EUTA boycotts: Teachers protest UET VC’s extension

Gillani’s tenure expired on January 27; govt extended it for three months

PESHAWAR: Engineering University Teachers Association (EUTA) in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa boycotted classes on Monday and protested at the University of Engineering Technology campus in the city. The protest was against the extension of UET Vice Chancellor Syed Imtiaz Hussain Gillani’s term.

The EUTA demanded the government withdraw the notification extending his term, which it said was in violation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Universities (amendment) Act, 2015.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, EUTA president Dr Abdul Shakoor said Gillani’s 12-year-long term expired on January 27. However, on January 28, the higher education department extended his term for another three months. Shakoor added Gillani was the first VC in the history of Pakistan who served for 12 years at UET and was still given an extension by the government.

Shakoor said, “As per the universities act, the current VC failed to meet the desired qualification for the position and the government should appoint a new head for the university.” He pointed out the current VC was above 60 years of age and has not completed his PhD. According to Shakoor, Gillani has no publications in his name.

The EUTA president said there were competent officials at UET who should be given a chance to prove their ability.

He said the protest would continue at all campuses of the university and they will boycott classes till the decision is reversed.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 2^nd, 2016.