KOHAT: Three candidates have been shortlisted by a search committee of the higher education department for the vacant post of vice-chancellor of Kohat University of Science and Technology (Kust).

Sources in the higher education department, when contacted, said that three names had been shortlisted for the post of VC by the committee, headed by former federal minister Dr Attaur Rehman.

They said that one of the candidates is Dr Zabta Khan Shinwari, who had served as VC of the university for three years. He had also served as VC of the University of Science and Technology, Bannu. Currently, he is serving as secretary general of Pakistan Academy of Sciences and chair of biotechnology department, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. The other candidate is Dr Nasir Jamal Khattak who had also served as VC of Kust for three years.

Meanwhile, teachers have demanded appointment of a permanent vice-chancellor of the university because several academic and administrative promotions are pending since long.

Zeeshan Bangash, acting PRO of Kust, told Dawn that many positions were vacant and promotions could not be given due to absence of a permanent vice-chancellor.

The last VC retired in early 2015 and since then the affairs were being run by acting VC.

He said that the position of director admin was vacant for last eight years while that of finance for 12 years, planning for five years and registrar for six years. The appointment of VC is expected before summer vacations.

DEO FACING PROBE: A committee has been formed to investigate the absence of district education officer (DEO) from his office and allegations of corruption against him, a handout said.

Provincial minister for law Imtiaz Shahid Qureshi had paid a surprise visit to the office of the DEO (male) Roz Wali on Saturday and ordered an inquiry against his absence from the office.

The statement said that the deputy district education officer and female education officer were also found absent from their offices.

It said that the minister asked the officials that all record of appointments and purchase of furniture should be submitted to the committee which would investigate the allegations of corruption against the officials.

Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2016