LAHORE, Business Cafe – Punjab University (PU) marked a significant day of institutional progress on Wednesday, highlighted by major advancements in digital administrative systems, academic arts preservation, and international research collaboration.
Punjab University Leads in Digital Transformation and Record Revenue Growth in Affiliation System
Leading the day’s events, PU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr Muhammad Ali inaugurated the university’s new digital affiliation portal and officially released the affiliation performance report for the 2025–2026 and 2026–2027 academic sessions.
The launch ceremony, held in the VC Office Committee Room, was attended by senior academics and officials, including Chairman of the Affiliation Committee Prof. Dr Muhammad Akram, Convener of the Law Affiliation Committee Prof. Dr Shahbaz Ahmad Cheema, Director General Prof. Dr Rehan Sadiq Shaikh, and Director of Student Affairs Dr Shahzeb Khan.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Dr Muhammad Ali stated that the new digital portal reflects Punjab University’s commitment to administrative transparency, operational efficiency, and standardising quality higher education. Prof. Dr Muhammad Akram explained that the portal allows colleges to digitally submit applications for new affiliations, validity extensions, and student intake adjustments, whilst seamlessly feeding data directly into the registration system.
Key Financial & Expansion Highlights
The published report revealed impressive operational expansion and financial growth across affiliated institutions:
- Public Sector Colleges: Revenue collections surged by 123.6 per cent, rising from Rs 3.94 crore in 2025–2026 to Rs 8.82 crore in 2026–2027.
- Private Sector Colleges: Revenue increased by 90.1 per cent, growing from Rs 2.83 crore to Rs 5.40 crore over the same period.
- Network Expansion: Punjab University formally extended affiliation to 10 new public sector and 25 new private sector colleges, significantly broadening regional educational access.
Practical Impact Focus
The automated affiliation framework eliminates manual paperwork, enabling regional colleges to track their application status in real time, register students directly into the central database, and access verified university notifications without visiting the central administration office in person.
Punjab University Promotes Heritage Crafts: Solo Art Exhibition Opens at CAD
Strengthening the university’s commitment to cultural preservation, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr Muhammad Ali also inaugurated a solo art exhibition by PhD scholar Ms Rabia Shaukat at the College of Art & Design (CAD).
The event gathered prominent cultural and academic figures, including Lahore Museum Director Taseer Ahmed, PU Pro Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr Mehmood Saleem, Dean of Arts & Humanities Prof. Dr Mehboob Hussain, and CAD Principal Prof. Dr Samina Nasim.
LAHORE – Wednesday, September 23, 2026. Photo PU Media
The exhibition showcases contemporary artistic interpretations of the traditional crafts, indigenous aesthetics, and visual heritage of Southern Punjab. Commending the scholar’s research, Prof. Dr Muhammad Ali emphasised that documenting regional handicrafts through visual arts creates vital commercial avenues to uplift artisan communities, while reaffirming the role of university art faculties as platforms for preserving Pakistan’s cultural legacy.
Global Recognition: PU Scholar Delivers Disinformation Workshop in Germany
In an achievement highlighting Punjab University’s international research standing, Assistant Professor and Senior Public Relations Officer Dr Khuram Shahzad conducted an expert training workshop on “Fake News on Social Media and Migration” at Bielefeld University, Germany.
Organised by Bielefeld University’s Research Training Group on World Politics and hosted by Dr Aksakel, the workshop introduced German post-graduate students to a diagnostic model comprising 11 scientific indicators for detecting online propaganda and misinformation—a framework developed by Dr Shahzad during his PhD research at PU.
The sessions focused on verifying online narratives, understanding algorithmic bias, and analysing how false information shapes public perception regarding migration policies. Expressing gratitude to German Ambassador to Pakistan Her Excellency Ina Lepel and host academics, Dr Shahzad noted that international academic linkages foster vital solutions to shared global challenges, while Dr Aksakel stressed the growing necessity of scientific tools to combat digital propaganda.
