Daily Times

LAHORE: Favouritism and nepotism rule the roost at the Virtual University (VU) as several blue-eyed officials have been appointed at key posts, Daily Times has learnt.

Since its inception in 2002, several blue eyed officials have been appointed on lucrative posts, both administrative and academic.

Recent appointments of Director (Administration) Ahmar Qazi, Director (Campuses) Farhan Sadiq and Adviser to Virtual University Dr Mahmood Bodla have raised many eyebrows.

Few months ago, a meeting of the university’s Board of Governor (BoG), chaired by Ministry of Information Technology secretary, gave approval for appointment of Director (Administration) Ahmer Qazi and Adviser to University Dr Mahmood Ahmed Bodla, who is husband of a BoG member.

A senior faculty member of the Virtual University, requesting anonymity, told Daily Times that Ahmar Qazi, after being appointed to the Virtual University on ad-hoc basis for six months, gave an advertisement for the post he had appointed to, shortlisted himself and became a permanent employee of the university after approval by the Board of Governor.

According to sources, Qazi does not have post-qualification experience of more than four to five years required for the said post. Qazi is said to be a close friend of Virtual University Rector Dr Naveed A Malik, and has been an ex-employee of a distance learning private college chain where Dr Naveed A Malik is holding a key position.