Hiring of VCs: Lobbying heats up as shortlisting draws closer

More than 300 candidates in the race for the top slots at 11 public-sector universities in K-P


Asad Zia January 26, 2017

PESHAWAR: Lobbying for the slots of vice chancellor (VC) at around a dozen public-sector universities in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) has intensified as the time for the final decision is drawing closer. Over 300 candidates have applied for the posts of VCs at 11 different universities in the K-P.

In September 2016, the K-P’s Higher Education, Archives and Libraries Department published advisement for the posts in nine public sector universities. These included Charsadda’s Bacha Khan University, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Nowshera’s Shuhada-e-Army Public School University of Technology, Swabi University, Peshawar University, Haripur University, Bannu University of Science & Technology, Peshawar’s University of Engineering and Technology, and Karak’s Khushal Khan Khattak University.

However, in December 2016 the concerned department also advertised for slots of the VCS at two other universities – Peshawar’s Khyber Medical University and Mardan’s Abdul Wali Khan University.

According to an official, the candidates have intensified political lobbying to get the coveted positions.

“Most candidates are lobbying to get the top slot at Peshawar University, Mardan’s Abdul Wali Khan University and Peshawar’ Khyber Medical University and they started approaching political personalities,” he said.

He said this time the Academic Search Committee has been constituted under section 12 (2) of the K-P Universities Amendment Act 2016 and this committee will shortlist candidates for the slots.

“The committee will suggest three names for each university to the K-P chief minister for final approval while then the final name will be send to the K-P governor, who is the chancellor of all universities,” he said. “Short-listing of candidates is underway and new VCs will be appointed by February,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 27th, 2017.

 

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