ISLAMABAD: The government on Monday enhanced the salary package of the faculty members of the universities working under the Tenure Track System (TTS). The increase in the salary package had been recommended by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) chairman, Prof Dr Attaur Rahman.

According to a statement of the commission, the package has been approved by the Finance Division according to which professors, associate professors and assistant professors working in the public sector universities under the TTS can now get a maximum salary of Rs1,74,200, Rs94,300 and Rs66,100 respectively. The initiative had been taken to encourage and motivate the faculty members in their respective fields.

Under the TTS, a faculty member would be on probation for a period of six years during the initial period of appointment and his/her services would be confirmed only after two thorough external reviews of his/her research and teaching achievements after the 3rd and 6th year by a committee of eminent foreign experts.

The faculty member would subsequently be considered for grant of permanent tenure by the university on receipt of a favourable review of his/her achievements by the committee.

It is a matter of fact that to date the public sector universities/institutions in Pakistan have been at a disadvantage regarding provision of attractive salaries to the faculty members, which has hampered their ability to attract the best talent at times.—Agencies