ISLAMABAD: The administration of the International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIU) has allowed the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) to hold a seminar in the university auditorium. According to an IIU official statement, the FAPUASA will hold a conference at IIUI campus on ‘Higher education and services of teacher in the society’. The decision was taken in a meeting between IIUI Rector Prof Dr MasoomYasinzai and FAPUASA delegation. Both sides agreed that the conference will be held on October 5 to commemorate the World Teachers’ Day and themes such as academic freedom, post 18th amendment scenario, research and higher education will be discussed in the conference, while FAPUASA will invite the teaching fraternity. IIUI, being the host, will invite vice chancellors of the universities, HEC officials and parliamentarians. “The event will be a meaningful constructive activity as heads of the top universities and known academicians will recommend ways to strengthen the domain of education and devise strategies to further improving the educational standards and facilities at the universities of Pakistan,” the IIUI rector said. He said that IIUI President Dr Ahmed Yousif Al-Draiweesh will would the patron in-chief of the conference. He added that IIUI was all set to bring veteran minds on the forums of dialogue, policy making and experience sharing and varsity was also providing same peaceful and encouraging milieu to its students with an additional blend of cultural diversity. The delegation praised the IIUI and its efforts for improving higher education. The delegation members included FAPUASA president Dr Kaleemullah Bareach, FAPUASA Secretary Dr Shakeel Farooqi, Sindh University Teachers’ Association president Dr Azhar Ali Shah and Muhammad Qasim Kasi from the Baluchistan University. Later, the IIUI Academic Staff Association members also joined the meeting. Three days ago, the FAPUASA had been barred from holding a seminar at the Allama Iqbal Auditorium of the university. The auditorium was locked down by the IIU administration. As a result, the FAPUASA representatives staged a protest. At that time, the university had claimed that FAPUASA had not obtained the required permission. A university spokesperson said that it was mandatory to obtain permission from the conference committee at least 20 days ahead of the actual event. Published in Daily Times, August 12th 2017.