Teachers slam VCs statement against ASA

Statement calls some varsity heads as dictator-minded and incompetent.

LAHORE: The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) Punjab chapter condemned the statements against academic associations by vice chancellors at the Senate Standing Committee on Devolution.

In a statement issued on Sunday, FAPUASA strongly condemned the stance taken by vice chancellors before the senate standing committee against academic staff associations. The statement called the VCs "dictator-minded and incompetent" and called the statement undemocratic.

In an emergency meeting of FAPUASA Punjab Chapter, chaired by its president, Dr Javed Ahmad, it was unanimously announced that vice chancellors of some universities showed unconstitutional and undemocratic attitude in the committee and thus abused their authorities.



"Even the eligibility of a few of the vice chancellors is in question as they have deceived the search committee by mentioning false experience and research papers in their CVs and cases are pending against them in apex courts". The statement added that only corrupt and ineligible vice chancellors had problems with Academic Staff Association (ASAs).

It stated that "ASAs have good and reasonable working relations with enthusiastic vice chancellors as a harmonious relationship between ASAs and administration is of paramount importance to promote academic and research activities in any university."

It said that during the meeting, the statements were given by Punjab University (PU) and the University of Balochistan (UoB) VCs in the Senate committee were particularly criticised by FAPUASA members and declared their remarks as false and far from the facts.

"A provisional VC of PU wrongly referred to the clash between two student groups in order to hide his own negligence. The VC was playing a key role in reviving student politics in the largest university of Pakistan to hide his wrongdoings, which is highly condemnable."



"Likewise, the UoB lied, accusing FAPUASA President Dr Kaleem Bareech of his absence which is condemned. Such VCs, with no professional competency, blame ASAs for their wrongdoings, which is absolutely illogical and unacceptable because the association has taken an oath to serve for the welfare of the academic fraternity, which they do," the statement said.

According to the statement, the Senate's standing committee should take notice of corrupt practices of vice chancellors who were involved in making money, awarding contracts illegally and abusing the authorities of their office. The statement also appreciated the role of the leadership of central FAPUASA for effectively presenting to the committee the longstanding issues faced by university teachers throughout the country, like an extension of retirement age to 65 and tax-free salaries etc.

They demanded the legislators give due consideration and personal interests for resolving these issues on a priority basis.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 25^th, 2017.