Warming up: Trouble brews as PU teachers’ elections near

Associations warn new vice-chancellor to implement merit policy or else

LAHORE: A teachers’ association of the Punjab University has warned the newly installed vice-chancellor of the varsity to prepare for the worst if decisions are not taken on merit.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Teachers Front (TF) warned PU Vice-Chancellor Dr Zafar Mueen Nasar the Academic Staff Association (ASA) would stand against him if he does not implement merit policy as promised for the welfare of the teachers community.

Over 200 members of the TF gathered at the Alraazi Hall at PU’s New Campus to get nominations for the candidates of ASA elections 2017 scheduled on February 16.

Deans of different faculties and heads of different departments, including Prof Dr Shahid Kamal, Prof Dr Fakharul Haq Noori, Prof Dr Mumtaz Akhtar, ASA President Prof Dr Sajid Rashid Ahmad, Secretary Dr Mahboob Hussain and all office-bearers and executive members were present.

ASA Secretary Dr Mahboob highlighted the performance of the association over the past two tenures.  He added the ASA had ensured residential facilities for teachers in the form of new flats besides starting the project of PU Housing Society Town-III.

ASA President Dr Sajid claimed a small group of teachers led by PU’s College of Information Technology Principal Dr Mansoor Sarwar was pressuring the new VC for ‘revenge politics’ on the campus.

“If the vice-chancellor does not work on merit and promotes the agenda of a pressure group, the ASA will stand against him. Otherwise, we will support his policies,” he added.

Dr Mahboob said the TF was against Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba’s hooliganism on the campus as it had always worked for the promotion of peaceful academic atmosphere.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 29^th, 2017.