Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: There appear to be no rules in the International Islamic University (IIU) Islamabad for filling the key administrative positions, Daily Times has learnt reliably.

According to the information available, the university’s senior management appointed Dr. Aqdas Naveed Malik to the post of Vice President Higher Studies and Research while Dr. Munir was appointed to the post of Vice-President Adminis-tration, Finance and Planning. In January last year, the IIU advertised in the national press for the said couple of slots as vacant.

As per advertisement, the candidate who desires for the post of Vice President HS&R should be a full professor preferably holding the position for at least five years. Moreover, at least 15 years teaching/ research experience and research coordination in HEC recognised University/Post-Graduate Institution, was also needed. Or he/she must have professional experience in the relevant field in a national/international organisation out of which five years’ experience must be dedicated to coordination, supervision and managing of research in a university system at the post graduate and graduate
levels.

However, Dr. Naveed Malik did not have such qualifications that were asked by the varsity. The information suggests that Dr.Malik was promoted as professor in August last year. In this perspective he did not fulfil the five years serve after holding the position of a professor.

Moreover, Dr. Naveed Malik is serving as the Dean Faculty of Engineering and Technology in the university and according to well-informed sources, he holds a doctorate in a non-engineer discipline.

For the other advertised slot of vice president AF&P, the desiring candidate was asked to be a full professor preferably holding the position for the last five years. Beside this, in the advertisement it was said that the preference will be given to the candidate who had a PhD preferably in the field of Management Sciences / Computer Sciences / Finance from a HEC recognised university or DAI.

Moreover, as per requirement the candidate must have 15 years teaching/ research experience and managerial coordination in a HEC recognised university/post-graduate of which five years experience must be in the field of Management, Finance and Planning in a university or a national/ international organisation of repute.

The university management appointed Dr. Muhammad Munir as Vice President AF&P wherein the university ignored its own criteria sought in the published advertisement.

The advertisement says that that five years serve after being professor is mandatory while Dr.Munir was also promoted as Professor in August last year. The tenure of his stint as professor is less than a year.

He also does not fulfil the requirement of Management, Finance and Planning fields experience as he is of the faculty of Shariah Law in the university. Dr. Naveed Malik is the brother of Prime Minister Nawaz Shairif’s Military Secretary Akmal Malik. The sources alleged that Dr. Naveed Malik has been favoured due to his brother’s job status.

Both the positions of Vice President HS&R and Vice President AF&P are exclusively administrative slots. Interestingly, in the advertisement it was insisted on holding teaching experience for the candidate.

When contacted, the Rector Dr.Masoom Yasinzai, said that there was no specific legal requirement in this regard. “The appointed persons are highly qualified”, he stressed.