Rahib Hussain, an MSc in Forestry Extension student at AIOU, cannot continue his studies in the third semester due to administrative and clerical mistakes. PHOTO: FILE
Rahib Hussain, an MSc in Forestry Extension student at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), cannot continue his studies in the third semester due to administrative and clerical mistakes. He has been refused enrolment in the autumn semester, because the varsity administration claims he is a physics student.
Hussain, 28, is the only breadwinner of a family of six sisters from Dera Ghazi Khan and is not the first victim of the administration’s negligence, which costs poor students from far-flung areas dear. Upon entering the university, students with parents and relatives roaming around the campus for corrections in mark sheets, tuition fee receipts or admission forms are a common sight.
Nafees Ahmad, Hussain’s course mate, is facing the same problem. “We have cleared our first two semesters and after submitting the fee for the third they have raised the objection that I’ve deposited Rs13,315, instead of Rs15,655,” he said. Interestingly, despite a clear mention in the admission form stating that Ahmad was a student of Forestry Extension, the AIOU administration objected that he should have submitted the admission fee for MSc Physics.
“I came to know about this when the semester started and I visited the department to ask why I had not received the books and class schedule. To my surprise, I found out that they had sent a letter with the wrong objection at the wrong address,” he stated.
Ahmad said that after he was shown the objection, he went to the admissions office, where staff on duty directed him to the Physics department. “When I talked to Vice Chancellor Nazir Ahmad Sangi in the presence of the examinations controller, he said your admission should be cancelled as it is your mistake and shows your lack of interest,” he added.
“The administration not only bullies students if they try to bring attention to their problems, but also defends those at fault”.
At the same time, a Rs23 million embezzlement scam using forged fee receipts is under investigation by the National Accountability Bureau. As part of the scam, students were told to resubmit the semester fee or other charges right after they had paid the actual amount.
“I am in third semester and skipped one of my papers, but according to the result I’ve passed with 78 marks,” said a Mass Communications, requesting anonymity. The student was visiting the campus to have the mistake rectified, but it is not possible for a majority of students to come to the capital. The students’ plight is worsened by administrative staff who do not bother to answering queries over the phone and hang up abruptly.
AIOU Registrar Bashir Chaudhry said there were definitely problems and black sheep in various departments.
“I will personally look into these issues and investigate them.” Replying to a question about fee-related issues, he said the embezzlement was under investigation and they were looking to identify the officials involved.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 12th, 2013.
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