By Asifa Kanwal
Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) recently hosted a national-level inter-university debate, bringing together students from more than 30 universities and educational institutions from across Pakistan. At the same time, the university continues to expand its postgraduate academic outreach, with admissions open for MS, MPhil and PhD programmes across seven faculties.
The convergence of academic competition, research achievement and institutional development offers a glimpse into the changing character of LCWU, which has increasingly positioned itself as a university where classroom education is accompanied by research, professional training, leadership development and co-curricular engagement.
The postgraduate admission campaign is currently under way, with online application forms available for a wide range of disciplines. The university has also uploaded the complete schedule for written tests and interviews on its official website.
Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Uzma Quraishi says LCWU has emerged as a trendsetter in the field of higher education, with initiatives introduced at the university often being followed by other institutions.
“Our university has established a standard in teaching and research because of its strong human resource and teaching faculty,” she says. “We also ensure that financial constraints do not become an obstacle for talented students. Through substantial scholarship support, we are enabling deserving students to continue their education.”
The university’s latest academic and co-curricular activities reflect an institutional approach that seeks to connect higher education with research, innovation, professional competence and broader personal development.
One of the most prominent recent events was Khirad — All Pakistan Urdu Declamation and British Parliamentary Championship, organised by the Directorate of Student Affairs and the Urdu Debating Society under the patronage of the vice chancellor. The three-day championship attracted participants from more than 30 universities and educational institutions from across the country.
The first two days of the British Parliamentary competition were conducted online, while the final was held on the LCWU campus. Government College University’s GCU A team won the team trophy, while Punjab University’s PU A team finished as runners-up. Muhammad Bin Abid of the University of Engineering and Technology won the Best Speaker Award, while Saif Gujjar of the University of Management and Technology and Usman Ahmed of UET secured second and third positions, respectively.
The Urdu declamation competition was held at the university’s Iqra Auditorium. Emerson University Multan won the team trophy. In the serious Urdu declamation category, Huzaifa Ghouri of Government Islamia College Civil Lines, Lahore, was declared the best speaker. Hareem Anam of Punjab University secured second position, while Fatima of Fatima Jinnah Medical College came third. Rafay Hamad won first position in the humorous Urdu declamation category.
The competition was adjudicated by Hamza Tarar, the chief adjudicator, along with Wahab Ahmad Jamal and Muhammad Haris Ashfaq.
While national-level debate and declamation competitions brought students from across Pakistan to the LCWU campus, the university’s academic and research profile was also strengthened by a major achievement of its pharmacy students.
A clinical pharmacy project undertaken by a team from the Institute of Pharmacy secured first prize in the oral presentation category at the AMCORE ’26 Congress, organised by Ameeruddin Medical College and Lahore General Hospital. The competition brought together students from leading medical institutions in Lahore and other cities of Punjab.
The project was led by Minal Fatim, with Soha Aslam and Samreen Ashraf as team members. It was supervised by Dr Bushra Ali Sherazi of the Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical and Allied Health Sciences.
The winning team received a cash prize of Rs30,000 and a merit certificate. The achievement was seen as a reflection of the university’s emphasis on research, innovation and patient-centred healthcare.
Prof Dr Quraishi’s continued encouragement of academic excellence has been credited with providing students with opportunities to participate in competitive research platforms, while Prof Dr Humaira Majeed Khan’s leadership and institutional support were also acknowledged.
Another significant development came from the Doctor of Physical Therapy programme, where the first-ever DPT Degree Show 2026 — featuring thesis poster evaluation and defence — was held for the programme’s first graduating batch.
The event marked an important milestone as the first group of DPT graduates prepares to enter the professional field. It was inaugurated by Prof Dr Uzma Quraishi and University of Sargodha Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Qaisar Abbas.
Four outstanding research projects were awarded certificates of merit. The event highlighted the work of students and faculty members and reflected the growing emphasis on research and clinical competence in allied health sciences.
Prof Dr Humaira Majeed Khan’s role in the development and advancement of the DPT programme was acknowledged, while the guidance of Dr Roohi Abbas, coordinator of the DPT programme, and Dr Mariam Javaid was also appreciated.
LCWU has simultaneously continued its efforts to strengthen governance and institutional capacity. The university’s 101st Syndicate meeting reviewed a range of important academic, administrative and institutional matters. The deliberations focused on academic excellence, effective governance, institutional improvement and future development.
A four-day training programme on “Strategic Planning for Institutional Growth and Excellence” was also organised for heads of departments, deans and directors. The programme brought together senior academic leadership to discuss policy development, institutional procedures, organisational change and effective leadership.
Prof Dr Nasir Mehmood, Vice Chancellor of Allama Iqbal Open University, conducted a session on developing organisational policies and procedures at the university level. Prof Dr Kanwal Ameen, Vice Chancellor of Government College Women University Faisalabad, as well as Prof Dr Qaisar Abbas and other academic leaders, contributed sessions on organisational change, leadership and institutional development.
The initiative reflects an increasing recognition that academic institutions need not only strong teaching and research programmes but also effective governance, transparent procedures and the ability to adapt to changing educational needs.
In the area of professional skills and future employment, the Khadija-tul-Kubra Business Incubation Centre has also launched the Google Career Certificates Scholarship Programme 2026 in collaboration with InnoVista, TechValley and Google.
The programme offers fully funded opportunities to LCWU students, graduates and incubated startup founders in high-demand fields such as data analytics, IT support, cybersecurity, digital marketing and UX design.
By providing access to industry-oriented professional certifications, the programme seeks to equip students with skills required in an increasingly competitive and technology-driven global job market.
These initiatives collectively reflect the broader direction of LCWU under the leadership of Prof Dr Uzma Quraishi. The university’s focus is not confined to conventional classroom learning. Instead, it seeks to prepare students through research, innovation, professional exposure, leadership training, scholarships and opportunities for intellectual and personal development.
From hosting a national inter-university debate to achieving recognition in medical research competitions, from strengthening postgraduate education to developing professional skills and institutional capacity, LCWU continues to broaden its academic footprint.
The university’s journey is based on the belief that a modern educational institution must offer more than a degree. It must prepare students to think, research, lead, innovate and respond to the challenges of professional and public life.
As LCWU continues to introduce new programmes and initiatives, its expanding range of academic, research and co-curricular activities suggests a university determined to move beyond the boundaries of the classroom and establish new standards of excellence in higher education.