Hostelites protest against new IIUI rules
Varsity admin changes warden, promises to negotiate demands.
Another complaint was that the new provost fixed mess charges at Rs5,000 for every student, regardless of the fact if she availed the facility. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Students residing in women’s hostels of International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) on Monday protested against new rules for hostels.
The students blocked all three entry points to the university and did not allow any student or staffer to pass. Early morning, hostelites started putting barriers at entry points of the university and stopped buses at the gates, bringing academic activities to a halt. The issue was brewing for the last few months but it spilled over when a new provost appointed last Friday, spelt out the new rules. Students and faculty were turned back while the protesters chanted slogans, including “We want justice”.
The students said the university had put their life under surveillance. “The new provost changed the rules so that students have to come back by 5pm,” said a student of BS Computer Sciences, who said their classes ended after 7pm. “How are we expected to reach the hostel in time when we have to attend classes?”
Another student said the rules only applied to locals while foreign students were not subject to the restriction. “If foreigners come late or remain absent from hostel for more than three days nothing happens while our seats are cancelled. She added that leave was granted to students only on weekends but sometimes they needed leave in case of emergency, which was refused. The varsity cancels the seat in case of over three days’ absence,” she added.
Some of the students claimed that one of the prayer halls is occupied by over 60 students while the university charges Rs10,000 per semester. “The space is cramped and the administration is minting money from students and not even providing proper accommodation,” said a student of Msc Mass Communication. “There are many illegal residents in the hostel who are working in the capital but there is no check on them.”
Another complaint was that the new provost fixed mess charges at Rs5,000 for every student, regardless of the fact if she availed the facility.
Till noon, nobody from the administration had come to talk to the students, but later the management got involved and negotiated with them. The administration withdrew the decision to levy fixed mess charges and a warden was changed while the rest of the demands were to be negotiated soon. According to IIUI Media Relations Officer Dr Hairan Khattak, the issue was an internal matter and was resolved amicably. “The strike was called off in the afternoon and their demands were met.”
Over 2,000 students reside in women’s hostels and many applications are pending. Two new hostels for girls are under construction for the last few years.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 24th, 2013.
Students residing in women’s hostels of International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) on Monday protested against new rules for hostels.
The students blocked all three entry points to the university and did not allow any student or staffer to pass. Early morning, hostelites started putting barriers at entry points of the university and stopped buses at the gates, bringing academic activities to a halt. The issue was brewing for the last few months but it spilled over when a new provost appointed last Friday, spelt out the new rules. Students and faculty were turned back while the protesters chanted slogans, including “We want justice”.
The students said the university had put their life under surveillance. “The new provost changed the rules so that students have to come back by 5pm,” said a student of BS Computer Sciences, who said their classes ended after 7pm. “How are we expected to reach the hostel in time when we have to attend classes?”
Another student said the rules only applied to locals while foreign students were not subject to the restriction. “If foreigners come late or remain absent from hostel for more than three days nothing happens while our seats are cancelled. She added that leave was granted to students only on weekends but sometimes they needed leave in case of emergency, which was refused. The varsity cancels the seat in case of over three days’ absence,” she added.
Some of the students claimed that one of the prayer halls is occupied by over 60 students while the university charges Rs10,000 per semester. “The space is cramped and the administration is minting money from students and not even providing proper accommodation,” said a student of Msc Mass Communication. “There are many illegal residents in the hostel who are working in the capital but there is no check on them.”
Another complaint was that the new provost fixed mess charges at Rs5,000 for every student, regardless of the fact if she availed the facility.
Till noon, nobody from the administration had come to talk to the students, but later the management got involved and negotiated with them. The administration withdrew the decision to levy fixed mess charges and a warden was changed while the rest of the demands were to be negotiated soon. According to IIUI Media Relations Officer Dr Hairan Khattak, the issue was an internal matter and was resolved amicably. “The strike was called off in the afternoon and their demands were met.”
Over 2,000 students reside in women’s hostels and many applications are pending. Two new hostels for girls are under construction for the last few years.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 24th, 2013.