Loadshedding, water scarcity: QAU takes summer break three days before schedule

The university has allowed students living in hostels, especially those from far-flung areas, to remain there.

ISLAMABAD:

Incessant loadshedding and extreme weather conditions forced the management of the Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) to shut the varsity three working days before schedule.

A senior official from the university management told The Express Tribune that the decision was taken due to extreme weather conditions, excessive loadshedding and severe shortage of water at different hostels and departments.

The official said that the current academic session was supposed to culminate on May 30, but during a recent meeting of the heads of departments and other senior officials, a decision was taken to wind up the session on May 24 — three working days before the scheduled date. The duration of the break has also seen a slight increase.

“According to the university calendar, the students were supposed to report back to campus on June 6, but for the same reasons, they have now been asked to come back on June 10,” he said.



Addressing the concerns of students who felt the extended break was unjustified at the country’s premier public university, the official said, “Due to unannounced load shedding, there was no water available at the hostels, which also affected the studies of the students and the decision has been taken in their interest.”

He added that the university administration has not forced any student to leave the hostels. “The administration has allowed students living in hostels, especially those hailing from far-flung areas, to keep staying there if they wanted to do so.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 27^th, 2013.