELFARE SOCIETY ORGANIZED Bonfire AT AMPHIE THEATRE
Welfare Society organized Bonfire at the GCU’s Amphie Theatre.
United States Consul General Carmella Conroy opened the gala by
torching the bonfire while the eminent old Ravians including
renowned singer Shafqat Amanat Ali, Federal Secretary Environment
Kamran Lashari, Gymkhana Club Lahore Chairman Mian Misbaur Rehman
and GCU Endowment Fund Trust President Iqbal Z Ahmed were the Guest
of Honours on this occasion.
Sheryar Ali kicked off the music session with “Har Ghari Baadal
Rahi Hai Dhoop Zindigi”. GCU Senior’s Club member Sheriyar
Khalid added fuel to the fire with all time classic “Roup Teraa
Mustana”. The Balochi dance of five students from Quetta also
met with a loud applause. Raga Boys rocked the show with the fast
pop tracks. Amphie Theater resounded with shouts, whistles and
shrieks when Shafqat Amanat Ali reached the stage. He could not
escape an unscheduled live performance due to the popular demand of
the House and his old friends of GCU.
GCU lights up the night
Shafqat gave a first live performance of his new song ‘Tera Nanaa’
at the Bonfire. He also sang a couple of other famous songs from his
latest albums. Later, Saray Gama Paa Season 1 contestant Musarat
Abbass raised the roof in his melodious voice. The performances of
Imran Fida and Nadeem Abbass also won the applause. The students
burst into laughter at the comic skits of GCU Welfare Society member
Asad Sahi and his group present comic skits on this occasion. The
event was also marked by various fun games including pass the
parcel, musical chair for girls and dance competition for boys. The
students who had the parcel when music stopped were asked to perform
various skits.
Speaking on the occasion, Kamran Lashari said that he is memorized
and thrilled by the student’s performances and bonfire’s overall
atmosphere. He called the Bonfire the true image of Pakistan. Iqbal
Z Ahmed announced a special donation of Rs 50,000 for the organizers
of the event.
(23-01-2010)
US
COUNCUL GENERAL LAHORE opens art COMPITATION AT GCU
The GC University
Lahore amateur artists made scores of paintings, drawings,
caricatures and art models on various topics including ‘Nobody can
do everything but everybody can do something’, ‘Rupee or a Smile’,
‘Things can Change’, ‘Educate Pakistan’s Future’, ‘Together we can’,
‘Remove the Barriers’, Say no to discrimination’ and ‘Education is
my right too’ to highlight the importance of helping education and
deserving students.
United States
Consul General Carmella Conroy was the chief guest at the art
competition organized by GCU Welfare Society under its three-week
fundraising and awareness campaign ‘Help the Helpless’. The students
individually explained in detail the theme of their artworks to the
Chief Guest. She highly appreciated the artwork and the cause of GCU
students. US diplomat gave away cash prizes to the winners of the
competition. Tanzeeluz Zaman, got the first prize, while Sikandar
Nawaz and Muhammad Aqib secured second and third prizes
respectively. Consolation prizes were given to Sana Naeem and Ameer
Hamza Arshad.
The US
diplomat also said that students after entering into their practical
lives should pay back the scholarships to associations and
educational institutions, so that the other students can be
benefited from them. GCU Vice Chancellor Dr Khalid Aftab also
expressed its extreme pleasure on the efforts of the university
students, saying it is extremely important to promote the culture
helping education in the society.
(18-01-2010)
200 GCU students volunteer for helping education
Two hundred students of the GC University, Lahore have volunteered
for helping education and joined the ‘Help the Helpless’ – a
campaign launched by the Welfare Society to raise awareness among
people about the importance of helping education. GCU Vice
Chancellor Dr Khalid Aftab also met with the volunteers at the
university’s Fazl-e-Hussain Reading Room and appreciated their
efforts, saying that there is need for developing the culture of
promoting education in Pakistan. “The world over, societies have
move forward by promoting education and developing educational
institutions,” he added. The Vice Chancellor told the students that
nothing in this world can match the happiness which comes after
helping the deserving human beings.
Speaking on the occasion, GCU Endowment Fund Trust Secretary Khalid
Manzoor Butt said the volunteers would convince the well-off during
the campaign that they should come forward and help the deserving
students. President GCU Welfare Society Harris Rasheed also spoke on
the occasion.
(15-01-2010)
GCU LAHORE WELFARE SOCIETY LAUNCHES ‘HELP THE HELPLESS’
CAMPAIGN FOR DESERVING STUDENTS
The
GCU Welfare Society in collaboration with the GCU Endowment Fund
Trust has started a three-week campaign ‘Help the Helpless’ to raise
awareness among students about the importance of helping their
fellows and collect funds for the academic needs of deserving
students.
The
Advisor Khalid Manzoor Butt said the Welfare Society has planned
various functions to make the campaign a success. The first major
event of the fund raising campaign is a movie to be shown at GCU
Bokhari Auditorium on January 9, 2010. A painting and art
competition is planned on the theme of ‘Help the Helpless’ for
January 16. The event is aimed at raising awareness among students
about the importance of helping others through paintings. The
winners of the competition would be given cash prizes. Another
significant event of the campaign is Bonfire at the Amphie Theatre
on January 23, 2009. Celebrities and artists of the city are being
invited to the event. Lectures on the importance of promotion of
education are also part of the three-week campaign. The society’s
volunteers would also visit the classrooms of the campus to motivate
students to take part in the noble cause. They will also meet the
members of civil society, business organizations and noted old
Ravians and to request them to come forward and help the deserving
students.
Talking about the awareness camping, GCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr
Khalid Aftab said that the ‘haves’ have a responsibility towards
‘have-nots’ about which they at least be aware of. He said
universities are not only meant for making students scholars,
scientists and engineers, but also for making them good humans who
care for others. The Vice Chancellor also called on philanthropists,
industrialists, businessmen and old Ravians to come forward and help
the university in the noble cause, so that the bright students can
continue their studies without mental stress. “In 2008-09, the
university allocated Rs 10 million for the needy students,” Dr
Khalid Aftab said, adding that every year more than 2,000 students
apply for financial aid to meet their academic expenses but only 20
percent of them are fully accommodated due to limited funds
(08-01-2010)
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