Shortlisting for HEC chief delayed

Educationists across the country are waiting for a decision from a committee formed by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi for picking a panel of three candidates for the office of the chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC).

Headed by educationist Babar Ali, the committee has almost completed its task of finalising three names for the post and spent a lot of time choosing three candidates from a list of 97.

The post of HEC chairman has been vacant since April 14 when Dr Mukhtar Ahmed completed his four-year term.

During his term, Dr Ahmed made efforts to bring improvements in the higher education sector but his tenure left a mixed legacy of achievements and failure on certain fronts.

Notified in the last week of January, the committee took a long time picking the best candidate.

Sources said the committee also cleared a number of candidates from the National Accountability Bureau and other agencies.

“Six names have been finalised from which three will be sent to the prime minister,” a source said, adding that though the committee was tasked with picking three names, some think they should send more than that.

“There should be no further delay. This important post has been vacant for several weeks,” an HEC official said.

The committee consists of eminent educationists including Syed Babar Ali, Dr Sania Nishtar, former lawmaker Shahnaz Wazir Ali, Faisal Bari, Mirza Qamar Baig and secretary ministry of federal education.

According to sources, eminent educationist Dr Tariq Banuri, former chairman HEC Dr. Mukhtar, Punjab Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr Mohammad Nizamuddin, Comsats Executive Director Dr Junaid Zaidi, former University of Agriculture Faisalabad vice chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan, Sindh Madressatul Islam University VC Dr Mohammad Ali Sheikh are among the candidates being considered for the post.

Air University hosts open house event

More than 500 engineering and computer sciences students of the Air University presented their final year projects at the varsity’s annual open house event.

The projects were related to the fields of information technology, robotics and industrial automation, healthcare, power sector, energy sector, telecom and electronics.

The chief guest at the event was the founder and chairman of the Rastgar Group, Imtiaz Ali Rastgar.

He visited the various stalls with the varsity’s vice chancellor, retired AVM Faaiz Ahmed and said he hoped the event will strengthen industry-academia partnership.

He lauded the hard work of the students. A total of 144 projects were showcased during the open house.

Mr Amir said the open house serves as a platform for showing students how to utilise their potential.

He said a strong link between the industrial sector and academia is the most important factor to ensure national development. The event concluded with a prize distribution ceremony. Representatives from 24 renowned companies were also attending the open house.

Published in Dawn, May 11th, 2018