Acting vice chancellor taking policy decisions

The acting vice-chancellor appointed for 45 days at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University Lyari (SBBUL) has initiated policy-making decisions.

A syndicate meeting was convened on Tuesday to establish new departments in the university. Recommendations are being made to amend the university act too.

It should be noted that under the prevailing principles and traditions, acting vice-chancellors appointed temporarily in any university oversee the day-to-day affairs of the university, and no syndicate meeting is convened for policy-making decisions and their approval.

It may be recalled that the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Lyari University, Professor Amjad Siraj Memon, was posted on February 12 due to the obligatory leave of the permanent vice chancellor for 45 days. A few days ago, he was removed from the post of vice-chancellor of Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU) by the Sindh High Court.

It is being said that since the chances of his re-appointment in the JSMU are very thin, he wants to remain on the post of Vice Chancellor at Lyari University for some time. After that, he wants to head the new medical university, "Karachi Metropolitan University", which will go through stages of establishment.

When contacted by The Express Tribune to know his position Memon said that "everything done in the university will be under the Act."

When asked if the ViceChancellor, appointed temporarily, could convene a meeting of the syndicate for policy decisions, he said, "Look at the Act on the University's website."

It is to be noted that the meeting of Lyari University Syndicate convened on Tuesday has recommended an amendment in the University Act.

The syndicate discussed the establishment of four new departments of sports science, physical education, Chinese, Urdu and Sindhi, besides nursing. However, before establishing any department, the matter is approved by the board of faculties.