FAPUASA warns of varsities going on strike if universities act continues to be violated

Warns of a strike if any of the former vice-chancellors were shorlisted as candidates for the positions again

KARACHI: Vice-chancellors of several universities across the country, including Sindh Madressatul Islam University, have maintained luxurious lifestyles and they make decisions on their own will, often violating the Universities Act, claimed officials of the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA).

A delegation of the Sindh Madressatul Islam University teachers met FAPUASA vice president Dr Naimatullah Laghari and FAPUASA Secretary General Dr Kaleemullah Barech, on Saturday. The delegation informed the officials that their institution was facing serious financial and administrational issues despite the institute being given the status of a university in 2012, claiming that the varisty's administration had deprived them of the right to form associations under Universities Act.

Meanwhile the FAPUASA officials have claimed that educational institutes have never been the centre of attention for the authorities in Pakistan, adding that the current federal government has put the universities in a serious crisis by reducing their budget to half. They stated that, acording to the Sindh Universities Act, only and at most two terms must be given to the vice-chancellor of universities, but it has been noted that former chancellors, already having served two terms, have applied for the position for a third.

The body has warned that all universities will go on a strike if any of the former vice-chancellors were shorlisted as candidates for the positions again.