PESHAWAR, Nov 19: Students of MS and MPhil in the computer science department of Peshawar University are facing problems because of shortage of teachers following reduction in emoluments of visiting faculty.

The university slashed wages of the visiting teachers by more than half three weeks ago from Rs1,500 per hour to Rs700.

“Since then, the visiting teachers have stopped coming to the department," said a student.

He said that the students were in the middle of their second semester and their studies would be affected if teachers were not hired immediately.

The students said the results of their mid-term examinations had also been delayed.

There is no teacher of computer vision in the city, a student said."He expressed the fear that the semester could be delayed in the current circumstances. The university earned a huge amount from the fees deposited by 1,500 students of different courses in the department, but non-availability of teachers was hampering their studies, he said.

Sources said the department’s chairman had informed sciences faculty dean about the problem two weeks ago.

The dean had forwarded the letter to the vice-chancellor, stating that the reduction in wages of the visiting teachers had adversely affected the students, the sources said.

They said the decision had also affected other departments and most of the visiting teachers had stopped taking classes.

They said the teachers had also not been paid for the past two months despite an agreement between the university and them.

"The earlier pay structure had been approved by the former vice-chancellor and most of the departments had benefited from the decision," said the sources.