— PU without regular VC for one and half years
— Political parties should put education on the priority agenda in election manifesto
By Raza Ruman
Over 25 universities of the Punjab province are without VCs including Punjab University, the largest public sector university of the country, which lacked a permanent VC for one and a half years, and despite ECP and HEC letter to the Punjab Government, the process for the VCs appointment could not be initiated causing serious Academic, administrative and policy issues in the varsities governance.
In the absence of the regular VC, Punjab University is being run by a particular ‘mindset’ that has ruined the academics and administration just to please “friends” lacking the vision to run the varsity, as Ph.D. and Bachelors fees have been increased manifold in an unprecedented manner making it quite difficult for the students belonging to middle and lower middle class to afford.
These concerns were discussed during the Punjab University Council of Professionals (PU-CoPs) meeting with the journalists covering the education beat in Lahore. PU-CoPs Elected Members of Syndicate, Academic Staff Association and Senate and senior Professors including president PU CoPs Prof. Dr. Muhammad Nasir, Dr. Sardar Asghar Iqbal (Elected Member Syndicate), Dr. Muhammad Islam (Elected Member Syndicate)
Dr. Amjad Abbas Khan Magsi (Elected Secretary Academic Staff Association),
Prof. Dr. Abdul Majid Nadeem (Elected Vice President ASA),Dr Galib Ata (Elected Member Senate), Prof. Dr. Sayyed Atif Raza, Prof. Dr. Zafar Iqbal Butt, Prof. Dr. Aamer Saeed, , Dr. Shabbir Sarwar, were present. Education reporters Zulqernain Tahir (Dawn), Imran Gabol (Dawn), Adnan Lodhi (Express Tribune), Rabnawaz Khan (Jang), Sajjad Kazmi (Dunya), Mian Ali (Nawa e Waqt), Mohsin Turk ( Al Jareeda), Zia ur Rehman (Voice of America), Imran Younas (City 42 Media Group), Imran Latif (G TV), Ali Arshad from Academia and writer and journalist Khalid Minhas were present. PU-CoPs representatives briefed the media about the history and need to launch the Council to safeguard the merit and promote the culture of research and justice in the varsity.
They emphasized the education reporters to press the political parties to focus on education and higher education in their election manifesto.
To a query regarding, PU Gujar Khan/ Pothohar Campus it was shared that campus has been launched without any feasibility study and justification but to please a big politician.The standard of education is under question on the main campus and it will be harder to maintain the same standard on the sub-campuses and ultimately PU’s image will be tarnished. The affiliated colleges concept should be revised and strengthened for quality education. The committee on the said campus had recommended against the launch of the Pothohar campus, they added.PU Jhelum campus is only about 50 km away from Gujar Khan.
In response to a concern, it was agreed in principle that media should be allowed access to the coverage of Academic Council, Senate, and Syndicate meetings as now Supreme Court has allowed on-camera sessions.
This is a public university and the public through media has every right to witness the proceedings of the Senate, Syndicate, and Academic Council.
The Council representatives demanded from the incumbent Administration to the announce the Research Projects, Incentive Awards, Performance Awards, delayed 15 and 25 percent disparity allowances, and an increase in House Requisition. PAK DESTINY
