FAPUASA protests HEC’s research policy

ISLAMABAD: An umbrella association of faculty members and staffers of higher education institutions have termed policies of the apex regulator of higher education in the country as ‘damaging’ for faculties. The association further warned that it could boycott instructions issued by the regulator unless they were consulted on them first.

In an online meeting of the executive council of the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) recently, the federation expressed deep concern towards the injustice done with the education sector and universities, in terms of its annual budget.

They noted that any welfare state should prioritise education and health in their budget.  Unfortunately, universities have been pushed to the wall by the incumbent government. They further criticised the role of the Higher Education Commission and its chairman, Dr Tariq Banuri.

“FAPUASA finds that the role of HEC has been extremely discouraging towards universities as HEC has completely failed to acquire the required budget from the government or convince the government on budgetary requirements,” they said, noting that consequently many varsities were unable to pay salaries to staff on time.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 24^th, 2020.