Established in 2006, Academic Planning & External Links (APEL) is an integral part of the university working towards achieving its mission and strategic objectives in line with the GCU Vision and Development Strategy (2005-2020). APEL office facilitates the development of new academic departments, programs and courses in the University. It also administers implementation and review of current academic programs. For this, it mainly focuses on evaluating the academic system of the University with reference to admissions, teaching and learning environment, assessment and examination systems, research activities etc. We function in coordination with the deans, the chairpersons of academic departments, and other administrative offices of the University. In addition to academic enhancements, our office is also responsible for creating multifarious pedagogical and research opportunities on national and international level for the University's growth by forming external links with intellectual and industrial organizations. This twofold functioning in academic development offers APEL office a key place in GCU's long term sustainability as leading public institute for higher education in Pakistan.
Our Mission
APEL is committed to improving academic standards of the University by integrated academic planning and generative national and international strategic partnerships for development of our students and faculty.
How do we Function?
Our work begins from core activity of teaching and learning in our classrooms. The feedback travels through departmental co-coordinators to respective chairpersons to the deans and finally to our office. Response from the classrooms therefore is vital for our functioning. Apart from this, we also welcome need based as well as innovative ideas directly proposed by the faculty members, chairpersons and the deans. Once we receive a problem, demand, or proposals of academic nature, we promptly operate to review it & accelerate administrative processes in coordination with other administrative offices to facilitate the academic department. In case of a request for collaboration with other institutes, our office is the sole mediator between GCU and other organizations.
What we do?
APEL being responsible for academic planning and internationalization performs following services for GCU Under leadership of the vice chancellor:
New disciplines and academic programs:
APEL facilitates initiation & development of new academic departments, disciplines, programs at graduate and post-graduate levels as proposed by university’s board of Studies.
Review of academic system:
We also review execution of on-going programs in which we evaluate
- Admisions
- Teaching and learning environment
- Assessment and examination
This is done in consultation with other administrative and academic departments of the university.
External links & internationalization:
We establish partnerships and links with both national and international organizations to promote research and intellectual activities in GCU. Our links include universities both from Pakistan and abroad, industries, and other organizations of intellectual, social and global scope. Through external linkages we facilitate students & faculties for
- Students and faculty exchange
- Collaborative research projects
- Sharing of archives and publications
- Providing opportunities to our students to work with reputed NGOs on global issues
- Joint seminars, workshops and conferences etc.
National and international mobility:
One of the most important activities in external linking is mobilizing faculty and students. APEL ensures that we send our faculty and students to other national and international organizations not only to sustain productive partnerships but also to provide them professional and inter-cultural exposure.