Appointing new HEC chief: Varsity staff want open, competitive process

Demand that culture of ad hocism be discouraged

ISLAMABAD: A group of varsity teachers have demanded that the culture of granting extensions and ad hocism in the higher education sector should be replaced with a process which promotes openness and competition.

The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) has urged that the government adopt a merit-based and open mechanism for appointing the next chief of the Higher Education Commission (HEC).

FAPUASA Central President Professor Dr Kaleemullah Barech said that this antiquated culture of  appointments at key positions in the higher education sector had adversely affected the progress of higher education in Pakistan.

In light of various verdicts by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, all appointments in the higher education sector, especially those of the HEC chairperson and vice chancellors of varsities should be completed after advertising the posts three months before the incumbent’s tenure ends and following it up through an open and transparent mechanism.

“It is high time to advertise the post of HEC chairperson well in time. There is a dire need to create opportunities for dynamic personalities to lead the higher education sector both at national and provincial levels,” Dr Barech said.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 27^th, 2017.