Senior official passes exam despite absence from classes

KARACHI: A provincial secretary to the Sindh government has passed his examination of two semesters of Masters of Business Administration (MBA) with flying colours, though without attending classes from a university under his supervision.

According to documents available with The News, the secretary has been given extraordinary favour by the Sindh Maderssatul Islam University (SMIU), Karachi, in violation of the rules and regulations of the University and Higher Education Commission (HEC).

The Sindh Madressatul Islam University (SMIU), Karachi, is one of the oldest educational institutions in South Asia, which initially started as a school in 1943 and a university in February 2012, founded by Hassan Ali Effendi. Besides other notables, the Founder of Pakistan, Quiad-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, also studied at this institution.

As per the university's computerised 'Campus Management Solution' (CMS) record available with 'The News', during the examination of first and second semesters, the secretary obtained A-1, A, and B grades in two semesters of 'MBA' from the university without attending classes in major courses.

The secretary, as a student of the weekend degree programme for MBA having registration 23F-202, remained absent in 11 classes out of 20 classes in his 'Introduction to Business Finance' course. He was also absent in all 18 classes of the 'Principle of Marketing' course but passed in both courses in B+.

Similarly, in second semester, he remained absent from his all 18 classes of 'cost and management accounting' but was allowed to take the examination and succeeded to pass the course in A-1.

In a course of 'supply chain management', the secretary was shown to be present in all classes including a class conducted on 18, June 2024, a gazetted holiday of Eid-ul-Adha 2024.

Interestingly, the same course is offered for Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) but in violation of rules and regulations of the University and HEC, the same has been assigned to the secretary for his MBA degree.

As per the examination policy of the university, it was mentioned in the prospectus 'guidelines for examination policy' point 3, subsection 1 clause 2 and Higher Education Commission (HEC) regulations, at least 75 percent attendance is mandatory for any student to take the examination, but this policy and regulation have been violated in the secretary's case.

As per the official record, to facilitate the secretary, a visiting teacher was hired for a course 'Business Economics,' in which the secretary is the only student. In addition, he was also the only student in another course of 'Financial Management'. On the other hand, as per the official record of the university, the secretary was given a challan of Rs84,560 in September 2024 for his university fees but later he was issued another concessional challan of Rs59,060, which he paid.

This correspondent approached the secretary for his version, called his official number and his cell number, sent him a detailed message, reminded him, and waited for two days but till the filling of this news story, he did not reply.

Minister of the Sindh Universities and Boards Muhammad Ali Malkani told 'The News' that he will personally look into the matter, inquire about the issue, and take necessary action.

Anwar Abro, spokesperson of the university, in his written reply on behalf of the university management, told 'The News' that the secretary had received admission when he was not in the current position. He was issued enrolment like many other postgraduate students who did jobs in the morning and continued their education in the evening.

The spokesperson further said the visiting faculty is a regular feature of SMIU which is being hired. However, it is out of the scope that a visiting faculty is hired for any particular or singular person. Besides, he has remained a regular student.