Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) devises some certain sort of rules for its recognized universities but the compliance in Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) seems otherwise, Daily Times learnt reliably.

According to HEC Ordinance 2002, to formulate policies, guiding principles for higher education institutions, and cause evaluation of the performance of these institutions, were among the fundamental powers of HEC.

Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) among few other varsities not following the commission’s prescribed rules and regulation. Beside, some other major violations, QAU appointed faculty without taking in account to the HEC. Dr Waheed Iqbal Chaudhry and Dr. Asif Ali are on top of the list.

Dr. Chaudhry was appointed as Associate Professor Anthropology in October 2015 with effect from 2014 and Dr. Ali was inducted as Professor Mathematics in October 2015 with effect from February 2011, stated in the available notifications.

On the other hand the HEC declared null and void the appointments of these two teachers including around two dozen others but according to the well informed sources in the varsity, other two dozen inducted teachers had been got cleared as they have been asked for some minor clarifications by the HEC.

The HEC letter available with this correspondent states “you (Dr. Chaudhry) did not complete eligibility criteria for the promotion as Tenured Track Associate Professor under Tenure Track System in term of 10 publications rather you have possessing only 1. In order to get endorsement you are required to provide nine more publications in any of HEC recognized journal”. The violation while appointing Dr. Ali was also been questioned by commission, in another letter wrote by Muhammad Ismail consultant quality assurance division of the commission on March 4.2016.

Dr. Chaudhry was also member syndicate canceled due to none-confirmation of his endorsement, revealed that QAU was an autonomous body having its own syndicate, adding that all matters declared under the canopy of this syndicate.

He also revealed that HEC just wants to make “dictation” while controlling all the matters in its hand. The dignity of the varsity could not be compromised by such dictations, he added. When asked about HEC act according to which all varsities are bound to follow the commission’s rules, Dr. Chaudhry replied “its wrong concept among the people and media as HEC is just playing the role of mediator or facilitator between the government and varsities in regard of provision funds, nothing more”, he claimed.

A senior professor, seeking anonymity disclosed that in 167th syndicate meeting held in April 2016, the chairperson HEC Dr. Mukthar Ahmed showed severe displeasure over the mismanagement including favoritism being made in the varsity, he also questioned the purposes of formulation of HEC’s rules if not been following by the varsities.

It is pertinent to mention here that earlier, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) VC Dr. Asad Zaman also had given the same remarks. “Institute was autonomous entity and not obliged to follow HEC given charter of rules”, he said.

QAU, VC Javaid Ashraf, despite repeated attempts was not available for comments. However, earlier in an official press release the violation of rules was admitted. It had said that QAU has appointment of some faculty members of the University in violation of approved criteria for appointment of university teachers.

“An Assistant Professor, who was appointed as Associate Professor, and an Associate Professor were appointed against the prescribed law”, stated in the official statement of the varsity without mentioning the names in.