CM seeks details of honorary degrees awarded in two years

Sindh’s chief minister has ordered the vice chancellors (VCs) of the province’s universities to provide details of the honorary degrees awarded over the past two years.

According to sources close to Universities & Boards Secretary Noor Ahmed Samoo, the CM’s Secretariat had sought data on the honorary degrees awarded in 2022 and 2023 to present it to the chief executive.

Later, details of the honorary degrees awarded between January 1 and March 31 this year were immediately sought on WhatsApp, then the Karachi University’s administration was summoned to ask them the procedure of awarding honorary degrees.

Due to this KU postponed Saturday’s syndicate meeting, then held it on Sunday to approve the awarding of an honorary PhD to the Iranian president, who is scheduled to visit the city on Tuesday (tomorrow).

The sources said CM Syed Murad Ali Shah is not happy with Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori awarding honorary degrees to various personalities. A few months ago the governor had awarded honorary degrees to various personalities on behalf of the Indus University at the Governor House.

The sources pointed out the strong possibility of the authority of awarding honorary degrees being transferred from the governor to the CM through a bill to be tabled in the provincial assembly, with the governor left with the authority to only preside over convocations.

Up until a few years ago, the governor used to have the authority to appoint and remove universities’ VCs, and educational boards’ chairmen, controllers and secretaries, but it was transferred to the CM through a bill.