Teachers’ body writes to CM over VCs’ appointment

In a letter to the Punjab chief minister, the Federation of All Pakistan Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA), Punjab chapter, expressing concerns over possible changes in criteria for selection of vice-chancellors (VCs) of public universities, has demanded that a VC must be a PhD who is, or has remained, a full professor of a university.

The letter written by FAPUASA Punjab President Dr Javed Ahmad said that due weight must be given to research publications, saying that a person who had not published reasonably, how could he/she patron the research activities in the higher education institutions. “VCs’ appointment process should comprise members who have no conflict of interest. Representation from private universities must be discouraged,” he said and added that in the light of the 18th Constitutional Amendment, the provincial government should play supportive role in promotion of higher education in Punjab through PHEC.

The letter also urged the CM that criteria for appointment of VCs should be finalised after consulting all stakeholders, including FAPUASA and specially its Punjab chapter.

FAPUASA Punjab had held a meeting last week and expressed concerns over possible changes i.e., removing the conditions of PhD, academic experience and research publications for VCs appointment in the public sector universities of Punjab.

The meeting was presided over by Prof Dr Javed Ahmad and attended by Dr Mehboob Hussain, ex-general secretary of FAPUASA, Dr Hassan Bucha, general secretary, BZUASA, Dr Tahir Sultan, BZU Syndicate member, Prof Dr Sajid Rashid Ahmad, ex-president of PUASA, Engr Dr M Azhar Naeem, elected member Senate and treasurer of PUASA, Dr Ayub Faridi, elected member of PUASA and other members of FAPUASA.