KARACHI, Dec 22: Governor of Sindh, Dr Ishratul Ibad, has exhorted the universities to keep trying various options, without fearing the consequences, which may ensure perfection and help dispel wrong perceptions.

He was giving the concluding remarks at the fourteenth meeting of Karachi University’s Senate which was held on Monday at the Sheikh Zayed Islamic Research Centre.

The well-attended meeting, which was held after a gap of about three years, witnessed some heated arguments and counter-arguments. Those present deliberated upon all the items on the agenda and took decisions accordingly.

While reviewing the annual statement of accounts, however, the chair remarked that the same was being approved subject to the condition of reconciliation and audit, said a source privy to the meeting.

Meanwhile, in his formal speech the governor, who is also the chancellor of the public-sector universities in the province, observed that universities should work to protect and safeguard values and heritage existing physically or in the minds of people.

He said the universities had got tremendous roles to play and in so doing these should not succumb to pressures or expediencies. Emphasizing the role of the universities and faculties, he said both should act as role models since what they imparted to the students was what ultimately trickled down to the society.

The governor welcomed different educational projects being executed at Karachi University under the Public-Private Partnership.

Earlier during the meeting, he expressed dissatisfaction over the financial affairs of the university and called for making the system fool-proof and transparent. He held that the senate meeting be organized before the start of a new financial year and every matter be discussed at appropriate forums.

It was resolved during the meeting that the senate would meet twice a year, that is in May and December, while the finance and planning committees would hold meetings in May, September and February each year.

The chair was also concerned at the university’s failure in getting electrical connection under a non-commercial tariff. He set up a committee, under Shamim Junejo, a member of the syndicate, which would handle the dealings with the utility agency and report on it to the governor within a month’s time.

The governor also ordered that PhD allowance be granted to all the deserving people without discrimination. House-building loans should also be extended to the employees and payment of leave encashment to teachers should be allowed.

Referring to the attitude of some teachers during the meeting, the governor remarked that they should not react in an immature manner. Teachers were supposed to be mature people and they should maintain a role model temperament, and not that of a “Jagga Badmash”.

The vice chancellor of Karachi University, Dr Zafar S. Saify, told newsmen that the quorum requirements for the meetings of Board of Faculties had been relaxed. He added that the statute of Institute of Mass Communications could not be approved.

In the meantime, some students staged a demo outside the Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre. They were protesting against the alleged manhandling of teachers, use of unfair means during degree exams and some objectionable appointments, adds PPI.