LAHORE: The authorities have made several ‘overnight’ amendments to the proposed Fatima Jinnah Medical University Bill 2015 for political gains, triggering a debate on the impartiality of the varsity’s status.

One of the most ‘disturbing’ amendments to the proposed bill was the addition of a new and high-profile office that is called “pro-chancellor” of the FJMU. It is said to be the first designation of its kind in any medical university of the province so far.

According to the amendment, the pro-chancellor will be the top and authoritative official of the university after the chancellor (Punjab governor).

It shocked the medical fraternity as it has been proposed in the draft that ‘the minister for health of the Punjab government shall be the pro-chancellor of the FJMU’, making the parliamentarian ‘ultimate boss’ of the varsity.

This final draft of the FJMU Amended Bill 2015 clearly showed top offices order-wise including chancellor, pro-chancellor, vice chancellor, pro-vice chancellor, deans, chairpersons, registrar, treasurer, controller of examinations etc.

A copy of the amended draft is available with Dawn.

The Punjab Assembly is likely to approve the FJMU Bill 2015 after the final round of discussion on Monday (today), an official who is close to the development told this reporter.

Draft clips VC’s wings; health minister to be powerful pro-chancellor and syndicate chairman

He termed it an attempt to ‘politicise’ the new medical university saying that the matter was not restricted to the office of pro-chancellor alone as the health minister has also been proposed as ‘chairman’ of the syndicate of the varsity, setting a rare precedent in any medical institution in Punjab so far.

The syndicate would be the top executive body of the FJMU followed by academic council, board of faculties, board of advanced studies and research, selection board etc, according to the draft.

The official said the appointment of a non-medical and a political figure as head of the syndicate of the university which discussed highly technical and academic issues like research and publications, has raised a serious question on the ‘intention of the planners.’

He said many other ‘funny’ amendments had also been proposed in the FJMU Bill 2015 that indicated the authorities wanted to retain hold on this new and third medical varsity of the provincial capital.

Most of the amendments were made in the final draft of the FJMC Bill in contradiction to those which were proposed by medical experts of the province who took over six months to finalise it, he said.

Talking about the significance of the syndicate in the medical university, the official said this body enjoyed an unprecedented authority and was being chaired by the VC alone in other institutions like KEMU. “However, the amended bill has clipped the wings of the VC transferring his authority to the health minister.”

According to powers and duties of the syndicate mentioned in the bill this executive body shall exercise general supervision over the affairs of the university and management of its property.

It said the syndicate may hold, control and administer the property and funds of the university, govern and regulate the finances, accounts and investments of the varsity; consider and approve the annual report, the annual and revised budget estimates and to re-appropriate funds from one major head of expenditure to another; transfer and accept transfer of movable or immovable property on behalf of the university; enter into, vary, carry out or cancel contracts on behalf of the university; cause proper books of account to be kept for all sums of money received and expended by the university and for the assets and liabilities of the university; invest any money belonging to the university including any unapplied income in any of the securities described in section 20 of the Trusts Act 1882, or in the purchase of immovable property or in such other manner, as it may determine, with the like power of varying such investments; receive and manage any property transferred, grants, bequests, trusts, gifts, donations, endowments and other contributions made to the university; determine the form, custody and regulation of the use of the common seal of the university; arrange for the inspection of the academic departments; institute professorships, associate professorships, assistant professorships, lectureships and other posts and to suspend or abolish such posts etc.

The official pointed out more flaws.

He said the authorities amended and fixed 61-year age for the VC candidate instead of 60 or 65 years that showed they had already planned to accommodate the official of their choice.

“A person who is eligible and who is not more than 61 years of age on the last date fixed for submission of applications for the post of vice chancellor may apply for the post,” the draft says.

He said according to the amendment the new regular vice chancellor of the FJMU would be appointed within a period of six months of the constitution of the varsity. During that time the varsity will be run on a ‘look after’ basis.

He said the decision would definitely leave a negative impact on the newly established varsity which required a regular VC at its early stage for a better foundation.

Moreover, the draft is totally silent on the terms and conditions of the service of the vice chancellor making this option on the Punjab government at the later stage which created a lot of confusions.

According to him, registrar of a medical university has been the highly important and full-time official who being secretary to every organ of the varsity plays a very significant role. He also worked as administrative head of the secretariat of the university and custodian of its record.

Surprisingly, the amended bill prescribed no qualification for the appointment of the registrar for the FJMU putting this matter on the sole discretion of the syndicate which was supposed to be chaired by the “health minister”. Consequently, the amendment created doubts on the impartial status of the registrar.

Same is the case with some other key officials including treasurer and controller of examinations of the proposed university. Since no qualification barriers were mentioned to fill these positions which may also go to favourite candidates as the syndicate would be the final authority to make appointments.

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2015

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