ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Wednesday expressed its annoyance over the closure of Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) for the last 15 days and directed Vice Chancellor Dr Javed Ashraf to either reopen the campus in a day or resign from the position.
The meeting was chaired Member of National Assembly (MNA) Dr Amirullah Marwat. The committee discussed the closure of the QAU for two weeks and disputes at the Federal Urdu University of Arts Science and Technology (FUUAST) for the seat of vice chancellor.
Briefing the committee on university’s situation, VC Dr Javed Ashraf said that the administration was unable to reopen the university because the district administration was not cooperating with the management.
“Students have blocked the ways and transport is not functional,” he said. The VC also said that the university was suffering from financial crunch and could not purchase a single bus. However, the committee chairman refused to accept the excuses and directed the VC to reopen the university in a day or table his resignation.
“The committee exercising its powers can take resignation from the VC,” said the chairman.
He also stated that the newly admitted students were suffering because of the university administration’s negligence and incapability.
Meanwhile, Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed briefed the committee that the VC and the administration lacked leadership quality, and allowed the university to be made hostage by a few dozen students.
He discarded the VC’s claim of being powerless in restoration of the expelled students, as the decision was made by the syndicate.
The chairman said the closure of the university was affecting the admission of new students, which could lead to cancellation of the semester if classes were not started in time.
The committee further asked the QAU VC to redress the justifiable demands of the students and take serious action against students involved in serious crimes at the university.
The committee also recommended that the local administration should cooperate with the university administration in providing security cover and maintaining the situation of law and order at the campus.
Published in Daily Times, October 19th 2017.