LAHORE: Punjab University (PU) Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Ali has underscored the institution's role as a pivotal center for knowledge and research. Speaking at a meet-and-greet event organized to congratulate Prof Dr Rubeena Zakar on her appointment as Dean of the Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences (FBSS) at PU, he emphasized the university's substantial impact on higher education and professional development in Pakistan.

According to University of the Punjab, the gathering was hosted by Prof Dr Muhammad Zakria Zakar, Vice Chancellor of the University of Kotli, University of Poonch, and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Okara. The event was attended by current and former vice chancellors, deans, senior faculty members, and distinguished academicians from both public and private sector universities. Prof Dr Muhammad Ali highlighted PU's historical contributions, noting that many of its scholars and professionals have significantly influenced academia and public service nationwide.

Prof Dr Muhammad Zakria Zakar emphasized the importance of informal academic gatherings, which he described as crucial for fostering candid discussions and networking among academic leaders. Prof Dr Rubeena Zakar expressed her gratitude for the warm welcome and reiterated her commitment to collaborative leadership in higher education. She highlighted the role of universities as hubs for intellectual growth and knowledge generation and expressed hope for continued inter-institutional collaboration.

The event provided a platform for academic leaders to engage in meaningful dialogues, share insights, and strengthen professional ties, while also serving as an opportunity to honor both newly appointed and outgoing academic leaders for their contributions to their respective institutions.