A controversial beginning: Sans HEC nod, varsity inaugurated

SASSI University official claims ‘act of parliament’ proof of legality.

ISLAMABAD: Prominent defence analyst and chairperson of the South Asian Strategic Stability Institute (SASSI) University Dr Maria Sultan has said Pakistan faces enormous challenges as a nation at the threshold of the 21st century.

She was addressing the launching ceremony of SASSI University here on Monday.

Sultan, while introducing the university, expressed her gratitude to the president for providing the patron-ship to the university, and SASSI advisory board for their unconditional support to the varsity.



“We are happy to announce that SASSI University is a premier institute of higher learning which is geared to provide the nation a response capability to deal with growing challenges,” she said, adding that it is only through knowledge that we can bring Pakistan forward and out of these challenges.

Disregarding HEC approval

In 2013, a bill for the establishment of four universities in Islamabad was passed by the then parliament when the PPP-led coalition government was about to complete its tenure. SASSI was one of them while others included My University, Darul Madina International University and Capital University.

However, none of the varsities have a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Higher Education Commission.

Under the rules, an NOC from HEC is required to establish a degree-awarding institute in the country. Upon receiving the request, the HEC sends a team to the campus to check whether the institute fulfills criteria vis-à-vis faculty, laboratories and other requirements.

According to a recent report submitted to the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, the number of illegal universities in the country has reached 185. The figure stood at 23 in 2013.

When contacted, SASSI Media Coordinator Sabahuddin Qazi told The Express Tribune that the varsity is not illegal as its act has been passed by parliament. “President Mamnoon Hussain has signed the act of the varsity. A controversy was generated initially but it has been settled,” he said.

However, the media director for the HEC said the varsity was illegal as it had not sought an NOC from them.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 3^rd, 2015.