KU observes black day

Action committee asks govt to let varsities control their admission policies

KARACHI: A black day was observed on Thursday at the University of Karachi (KU) on the appeal of the Joint Action Committee against the Sindh Universities and Institutes Laws (Amendment) Act, 2018.

Students, teachers and non-teaching staff of the varsity wore black bands on their arms to mark the day. Black flags were raised at KU's administration block, while banners were hung at several locations in the varsity, which had inscriptions that rejected the government's interference in admission policies of varsities, called for the restoration of varsities' autonomy and demanded that students and non-teaching staff be included in the varsities' syndicates.

The representation of students in the syndicates of varsities is imperative, said a JAC spokesperson. He also demanded that in light of the resolution passed by the Sindh Assembly, elections for student unions be held immediately.

According to the spokesperson, due to the combined efforts of students, teachers and non-teaching staff, the government was forced to change some controversial clauses in the Act.



In order to ensure that varsities enjoyed autonomy over their affairs, the government should surrender its powers regarding the admission policies, he said, adding that the students and teachers resisted the political interference in the matters of varsities in the past and would continue to do so.

The spokesperson said a person owning a private university had been installed as the head of the Sindh Higher Education Commission, which was likely to result in conflict of interests. He demanded that in the best interest of all universities in Sindh, the controlling authority be headed by a renowned educationist.

Our struggle will continue till admission policies of the varsities are exclusively under their academic councils, the JAC spokesperson said.