HEC voices concern over appointment of bureaucrats, non-PhDs as VCs in Sindh

Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed has expressed deep concern over appointments of bureaucrats and those without a PhD as vice chancellors to Sindh universities as well as over the reduction of the age limit to 62 years.

He has demanded that Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah immediately withdraw this move, as this move will have serious consequences for the quality of education and will also affect the academic freedom and critical thinking of universities. In a letter written to the chief minister on Friday, Dr Mukhtar Ahmed said that it is extremely worrying that the Sindh province is amending the Universities and Institutes Laws Act 2018,

The letter says that it is learnt with grave concern that the province of Sindh is contemplating proposing an amendment in the Sindh Universities and Institutes Laws Act 2018, thus revising the criteria for appointments of public sector vice chancellors/rectors in the universities located across the province through legislation by the provincial assembly.

The amendment, if passed, would bring significant changes in the basic eligibility criteria and would enable the non-PhDs to apply and be considered for selection to the revered position of the vice chancellor/head of the institution, hence paving the way for the appointments of non-academicians. This would be a retrogressive step which will not only have serious consequences for the academic standards but would also affect academic freedom and critical thinking, and may compromise the stature and attached veneration of the office, besides creating an unfortunate precedent for the other provinces/regions.

Dr Mukhtar Ahmed said that it is clarified that the guidelines for the selection of the rector/vice chancellor were approved by the commission -- the governing body of the Higher Education Commission with representation from all the provinces -- in its 12th meeting held on February 24, 2007.

The guidelines entail the eligibility criteria for the position of vice chancellor/rector, which requires an outstanding academician of international stature having preferably earned a doctorate degree, teaching and research experience, publications in HEC-recognised journals, administrative and financial management expertise in reputable institutions, and an age limit of 65 years and emphasize that the appointment be made through an independent Search Committee. Additional aspects as outlined in the Act of the HEC and the statutes framed thereunder are also a distinctive feature of the eligibility criteria.

Moreover, higher education Institutions are autonomous entities by virtue of their Acts and governed under provisions of acts/statutes/regulations through their statutory authorities and any such appointments of non- academic administrators undermines the academic integrity of the universities. Moreover, as per its decision dated April 7, 2021, taken by the Council of Common Interests (CCI) in its 44th Meeting, “Higher Education Commission will be the sole standard setting national organization with regard to higher education in the country.”

He said that foregoing in view, the HEC strongly recommends that such amendments, being neither in the interests of the higher education institutions nor for the benefits of the academic fraternity, be withdrawn and any ongoing or upcoming proceedings on the issue may be discontinued. It would be appreciated if such proposals are shared with the HEC for a broader consultation in the commission and a consensus be reached in the larger interests of the high education sector.