ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has recommended universities and degree awarding institutions to appoint their heads in accordance with the prescribed legal criteria. In a letter, a copy of which is available with Daily Times, the universities and DAIs have been asked to appoint their vice chancellors, rectors or heads through search committees existing in each institution. There are VC search committees that have been constituted in each higher educational institution. The committees comprise the representatives of the HEC, the Federal Ministry of Education and professional training and some senior officials of the respective varsity or DAI. After mutual discussion of the members, the committee selects usually three names for the slot. The decided names are forwarded to the chancellor for final approval. However, according to a senior official of the HEC, the universities did not care about this set criteria. “In result of non-compliance of legal formalities, the HEC wrote to universities to mend such violations in the future,” he claimed. In the letter, the HEC further said that a his/her successor should be picked in advance before the completion of the incumbent VC. “The process of selection of new vice chancellors through search committees or extension in the tenure of the existing vice chancellor should commence at least six months in advance of completion of the tenure of the existing VC in accordance with the HEC’s prescribed guidelines for the selection of the rector/vice chancellor in order to provide unrestricted continuity in the university leadership”, recommended in the letter. The sources in the HEC disclosed that a large number of universities are in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkwha, Balochistan and Islamabad that are being run either by acting heads or without heads. “The continuity of leadership determines the performance and destiny of the university. It builds institutional capacity and harmony provides for good governance and a high level of performance in the academic and research functions of the university. On the other hand in the case of prolonged vacancy of the vice chancellor’s office the university often loses directions and momentum in its functions weakening the leadership and good governance in view of adhocism in the management practices, reduces focus on organisational standards and values”, reads the written letter by the HEC. The letter has been forwarded to the VCs of all recognised universities both public and private sectors and their Chancellors including the General Head Quarter’s concerned wing. The letter further reveals that “it has been observed that in most of the cases the vacancy of the office of vice chancellor arises as a consequence of belated processing of the appointment of the new vice chancellor. In such a situation, the university’s operational, academic and research momentum retracts which often takes appreciable time and effort to restore.” Daily Times spoke to many VCs to have their views over the issued directives of the HEC. They expressed concerns, saying that although it was a good strategy which the universities have been asked to follow, the Commission has no mandate for the issuance of such directions. As per HEC Act 2002, the Commission only can forward recommendations or guidelines to the higher education sector, said some VCs while wishing anonymity. However, HEC Chairman Dr. Mukhtar rejected claims by the VCs, saying that the Commission intended just to streamline the academic system the country.