KU to install biometric system for tracking staff attendance

The University of Karachi would soon install a biometric system for keeping track of attendance of its teaching and non-teaching staff.

The step is being taken after receiving complaints about many teachers who regularly skip classes and several non-teaching staff who are frequently absent, KU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Ajmal Khan said on Wednesday.

“Teachers are supposed to be role models for their students and society,” he said, “and if they don’t attend their classes, then what message are they conveying to their students?”

The KU VC invited the media for his first interaction with reporters after assuming the post. He talked about several projects under process and said their complete details would be released after completing the paperwork.

Dr Khan hoped that the biometric system would produce fruitful results. He also wished to design and implement a proper system, as only a proper structure could deliver better and durable results. “We are devising several consistent policies and their implementation and the ensuing change will be visible soon. We are highly vigilant when it comes to issues and, gradually, things will improve. I won’t allow anyone to bypass rules or merit at the university.”

He mentioned that KU needed immediate financial support from the public and private sectors. Responding to a query, he said the competent authority had assured him that the university would soon receive a hefty grant.

Replying to another question, the KU VC said that being the regulatory body, the Sindh Higher Education Commission (HEC) sought representation in the university’s statutory bodies. However, he added, the federal HEC provided financial assistance to KU and now both the provincial and federal commissions were in talks for representation of the Sindh HEC in the KU Syndicate and, hopefully, an agreement would reached. “It will take some time to settle their issues. The system is changing, as many federal authorities have been transferred to the provincial government so we’re also waiting for clear instructions from the government in this regard.”

He acknowledged that some centres and institutes had directors who had completed their three-year tenures long ago but were yet to be replaced. He claimed that he was working on the issue.

“We’re making policies for the centres and institutes where the directors have been working for an indefinite period. The policies will not be contradictory to the act.” Dr Khan said the KU administration was also working to set up a medical college at the university, adding that the details would be shared as soon as the paperwork was completed.

In response to another question, he said the inquiry report accusing Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science & Technology VC Sulaiman Muhammad of plagiarising his PhD thesis was still under discussion and the issue had been deferred until the next KU Syndicate meeting, adding that the SHC would have the final say in the matter.