HYDERABAD: The Sindh University Teachers Association (Suta) on Tuesday rejected restoration of Prof Dr Imdad Ali Ismaili as the pro-vice chancellor of the Sindh University main campus and announced that a ‘black day’ would be observed on all SU campuses over the decision. Prof Ismaili was appointed the pro-VC for a four-year tenure under a notification issued on April 11 but the notification was withdrawn on April 19. However, the April 19 notification was also withdrawn on Oct 24 to restore the April 11 notification.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, Suta expressed its serious concern over the restoration of Prof Ismaili as the pro-VC and said it was ‘illegal’. It said that a comprehensive strategy would be evolved at a meeting of the association’s executive committee on Wednesday to register its protest over the decision.
It said that pro-VCs were supposed to be appointed on a merit basis and on the recommendation of the vice chancellor concerned through a search committee. It held that Prof Ismaili was not eligible for the post and that due process for his appointment was not undertaken.
It noted that the late SU vice chancellor Dr Abida Taherani had rejected his appointment in view of the allegations of corruption against him and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) move of blacklisting him over plagiarism and other charges.
Meanwhile, former Suta president Dr Azhar Ali, speaking to Dawn said that the present governing body of Suta had completed its terms and was no more in the office. As such, he said it could not hold its meetings or take decisions. He said that the HEC had since dropped the plagiarism charge against Prof Ismaili, adding that the professor had already moved the Sindh High Court, where his various pleas were pending a decision.
Published in Dawn October 26th, 2016
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