Radical changes: PHEC on mission to destroy varsities, says teachers

Academics rap PHEC chairman Nizamuddin


Our Correspondent May 20, 2016
PHEC Chairman Dr.Muhammad Nizamuddin. PHOTO: FILE

LAHORE: Members of the Federation of All Pakistan Universities’ Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) said on Friday that Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) Chairman Nizamuddin was on a mission to destroy universities.

In a statement, the federation said Nizamuddin had been continuously proposing irrational and radical changes in the higher education sector across different forums. The FAPUASA said the proposals would be countered everywhere.

FAPUASA general secretary Mehboob Hussain, University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore president of teaching staff association Sohail Aftab and Punjab University academic staff association president Sajid Rashid said Nizamuddin was on a mission to destroy universities and was creating problems for Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and comprising the vision he had for higher education.

They said all stakeholders ought to be taken into confidence before presenting any suggestions to alter the sector. They said Nizamuddin had not allowed the appointment of a pro vice chancellor while he was serving as the vice chancellor of a university. They said he had now been striving to wreak havoc across varsities.

They said the universities had been making rapid strides. They said a culture of research was being fostered across varsities. They said the suggestions presented by Nizamuddin would compromise higher education standards across the province. They said Nizamuddin had spent most of his time abroad. They said this was why he was at a loss when it came to understanding the nation’s education system. They said any unilateral change in the sector would never be accepted and would be met with spirited opposition on part of teachers.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Nizamuddin said he had welcomed the FAPUASA to come and visit the PHEC on being approached by the federation. He said he was yet to become cognisant of any reservations the FAPUASA had on any PHEC initiative. He said he had served as the vice chancellor of a public sector university and was well-acquainted with the challenges confronting such institutions and academics.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 21st, 2016.

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