Sindh’s higher education sector hostage to one man’s whims

The Express Tribune investigates the sorry state of affairs at the Sindh Higher Education Commission

KARACHI: The recent move to transfer Muhammad Riazuddin from the post of Sindh Higher Education Secretary and depute Mohammad Hussain Syed in his stead raised several eyebrows, not least because of the haste in which the transfer was undertaken.

According to an official working with the Sindh Higher Education Commission (SHEC), Riazuddin was sent packing from the commission after a heated exchange with the commission's chairman, Dr Asim Hussain - a close aide of former president  Asif Ali Zardari - over the appointment of the SHEC executive director. The SHEC is part of the Universities and Board Department, whose secretary was, until recently, also supposed to serve as the SHEC secretary.

"Some time ago, the chief minister, on the recommendation of Dr Asim, appointed Prof Dr Samreen Hussain as acting vice-chancellor of the Begum Nusrat Bhutto University for Women, Sukkur," said the official, who spoke to The Express Tribune on condition of anonymity.

The varsity in question is still under construction, which raised several questions about the need to appoint a vice-chancellor.

Dr Samreen, who is also a member of the SHEC, was previously affiliated with Ziauddin University. The latter is currently facing a corruption reference worth Rs460 billion in the accountability court.

"Now, Dr Asim wanted to appoint Dr Samreen, as executive director of the commission," said the official, adding that the secretary had bluntly refused to finalise her name for the search committee, which is why he was removed from the post.

Carving out a post

The original 'Sindh Higher Education Commission Act 2013', signed off by the governor in March 2013, there is no mention of an executive director. The commission was to be headed by a chairperson and a secretary would look after the administrative affairs.

On April 19, 2019, however, the SHEC published an advertisement in various newspapers, seeking applications for the post of executive director. When asked about this advertisement, Secretary Riazuddin said that the SHEC committee had decided in a meeting to amend the rules and add the post of executive director to the body.

Later, on May 5, 2019, a summary was moved to the chief minister, seeking approval for transferring all powers of the secretary to the executive director. The summary also recommends that the SHEC recruit its own employees, rather than civil servants being posted to the body. This effectively paved the way for the executive director, who would now enjoy the powers of the secretary, to be appointed from outside the civil service. The cabinet signed off on these recommendations on November 27, 2019, sending the same would be sent to the Sindh Assembly for approval.

Meanwhile, Dr Samreen has already taken charge as VC of the Begum Nusrat Bhutto University for Women on October 10. She hardly ever goes to the varsity, said one SHEC official, adding that most of her time is spent in Karachi.

"She has recently moved a summary to the CM for a grant of Rs200 million for the university. The CM has been asked to expedite the process and release the funds," said the same official, adding that the university's infrastructure has yet to be set up and classes are currently being conducted in a government college building.

Nepotism at its worst

Another SHEC official, who also spoke to The Express Tribune on condition of anonymity, lamented that Dr Asim was least bothered with the SHEC's affairs. "Even though Dr Asim is chairman of SHEC, he never comes to his office. This was the second time I have seen him [since the SHEC was set up] when he came to our office and exchanged heated words with the secretary," said the official, adding that four candidates, including Dr Samreen had been shortlisted for interviews for the post of executive director, but all the interviews were cancelled following the brawl.

"Now, the chief secretary has issued orders to relieve Muhammad Riazuddin from the SHEC, while asking him to retain his post of universities and boards secretary," said the official. He added that the chief minister relieved him reluctantly.

"Riazuddin had at one point even refused the CM's directives and works strictly by the book," said an SHEC member. He lamented that since the commission was set up, it was looked after by the universities and boards secretary. Now, the charge of higher education has been given to someone else. "Muhammad Hussain Syed, who has replaced him, is going to retire in one and a half months," the member explained. "This all was done to accommodate Dr Samreen who is an aspiring candidate for SHEC chairperson in the future," he claimed.

Administrative decision

Despite repeated attempts, neither Dr Asim nor Dr Samreen could be reached for comment. Secretary Muhammad Riazuddin refused to speak on the issue.

For his part, the chief minister's adviser on universities and boards, Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, termed the move "an administrative decision," that was taken to "reduce the burden from the universities and boards secretary."

Khuhro also refuted any reports about differences between the secretary and Dr Asim Hussain over the appointment of Dr Samreen. "This all is wrong," he said summarily.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 5^th, 2019.