Cash-strapped varsities: Senators dismayed over delayed funding

Govt says mulling HEC chief selection, summary with PM.

ISLAMABAD:

The Senate panel on education expressed dismay at the delay in the release of funds to varsities on Wednesday.

The Senate Standing Committee on Education and Training directed the finance ministry to allocate Rs2.9 billion to the Higher Education Commission (HEC) due since the last fiscal year for distribution to universities.

Committee chairman Senator Abdul Nabi Bangash said, “After the ministry promised to release the amount in three instalments, it should have at least released one instalment by now.”

He said he was receiving news that universities were facing severe problems due to the shortage of funds.

Higher Education Secretary Ahmad Bakhsh Lehri stated that many vice chancellors were leaving their respective varsities owing to the lack of funds which has halted various projects.

He said they would immediately issue a summary asking for the release of funds at the earliest.

State minister for education Balighur Rehman said the ratio of faculty to non-teaching staff at universities is 1:2 the world over, but in Pakistan it is 1:3 or even 1:4, which is appalling. “Most universities making a hue and cry are actually overstaffed,” the minister remarked. Bangash suggested the minister hold the universities accountable.

Delay in HEC chief’s appointment

The appointment of a new chief for the HEC was also discussed in the meeting. Rehman said HEC chairpersons have been appointed without following the selection procedure in the past.

“From Dr Attaur Rehman to Javaid Laghari, all appointments were political. We have initiated the selection process and the prime minister will decide who will take acting charge from  amongst the 18 commission members,” he added.

The HEC has been without a chairperson since Javaid Laghari left.

Lehri said, “Changes to the process of appointments will soon be made after which a nominee would immediately replace the institution’s head, as the acting chief, as soon as he or she leaves.

“The purpose is to fill the gap till a new head is appointed.” Rehman added that names of vice chancellors who will be retiring in the next few months have been requested.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 10^th, 2013.