KARACHI: A day after the Sindh cabinet approved a proposal to amend a law that would allow a non-PhD ‘public sector official in grade-21 or above’ to become the vice chancellor of a public sector university, a teachers’ delegation met with three senior government officials on Thursday and warned them of what they called potential adverse consequences of the decision that could undermine the academic ethos of universities.

A delegation of the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (Fapuasa), Sindh chapter held a meeting with Sindh Higher Education Commission (SHEC) chairman Dr Tariq Rafi, SHEC Secretary Moin Siddiqui and Universities and Boards Secretary Abbas Baloch and expressed its deep concern over what it described a controversial decision of the cabinet.

The teachers’ delegation was comprised of Fapuasa president Dr Akhtiar Ghumro, Karachi University Teachers Society (KUTS) president Dr Mohsin Ali and NED University Teachers Association president Dr Kamran Zakria.

“Detailed deliberations were held on the potential adverse consequences of appointing bureaucrats as vice chancellors, which could undermine the academic ethos of universities. The officials explained that the intent is to broaden the pool of applications for vice chancellor positions to ensure more choice,” said a statement issued by the teachers’ body after the meeting.

Govt clarifies inclusion of grade 21 and above officers aims to broaden pool of candidates for VC post

Speaking to Dawn, Dr Ghumro said the delegation strongly articulated the collective concerns of the faculty members across public sector universities in Sindh, emphasising the importance of academic qualifications and teaching experience in selecting VCs.

“The SHEC chairman and secretary boards assured us that no decisions compromising the autonomy of universities will be made. They told us that the cabinet hasn’t taken any such decision and that the government will not appoint non-academicians as university vice chancellors,” he said.

Rabbani opposes cabinet’s decision

Former Senate chairman and senior Pakistan Peoples Party leader Mian Raza Rabbani has also shared his concern over the development.

In a press statement, he described the move as a retrogressive step that would have serious consequences on the academic standards and academic freedom at campuses.

He said the decision should be withdrawn and the Sindh Assembly should not pass the amendment.

Government explains its position

Also on Thursday, the Sindh government has clarified its position and stated: “The inclusion of the serving and retired grade 21 and above officers with a Master’s degree in a relevant field aims to broaden the pool of candidates to include management experts, professionals, and intellectuals with adequate technical education.

“The present amendment has expanded the existing eligibility criteria without excluding well-recognised and qualified academicians. It now includes PhD holders who are eligible to be professors, PhD holders possessing administrative and management experience and retired and serving officers in grade 21 and above who have over 21 years of administrative, management and governance experience.

“Therefore, this decision also encompasses PhD holders and professors who possess the requisite qualifications of academic excellence, managerial expertise, and professional integrity. The aim is to ensure that our universities benefit from a wide array of talents and leadership styles.”

It also says that the decision also aims “to align our policy with other provinces, particularly Punjab, and to open up opportunities for ideal candidates. Internationally, especially in Europe and the United States, it is not mandatory for the president or vice chancellor of a university to be a PhD holder, a criteria which must remain a mandatory pre-requisite for teaching faculty only”.

Published in Dawn, December 6th, 2024