Students owe KU Rs1.6b in fees

Varsity forms panel to mull 40% discount on late charges

KARACHI:

The administration of the University of Karachi has formed a three-member committee following the ongoing protests against the imposition of late charges on fees. This committee will have the authority to recommend a discount of up to 40% on late fees based on student applications. The registrar of the university has issued a notification regarding the committee, which states that former dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Professor Dr. Fayaz Waheed, will serve as the convener while Dr. Nosheen Raza, advisor on student affairs, and Dr. Zia Isma, in charge of Student Financial Aid, will be the committee members.

On the other hand, it has been revealed that over 35% of students enrolled in the four-year graduation programme at the University of Karachi have outstanding fees. Total amount of the outstanding fee, along with late charges, has reached Rs1.678 billion, of which Rs1.376 billion is the principal fee and Rs303 million is in the late charges.

According to data received by The Express Tribune from the University of Karachi's finance department, the total enrollment at the university is 44,000, including around 1,000 students in executive programmes, 7,000 in MPhil/PhD programmes, while the remaining 35,039 students are enrolled in the four-year BS programme. Among these, 12,459 students owe more than Rs1.6 billion in fees. Of these students, 7,110 are enrolled in the morning programme, while 5,349 are in the evening programme.

The outstanding amount for morning programme students is Rs834 million, while that for the evening programme the amount is Rs845 million.

Statistics also reveal that 1,654 students have not paid fees for two semesters, 1,907 for three semesters, 770 for four, 1,230 for five, 354 for six, and 1,136 for seven semesters.

In the evening programme, 1,002 students have not paid fees for two semesters, 1,555 for three semesters, 567 for four, 1,062 for five semesters, 312 for six, and 838 for seven semesters. These statistics cover the academic session from 2020 to 2024.

It mahy be mentioned that the University of Karachi had issued a notification a few months ago indicating that examination results for students who have not paid their fees would be withheld. Meanwhile, students are demanding the elimination of late fees and an increase in shuttle services and point buses.

It is important to recall that under an understanding with the city government, the university used to receive two buses per year.

According to the KU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Khalid Iraqi, buses were last provided during the tenure of former city mayor Mustafa Kamal. The university has informed the students that a letter would be sent to the city and Sindh governments, requesting for additional buses. The last time, eight buses were purchased with funds provided by the HEC.