QAU alumni association demands bailout package

Faculty body says varsity faces Rs600 million annual deficit

ISLAMABAD:

The Quaid-i-Azam University Alumni Association (QAUAU) has demanded a special bailout package to overcome the Rs600 million annual deficit, an end to illegal encroachments, and banning external interference in the affairs of Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU).

A meeting of the QAU Alumni Association Core Committee deliberated on current challenges being faced by their alma mater. They were of the view that QAU was a national asset and a top-ranked federal institution. Therefore, all efforts should be made to protect the legacy and reputation of the institution.

But because of financial constraints, QAU could not hire qualified faculty or staff, improve existing facilities, or meet the growing needs of the university. It also could not meet essential day-to-day expenditures.

The hostel residents were facing several problems because of a lack of development and expansion of hostel vicinities. The decades’ old infrastructure and labs needed exigent focus.

As per the unanimous demand of all stakeholders, QAU should be declared a flagship institution along with the announcement of a special bailout package to overcome its constraints, and raise the position of the university among the top 300 global universities.

They added that with the provision of required funding and support from the government and alumni, the higher education institution could win more laurels for the country, and meet the growing human resources needs of Pakistan.

A plea was made to the federal government to immediately announce a special grant to overcome over Rs600 million annual deficit. QAU is at 378th position in the world and ranks in the top 100 universities in Asia, but requires a bailout to maintain its ranking.

The initiative to organise national and international donor conferences to increase scholarships was also taken. The participants showed their concern over encroachment on QAU land, which consequently impacts future generations.

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During the meeting, it was apprised that QAU was allotted the land of 1709 acres, 4 kanals, and 12 marlas at the time of its inception, and the university paid an amount for the entire area of the land. But the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has not demarcated the exact boundaries of the institute despite the Islamabad High Court’s verdict in favour of QAU to complete it in one month.

Although complete payment of 1709 acres has been made, QAU is still having a shortfall of 450 acres because of the illegal occupation of 298 acres and non-handing over 152 acres.

A substantial part of QAU land is usurped by influential land grabbers and illegal settlers.

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