Daily Times

LAHORE: Speakers at a seminar urged the implementation of 18th constitutional amendment in education, especially in higher education sector, and autonomy of universities.

The 2nd round table conference on ‘Six Years of 18th Constitutional Amendment: Equity and Autonomy of Universities’ was organised by Pakistan Social Services Partnership, coalition of 85 civil society organisations, Civil Society Network Pakistan and other organisations at a local hotel. The event was presided over by former Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) secretary Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad and attended by academicians, parliamentarians, university faculty, researchers and representatives of civil society.

The participants were of the view with the abolition of concurrent legislative list under the landmark 18th constitutional amendment; all tiers of education including higher education have become provincial subjects. The participants emphasised over the provincial governments to strengthen provincial higher education set ups through provision of adequate financial resources so that the growing needs of Pakistani universities could be met in an effective way. They also demanded immediate resolution of HEC-COMSATS dual degree by recognising the degrees of 2,700 affected students.

The unanimous resolution passed on occasion stated that autonomy of universities and academic freedom at campuses must be respected by federal/provincial higher education commissions, as per true spirit of 18th constitutional amendment. A new commission on higher education standards should be formed by the federal government as per mandated by the Constitution of Pakistan, which should repeal the existing one, they added.

They participants of the view that the next NFC Award must be finalised and announced immediately so that every province has adequate resources for education and health. The
ban on student union must be lifted immediately.

The participants also demanded that 18th amendment should be implemented in higher education sector in true letter and spirit without any further delay.

As per UNESCO standards, 25% of total education budget should be allocated for higher education in 2016-17 budget and proper utilisation should be ensured of allocated development budget.

Council for Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE) President Mujibur Rehman Shami, former Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan vice chancellor Dr Syed Alqma, former University of Sargodha vice chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Akram Chaudhary, columnist Asghar Abid, senior advocate Azhar Siddique, PSSP Chairman Javed Iqbal, Centre for Inclusive Governance Executive Director Gulbaz Ali Khan and Civil Society Network Pakistan President Abdullah Malik were present on occasion.

Shami said that the provincial governments should realise their financial responsibilities towards promoting higher education and maximum funding should be allocated for universities. “The Council of Common Interests should be activated to resolve the outstanding issues. Vice chancellors forum needs to be effective in order to chalk out joint strategy for protecting universities’ autonomy,” he said, lamenting over the maltreatment with Prof Dr Syed Alqma.

National Democratic Foundation Chairperson Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad emphasised over the resolution of all the issues in education sector as per the constitution.

Hafeezul Niazi on the occasion lamented over ban on students unions, which remained nursery for leadership. He said that only autonomous universities could guarantee merit based admissions and appointments.

Former Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan vice chancellor Prof Syed Alqma said that universities are autonomous bodies and hub for knowledge creation and production of human resource. Their autonomy should be respected like the other developed countries.

Senior advocate Azhar Siddique stressed upon effective measures for implementation of article 25-A and end of political interference in education and health fields.