Within the next month: HED to appoint VCs at seven varsities

Official says provincial govt is hesitating due to confusion over SC’s orders

LAHORE: The Punjab government plans to complete the appointment process for vice chancellors at seven varsities of the province within the next month.

The Punjab Higher Education Department (HED) has completed the process and conducted interviews for the University of Sahiwal, the University of Okara, Ghazi University in Dera Ghazi Khan and Information Technology University in Lahore. However, the interviews for the University of Jhang, Women’s University Multan and the University of Home Economics in Lahore have not been conducted yet.

The provincial government is hesitating to finalise a decision even though the process has been completed, revealed an official privy to the matter while requesting anonymity.

“There is confusion over the orders issued by the Supreme Court of Pakistan regarding the appointment of the vice chancellor after shortlisting three candidates. A clarification will be sought from the SC after which the appointments will be made,” he explained.

When questioned about the timeline of the clarification, the official told The Express Tribune that HED will submit a request to the Supreme Court within the next couple of days.

The department has set a month-long target to complete the appointment process at all seven universities. The interviews for the remaining varsities have also been scheduled, he added.

Meanwhile, HED has asked the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) to submit a panel of interviewers for another nine varsities in Punjab. These universities include the University of Engineering and Technology in Lahore, Islamia University in Bahawalpur, University of Engineering and Technology in Taxila, Government College University in Faisalabad, University of Gujrat, Government College for Women University in Faisalabad, Government College for Women University in Sialkot, University of Narowal and University of Murree.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 24^th, 2018.