LAHORE: (Tuesday, June 28, 2022): Punjab University Syndicate’s 1746th chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Saleem Mazhar, on Tuesday recommended Rs 13.8 billion budget for the approval of Senate for the year 2022-2023. Despite facing serious financial pressure amid COVID 19, and being lowest in fee, PU Syndicate decided to continue and providing scholarships to the students so that burden on the pockets of students and their parents could be reduced. The Syndicate paid tribute to former Vice Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmad and Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Saleem Mazhar as PVC for uplifting the international QS ranking of the university in an unprecedented manner. The meeting also expressed well wishes for Prof Niaz. The meeting approved anticipatory order of appointments in the light of recommendations of the Selection Board. On the directions of Prof Dr Saleem Mazhar for increase in PU’s international ranking further and socio-economic impact research, the PU Syndicate allocated Rs 226 million as it was the policy of the administration to promote research culture. PU would also continue overseas scholarship scheme for teachers. The university has allocated Rs 78 million for participation in national and international conferences. The university deficit of Rs 941 million would be managed by introducing new market based programs, reducing expenditures and adopting austerity measures. On this occasion, the Syndicate members appreciated the efforts of the university. The university expects a total grant of Rs 2.9 billion from Higher Education Commission, 22 percent of the total budget while PU would generate the rest of 78 percent from own sources. According to other salient features of the budget, special students will also be provided with free education along with boarding facilities while students taking admission on sports basis will be provided with free education. The university will continue to waive off tuition fee of Hafiz-e-Quran. Punjab University will provide Rs 233 million scholarships to the students. Moreover, HEC scholarships worth 136 million rupees and PEEF scholarships will also be provided to students. In the budget, Punjab University would continue to provide subsidy of millions of rupees to the students in hostel, transport and internet heads and in addition to the above, subsidy on electricity bills in teaching departments is also being provided. PU has allocated Rs 608 million for development projects.