Sargodha: University of Sargodha is hosting Final round of All Pakistan Universities Football Championship 2016-17. The opening ceremony was arranged in University of Sargodha, Sargodha on April 13, 2017 with fervor and higher spirits. Dr. Arshad Ali, Executive Director, Higher Education Commission (HEC) was the chief guest on this occasion. He addressing the contingents of 16 participant Universities stated that the promotion of Co-curricular activities like sports at tertiary education level of Pakistan is one of the foremost objectives of HEC. Moreover, economic development is being determined by productive human resource which can only be nurtured with high quality education and sports. Dr. Arshad further highlighted that HEC recognizes that promotion of Pakistan in International sports is highly dependable upon the encouragement of sports across universities of Pakistan. He reiterated that universities must focus on all kinds of indoor and outdoor sports, especially; the sports like football in which Pakistan has huge potential. In this regard, Dr. Arshad showed great level of satisfaction over the initiatives taken by University of Sargodha, Sargodha in fostering interest of sports among youth irrespective of gender differences. HEC, Islamabad is currently arranging sports events which are 35 and 25 in number for Boys and Girls respectively. On this occasion, Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmad, Vice Chancellor of the host University also addressed the guest teams and introduced the initiatives taken by the University including promotion of sports, Co-curricular and curricular activities in the University. He briefed that ORIC, UOS has started giving cash incentives to faculty for their local and foreign research publications. Moreover, ORIC has recently completed its own-funded and periodic university research projects’ grant award for its faculty members and to promote research in academia. Dr. Arshad Ali was greatly overwhelmed and impressed by the research and sports initiatives of University of Sargodha, Sargodha. He appreciated these initiatives of and expressed resolve to support the varsity in strengthening its academics program and research initiatives. During the night, a grand dinner was organized in the honor of Dr. Arshad Ali and sports officials from other universities where he informally shared his views and conversed with the selected teaching faculty and non-teaching officials of University of Sargodha, Sargodha. Dr. Arshad Ali expressed his commitment to establish international collaboration of the University. He also affirmed his commitment that HEC, Islamabad would do its very best for the support and encouragement of University of Sargodha for the achievement of the vision of Vice Chancellor Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmad.
