ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training has moved a summary to President Dr Arif Alvi, proposing names for the new syndicate of Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), Dawn has learnt.

The term of the syndicate, the supreme decision making body of the university, expired recently. The QAU referred a summary to the ministry of education for onward submission to the President Office for approval of five names for the new syndicate.

The president is the chancellor of all the federal chartered universities.

“We have forwarded the summary, which carries names of new syndicate members to Presidency. Hopefully, within a few days, new syndicate will be notified,” said an official of the education ministry.

The QAU in its summary said previously Professor Dr Uzma Qureshi, Vice Chancellor of Women University Multan, was nominated by the chancellor for a term of three years, ending on September 24, 2023.

“The names of the following three women are forwarded for kind consideration of the honorable chancellor for nomination of one them on the syndicate of the university: Dr Ayessha Razzaque (Deputy Chief of Party Higher Education System Strengthening Activities, University of Utah), Prof Dr. Uzma Qureshi (Director, Directorate of Faculty Development and Internationalization, Lahore College for Women University) and Prof Dr Sumaira Rehman, Rector Superior College Lahore).”

The QAU VC Prof Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar through the summary requested President Alvi to approve one of the names from the panel for fresh term of three years.

Meanwhile, the summary also sought approval for one name from a panel for the syndicate member against the quota of Aalim (religious scholar). The QAU proposed the name of Prof Dr Mohammad Ziaul Haq (Director General Islamic Research Institute), Prof Dr Mohammad Hammad Lakhvi (Dean Faculty of Islamic Studies, University of Punjab Lahore) and Prof Dr Farkhanda Zia (Director General Shariah Academy).

The summary also sought approval for three names against the quota of “persons of eminence” in place of those whose terms ended on September 24.

The QAU proposed nine names against the three position that included Ziaur Rehman, Prof Dr Talat Naseer Pasha, Hafeezullah Khan Niazi, Adnan Asdar Ali, Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood Khan, Zohair Ashir, Muneer Kamal and Dr Syed Mohammad Junaid Zaidi.

Besides members from the private sector, the QAU syndicate also has several ex-officio members including the VC of the universiry, the chief justice of Pakistan, Secretary Ministry of Education, the HEC Chairman. It also has a representation of the faculty.

“We are waiting to get approval of the president for the new syndicate as currently our syndicate has become inactive. We have to take several important decisions such as approval of code of conduct for holding the elections of student union,” said a faculty member of the QAU.

He said the last meeting of the syndicate held a couple of months ago took several important decisions, including the revival of student union. Before holding the election, the approval of code of conduct is imperative from the syndicate.

Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2023