LAHORE The Punjab government is all set to amend Acts of public sector universities of the province by removing the maximum age limit of 65 for candidates to apply for the post of vice-chancellors (VC) and linking extension in tenure as VCs to their performance, it is learnt. Sources privy to the developments said the Higher Education Department (HED) Punjab had prepared a summary in this regard which would soon be forwarded to the chief minister for approval and subsequent issuance of an ordinance by the government for amendments to laws of the public varsities. In a related development confusion has surfaced once again vis-à-vis the selection of VCs of ten universities as the Chief Minister Secretariat recently sought CVs of all applicants shortlisted for interviews for the coveted posts. The move has raised eyebrows as the last month the CM approved re-advertisement of the posts and making PhD requirement as preferable for the applicants. The universities include Government College University (GCU) Lahore, University of Education, Lahore, Lahore College for Women University (LCWU), University of Sargodha, Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU) Multan, Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) Rawalpindi, Government Sadiq College Women University, Bahawalpur, The Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Engineering & Information Technology, Multan and Khawaja Fareed University of Engineering & Information Technology, Rahim Yar Khan. The posts of VCs at the varsities were advertised in early April this year while the VC Search Committee had completed interviews of 178 candidates in mid-May and submitted its recommendations. However no decision has so far been announced by the government about the selected candidates. Last month, the CM on recommendations of a high-powered committee approved re-advertisement of the posts, starting the whole process afresh. It is, therefore, the latest move of seeking CVs of all the shortlisted candidates has now created further confusion. A number of HED officials, seeking anonymity, said the CM’s decision regarding re-advertisement was still intact and the department was in process of re-advertising the posts as soon as amendments to the Acts of the varsities were approved. They added the draft amendments had been prepared and would be introduced in form of an ordinance as the Punjab Assembly was not in session these days. Presently, as per the laws of public universities candidates for the posts of VCs should not be more than sixty five years of age at the time of application while for extension in their tenures they have to compete afresh. The HED officials said a VC’s performance during four years’ tenure was enough to decide whether they should be asked to continue or leave. They added if someone’s performance was really good they should be given extension in the best interest of a particular university. The government should take maximum benefit from such individuals for the betterment of the universities in particular and higher education in general, the officials observed. About the age condition the HED officials said it should not be an impediment as sometimes individuals appointed as VCs continue working excellently even after 65 years of age. The tenure of Dr Sabiha Mansoor as VC of Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) and Dr Samina Amin Qadir as VC of Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU), Rawalpindi will expire on July 13 while those of Dr Khaleeq-ur-Rahman of Government College University (GCU) Lahore, Dr Faiz-ul-Hassan of University of Education Lahore and Dr Syed Khawaja Alqama of Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU), Multan on July 22, 2015. Secretary Higher Education Mrs Irum Bukhari and Punjab Education Minister Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan were not available for comments.
