The Department holds following sophisticated labs with state-of-the-art equipment:
Department has following research laboratories.
Life Sciences Library has a rich and updated collection of books and research journals. The library holds extensive research material on different fields like Plant Morphology, Plant Anatomy, Plant Physiology, Plant Taxonomy, Phycology, Fungal Biology, Genetics, Microbiology, Industrial Biotechnology, Crop Improvement, Environmental Studies, Plant Biotechnology, Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering.
The herbarium was established under the aegis of Prof. S.R. Kashyap in the early 1900s. Under the chairpersonship of Prof. A.U.Khan, the herbarium was officially inaugurated as "Dr. Sultan Ahmed Herbarium" in 2003. The collection at the herbarium is notable for it holds specimens dating back to 1912. The herbarium offers support to institutions and organizations in the field of Botany by making its treasure trove of plant material and specimens available to all researchers. Presently, the herbarium has numerous identified plants mounted on sheets and the addition of specimens is being continued.
This museum has been named as "Prof. Kashyap Museum” in recognition of massive contributions of Rai Bahadur Dr. Shiv
Ram Kashyap (Prof.). He took keen interest in the collection of plant specimens, not only from the Indian
subcontinent, but also from China, Indonesia, UK and Philippines. His collections of liverworts and mosses were
regarded as the largest in the world.
He published the flora of Lahore district in 1936. A huge collection of mycological specimens was done by Prof. Dr.
Sultan Ahmed.
GCU Botanic Garden is managed by the department since 1912. It covers an area of seven acres dedicated for study and research purposes. Since its establishment, the Botanic Garden has been properly looked after and well kept. It includes a number of wild floras, exotic and rare plant species. Presently, the Botanic Garden is home to about 700 species of plants. Prof. Amin-ul-Haq Khan contributed towards the publication of an index of the plant species present in the garden entitled "Catalogue of Plants of GC University Lahore Botanic Garden" and a concise booklet entitled "A Brief Guide to Government College Lahore Botanic Garden" which provide useful information to the students, researchers and visitors. Establishment of Pakistan Botanic Gardens Network (PBGN) Secretariat in 2010, at Botanic Garden GCU Lahore is a great achievement which facilitates to collect information and technical expertise from skilled persons of the member of Botanic Gardens Forum. It also helps to exchange germplasm and genetic resources throughout Pakistan. There is also a seed bank at Botanic Garden, where germplasm of economically important plant species is being conserved.
The establishment of the Herbal Plot in the garden is another step towards improvement and to increase plant collection at Botanic Garden. A greenhouse, experimental field, plant breeding enclosures, an open-top chamber system, a laboratory and a seminar hall are also present at the GCU Botanic Garden to facilitate research activities. Botanic Garden also hosts national and international visits at regular intervals.
Department of Botany has also started classes at New campus, KSK. Tree plantation and landscape at the new Campus of GCU are being looked after by Department of Botany.
Currently, faculty members of Botany are working in the following research groups: Applied Botany, Phycology, Mycology, Plant Anatomy, Plant Taxonomy, Plant Physiology, Plant Ecology, Plant Biotechnology, Plant Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Genetics and Ethnobotany.
| Electric Balance | Laminar Air Flow Hoods | PCR Machine | Gel Electrophoresis | Magnetic Stirrers With Hot Plate | Electric Compound Microscope | Basic Stereo Microscope USA |
| Camera Fitted Microscope | Microscope CH10-Mono Olympus | Rotary Evaporator | Centrifuge Machines | Hot Air Oven | Muffle Furnace | Conductivity Metter |
| GPS | Tree Ring with Accessories | Sledge Microtome | Filtration Assemblies | Cool Incubator | Incubator B-53 IRMEO | Shaker Incubator WIS-20R |
| Autoclaves (Manual and digital) | Digital Thermometer | Spector Photo Meters | LUX Meter | Leaf Area Meter | IRGA | Thermo Hygro Meter |
| Flame Photometer | Hot Block | Water Baths | Glass Distillation Unit | Vortex Mixture | Dry Bath With Heating Cooling | Water Bath Shaker |
| Water Deionization Unit | Liquid Nitrogen Container | Gel Doc System | Lab. Freezer-20 Temperature | Microwave Oven | Benchtop PH-Meter | Growth Room |
Biological Society of Pakistan was established in biological laboratories of Government College, Lahore in 1954 for promotion of the cause of Biology in Pakistan. The founding members of the society were Dr. Sultan Ahmad, Dr. Muzzafar Ahmed, Dr. Abu Bakar, Prof. Ahsan-ul-Islam and Prof. Waiz Hussain Bokhari.
Biological Society GCU was established in 1910 with Major John Stephenson as President, Prof. Shiv Ram Kashyap as Vice President and Karam Chand Mehta as a secretary. Society continues till today. Biological Society GCU belongs to Departments of Botany and Zoology, GC University, Lahore and is run by the students of both departments. Students under supervision of departmental advisors arrange different events related to Biology. Society has arranged many events in the year 2021 such as seminars on “Legumes as a source of energy and nutraceuticals”, “Management and establishment of Botanic gardens in Pakistan” etc., Quiz competitions like “The Second all Pakistan Mega Quiz Competition” and Photography/ model competitions on various topics of plant sciences.
Biological Society of Pakistan launched an international research journal "Biologia" Pakistan in June, 1955 to provide a platform for publishing student’s research. The journal is published as a joint venture of Departments of Botany and Zoology, GC University, Lahore. Prof. Dr. Sultan Ahmad served as first Editor-in-Chief of the editorial board of the journal. Today, the journal is subscribed by libraries internationally. This journal is an official organ of the Biological Society of Pakistan which is headquartered here at GC University, Lahore.
Dr. Sultan Ahmad Botanical Society is established in 2021 under the auspices of Department of Botany, with the efforts of chairperson, Prof. Dr. Tehreema Iftikhar. This was named after world-renowned eminent botanist and mycologist, Prof. Dr. Sultan Ahmad (Late) to honor his contributions in this field. The basic aim of this society is to foster an interest in Botany among university students. Major goal of the society is to appreciate nature by organizing different activities related to the plant sciences and by conserving the indigenous flora of Pakistan. The society has started organizing events like seminars and training workshops on different aspects of plant sciences and technology.
Horticultural Society exclusively runs under the umbrella of Department of Botany since 1991. It provides a healthy opportunity for its members to organize and participate in different events like inter-collegiate and universities seasonal flower-shows, competitions and exhibitions. Some events of society that took place in year 2021 were, 1st Annual inter-collegiate and Inter-universities Training workshop on Kitchen Gardening, 31st Annual Inter-collegiate and Inter-universities Dry flower, Poster and T-shirt painting competition, Seminar & Awareness walk on smog & current air pollution crisis in Pakistan, Annual floral art workshop, Annual Tree Plantation drive, Training workshop on Chrysanthemum preparation and many others.
Graduate and postgraduate students of the Department are serving humanity across the world. Department of Botany feels pleasure and prime duty to gather all the alumni. This facilitates close contacts among the Botanists and thus creates a platform for further communication of young students with the experts in different fields of Botany. The Botany Alumni Association was established in 2009 under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Zaheer-ud-din Khan with the following objectives:
Department has established strong collaborations with many National and International Institutes, Universities and Organizations like:
Botany as the mother subject provides baseline to progress all the disciplines of plant sciences of conventional as well as modern era. Our graduates can pursue illustrious carriers as Wildlife Biologists, Aquatic Biologists, Environmental Quality Analysts, Ecologists, Plant Biochemists, Molecular Biologist, Conservationist and horticulturist etc. Departmental focal person of GCU Placement office regularly share up to date job opportunities with the students.
Maintenance of University Grounds and Gardens is another important responsibility of the Department of Botany. The present fascinating landscape of the GCU campus, green and clean gardens are the great contributions of the department and valuable sources of learning for the students as well.
