Provisional Punjab University VC re-convenes selection board meeting amid controversies

Earlier, Dr Zafar had convened meeting of selection board on May 3, 4 and 6

LAHORE: Punjab University Provisional Vice Chancellor Dr Zafar Mueen Nasir has re-convened the meeting of the Punjab University Selection Board allegedly in violation of the university calendar and controversial approval of list of panel of experts for appointment on teaching post.

Earlier, Dr Zafar Mueen Nasir had convened meeting of selection board on May 3, 4 and 6. However, on protest by PU teachers over illegal approval of list of panel of experts and other irregularities, the VC had to postpone the selection board meeting.



According to the university calendar, the administration ordinarily has to send call letter to the candidates seven days in advance and send agenda of the selection board to its members 4 days in advance. However, the university registrar issued the letters to candidates and selection board members only two days and one day in advance respectively. According to varsity sources, the permanent VC could arrange a selection board meeting in emergency, however, the provisional vice chancellor could not exercise such extraordinary powers.

Sources also alleged the sudden move had been made to oblige blue-eyed candidates. They alleged that the provisional VC had convened the meeting to favour certain candidates. They said: “Since the quorum of the syndicate was also not complete and since the Punjab chief minister would appoint regular VC soon, it was a clear proof that the provisional VC had mala fide intention.”

Earlier, Punjab University syndicate in its meeting held on April 8, 2017 approved a list of panel of experts which was neither recommended by the selection board nor brought in its meeting held on February 28, 2017. However, the administration has also convened meeting of the selection board to appoint professors/associate professors in various departments but had to postpone its meeting due to controversies.

Dr Zafar, at the time told The Express Tribune that the process of appointment of professors and associate professors was postponed and the decision was taken because of the LHC order. He said the matter would be taken up by whoever becomes the permanent VC of PU.

Punjab University selection board in its meeting held on February 28 approved a list of experts consisting of around 2,000 experts in only an ‘hour-long’ meeting. Moreover, in violation of university calendar, heads of departments concerned, who were statutory members of the selection board, were not invited to the meeting. Sources alleged that most of the heads of departments did not consult the lists with their respective faculty members, which is another illegal aspect in the whole process.

The university administration, in another rare move to manipulate the list of experts, presented a list of additional experts consisting of 21 pages before the syndicate in its meeting held on April 8 as current work agenda item without presenting it to the selection board for its recommendations. The proceedings of the selection board revealed that it had authorised the registrar, which was beyond its authority as per university calendar, to update the list provided it is finalised in consultation with the faculty.

PU students selected for scholarship

These updated lists, also not presented before the selection board, were in addition to the new 21-page presented as current work agenda item. According to university calendar, the selection board had no authority to delegate its functions to any other person or authority, whereas seeking anonymity a former university official said only the syndicate could delegate its authority. The sources questioned that how the registrar, who is just secretary of selection board, could exercise functions of the selection board and recommend the updated lists to the syndicate on his own without presenting before the selection board.

A university professor, seeking anonymity, said that illegalities in the whole process had landed future of candidates in serious trouble because the contesting or deprived candidates would approach the court of law to get the relief and to put things done on track.

When contacted, PU spokesperson said that the selection board was called as per the rules and regulations of the varsity. He added that as per the university rules, the VC  holds the authority to convene an emergency selection board meeting.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 23^rd, 2017.