Merit matters: Former pro-VCs to be favoured in VC search
Out of the applicants who have applied for VC posts, two have served as pro-VCs at KEMU. Both KEMU Orthopaedics Head Professor Syed Muhammad Awais and acting VC Professor Asad Aslam Khan have served as pro-VCs.
A senior professor, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told The Express Tribune that the Health Department’s calculation formula would affect the merit of all those who have been engaged in research and did not opt to become a pro-VC for the sake of their work and patients. “Pro-VC is not a post for which the Health Department should allocate separate marks. Majority of the senior applicants are not even familiar with the notification, which stated there will be marks awarded to those who have served as pro-VC.”
He added, “If you allocate separate marks to pro-VCs, then there should be marks allocated to candidates who have served as principals of medical colleges or held other posts. Rather than handing out marks to those who served as pro-VC for a month or so, professors who did good work on administrative posts and promoted research should be given representation in the merit formula.”
A senior applicant, also speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that allocating separate marks for the post of pro-VCs was done with mala fide intention. “Academic achievements, research background and administrative experience are the things which are given weightage in the appointment of VCs at medical universities around the world. Pro-VC posts in these two universities were occupied by VCs for most of the time,” he added.
Additional Secretary Health (Technical) Dr Anwar Janjua said there were also marks for those who had served as VCs. “VC is an administrative post and only a person who has some experience in administration can run the university well. The post of pro-VC is also an administrative post,” he said.
Special Assistant to the Chief Minster on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique said search committee members were of high integrity and will not grant any special favours. “Former federal minister Sartaj Aziz, Lahore University of Management Sciences Pro Chancellor Syed Babar Ali, former Allama Iqbal Medical College principal Professor SAR Gardezi, former chief secretary Pervez Masood, and I are the members of the committee. We will interview the applicants and the appointment will be made purely on merit,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 3rd, 2012.
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