Devolution woes: Absorbing centres of excellence causing headaches

Possible launch of Phase-II of plot allotments at QAU triggers debate.

ISLAMABAD:

Established to function as think tanks for government assistance, confusion and improper management following the 18th Amendment is affecting the performance of the various centres of excellence across the country. 

The centres of excellence were established under an act of Parliament in 1974. After the passage of the 18th Amendment, 12 of the centres now operate using funding provided by the Higher Education Commission (HEC). Interestingly, the administrative control of the centres is with the universities housing the respective centres.

Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), which hosts three such centres, is consulting with the institutes to absorb them into the varsity. The move has upset some academics.

There were about 24 centres of excellence across the country prior to passage of the 18th Amendment in 2010, all functioning under the Ministry of Education.

After devolution, the centres at the QAU came under the administrative control of the varsity.

However, development and recurring funds are still released directly to the centres by the HEC.

Now, the centres are struggling for existence as independent bodies because heads are usually appointed on acting or additional charge by the host varsities, while some centres’ fates are up in the air.

The National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research (NIHCR) did not have a permanent head for four years. Recently, Dr Wiqar Shah, who was working at the history department, was appointed head of the NIHCR.

Prime ministers in the past have tried to move NIHCR under the administrative control of the Ministry of Culture and Education and the HEC.

QAU issued job ads for heads and staff of the centres a few months ago, but final selection and appointments have yet to be made.

QAU Vice-Chancellor Javed Ashraf has started consultations with officials from the centres to merge them with the university. “For the last two months this is being discussed at forums.... putting the centres under the full control of the university to make them cost-effective and easier to govern,” said an NIHCR official, who was not authorised to talk to the media.

There is also buzz that the university management is likely to start Phase-II of allotment of plots for its employees. Staffers of the centres have been told that to benefit from the scheme, the centres must be under full control of the university.

Javed Ashraf told The Express Tribune that since the centres were established through an act of parliament, their status could be changed only via an amendment to the act.

“Yes, consultations are on but are at a very initial stage. It is the prerogative of the government to take any step,” he added.

Former Academic Staff Association (ASA) president Dr Waheed Chaudhry said that the merger issue flared up after news of the plot allotments. “[Plots are] solely for employees of the university, as announced by the prime minister,” he added.

Dr Chaudhry said that 300 acres were marked for plot allotments. In Phase-I, about 110 acres were distributed among staffers, while the remaining 190 acres will be distributed in the second phase, he said.

On the merger issue, he remarked that it was better that centres come under the umbrella of the university. This will improve their performance, he added.

Similarly, the situation in the provinces is also not encouraging, as far as the various centres of excellence go.

The Centre of Excellence for Central Asia at the University of Peshawar was merged with the university, but the centre’s staff got a stay order from a court.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 5^th, 2015.