Daily Times

LAHORE: The teaching community has shown mixed reactions over the decision of the Lahore High Court (LHC) ordering the government of Punjab to remove ‘look-after vice chancellors’ (LAVC) in four universities of Punjab, Daily Times learnt on Thursday.

It is pertinent to mention here that vice chancellors of four public universities – University of the Punjab (PU), Lahore College for Women University (LCWU), University of Sargodha and Nawaz Sharif University of Engineering & Technology – were working as ‘look-after vice chancellors’ since Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had appointed them again. Some teachers filed a case in the LHC against the CM’s decision.

Earlier this year, in January, the Search Committee for Vice Chancellor, headed by academician Syed Babar Ali and including Finance Minister Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) Chairman Dr Nizamuddin, HED Secretary Irfan Ali and Zafar Iqbal Qureshi recommended 12 names for the four universities to the Punjab CM, who allowed all LAVCs to continue working on their position until the appointment of new VCs.

In its decision about the case, the LHC set aside the process of appointment of VCs at the four universities ab initio. The court also ordered the federal Higher Education Commission (HEC) to devise the criteria for the appointment of VCs within 30 days. The court further ordered the Punjab Higher Education Department (HED) to form separate search committees for each of the four universities and carry out the appointment process afresh.

Some teachers have praised this decision while others have shown concern. These teachers, who are in support of LAVCs, told Daily Times that the decision had created uncertainty and chaos among the teaching community.

Talking to Daily Times, PU Academic Staff Association (PUASA) Secretary Dr Mahboob Hussain said that the decision of LHC was verbal which was causing misconceptions, but things would clear up after the written decision. He was of the view that the education process should continue peacefully and it was the responsibility of the Punjab government to solve the matter as soon as possible.

Hussain further said that even though uncertainty had been created by the LHC’s decision, “we should respect the judiciary”. He said that some rogue elements were creating confusion by misquoting the judgement, adding that all the teachers were in unanimous condemnation of these elements.

Dr Aurangzeb Alamgir, who filed the case against the appointment of VCs, told Daily Times that he and his companions were satisfied with the court’s decision, as it would set a precedent for the future. He added that the decision established the legal position on policymaking for the Higher Education Commission (HEC). He said that the teaching community had given a positive feedback on the decision.

A professor at the LCWU, on the condition of anonymity, said, “It is extremely unfair that the government allowed LAVCs to work further until the later decision and this was like a country being run by a caretaker prime minister.” She added that the LHC’s decision would make it easier for the government to select a competent person who could head the university in a professional way. The professor said that this was the voice of most of the teaching community at the LCWU.