Teachers resent Umar Saif’s appointment to HEC

LAHORE:

The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) has lambasted the appointment of Information Technology University (ITU) Vice Chancellor Umar Saif as a member of the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC).

FAPUASA president Naimatullah Laghari told The Express Tribune that Saif’s appointment was of grave concern to academics and varsities across the Punjab. He said he had visited Lahore and made the government cognisant of his demands through the media. “Now we are waiting for a response from the government.  The association’s executive body will take a decision on what course of action to take after receiving a response,” he said.

Laghari alleged that public general universities had been deprived of representation in the commission and called upon the government to de-notify Saif’s appoitment. He alleged that the ITU vice chancellor was not eligible for the appointment as it was reserved for a vice chancellor of a general university.

Laghari claimed that Saif was an assistant professor at a private university before he had been appointed as the ITU vice chancellor to the utter shock of teachers across the nation. He demanded a judicial inquiry into the matter. Laghari said Saif’s appointment to the PHEC had left many veteran academics perturbed.  “He does not have the requisite administrative skills, ability and experience to handle varsities’ affairs across the Punjab,” he said.

The Higher Education Department (HED) had issued the notification of Saif’s appointment on October 7. PHEC Chairman Nizamuddin told The Express Tribune that the appointment had been made on merit. He said subjects like sociology were also taught at the ITU. Nizamuddin said Saif was just one member of the 17-member-body. He said he could not wield greater power than any other member. Nizamuddin said Saif was entitled to a single vote and had no other power. The ITU PRO said the Higher Education Department was best equipped to comment on the matter. Islamia University Bahawalpur Vice Chancellor Qaisar Mushtaq, GCU Vice Chancellor Hassan Ameer Shah and Saif were considered for the slot.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 17^th, 2015.