Punjab University likely to get permanent VC by June

PHEC starts shortlisting 102 applications for position of VC

LAHORE: The Punjab University is likely to get a permanent vice chancellor in the first or second week of June as the process of scrutinising the applicants has been started by the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC).

According to sources in the Punjab Higher Education Department (HED) and the PHEC, the commission has begun shortlisting the 102 applications received for the position of the vice chancellor for the varsity. “The PHEC will take up to a week to screen the candidates against the set criteria for the appointment, after which, the search committee will further scrutinise the names shortlisted by the PHEC and start interviewing the shortlisted candidates,” said the official.

Along with the Punjab University, the PHEC has also received the list of 26 candidates for the vice chancellor’s slot for the University of Home Economics, Lahore. Similar to the Punjab University, the PHEC will check the eligibility of the candidates who have applied for the position at the University of Home Economics against the notified criteria by the Punjab government.



The criteria against which the PHEC will be testing the candidates is the minimum age prescribed to be not be more than 65 years on the last date fixed for the submission of applications, preferably a PhD, experience in a senior academic, research or management leadership position; experience of working in a well-reputed international organisation, academic institution (teaching, research, management) at a relatively senior position; demonstrated capability for mobilisation of financial resources from national, international agencies; demonstrated, documented experience of establishing new organisations or restructuring existing organisations, departments; distinguished research and publications record; and earned awards, honors at national and international level.

The HED is in a hurry to appoint a vice chancellor at the Punjab University as Supreme Court of Pakistan Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar had expressed his displeasure over the delay in appointment at the largest varsity of the province.

An official of the HED said that the department was in overdrive to complete the appointment process at not just the Punjab University, but also other varsities where a permanent head had to be appointed. The HED had advertised posts for seven universities. The department had so far received around 500-600 applications from prospective candidates for seven universities of the province. The universities include Women University, Multan; Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan; University of Okara; University of Home Economics, Lahore; University of Jhang; University of Sahiwal and Punjab University.

Meanwhile, the HED has also notified the search committee for the appointment of a vice chancellor at the Information Technology University (ITU), Lahore and an advertisement inviting applications is also expected soon. Dr Amjad Saqib is the convener of the Search Committee, while members include Prof Dr Amjad Hussain, Dr Javed Ghani, Dr Zafar Iqbal Qureshi and the secretary of the HED is nominated as the Secretary of the committee.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 19^th, 2018.