Attendance system for faculty should be different from that of the admin staff, at PMAS Arid Agriculture University
RAWALPINDI: This is to draw the attention of the authorities concerned towards the recent changes in the rules pertaining to working hours and leaves of employees, from clerical staff to professors, of the PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi. It is a global practice that employees are given the best conducive environment wherein they can fulfill their potential. This is not merely achieved by their presence at the workplace from morning to evening. They also need to be given space to spend time with their families.
The university has recently installed a biometric attendance system for employees. They have been asked to clock in at 8am and leave at 4pm sharp. If they intend to work late, they have to say ‘goodbye’ to the machine first and then resume their work. Furthermore, if one needs to avail casual leave, he/she is bound to obtain prior permission, which was not the case previously and did not impact the quality of education imparted at the university. This step has been taken to punish faculty members for a crime they did not commit. The university’s ranking dropped from seventh to 35th in national university rankings released by the Higher Education Commission. The unprecedented and unnecessary construction and commercial activities at the university has had a serious impact on academic and research activities during the past two years rather than the performance of the faculty members. Since nearly all deans, directors, chairmen and registrars have been put on notice, there is no one who can raise his or her voice, which has resulted in frustration amongst the staff and has reduced their efficiency. A few faculty members have resigned to seek better opportunities abroad while others are contemplating the same course of action.
The authorities concerned are requested to kindly take notice of such draconian measures. It is also suggested that employees be assigned targets, such as number of research publications and research projects to be completed, via grant procurements. Those who achieve the targets should be given incentives and those who do not should not be promoted. The attendance system for faculty members should be different from that followed by the administration staff. The faculty should be responsible for their classes and total working hours. Such an environment would encourage the faculty to contribute to the institution’s progress.
Worried Aridians
Published in The Express Tribune, October 29th, 2015.
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