The family of the late Prof. Faizan-ul-Haq, a distinguished physicist and an unsung hero of Pakistan's nuclear programme, has donated Rs14 million to establish 14 golden scholarships at Government College University (GCU) Lahore.

According to details, the endowment will fund 14 scholarships, worth Rs1 million each, for BS and MPhil students at the university’s Centre for Advanced Studies in Physics (CASP) and Department of Economics. The scholarships were sponsored by Mr. Rizwan-ul-Haque Rana and his family to honour his brother, Prof. Faizan-ul-Haq, who devoted his 60-year career to teaching and research at GCU-CASP.

Prof. Faizan-ul-Haq, who passed away on Nov 23, 2023, completed his MSc in Physics from GC Lahore in 1962. He was a direct student of Prof. Dr. Rafi Muhammad Chaudhary, the founder of CASP and widely regarded as the father of nuclear physics in Pakistan.

Prof. Faizan played a pivotal role in training 45 Old Ravians who were part of the 150-member expert team that launched Pakistan's atomic programme on May 28, 1998. He also prepared the PC-1 for the installation of a second Pelletron Accelerator at CASP in 2009.

GCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Omer Chaudhry commended the family's philanthropy, stating: "Prof. Faizan-ul-Haq's legacy goes beyond his immense scientific contributions; it lives on in the generations of students he mentored. This generous endowment ensures that his mission of empowering young scholars will continue uninterrupted. We are deeply grateful to Mr. Rizwan-ul-Haque Rana and Mrs. Eloisa Rana for this noble cause, which will profoundly support our talented students in CASP."

The scholarships at GCU Lahore have been categorised into the Prof. Faizan Ul Haq Golden Scholarship, the Shah Begum & Ghulam Dastgir Golden Scholarship, and the Mr. Rizwan Ul Haque Rana & Mrs. Eloisa Rana Golden Scholarship.

In addition to the endowment at GCU Lahore, the family has also established six golden scholarships, backed by a Rs6 million endowment, for physics students at Government College Women University (GCWU) Sialkot.

Prof. Dr. Shazia Bashir, former GCU Vice Chancellor and current Vice Chancellor of GCWU Sialkot, said Prof. Faizan believed in combining theoretical physics with real hands-on experience, training students in techniques ranging from glass blowing and spot welding to fabricating nuclear detectors.

"He was an unsung hero who produced skilled, trained, talented, and well-groomed students," Dr. Bashir stated. "This tremendous contribution to such a noble cause confirms that his good work will continue shaping the futures of thousands of students."