Salam Chair in Physics

PROF. ABDUS SALAM
1926 - 1996
Studied 1942 - 46,
Taught 1951 - 54
at GC University Lahore

The original Nobel Award of
Abdus Salam
at PG Library GCU Lahore

The Federal Government of Pakistan established Salam Chair in Physics at Government College, Lahore in 1999 to honor the Nobel Laureate of Pakistan, Prof. Dr. Abdus Salam who was student (1942-46) and faculty member (1951-54) at this College.

Dr. G. Murtaza was appointed Professor Salam Chair in March 2000, He has continued to serve as Salam Chair for most of these years. A number of initiatives were taken to promote research activity in Physics at GCU. For the first time M.Phil and Ph.D program was launched on a regular basis. So far, Salam Chair has focused on theoretical plasma physics, to be specific, on the study of Linear and non-linear wave propagation in both the laboratory and space plasmas. Our several papers on the study of different waves and instabilities using various non-Maxwellian velocity distributions (e.g.. non-extensive, kappa, Cairn--) incorporating effects like temperature anisotropy, plasma streaming, electron spin polarization, Bohm effect, density inhomogeneity etc have been extensively cited in the literature.

Various (R&D) funding agencies were approached to extend financial support to the Research students (MPhil/Ph.D ) enabling them to exclusively devote themselves to studies . In this regard, the ICTP, the PAEC, the KRL, the PCST and the HEC have extended a generous helping hand

• Produced 17 Ph.D and 44 M.Phil graduates.
• Currently one Assistant Professor, 2 PostDoc, 5 Ph.D and 4 M.Phil students are working at Salam Chair.
• Salam Chair has helped the Centre for Advanced Studies in Physics (CASP) at GCU to set up Plasma Technology Lab wherein the following devices were set up and are operational.

1. A 3kJ Plasma Focus device was fabricated, assembled and commissioned and has been in operation for several years now.
2. Plasma Focus Device (called MiniFocus) which was gifted to us by the Imperial College London is also functional and in use.
3. A plasma device used for the generation of low density Cold Plasma was designed and fabricated and is in operation. This device is for Surface Coating experiments on different substrates.

Additionally a Central Facility of XRD was set up with the financial assistance of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Islamabad, which is available for use for the University faculty as well as for the scientists from outside.

• Organized Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth National Symposia on Frontiers in Physics at the GCU Campus on November 20-22, 2000; January 28-30, 2003; January 11-14, 2005; 29-31, January, 2009; 02-04 February 2011; November 23-25, 2016; and on January 29-31 2018 respectively in which several foreign professors also participated.
• Organised Salam Day Celebrations / Salam Lectures by various eminent scientists on different occasions.
• Dr. G. Murtaza delivered lectures, seminars and talks (more than 20) on various occasions.
• Salam Chair faculty/research scholars participated in several National & International Conferences, Symposia etc.(more than 30).
• Dr. G. Murtaza received HEC Distinguished National Professor award (2010)
• Dr. G. Murtaza received PCST Research Productivity Awards for the years 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014,2015 and 2016.

Dr. G. Murtaza
Salam Professor
Salam Chair in Physics, GC University, Lahore
Phone: 0092 42 99212245
Fax: 0092 42 99213374
Cell: 0331 4586520
E.Mail: murtaza_gcu@yahoo.com