ISLAMABAD, April 30: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) chairman, Dr Attaur Rahman, on Saturday said recurring and development budgets of universities had been increased by 30 to 40 per cent this year.

He said this while talking to members of the executive council of Federation of All Pakistan Teachers Association (FAPUSA) who met him.

“The recurring budgets of universities cannot be decreased as programmes like Tenure Track System are being funded under the recurring budgets,” Dr Ata said.

The HEC chairman said vice-chancellors had been asked to increase the departmental budget up to 100 per cent. In this regard, proposals have been invited by the commission.

He said the Tenure Track System had recently been amended and many inhibitions of faculty removed.

“There are no plans to increase fee and no restriction of funds for Tenure Track System,” he added.

The chairman said universities had been asked to entertain all requests of eligible candidates and the required funds were being provided by the HEC.

He said to increase the element of neutrality and transparency, a comprehensive system had been prepared and procedures laid down for selection, promotion and termination of probation or services under the system.

He dispelled the impression that under the system, decisions could be made on personal likes and dislikes as the performance of faculty members would be judged by evaluators of international repute. The list of evaluators will be approved by the HEC, Dr Ata added.—APP