The purpose of the visit was to promote collaboration between academia and the civil services under the Civil Services Academy.

A 14-member delegation of probationary officers from the 53rd Common Training Program (CTP) of the Civil Services Academy, Government of Pakistan, completed a two-day visit to Government College University, Faisalabad. The visit, conducted under the directives of the Director General of the Civil Services Academy, aimed to strengthen cooperation and practical linkages between the civil services and higher education institutions. Additional Director of the Civil Services Academy, Ms. Nazia Jabeen, also participated in the closing session.

The objective of the visit was to familiarize officers with the challenges and opportunities in the higher education sector, enhance practical collaboration with academia, and develop professional networking skills. The delegation included officers from the Pakistan Railways, Office Management Group, Inland Revenue Service, and other departments.

During the visit, the delegation met with the Vice Chancellor of Government College University, Faisalabad, Professor Dr. Rauf-i-Azam. The Vice Chancellor emphasized the importance of strengthening ties between civil service training institutions and higher education bodies. He stated that universities play a vital role in producing skilled human resources and in formulating research-based policies for national development.

The officers visited various departments of the university, including Allama Iqbal Library, the High-Tech Laboratory, the Sports Complex, and the Lincoln Corner at the New Campus, as well as the Controller of Examinations Office and the Nanotechnology Lab in the Department of Physics at the Old Campus.

The delegation also interacted with faculty members and students and reviewed the university’s academic and research systems. Principal officers and directors of the university briefed the delegation in detail about governance, research initiatives, digital transformation, and educational reforms.

Professor Dr. Abdul Qadeer Mushtaq and Professor Dr. Ghulam Murtaza served as focal persons for the delegation.

Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Rauf-i-Azam remarked that such study visits promote academic exchange and practical cooperation between the civil services and educational institutions, enabling evidence-based decision-making in the policy process. He expressed hope that such programs would further strengthen collaboration between academia and civil institutions for the country’s development.