LAHORE: Ad hocism has hit the Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) as some posts of deans have been lying vacant for several years.

Two of four faculties of the university are functioning without regular deans. Economics head Prof Dr Mariam Wasif is looking after the matters of faculty of management and administrative sciences on an ad hoc basis. Same is the case with faculty of natural sciences which is being looked after by chemistry head Prof Dr Bushra Khan.

The posts of deans of these faculties have been lying vacant for almost eight years. According to sources, the vice chancellor had appointed in-charge of these faculties instead. The appointment of deans is prerogative of the governor/chancellor according to the University Act.

“Head of biotechnology Dr Shagufta Naz has been appointed to another [statutory] post of director research on an ad hoc basis. The Higher Education Commission has recommended disciplinary action against her on a false plagiarism complaint lodged by her,” a source seeking anonymity says.

The slot of chief security officer has also been lying vacant.

Similarly, the sources say Director University Advancement and Financial Aid Adbul Ghaffar Ali has been holding the post of treasurer since Feb 10, 2015. As per the University Act, treasurer is appointed by the governor/chancellor.

Two important posts -- registrar and controller of examinations -- have also been filled on an ad hoc basis.

“Additional Registrar Uzma Batool Magsi has been holding the post of registrar on an ad hoc basis for the last four years. Similarly, head of environmental sciences Prof Dr. Tahira Aziz Mughal has been holding the post of controller of examinations on an ad hoc basis for the last five years,” the source said.

The vice chancellor had reconstituted the harassment committee which is prerogative of the syndicate only as per policy guidelines of HEC.

“The formation of the committee is in clear violation of HEC policy guidelines according to which it must have gender balance while the panel constituted by the VC has five females and only one male member,” he says.

Talking to Dawn, LCWU Vice Chancellor Uzma Qureshi says the university has completed the appointment of 25 regular heads of all departments and will soon appoint directors after getting approval from the syndicate.

She claims the process of appointment of deans is under way. “One dean has been appointed. Legal formalities for the appointment of other two are being met.”

Commenting on the regular controller (examination) and treasurer, the VC says both the additional in-charges have got stay orders from the court and “we are waiting for the decision.”

She says the post of the chief security officer has been advertised. To a question, she says the syndicate of the university is complete.

She claims the harassment committee is working as per the guidelines of the HEC and there has been no violation in its composition.

The VC says as per direction of the HEC she has also served notice on the head of biotechnology for filing a false complaint about plagiarism. “We have time and again written to the chancellor to appoint a regular registrar and it is under process.”

Published in Dawn, December 13th, 2017