LAHORE: The Punjab government is planning major administrative change in the public sector varsities’ working by replacing vice-chancellors with pro-chancellor’s nominees to preside over the syndicate meetings.

To begin with, the government has passed an Act of the Nawaz Sharif University of Engineering and Technology, Multan, where the nominee of pro-chancellor (Punjab education minister) will preside over the syndicate meetings, instead of the vice-chancellor.

Sources told Dawn the government was seriously considering the change because it was being argued that how any wrong-doing of a vice-chancellor could be checked, if the VC himself/herself was presiding over the varsities’ top statutory body.

Punjab Assembly Standing Committee on Education chairman Engr Qamarul Islam Raja confirmed the idea was being considered and amendments might be brought about in respective varsities’ Acts for the purpose.

He admitted the vice-chancellors were the heads of all major committees, including the finance and planning committee of the varsities.

Mr Raja said the government would also look into the appointments on key posts like treasurer and registrar and added that how could a university teacher be expected to perform such specialised jobs meant for professionals and experienced human resources.

He agreed that the teachers appointed against these posts were likely to serve the interests of the vice-chancellors.

Published in Dawn, January 7th, 2015

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