Beyond authority: Punjab University VC stirs the pot by meeting syndicate

Faculty members question PU acting vice-chancellor’s power to summon syndicate meeting.

LAHORE: In a move set to ruffle the feathers of the judiciary, the Punjab University vice-chancellor has apparently gone beyond authority to summon and chair a varsity syndicate huddle.

Prof Dr Zafar Mueen Nasir chaired the 1792nd meeting of the PU syndicate, leading to concerns among the faculty members as acting vice-chancellors cannot, under the law, call syndicate meetings.

Dr Zafar along with vice-chancellors of three other universities were appointed on provisional basis by the LHC in December last year. On February 16, a division bench of the LHC reserved its verdict on the intra-court appeals of the Punjab government and others challenging the decision, wherein the appointment process for VCs at four public-sector universities and appointment of acting heads was set aside. While the court appointed the four vice-chancellors provisionally, the verdict is still pending.

The PU syndicate takes administrative decisions that have a long-lasting effect and according to varsity rules, an acting or provisional vice-chancellor cannot call this meeting, several faculty members speaking with The Express Tribune on condition of anonymity said.

They alleged that even the basic requirement to call a syndicate meeting – approval of the university chancellor – was not met for the latest meeting. Furthermore, the meeting agenda had to be circulated among the members four days ahead of the meeting, but this was not done.

During the meeting, they added, the administration and some syndicate members concealed facts from the external members regarding several cases.

“This is in sheer violation of the rules and regulations of the university and those members who have previously opposed such actions by the previous vice-chancellor are now among those committing these unlawful acts themselves,” believed one faculty member.

However, the varsity’s spokesperson rejected these claims. “The syndicate was convened with the approval of the chancellor,” he said.

The Punjab University Academic Staff Association (ASA) president seconded him. “Some remnants of the previous administration are behind this propaganda,” he said. “The truth is the vice-chancellor has been appointed on a provisional charge, wherein his tenure has not been specified and this gives him the power to convene the syndicate.”

In its meeting, meanwhile, the PU Syndicate overturned most of the decisions taken by the previous vice-chancellor Dr Mujahid Kamran during his tenure as the acting VC. A few more were put on hold till further notice.

The syndicate also approved setting up of a medical college and research centre and also reviewed the selection board’s recommendations. Most controversially, the syndicate approved the VC’s use of emergency administration powers.

In addition to the controversy of the syndicate meeting, a plea has been filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC) challenging the eligibility of Dr Zafar as the VC as he did not fulfill the minimum criteria for the office.

“As per eligibility criteria given in the newspaper advertisement, the candidate must have not less than 12 years of teaching experience at an HEC-recognised university with at least 15 research publications in recognised research journals,” the petition reads.

The plaintiff contended Dr Zafar was wrongly selected as one of the three suitable candidates to be appointed as Punjab University vice-chancellor and appointed as the acting VC in clear violation of the eligibility criteria given in the advertisement.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 10^th, 2017.