Page 19 - GCU Quarterly

Ceremony in the honor of Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi at Punjab University

GCU VC highlights problems in education system
Says it confronts three very basic principles on which human life

flourishes i.e. diversity, curiosity and creativity

here are three very basic that instead of focusing only on improving in the history and traditions of GCU, yet it Page 18
principles on which human life system, the government and policy- has a little time to rest on these laurels.
Tflourishes i.e. diversity, makers needs to focus more on teachers The strategic need is to develop the
curiosity and creativity, but very to make them creative. potential of our faculty and staff to
unfortunately they are contradicted “There is no system, r any school or a maximize our contributions to the rest of
by a culture of education that is university in the world that is better than its society,” he added.
currently prevalent in our country. teachers,” he said. He said that besides improving quality of
It was said by Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi, The Vice Chancellor, who did his PhD from teaching, they were working towards
an international social policy expert Oxford University, UK, stressed that strengthening its research and innovation
and Vice Chancellor of GC teachers were not there just to pass on base and linkages to the policy-making
University Lahore, at a ceremony received information; great teachers didn't communities.
held in his honor at University the do that, rather this sacred profession was Prof. Zaidi said that he had proposed the
Punjab. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Niaz all about mentorship. Punjab government a mechanism in the
Ahmad Akhtar hosted the ceremony He criticized that education system in shape of Social Policy Advisory Council
attended by eminent academicians, Pakistan didn't focus on teaching and through Education (SPACE) to involve
senior journalists and analysts. learning instead it just prepared students exper ts from universities, non-
Talking about the problems in for a standardized testing mostly through governmental organizations and
Pakistan's education system, Prof. rote learning. international institutions in policy-making
Zaidi said that all human beings “This system of examination encourages for social development, public finance
were naturally different from each our student and teachers to follow same management and improved governance.
other but standardization culture in kind of routine every year instead of using He said that his immediate administrative
their education system was not classrooms as platforms to excite the challenge was to modernize the process
based on diversity but conformity. power of imagination and curiosity in our of admissions and appointments and
He said that students could learn youth,” he said. populating the newly-built campus at the
and excel best with a broad-based Prof. Zaidi demanded that at least in Kala Shah Kaku, enhancing the quality of
curriculum that celebrated their schools, they needed to have a human living experiences of students and staff by
various talents, not just through a system instead of a course system. He building a new hostel for girls and
small arrangement of course system called upon policy-makers to study the improving the living conditions of our
and examinations. education system of Finland where there existing hostels.
Prof. Zaidi said the “second principle was no standardized testing in schools. He said that he was promoting sports,
that drives human life is curiosity; if a Talking about GCU, Prof. Zaidi said it was a cultural and co-curricular activities
teacher can just light the spark of matter for great pride for him to be through GCU societies and clubs for
curiosity in a student, he will learn appointed as VC of this historical effective engagement of students on their
without any assistance.” He believes institution. “There was a lot to be proud of campuses.