by AR Sajid
The students of Punjab University has shown outstanding performance in The Educationist All Pakistan Co-Curricular Competitions 2017 by clinching team trophy among colleges & universities whereas The Punjab School Township Lahore topped among schools. Danish schools obtained 7 first positions and earned 5 honors in the competitions. The 5-day competitions were jointly organized by Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, Punjab University and The Educationist Pakistan at Institute of Education & Research (IER) Punjab University. The prize distribution ceremony was held at Al Raazi Hall of Undergraduate Study Centre on Friday. Executive Director Higher Education Commission of Pakistan Dr Arshad Ali, PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zaffar Mueen Nasir, Director National Accountability Bureau Lahore Major (r) Ghulam Rasool, Editor in Chief The Educationist Prof Dr Shafiq Jullandhry, Editor Shabbir Sarwar, News Editor AR Sajid, faculty members and a large number of students, their teachers and parents were also present on this occasion. In the 5-day long championship, the competitions of Qiraat, Naat, debates (urdu & english), theater/drama, national songs, poetry (urdu & english), essay writing (english & urdu) and painting were held in which 1275 candidates from schools, colleges and universities from all over Pakistan participated.
Editor The Educationist Mr. Shabbir Sarwar welcomed the distinguished guests, students, their teachers and parents and thanked PU administration especially PU VC Dr. Zafar Mueen Nasir, IER Director Dr. Rafaqat Ali Akbar, Chairman Hall Council PU, Director Students Affairs PU, Director NAB Maj (r) Ghulam Rasool and their team, Executive Director HEC Dr. Arshad Ali for cooperating with management of The Educationist in successfully organizing such a big competition of co-curricular activities.
Addressing the audience, PU VC Dr Zaffar Mueen Nasir appraised Danish Schools teams on winning 7 top positions. He said that it showed that merit prevailed in these schools and Chief Minister’s this initiative had provided a golden opportunity to deprived students to outshine. He appreciated Mr Shabbir Sarwar and team Educationist for successfully organizing such a big competition among the students of schools, colleges and universities at mass scale. He said that such activities explore and polish hidden talent of the students and promote positivity in the society. He said that such competitions must be held at regular intervals for encouraging young talent. He announced Rs 5,000, Rs 3,000 and Rs 1,000 cash prizes for all first, second and third position holders respectively.
Executive Director HEC Dr Arshad Ali said that the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan has completed 282 projects worth Rs 60 billion in Punjab and more universities were being established. He further said that HEC is planning to establish university in each district of Pakistan. University of Okara is being established soon.
Later, the PU VC, Director NAB, HEC Executive Director, Editor-in-Chief The Educationist and Mr. Afzaal Rehan a famous columnist distributed prizes among the winning students and their teams. In universities category, PU clinched team trophy with one hundred thousand rupees cash prize while University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences was declared runner up winning 50,000 rupees cash prize. Among schools, The Punjab School Township won team trophy with Rs 100,000 cash prize while Danish School Girls Mianwali and Danish School Girls Rahim Yar Khan were in tie to claim runner up trophies with Rs 50,000 cash prize. They will share cash prize while runner-up trophy will be rotated among them.