Three years on: Without a department head, students have no one to turn to

Despite several complaints against teachers, no measures have been taken to address academic issues.

ISLAMABAD:

The department of business administration at Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology is functioning without a head of department for the past three years, compounding students’ problems.

Nearly 1,500 students are enrolled in the department but according to the students, studies are not up to the mark.

When contacted, the campus in-charge, Dr Saleem Iqbal said departmental heads were appointed twice only to be removed by the management a short while later. “I cannot address academic issues since I do not have the authority anymore to take disciplinary action against the faculty,” he stated.

Dr Saleem said he raised the issue with Vice-Chancellor (VC) Muhammad Qaisar, “but I don’t know why he is balking from acting on the complaints.” Now we have asked students to refer academic issues to the Karachi campus, he added.

The dean and VC run the department’s affairs from the main campus in Karachi.



An official at Islamabad campus said they visit Islamabad campus once a month. This leads to many issues being placed on the backburner.”

The business department’s affairs are currently being looked after by a management committee comprising Dr Ghazala Shaheen and Naseem Qaisar. Unlike the official’s concern, Dr Shaheen said the department was functioning smoothly.

When she was further questioned about students’ issues, she said she was not authorised to talk to the media.

A senior official at the Karachi campus requesting anonymity told The Express Tribune that since the VC was about to retire, “he is least interested in resolving issues.”

“We generate huge revenue for the university by paying fees but some teachers are incapable of even delivering a lecture,” said a student of eighth semester.

Students said they have time and again informed Dr Saleem about the problems they are facing but to no avail.

According to documents available with The Express Tribune, several teachers, officials and students have sent complaints to the top management about professors’ attitude and teaching methods.

“We have stopped sending applications to senior officials because we know there will be no action against them,” said a student of BS. The students did not wish to be identified for fear of retaliation.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 29^th, 2012.