GCU syndics question acting VC’s decision

LAHORE : The 70th meeting of the Government College University (GCU) Lahore Syndicate held on Friday was marked by intense debate, as Syndicate members navigated through a series of issues and despite strong resistance from the Pro VC, who currently stands as the Acting VC of the university, the Syndicate confirmed the proceedings of the last meeting.

After more than two hours of debate, proceedings of the last meeting were approved with some minor observations of the Punjab Law Department which had no impact on proceedings, disclosed sources familiar with the matter. The meeting was chaired by the Acting VC Prof Dr Ahmad Adnan and among others was attended by renowned lawyer Naeem Bukhari, Dr M Khalid Khan, Dr Sajida Wondal, Senator Dr Zarqa, Chairman, Lahore Board/DPI Colleges Punjab, Mr Kamran, Additional Secretary, and DS Law and DS Finance.

Some of the syndics observed that the Acting VC or the regular VC did not have the authority to reverse a decision once approved by the Syndicate and only the Chancellor had the power to review decisions, and even then, it required solid reasoning.

The Syndicate members also noted that the decisions made during the last selection boards meeting had been approved by the Syndicate, and therefore could not be declared null and void by the Acting VC. Additionally, the Acting VC was not authorized to withhold the salaries of those appointed. It is pertinent to mention here that these appointments included 142 staff members including 70 teachers. In the same vein, the syndics noted that the Acting VC did not have the authority to unilaterally denotify members of the Syndicate, as they were appointed for a three-year tenure. It is worth mentioning here that the Acting VC had withdrawn the nomination of three faculty members including Prof Dr Hussain Ahmad Khan, Prof. Dr Babar Aziz and Prof. Dr Nauman Aftab from the Syndicate.

Similarly, the syndics observed that the Acting VC could not debar the Registrar. If there were any allegations against him, the VC should have brought them to the Syndicate instead of taking action on his own, they noted during the meeting. Regarding the meritorious professor, the meeting asked the Acting VC to present the case through the Finance & Planning Committee and then place it before the Syndicate, which would subsequently forward it to the Chancellor for formal approval. Additionally, the meeting approved spring admissions, exclusively for the upcoming spring admission, without an entry test and based purely on open merit.

It is pertinent to mention here that dozens of faculty members whose selection board was declared null and void by the Acting VC held a peaceful protest demonstration outside the meeting venue at GC University.

When contacted the Acting VC, Prof Dr Ahmad Adnan mentioned his preparedness to depart for a foreign tour as part of an HEC delegation and assured a callback when he had the time. However, no callback was received till the filing of this report.

However, sources close to the Acting VC said that Prof Dr Ahmad Adnan did not violate any rule and had taken actions in the best interest of the university which he had every right to defend in the meeting.