FUUAST’s faculty went abroad for PhD without testing

ISLAMABAD: Nearly two dozen faculty members of the Federal Urdu University of Art, Science and Technology (FUUAST) were sent abroad for scholarships without having appeared in merit tests conducted by the National Testing Service.

This was disclosed by audit officials before a sub-committee of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) which met at the Parliament House on Monday with Senator Sherry Rehman in the chair. Reviewing objections on the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Audit Report for the fiscal year 2015-16, audit officials said that only one candidate passed the NTS test while rest 21 did not even appear, which was a violation of the merit requirement. Officials further said that of those who were sent abroad, six never returned. At this, the sub-committee decided to summon FUUAST’s vice-chancellor at the next meeting. 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 28^th, 2020.