Sukkur IBA official steps down in protest

The Secretary Sukkur IBA Testing Services (STS) Sacha Nand Solanki has resigned from the job due to the alleged mistreatment by Vice Chancellor Sukkur IBA University (SIBAU) Prof Asif Shaikh at a meeting on November 13. "... shouting echoed through the building. His rage created chaos among the staff," he stated in his resignation letter, addressed to the VC.

"Employees nearly felt disturbed and traumatized by the outburst. The atmosphere grew tense and uneasy throughout the office."

He said, the VC got his hand hurt by a broken glass during the meeting. He claimed that a similar incident also took place during an interaction between the VC and the Deputy Director Finance Hameed Shaikh.

"The VC shouted at him as well and used abusive language." He went on to blame the VC for taking names of female family members of the varsity's employees. Solanki said he is resigning in 'shock and despair'.

He urged the government to take notice and conduct an impartial investigation in order to ensure smooth functioning of the institution. He urged the VC to nominate his successor within three days.

The VC SIBAU or the varsity's spokesman cannot be contacted for their version. A senior faculty member, who requested anonymity, told The Express Tribune that Shaikh has become known for his attitude. "There is no doubt the VC is competent, but his approach in governing the university is different from the institution's founding VC Nisar Ahmed Siddiqui."

The academic pointed out that Siddiqui preferred competence over seniority unlike his successor. He named a professor who was mad head of a department and said if Siddiqui was alive, he would never have let that happen. The teacher maintained that internal politics of the campus has now begun to affect the institution.

"Nevertheless, there are many accomplishments of the VC like securing accreditation for SIBAU. He comes office in the morning and works till late night." The Sindh government has recently approved Rs232.14 million for STS to reconduct the Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test (MDCAT). "STS is a cash cow of SIBAU. Its surplus income meets expenditures of the university."