Dr. Rafi Muhammad Chaudhry did his MSc in Physics in 1929 from Aligarh University and established a record which remained unbroken for a number of years. He won two Gold medals, one for securing first position in Physics and the other for overall first position in MSc (all science subjects). Impressed by Dr. Rafi Muhammad Chaudhry’s academic achievements, Nawab of Bhopal awarded him a scholarship to move on to Cambridge for his PhD at Cavendish Laboratory under the supervision of Lord Rutherford. He completed his doctorate in 1932.
Dr. Rafi. Muhammad Chaudhry is the pioneer of experimental nuclear research in Pakistan and also the founder of "High Tension Laboratory" (in 1952) at GC University Lahore now "Centre for Advanced Studies in Physics" (CASP). At the High Tension Laboratory research in fundamental problems of Physics concerning gaseous discharges, ion and electron impact phenomena, nuclear physics, radioactivity and cosmic rays was carried out. He regarded this laboratory as a major contribution to the Physics of Pakistan and indeed many top physicists in the country were trained at this laboratory.
In recognition of his service, he was awarded Sitara-e-Khidmat (1964), Sitara-e-Imtiaz (1982) and Hilal-e-Imtiaz (2005).
The GC University set up Dr. Rafi Muhammad Chaudhry Chair in experimental Physics to recognize his services to Pakistan, and to the discipline of Physics. It is hoped that the person who occupies this Chair will help in raising the standards of teaching and research in the GC University. Besides, he will act as an important link between GCU and other national and international science organizations.
GCU has recently appointed Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zakaullah as Professor, Dr. Rafi Muhammad Chaudhry Chair.
