‘Amendments to K-P varsity law to improve performance’

Farman says that amendment will help improve academic activities, financial management of public sector universities

PESHAWAR: The provincial governor on Tuesday called for bringing key amendments in a law governing public sector universities in the province to help improve academic activities, financial management, stability and overall efficiency of these institutions.

This was suggested during a meeting between Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Governor Shah Farman and officials of the provincial Higher Education Department as they reviewed proposed amendments to the K-P Universities Act 2012.

The amendment proposes to bind all varsities to implement the decisions of the respective varsity’s senate in letter and spirit and to enhance the powers of all vice-chancellors but with additional responsibilities.

Farman said that the amendment will help improve academic activities, financial management and stability and overall efficiency of the public sector universities apart from bringing a merit-based and transparent system in the affairs of the varsities.

He further directed the K-P Higher Education Department that the amendment should also help reduce the financial burden on students, make a compulsory dress code for all varsities, and posting well-reputed staff at the secrecy sections.

The proposed amendments call for examination papers of a university should be checked by professors at another university to bring transparency in marking papers and to avoid complaints or nepotism in this regard.

The meeting also proposed that the administration of the university will be repatriated by the governor or chancellor if there are charges of misconduct, inefficiency, corruption, moral turpitude or physical or moral incapacity. Moreover, the treasurer shall act as an agent of the government in all varsities.

Farman asserted that there will be no compromise on the educational standard as it was linked with the future of the coming generation.

Advisor to Chief Minister on Higher Education Khaleequr Rehman, Principle Secretary to Governor Nizamud Din, Higher Education Department Secretary Hassan Mehmood Yousafzai and other relevant officials attended the meeting.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 11^th, 2020.