Expelled KU student appeals to authorities to reconsider decision

Araib Khan was suspended for inviting supermodel Ayyan Ali to the varsity as a guest speaker

KARACHI: An expelled student of the University of Karachi (KU), Araib Khan, has appealed to the university management and the vice-chancellor to reconsider their decision.

Khan, 22, was suspended by the varsity on October 5 after he invited supermodel Ayyan Ali to the varsity as a guest speaker on August 20. The matter landed with KU's disciplinary committee, which eventually decided to expel him.

"I am not against the university's decision," clarified Khan, as he spoke to The Express Tribune. He merely wants the administration to reconsider their decision as he is the only son to his parents and needs the degree to support his family. Khan has written letters to Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan, KU vice-chancellor Muhammad Qaiser, KU student adviser Prof Dr Syed Anser Rizvi, public administration department's chairperson and the dean of the faculty of management sciences.

Read: KU can expel students for inviting supermodels, not for bringing guns

"I lost my job after the media trial started against me soon after the event," said Khan. "After the university punishment, my education career has also taken a hit." He added, however, that he will never go to court against the varsity's decision. Khan admitted that it was a mistake to invite the supermodel but he insisted he should be given a second chance, given his previous achievements and outstanding grades. "I was one of the top students in my class at the Department of Public Administration," he pointed out.

Khan completed his Master's in Public Administration from KU with a grade-point average of 3.56. He was enrolled in a diploma programme in supply chain management when he was expelled. After graduating from KU in 2014, Khan joined Stancos Private Limited as an executive brand officer but the company demanded he resign following this issue.

KU investigations

After the incident in August, KU formed a five-member team headed by pharmacy department dean Prof Ghazala Rizwani. The team also included Prof Dr Rizvi, psychology department chairperson Prof Anila Amber Malik, KU syndicate committee member Prof Saiyed Anees Ahmed Zaidi and criminology department chairperson Prof Dr Fateh Muhammad Burfat.

Prof Rizwani claimed that Khan only showed up for one meeting and argued his case but he did not attend a subsequent meeting, even though the student adviser called him the day it was decided that he will be expelled, she told The Express Tribune. For his part, Khan insisted that he was not informed about the second meeting.

According to Rizwani, there is a procedure in place for inviting celebrities on campus. He did not follow the procedure and damaged the university's image across the country, she added. "The case on Ayyan is still going on and her visit to KU for whatever reason is not acceptable to the university administration," she said. The university decided to ban Khan from seeking admissions and entering campus premises for the next two years. "A lesson should be taught to students who bypass the rules and regulations," she said.

Series of superstars

Khan shed some light on his campaign for which he had invited a series of celebrities as guest speakers. 'Chips and Dips' was a venture that he started with his friends to support disabled persons. They sought the department's permission to carry out their campaign in the department and raise money for the cause, he said.

A small stall was set up at one corner of the department where the students sold French fries. They also sent invitations to celebrities to endorse their campaign and, according to Khan, the department head was kept in the loop.

"[Actors] Fahad Mustafa and Faisal Qureshi gave the idea of calling celebrities to promote our cause when they came as our guests during 'I am Youngpreneur' [Khan's earlier campaign]," the young man shared, adding that Ayyan was not the first celebrity to come to KU for 'Chips and Dips'. Chefs Ammara Noman and Asad Latif and supermodel Nadia Hussain also came before her. Later, actors Humaima Malick and Fahad Mustafa were also scheduled to visit but they cancelled when Ali's visit created uproar.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 15^th, 2015.