No degrees, no examinations, and no tuition fees; Government College University Lahore has announced a project called "free education for all," opening its doors to individuals interested in acquiring knowledge.

"Free education for all" will be implemented in the University's Institute of History in the first phase as a pilot project starting in Fall 2023. It will later be extended to other departments in subsequent phases.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi stated in a press statement issued on Monday, "Individuals interested in acquiring knowledge can request permission from the University to attend classes solely for knowledge acquisition, rather than focusing on obtaining degrees and grades."

Under this new program, participants will have the opportunity to audit courses of their choice across various degree programs offered by the university. There will be no grading of assignments or exams, and no degrees will be awarded upon completion. Instead, individuals will have the chance to attend classes and gain valuable knowledge from highly qualified faculty members.

Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi, GCU's VC, expressed enthusiasm about the initiative, emphasizing the importance of learning for the sake of knowledge itself. He emphasized that education should be accessible to all, regardless of age, race, religion, educational background, or financial situation.

Applicants interested in participating in this program will be required to complete a police verification process, obtain a university card worth Rs. 200, and secure the approval of the Chairperson and the teacher of the desired program or course.

To launch this initiative, the University has initially limited the offering to three departments within the Institute of Global and Historical Studies: 'History,' 'Art History,' and 'Archive Studies.' However, plans are underway to extend the program to other departments starting in the Spring 2024 semester.

Prof. Zaidi expressed his belief that this approach will revolutionize the learning process. The presence of participants from varied backgrounds in a single class will create an intellectually stimulating environment, fostering mature discussions, and promoting a holistic educational experience.

"The introduction of free education at GCU marks a significant step towards fostering inclusive and accessible learning opportunities in Pakistan. As this initiative expands to other departments, it has the potential to inspire similar efforts in other educational institutions across the country, promoting lifelong learning and the pursuit of knowledge for all," said Prof. Zaidi.