LAHORE: Punjab University Syndicate on Friday recommended a Rs19.6 billion budget for the approval of the Senate for the year 2024-25.

PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood chaired the 1755th meeting of the syndicate.

In the budget, Punjab University has increased scholarships for needy and talented students from Rs247 million to Rs380 million to provide them with financial assistance.

On the direction of the vice chancellor to increase PU’s international ranking further and socio-economic impact research, the university administration has allocated Rs229 million, as per its policy to promote research culture.

The vice chancellor briefed that QS has declared Punjab University the most improved university in Asia in the last 5 years due to its special focus on all academic spheres.

Special students will also be provided with free education along with boarding facilities, while students taking admission on a sports basis will be provided with free education.

The university will continue to waive tuition fees for Hafiz-e-Quran. Moreover, HEC scholarships worth Rs122m and PEEF scholarships will also be provided to students.

The deficit of Rs2bn would be managed by introducing new market-based programmes, reducing expenditures, and adopting austerity measures.

Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2024