‘UoS faculties merger violation of rules’

LAHORE: A senior faculty member of University of Sargodha (UoS) has alleged violation of university rules in the recent merger of Faculty of Business & Economics into Faculty of Social Sciences requesting the chancellor to annul the same.

In a letter to Punjab governor/chancellor of the university, Prof Dr Masood Sarwar Awan, Dean Faculty of Management and Administrative Sciences (Faculty of Business & Economics), a copy available with The News, observed that the decision did not correspond to academic structure of the universities and also “replete with violation of various clauses of University of Sargodha Ordinance 2002.”

Dr Awan alleged that contrary to the notification (issued on February 02, 2018) regarding merger of the faculty, the matter was not actually approved. While quoting unnamed Syndicate members, he claimed that the case was referred to Higher Education Department (HED) to seek advice. “But the proceedings recorded have shown it otherwise.

It shows the manipulation committed by the administration, as after-thought, compromising the sanctity attributed to Syndicate,” he wrote to the chancellor.

The complaint also carried a note of observations by one of the members of UOS Syndicate, Prof Dr Ghulam Yasin, who also observed that merger of two faculties was not in accordance with the provisions of the UoS Ordinance 2002. “I have given detailed observations and note of dissent on the illegality of the meeting of the Academic Council, which have not been reflected in the minutes,” he wrote.

Dr Awan also observed that clauses No. 23 (2) (vi) and (vii) were ignored altogether which were in the purview of the Academic Council and Board of Faculties, respectively. He requested the chancellor to annul the proceedings of the Syndicate and Academic Council for alleged violation of various clauses of the University Ordinance 2002 by Syndicate meeting held on December 30, 2017.

It is pertinent to mention that in the same meeting, in recognition of the Noon family of Sargodha, the Syndicate also approved the establishment of Noon Business School which will run Business and Commerce programmes under the Faculty of Social Sciences.

When contacted, UOS Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Ishtiaq Ahmad said the merger was approved by the Academic Council and the Syndicate and there was no question of committing illegality in the entire process. He said the incumbent administration was following rules and regulations 100 percent.

To a question, Dr Ishtiaq said the Noon family though not supported the university financially had rendered great services for the country. He said the university also planned to create its endowment fund. He said the change was always resisted and added the university administration was committed to reach and compete the global market.