Beleaguered varsities: VCs’ executive body yet to take up issues
According to HEC official, it will meet next month.
PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The vice chancellors’ executive body, which was elected in August, is yet to take up various financial as well as administrative challenges being faced by universities.
The main purpose of the body was to address various issues facing the universities with the help of the Higher Education Commission (HEC). It was supposed to be functional from September, however, not a single meeting has been held since then. HEC Executive Director Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that a meeting of VCs would be held next month in Islamabad to discuss issues faced by the universities.
The issues were acquiring a serious dimension due to the absence of a central body, but they have yet to be taken up.
The Sindh Universities’ Law (Amendment) Act, 2013, stirred a debate about the autonomy of universities. Under the act, the chief minister will head universities and appointments on key administrative university positions will be made by the provincial government instead of the university syndicate.
“Steps like these need a befitting reply from universities but in the absence of a common body, we will continue to face problems,” said Kohat University of Science and Technology VC Nasir Jamal Khattak.
Members were selected from four provinces including Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and the federal capital for a two-year period during the 13th VCs’ meeting held in Islamabad on June 26 and June 27. “We have released funds for Gomal University which was facing financial problems,” he added.
Teachers of Gomal University had held a press conference alleging that employees from grade 16 and above had not been paid salaries for months but on one was there to resolve the issue.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 28th, 2013.
The vice chancellors’ executive body, which was elected in August, is yet to take up various financial as well as administrative challenges being faced by universities.
The main purpose of the body was to address various issues facing the universities with the help of the Higher Education Commission (HEC). It was supposed to be functional from September, however, not a single meeting has been held since then. HEC Executive Director Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that a meeting of VCs would be held next month in Islamabad to discuss issues faced by the universities.
The issues were acquiring a serious dimension due to the absence of a central body, but they have yet to be taken up.
The Sindh Universities’ Law (Amendment) Act, 2013, stirred a debate about the autonomy of universities. Under the act, the chief minister will head universities and appointments on key administrative university positions will be made by the provincial government instead of the university syndicate.
“Steps like these need a befitting reply from universities but in the absence of a common body, we will continue to face problems,” said Kohat University of Science and Technology VC Nasir Jamal Khattak.
Members were selected from four provinces including Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and the federal capital for a two-year period during the 13th VCs’ meeting held in Islamabad on June 26 and June 27. “We have released funds for Gomal University which was facing financial problems,” he added.
Teachers of Gomal University had held a press conference alleging that employees from grade 16 and above had not been paid salaries for months but on one was there to resolve the issue.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 28th, 2013.