Controlling universities

Since 2013, after the Sindh government passed the Sindh Universities Amendment Act (SUAA), it has been in conflict with academics over who has the authority to control the affairs of the university. The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (Fapuasa) has threatened to boycott educational activities at all varsities. The SUAA 2013 transferred administrative powers from the governor to the chief minister of the province and, after the amendment was passed in 2013, the government immediately transferred two vice chancellors . The tussle between the CM and the governor has continued after the governor’s office tried to appoint new VCs to Dow University of Health Services and the Karachi University. The result has been confusion.

Fapuasa argues that the act has transferred power away from varsity syndicates. The stance of academics raises important questions about the independence of universities. Academics have criticised both the governor and the CM for interfering in university affairs. Earlier, when university committees were formed, political appointments were made ignoring senior academics. It is apparent that bureaucratic and government meddling has stunted the growth of universities across the country. Fapuasa argues that the SUAA 2013 has created the space for unnecessary meddling in university matters. The body gave up a strike call in August last year after the government agreed to pass another amendment to restore the autonomy of universities. Universities need to be spaces that encourage the culture of debate and research on campus. Political meddling is a major restraint on creating and developing universities as creative spaces of learning. Coming at the time of the Indian government’s crackdown on students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), the struggle for academic freedom and universities’ control over their own affairs is an important one. The government must recognise the just demands of academics and step back.