UoP vice chancellor shuns rhetoric, urges pragmatism

Says all changes cannot be brought overnight.

PESHAWAR:

Today’s rapidly changing world has raised a number of challenges but one should be committed to resolving them by finding concrete solutions for long-term change, Dr Muhammad Rasul Jan told The Express Tribune in his first interview as vice chancellor of University of Peshawar (UoP).

The recently appointed 22nd vice chancellor (VC) of UoP said problems are abound in every walk of life, including this historic institution. And keeping in mind ground realities, he will take practical steps for the betterment of the university.

“I have taken charge with the aim to bring a change in attitude, approach and academics, but all these cannot be brought overnight,” he added.

In response to a query, Dr Rasul Jan said a consensus will be developed among senior faculty members of the institution to judiciously spend allocated resources and explore options for revenue generation.

“I will not let financial issues overshadow the basic aim of producing a quality human service which is a need of the hour – especially for this region.”

Jan added that measures will be taken to improve UoP’s ranking among the country’s educational institutions and to bring it at par with international standards.

The chancellor has asked concerned authorities to speed up work on UoP’s Jalozai Campus, but added that the process would be carried out after taking all teachers on board.  “Bilateral consultations and talks are a good option to resolve problems instead of using force.”

The newly appointed VC said he will take pragmatic steps for beefing up security on the campus and discuss security problems which occurred in the recent past.

“The doors of the university are open round the clock for the community – this institute is for them,” he added.

When asked about growing political influence in UoP, Dr Jan said parents send their children to be educated, not to participate in politics.

“Why do the elite admit their children at Atchison College, Lahore or send them abroad? Because they don’t want their children to be involved in politics,” opined the VC.

He said measures will also be taken to depoliticise UoP and maintain the best education environment for all.

Jan said the recently introduced four-year UoP Bachelor of Science Programme was a great initiative by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) as it meets the challenges of globalisation. The four-year programme would help UoP students compete with the international students, he added.

It is incorrectly perceived that UoP funds have been diverted to other universities, the educationist explained.  HEC provides funding to universities and scholarships to teachers and students. According to the VC, HEC provides more funds and scholarships to universities in the initial stages to ensure their survival in the long run.

Profile

Dr Rasul Jan belongs to Ningolai village, Kabal (Swat district). He completed his master’s degree from the Department of Chemistry, University of Peshawar in 1976 and his MPhil from the same department in 1979.

He left for Ireland in 1980 and completed his PhD in the short span of two years.

Dr Jan returned to Pakistan in 1982 only to go back to Ireland on a European Economic Committee sponsorship for a post-doctorate fellowship at the University College Dublin.

In 1985, he joined UoP as an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry. In 1999, he was transferred to the Department of Environmental Sciences and posted as the head.

In 2003, the professor went on a one-year Fulbright fellowship to New Mexico University, USA.

Before his appointment as the vice chancellor of UoP, Dr Jan had served as VC University of Malakand since April 2008.

Dr Rasul Jan was awarded Pride of Performance in 2010 for his contribution in the field of chemistry.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 31^st, 2013.