Government College University Hyderabad

Description

Government College University Hyderabad is one of Pakistan’s oldest and most prestigious educational institutions. It traces its roots to 1st October 1917, when it was established as “Sindh National Arts College Hyderabad” by the International Theosophical Society. Dr. Annie Besant, a noted educationist and political figure, played a central role in its founding, alongside Dr. Ernest Egerton Wood, who continued the National Educational Movement and rallied for new educational institutions in India.

With no higher education institution in Hyderabad at the time, students were forced to travel to distant cities like Bombay. A generous youth donated Rs. 20,000 with the condition of establishing a college in Hyderabad, and Diwan Dayaram Gidumal, a judge, further championed the cause. Dr. Wood arrived in Hyderabad on August 24, 1917, and within weeks raised additional funds and procured land, furniture, and staff. The college was officially founded on Dr. Besant’s birthday, October 1, 1917, with Dr. Wood as the founding principal.

Initially started as an intermediate arts college, it expanded its offerings to include B.Sc. in Industrial Science, B.A. in Agriculture and Political Science, B.Com., and later B.A. (Hons.) in English, History, Economics, and Philosophy. By 1945, it offered M.A. classes in Sindhi Literature and B.Sc. in Zoology, Botany, and Chemistry. Political turmoil in the 1940s led to the closure of the college, as staff migrated post-partition.

In its second phase, the Government of Sindh reopened the deserted college on 21st June 1948 as “D.G. National Government College Hyderabad.” Under Prof. Dr. Adrian Duarte, the college was rebuilt from the ground up. The college saw rapid growth, starting with 224 students and growing to over 1000 by the early 1950s. It was renamed “Government Arts College Hyderabad” in 1949, and then “Government College Hyderabad” in 1951. It became affiliated with the University of Sindh, expanding into science and postgraduate education.

The college was the first in Hyderabad to offer postgraduate classes in Arts and Science. Over the years, it introduced M.A. programs in Urdu and English, M.Sc. in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Statistics, Zoology, and Botany, and later a Bachelor in Computer Science (BCS) in 2002.

As one of Sindh’s most storied institutions, calls for its elevation to university status intensified, especially when alumnus Raja Pervez Ashraf became Prime Minister. This led to official announcements and the eventual passage of the “Government College University Hyderabad Act 2018.” Teaching and learning formally began in 2020.

Prof. Dr. Tayyaba Zarif was appointed the university’s first regular Vice Chancellor on 12th March 2021. Under her leadership, the university continues its legacy of excellence with renewed vision and determination.