KARACHI: Educationists demand full autonomy for Karachi University
By Our Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Jan 17: Speakers at a seminar on Thursday at the University of Karachi observed that universities and other seats of higher education should be maintained as a continuing source of inspiration, providers of solution to social problems and protector of moral values.
The speakers called for a complete autonomy of the University of Karachi, change in the pattern and style of teaching and motivation of teachers and students to enable them to play the role of true agents of change.
The seminar was held jointly by the Students Adviser’s Office of the University and the Islami Jamiat Talaba, to mark the new campus day of the University.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Dr Zafar Saeed Saify, said the University had a glorious past and its present was also praiseworthy. Works on prestigious scientific and research projects had been continuing with an investment of Rs5 billion from the private sector.
Former vice chancellor Dr Manzooruddin Ahmed, said universities made a major contribution towards civilization and culture. Universities helped to transfer cultural traditions from one generation to another, he noted and pointed out that universities failed to play their role in nation-building and character-formation only when they lost their autonomous status.
He emphasized that universities should be protected against external influences, and said a process of institutional accountability should also be ensured in universities.
Another former VC, Dr Abdul Wahab, said if one traced the past of the University, he would get confidence and a rejuvenated spirit. Universities should provide such manpower to society which believed in working within the given resources and conditions, not in putting off things for want of resources, he said.
Former pro vice-chancellor, Dr Pirzada Qasim, lamented that universities, instead of proving themselves as a source of inspiration, had themselves started looking up to society, which was an unhealthy sign. He stressed the need to motivate the faculty members in universities to get them out of the present state of anger and stupor.
The President of Unikarians, Syed Safwanullah, said though university enjoyed a good reputation, there was room for further improvement. There was a need for interaction between different groups of campus population as excellence could be acquired only when there was unity of thought and action, he added.
In his presidential address, Prof Ghafoor Ahmed, said the University of Karachi as the biggest university of the country was a matter of pride for him. Referring to the step-motherly treatment of the educational sector by successive government, he said if due attention was not paid to the universities, then the country’s future would be bleak.
He said the vice chancellor should demand of the government for removal of the rangers from the campus and allow the students and teachers to play their due role.
A leader of the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf, Mairaj Mohammed Khan, demanded lifting of the ban on students unions and withdrawal of rangers from the campus.
“The students and teachers of the University of Karachi possess the wisdom to tackle issues relating to them,” he maintained.
He also demanded uniform curricula and one medium of instruction at all the educational institutions of the country, increase in education budget and rise in teachers’ salaries.
A varsity teacher Dr. Mehamood Ghaznavi, former student leader Osama bin Razi, Secretary of Karachi Press Club, Najib Ahmed, and Osama Shafiq of IJT, also spoke.
A walk from the main gate of the University up to the administration block has been announced for Jan 18 at 4pm in connection with the celebrations.
