GC University, Lahore

GC University, Lahore takes pride in being the oldest educational institution of higher education in Pakistan. Established in 1864, it aimed at providing liberal education to the youth of the subcontinent irrespective of caste, color or creed.

Campus and Building

History of GCU Building

The college was established on 1st January 1864 and temporarily housed in the Zilla School in a portion of Raja Dhyan Singh's Haveli. In April 1871 the college moved to a large Bungalow near Anarkali. In 1873 its location was changed to another house called Rahim Khans Kothi. In 1876 the college moved into the present building.

The construction had started almost in mid 1872 and was completed in 1877. Situated in the heart of the city, the site is surrounded by main business and administrative areas, schools, colleges and Punjab University old Campus. Presently raised to the status of university, Government College University (GCU) site is located at the junction of the Mall and the Lower Mall and occupies a focal point.

The Main University Campus

Built during the colonial era, the architectural style, known to be the celestial gothic, best suited the academic building. Government College University (GCU) Lahore is considered to be one of the most majestic and gorgeous buildings in the sub-continent. Reflecting the neo gothic tradition, the building imparts the grandeur and mannerism that adapts the climatic and environmental requirements in the form of its wide verandahs and high ceilings. Further scale and grandeur is added to the building by placing it on the highest level of its contoured site. Sprawling lawns combined with an intricate landscape are the integral parts of GCU's overall perception. Not only did the architect design a majestic building but also complemented this grandeur with the openness of its grand lawn, the legendary "Oval Ground" of the University Campus. Oval Ground is the place where Ravians sit, relax, talk, study, discuss, analyze, ponder, and even muse and meditate. Here they make new contacts and explore new ways to manifest their liking for the unknown. The Oval offers them with opportunities to display the dynamic talents they possess.

The Main Hall

The most prominent part of the building is the Main Hall (now called Dr. Abdus Salam Hall). It Consists of a central nave and aisles running along the 4 sides. The nave has double height. The 4 aisles are double storeyed and they form a gallery on the upper floor. The main entrance to the hall is through a porch on the West side. Another entrance on the South faces the Oval ground. This is an arched opening with grand and traditionally carved wooden door. From this door a passage leads into the hail. Inside the hall, where the aisles cross each other at corners, big rooms have been provided. The main conical-type clock tower at the facade is square at the base. The first two stories are square and a squinch arch is placed to convert the square plan into octagon. The first two storyes are followed by two stories of octagonal plan with arched openings and triangular projections.

New Postgraduate Block

Next to Bokhari Auditorium (named after Patras Bokhari [http://www.patrasbokhari.com/awards] ) is the New Post-Graduate Block. This block was constructed to meet the needs of the increasing number of students. The foundation stone was laid in 1993 and the building was completed in June 1999. This building has 4 floors and includes a basement that houses the postgraduate library.

New Chemistry Block

New Chemistry Block and New Science Block are among the later additions. Both these buildings are situated to the East of the main building. New Chemistry Block is a true extension of GCU's main building. Gothic features and detailing have been incorporated in its exterior. The building rises up to 2 floors only. Buttresses and four centered pointed arches are used to increase the verticality of the building. Detailed brickwork and ornamentation is similar to that of the main building that has always been the original source of inspiration.

New Science Block

The New Science Block is a much earlier addition than the New Chemistry Block and was constructed mainly for utility purpose. Apart from the brick facing the only element taken from the main building is the use of gothic arches in the verandahs.

Academic Departments

The Academic departments of the GCU offer a wide choice of subjects with flexible study patterns that meet the needs and interests of the students at intermediate, undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

The university consists of the following faculties, centers and teaching departments:-

Centers Chairs

Institutes Postgraduate Departments Schools Undergraduate Departments Center for Advanced Studies in Physics (CASP) High Tension Laboratory (now CASP) was established in 1954 by Dr. Rafi Muhammad Chaudhry to carry out experimental research in Atomic and Nuclear Physics. The CASP also offers M.Sc. in Telecommunications.

National Center of Mathematics

The Higher Education Commission of Pakistan has established the National Centre for Mathematics (NCM) at the GC University, Lahore for the advancement of Mathematical Sciences in Pakistan and to develop indigenous human resources and research capability in the field of Mathematics. The centre has been shifted to the School of Mathematical Sciences Muslim Town Lahore w.e.f April 27, 2006 More...

Human Resource Development Center (H.R.D.C)

The center has arranged in service teachers training programmes for the GCU faculty on different academic and administrative topics.

Chairs

Salam Chair in Physics

Salam Chair in Physics, which became operational in March 2000, has initiated a number of academic programmes aimed at promoting activity in Physics. Some of its important achievements include: getting 52 research publications in international journals; producing 03 Ph.D. and 09 M.Phil theses; setting up Plasma Technology Lab and contracting handsome research grants from various funding agencies and research centre e.g. the Slam International Centre of Theoretical Physics (Italy), PAEC, KRL, PSF and PCST.

Institutes

Institute of Industrial Bio-Technology

Institute of Industrial Biotechnology GC University, Lahore was established in April 2005. Now the Vice Chancellor has consented to launch B.Sc., M.Sc, & M. Phil classes in Biotechnology and constitute a separate Board of Studies for the institute.. More...

Postgraduate Departments

*Faculty of Arts
*Faculty of Science
*Economics
*Botany
*Banking & Finance Chemistry
*Entrepreneurship and SME Management
*Industrial Chemistry
*Financial Economics and Management Clinical Psychology
*English
*Computer Science
*History
*Industrial Bio-Technology
*Management Studies
*Mathematics
*Persian
*Physics
*Philosophy and Inter Disciplinary Studies
*Psychology
*Political Science
*Statistics
*Urdu Telecommunications
*Zoology

Schools

chool of Mathematical Sciences

The School of Mathematical Sciences (SMS) was established by Government of Punjab with the goal to become a Centre of Excellence for research and advanced studies in mathematical sciences. It is established as the strongest and the largest Ph.D. programme of Pakistan in Mathematics.

External links

* [http://www.gcu.edu.pk/ GC University Lahore website]