Desired degree: UAF sub-campus students continue protest

Protesters march from the university to commissioner’s office.

DERA GHAZI KHAN:

Students of University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) Dera Ghazi Khan sub-campus continued their boycott of classes for the ninth day on Monday. They are protesting against a proposal for being issued degrees by Ghazi University, instead of the UAF.

Dozens of the students took out a protest rally from the university that ended at the commissioner’s office.

They carried placards and banners.

Omar Majeed, one of the protesters, said that they had got admission in the UAF sub-campus three years ago. “We chose this university believing that we will get UAF degrees. Now we have been informed that we will be issued degrees by Ghazi University,” he said.

Ali Raza Leghari, another student, said that the Ghazi University had been established only recently. “It has not been recognised by the Higher Education Department. If we get a degree from this university, it will be worthless,” he said.

Afrooz Siraj, another protester, said that they had informed the university administration of their demands. “They have refused to accept our demand. The administration wants us to accept the Ghazi University degrees,” he said.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Prof Shafqat Nawaz, the UAF Dera Ghazi Khan sub-campus dean, said that the students’ demands were justified. “We are aware of the problems. We have informed the HEC and the UAF about  it,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 28^th, 2014.