Government College University (GCU) Lahore has established a Centre for Continuous Learning and Professional Development (CCLPD) to bridge the gap between academic education and the evolving demands of the job market by equipping students and professionals with practical skills for an increasingly competitive and technology-driven workplace.

The Centre launched its activities with a professional readiness workshop on interpersonal skills for final-year undergraduate students. GCU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Omer Chaudhry inaugurated the session, conducted by psychologist and organisational development expert Rafiq Jaffer, who engaged students in interactive exercises on self-awareness, effective communication, teamwork, conflict management and interpersonal relationships.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Chaudhry said universities needed to move beyond conventional degree programmes and respond to rapidly changing workforce requirements by promoting lifelong learning, innovation and continuous professional development.

He said the university aimed to ensure that students completed relevant professional training programmes during their studies so that, by the time they graduate, they would already possess the practical skills needed to enter professional life.

The Vice Chancellor said the Centre would focus on improving students' employability through training in freelancing, career planning, communication and leadership, while faculty and staff would receive training in digital technologies, modern teaching methods, management and institutional development.

He said the Centre would also extend its services beyond GCU to government departments, industries and private-sector organisations through short courses, specialised training, workshops and executive development programmes.

Prof Chaudhry said the university planned to forge partnerships with government organisations, industries and professional bodies to develop customised training programmes, executive education and professional certification opportunities in response to emerging workplace demands.

The initiative aims to strengthen GCU's contribution to human resource development by making its academic expertise accessible beyond the campus and promoting lifelong learning across academia, government and industry.