Punjab University: PTV seeks return of controversial ICS teacher

LAHORE:

Pakistan Television has asked the Punjab University to return an employee serving on deputation as an assistant professor at the Institute of Communication Studies (ICS) after his involvement in a controversy over allegedly illegal PhD exam practices.

In a letter addressed to PU Additional Registrar Dr Aurangzeb Alamgir, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, the Pakistan Television Corporation Limited Headquarters asks that Amir Mehmood Bajwa’s two-year deputation be cut short.

“The services of Mr Bajwa are required by PTV ... You are, therefore, requested to terminate the remaining period of his deputation with the University of the Punjab so he may be repatriated back to PTV as early as possible,” the letter reads.

Officials at PTV told The Express Tribune that some ICS faculty member had complained that Bajwa had been given undue and illegal favour in his PhD exams. Dr Afirah Hamid Ali, an assistant professor at ICS and a member of the Doctorate Programme Coordination Committee (DPCC), had earlier written to the vice chancellor seeking action against Bajwa.



He was reported to have sat his PhD comprehensive paper illegally in the office of the dean instead of at the ICS, under the supervision of an ex-ICS chairman.

“Amir Bajwa has already appeared thrice in the PhD exam and has failed in all three attempts,” wrote Dr Ali in her application.

According to DPCC rules, candidates cannot attempt the comprehensive paper exam more than three times. Dr Ali, as exam coordinator, had asked the vice chancellor to take legal action against Bajwa.

Dr Nosheena Saleem, who is in charge of the ICS, said that she hadn’t received any request so far from the university to end Bajwa’s deputation. “I am unaware of any letter,” she said.

PU Additional Registrar Dr Aurangzeb Alamgir confirmed that he had received a letter from PTV about Bajwa’s return. “The decision will be taken in accordance with the rules and regulations,” he said.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Bajwa said he was a PTV employee and would return to work there if ordered to do so.

He said that he was a good teacher and 95 per cent of his students at the ICS had offered positive feedback about his teaching.

He said that he had expertise in both communication technology and mass communication which had been of particular use to TV and radio students.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2013.