Islamabad:Vice Chancellor (VC) Punjab University (PU) Prof. Dr Muhammad Ali has highlighted a series of initiatives undertaken over the last two years to promote academic growth, research, student facilitation, digital transformation, financial discipline, governance, campus security, sports and protection of university assets.
Talking to media, the Vice Chancellor said the university had made significant progress in research and academic activities, with PU securing the No. 1 position in Pakistan in the Nature Index Current Index by Research Output Share for the period March 2025 to February 2026.
He said PU had also secured sufficient funds under the Higher Education Commission’s National Research Programme for Universities (NRPU) for six research projects, besides restoring Research Incentive Awards and continuing academic selection boards and other academic activities.
Prof. Dr Muhammad Ali said the university was also pursuing digital transformation to facilitate students and streamline institutional procedures. He said a 24/7 Admission Assistant Chatbot had been introduced for the first time, handling 115,915 conversations during a 65-day period to provide admission-related information and guidance to prospective students.
He said digitisation of affiliation records, an online affiliation portal, digital hostel allotment and other technology-based services were also introduced to improve access and administrative efficiency.
The Vice Chancellor said fall admissions increased from 11,112 in 2025 to 14,126 in 2026, while the latest admission campaign received 147,913 applications, including 113,185 finalized applications. The university is currently offering 209 undergraduate programmes and admission options across its faculties and campuses.
He focused on scholarships funding that had been provided to meritorious and financially deserving students through university, public-sector, international, corporate and private-sector support.
Prof. Dr Muhammad Ali said 35 new colleges, including 10 public and 25 private institutions, were affiliated with PU during the period, taking the total number of affiliated colleges to more than 400.
In sports, PU was awarded the HEC Intervarsity General Trophy 2024-25 and secured first position in the presented university sports ranking, with 18 combined points from men’s and women’s competitions, he said.
He said the university would continue focusing on sustainable public funding, pension and reserve sustainability, revenue generation, financial transparency and rule-based institutional development in its next phase.