GCU goes fully paperless, embracing digital governance across campus

The transformation has been achieved through the successful implementation of the Punjab Information Technology Board’s (PITB) e-Filing

LAHORE: Government College University (GCU) Lahore has become fully paperless after shifting its administrative operations to a cloud-based digital system, marking a major step towards modern and technology-driven governance.

The transformation has been achieved through the successful implementation of the Punjab Information Technology Board’s (PITB) e-Filing and Office Automation System. The platform has been provided to the university free of cost on the special directives of the Punjab government.

Under the new digital framework, administrative activities across all university departments will now be managed online through a single platform. Faculty and staff can submit leave applications, travel requests and annual performance reports, while official orders and administrative correspondence will also be processed digitally.

The system will also replace conventional paperwork for departmental digital notes, approval of visiting faculty payments, purchase requests and meeting agendas. As a result, the traditional practice of physically moving files from one office to another will be eliminated.

Vice Chancellor Professor Muhammad Umar Chaudhry described the move as an important milestone in the university’s digital transformation. He said paperless administration was not merely an environmental initiative but represented a structural shift towards greater transparency, efficiency and accountability.

He added that eliminating administrative delays and manual file tracking would allow faculty members and heads of departments to devote more time and attention to teaching and research. He said the initiative could position GCU as a leading example of digital transformation among public-sector universities in Punjab.

According to a university spokesperson, the paperless system is part of a broader digitalisation programme launched under the vice chancellor’s leadership during the previous academic year. The university had already introduced online approval mechanisms for student society events and digital billing for payments to visiting faculty.

GCU is also preparing to launch a comprehensive e-Services Portal aimed at improving campus facilities. The upcoming platform will enable staff to submit maintenance requests and seek other support services digitally, helping resolve infrastructure-related issues more efficiently without disrupting academic activities.

The university’s digital transformation is also extending beyond the campus. Work is underway to digitise the records of its alumni, further expanding the institution’s efforts to establish a modern, technology-based administrative system.