Controversial choice: Appointment of SU pro-VC irks faculty

Teachers observing Black Day since Wednesday but not boycotting classes

HYDERABAD: As the academia, governor and chief minister jostle for exercising authority on higher education institutes, a recent appointment in Sindh University has ruffled feathers of the teaching community. Opposing the move on two grounds - involvement of Governor House and credentials of the professor installed as pro vice-chancellor (VC) of the main campus - Sindh University Teachers Association (Suta) has now resorted to protests.

According to Suta president Prof Dr Arfana Mallah, the teachers have been observing a black day since Wednesday but are not boycotting classes.

The Governor House placed Dr Imdad A Ismaili on the pro-VC’s post through a notification on October 21 and he joined the office on Wednesday. He was earlier elevated to the same post in April this year but an instantaneous reaction by the teachers compelled the governor to withdraw the notification a week later. Now, the same withdrawal letter stands withdrawn.

“Suta [has] decided to continue its protest against direct intervention of [the] Governor House and for restoration of [the] university’s autonomy,” read a statement issued by the association. “The government is forcing the academia to shut down universities. Such intervention indicates insensitivity of [the] Sindh government and governor towards [the] future of the students.”

Such reactions have become a recurrent feature in the universities, especially since the enactment of Sindh Universities Law (Amendment) Act, 2013. The teachers consider the law a tool that allows the political government to predominate statutory bodies like syndicates and senates, with repercussions for both academic and administrative affairs.

“We have always opposed the intervention of Governor House or CM House,” said Prof Shahnawaz Talpur, the Sindh chapter president of the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (Fapuasa). He demanded that the Sindh University should appoint a permanent VC at SU without further delay.

Prof Talpur pointed out that similar situation exists in other public-sector varsities in Sindh, where the teaching community is resisting encroachment on their institutes’ autonomy.

Blacklisted by HEC

In March last year, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) blacklisted 20 teachers of seven universities in Pakistan. Dr Ismaili was one of them, charged with self-plagiarism. Last month, the HEC’s Plagiarism Standing Committee rejected his appeal demanding removal of his name from the list. “Appeals are rejected on the grounds that alleged papers were listed in CVs, which counts for the availed benefits,” reads the September 19 HEC letter, adding that his name will remain in the list until completion of a two-year period.

However, former Suta president Dr Azhar Ali Shah, who supports Dr Ismaili’s appointment, argues that the HEC’s plagiarism policy does not apply on the SU. The HEC’s recommendations are yet to be made into law by the varsity’s syndicate, he said, arguing that the HEC needs to first take action against the SU for not adopting its plagiarism policy yet.

Shah maintained that Suta’s opposition to Dr Ismaili is motivated by personal grudge of the incumbents.

Appointment stayed

The SHC stayed on Wednesday the appointment of Dr Ismaili in a petition filed by advocate Khuda Bux Laghari. The petitioner raised the objection on the ground of the HEC’s blacklisting of the new pro-VC, contending that a blacklisted teacher cannot be appointed as pro-VC of an institute like the SU.

The Hyderabad Circuit Bench ordered the Sindh governor and chief minister through the secretary of universities and boards, the chairperson of HEC, SU registrar and Dr Ismaili to submit their replies on November 30.

Dr Shah said that Dr Ismaili will likely challenge the stay in the court.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 28^th, 2016.