KARACHI: Dr Muhammad Ziauddin, the dean faculty of arts, education and Islamic Studies at the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Sciences & Technology (Fuuast), Karachi, was appointed as the varsity’s acting vice chancellor on Thursday.

The decision was taken at a meeting of Fuuast’s senate chaired by its Chancellor, President Dr Arif Alvi, at Governor House.

The president in his remarks during the meeting asked the university administration and members of the HEC as well as the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training in attendance to expedite the process of appointment of a regular vice chancellor of Fuuast, Karachi.

He urged the senate members to take consensus-based decisions by factoring inputs and suggestions of each member of the senate and relevant stakeholders on matters relating to promotions, non-payment of salaries, appointment of the vice chancellor and constitution of a nomination committee for the next senate meeting of the university.

The meeting also appointed chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr Mukhtar Ahmed as the chairman of the search committee constituted for the appointment of a regular VC. The committee was advised to proceed on a timeline-basis to recommend a name for the post.

The meeting decided that an overview of the decisions would be made after four months.

The meeting was attended by Fuuast’s senate members, representatives of the university and the ministry of federal education and HEC chairman via video link.

“Dr Ziauddin will perform his duties till the appointment of a regular vice chancellor. He will, however, refer the policy-related matters to the Higher Education Commission (HEC) for legal vetting,” says a press release.

Meanwhile, Urdu university teachers (representing its Abdul Haq campus) continued their demonstration for the seventh consecutive day in favour of their demands. They gathered at the local press club and marched towards Governor House where the senate meeting was held.

Their demands included issuance of appointment letters to lecturers who were chosen for the post last year, release of salaries of already appointed teachers, payment of arrears to retired teachers and organise the pending selection boards.

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2022