OUR STAFF REPORTER LAHORE - The Government College University Geography Department will strengthen the database of the Regional Metrological Centre Lahore by using the Remote Sensing Technology and Geographic Information System. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Met Office and GCU Geography Department on Friday. GCU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Ikramul Haq and Regional Metrological Centre Director Mahr Sahibzada Khan signed the agreement at a ceremony held at the GCU syndicate committee room. Pakistan Metrological Centre Director General Arif Mahmood, GCU Dean of Arts and Social Sciences Prof Dr Khalid Pervaiz, Registrar Anjum Nisar, Geography Department Chairman Ali Iqtadar Mirza, GCU Director Academic Planning and External Links Fauzia Shaheen and a large number of faculty members and met office officials were also present on the occasion. The Lahore Met Office has also pledged to provide research projects to the BSc (Hons) Geography students besides creating internship and job opportunities for them on priority basis in the Lahore Met Office. Both the parties would also jointly hold seminars, training workshops, conferences and lectures for the professional development of students and met officials. The Met Office has also agreed to share information and data with the GCU students for their research projects. Speaking on the occasion, GCU VC Prof Dr Ikramul Haq said the GCU Geography Department was aware of the challenges and concern of the globalise world and faculty members had designed special courses to train its students in survey tools, GIS remote sensing technologies and their application urban planning, disaster management, water resource management, land use planning and management. He said that the GCU Geography Department was also working as co-investigator with Penn State University, USA in foreign-funded projects. Pakistan Metrological Centre Director General Arif Mahmood said that the met office would also sign agreements with GCUs other departments for more research and development projects.