Audit body identifies irregularities in NUML appointments

ISLAMABAD:

An audit inquiry has identified irregular appointments and postings of deans, professors, directors at the National University of Modern Languages (NUML).

According to a document available with The Express Tribune, Dr Naveed Akhtar and Dr Arshad Mahmood were promoted to the post of dean at NUML in 2019-2020, although they lacked 25 years of teaching and research experience. Whereas the university’s act clearly states that a candidate must have 25 years of teaching or research experience to be eligible to become a dean.

Similarly, to be posted as an associate professor, it is necessary to have 10 years of teaching or research experience. However, despite lacking 10 years of teaching or research experience, Dr Rizwana Abbasi has been promoted to the post of associate professor.

Audit officials also questioned the appointment of Student Affairs Director Nazir Ahmed and Regional Services Assistant Director Lieutenant Colonel Waheed Mukhtar stating that both candidates did not have the required qualifications and experience.

The appointments of Dr Arshad Mahmood as Assistant Professor and Jamshed Isa as Sports Assistant Director have also been objected to for not having the required qualifications and experience.

The audit inquiry report also questioned the appointment of Zahiruddin Babar as a lecturer, stating that he did not have the relevant academic qualifications.

Audit officials in their report said that the position taken by NUML management was that the appointments and promotions were made under the criteria of HEC. However, audit officials did not acknowledge the administration's position, stating that the university's constitution had not been implemented.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 13^th, 2021.