Govt-run varsities plan fresh bid to stay autonomous

Karachi

The teaching fraternity of government-run universities will hold a teachers’ convention on February 18 to announce their plan of action to press the Sindh government to resolve their issues pending for years.

The provincial chapter of the Federation of All-Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (Fapuasa), the Karachi University Teachers Society, the NED Teacher Association and other teaching societies of Sindh-based universities addressed a press conference at the University of Karachi after holding a meeting there on Monday. 

They said the convention would take place at the Karachi Press Club, where teachers would put their case and demands in front of the civil society and media.

According to Fapuasa, the provincial government is trying to undermine the autonomous status of the public sector universities and has introduced a “black act” to fulfil its desires.

Sindh President Fapuasa Dr Arfana Mallah said the Sindh Universities Amendment Act 2013 was overpoweringly rejected by the teacher’s bodies, which demanded its immediate withdrawal.

“Despite all efforts the government by using delay tactics is not putting our recommendations on the assembly floor. The recommendations were handed over to the government soon after it passed a bill to implement its decision of appointing the controller of examination and registrar in government-run universities,” she said.

“The teachers observed black days, conducted strikes and held demonstrations and rallies after which advertisements were withdrawn on two occasions. But the problem remains there as the recommendations have been included in the bill and the government is trying to enforce its decisions by power.”

She said Fapuasa and all other teaching bodies had been trying to restore the autonomous status of the universities and played all cards to achieve its ultimate goal.

“Sadly, the government during the last two years made lots of promises to bring our recommendations to the assembly, but its attitude showed that it was never interested in fulfilling its commitments. The bill shows discrimination towards teachers and universities of the province.”

On the other hand, the government has recently appointed a lecturer as pro vice chancellor in a medical university in one of the rural universities, who was not even eligible for becoming an assistant professor on merit but given a key post for being a “blue-eyed person”, she claimed.

Pakistan President Fapuasa Dr Naimatullah Laghari said if the issue was not resolved in the coming days, then teachers of other provinces and federation would bring the matter to Islamabad.

“This was one of the most annoying bills introduced by the provincial government and should be revoked without any delay or at least necessary changes should be made in it to protect the universities’ status as recommended by the provincial leadership of Fapuasa.”

Dr Arfana Mallah said the vice chancellor had the authority to give promotions to teachers who for some reasons could not have done their PhDs, but the chancellor through a notification had banned such promotions.

She also demanded that the right to give promotions to teachers should be given to the syndicates of universities.

“The search committee of the Sindh government to shortlist vice chancellor candidates consists of retired judges, bureaucrats, rectors and chancellors of private sector universities who have nothing to do with government-run universities’ affairs,” she added.

“The search committee comprises illegible persons and it should be depoliticised on a priority basis.”

Fapuasa also demanded that PhD holders having good reputation in educational sectors should have the authority to select candidates for the post of vice chancellor.

“The teachers have to obtain a non-objection certificate if they are planning to go aboard, but unfortunately this practice is not seen anywhere in Pakistan.” Karachi University Teachers Society (Kuts) President Dr Shakeel ur Rehman Farooqi said that a general body meeting of the society would be held on Wednesday to discuss the matters highlighted by Fapuasa.