Raising the standard: HEC chief asks VCs to resist political pressure

Dr Mukhtar Ahmed stresses making universities’ governing structures efficient

MUZAFFARABAD:

The Higher Education Commission Chairperson Dr Mukhtar Ahmed urged the newly-appointed vice chancellors from across the country to take a stand against all kinds of political pressure.

Ahmed, while speaking at a two-day moot organised here, stressed making governing structures of the universities efficient. While addressing around 19 vice-chancellors who attended the meeting that concluded on Saturday, Ahmed warned that the Rs500 billion spent on the higher education sector since 2002 would prove of no use if universities failed to ensure good governance and quality education.



The HEC chairperson said that the VCs should take a stand against political pressure. At this, Government College University Faisalabad VC Dr Muhammad Ali pointed out that privilege motions had been moved against him in the Punjab Assembly for taking a stand against “unlawful orders” [by politicians].

Governance

Ahmed talked about how VCs took decisions on their own in certain instances or were duped into doing so by people surrounding them.

“You need to beware of those mafias who are always out to make you take such wrong decisions, which end up in embarrassment not only for the vice chancellors but for the university, and the higher education sector,” he said.

The HEC chairperson said he recently met the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chief and told him to take action against culprits in this sector but only after thorough investigations.

Ahmed, while referring to the arrest of Bahauddin Zakaria University Multan’s former VC last month, said he feared more such actions from the anti-corruption body.



He said many VCs had been found conveniently taking decisions without getting approval from the statutory or governing bodies.

The HEC chairperson said many universities had not held their academic council meeting in years.

“It is surprising how they are running these institutes,” he added.

Ahmed remarked that unless the governing structures and systems at universities become efficient and effective, the reforms being pursued by HEC would not yield desired results.

Meanwhile, a letter issued to 173 varsities by the HEC on August 24 was also distributed among the VCs.

The letter shared recommendations to apprise statutory and governing bodies of universities about financial standing of institutes and approve it through their controlling bodies.

It also called for reviewing existing financial management and internal control system of the universities.

Similarly, it stressed for focus on the avenues of income vital to reduce dependability on government funding.

Internal affairs

The HEC chairperson said the culture of adhocism, mudslinging and activities of cliques within the campuses should not be tolerated.

Similarly, he remarked that the finance department most of the time never shared a clear picture about revenues and budget.

“They have a knack of hiding details about finances,” he shared.

The HEC chairperson also urged VCs to focus on interdisciplinary research, civic engagement and practices such as social entrepreneurship.

Dr Khalid Mehmood, former VC of Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, said there was always internal resistance to audits, be it internal or external.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 23^rd,  2015.