ISLAMABAD: The Inter University Consortium for Promotion of Social Sciences (IUCPSS), Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) and other organisations have presented an 18-point agenda to reform the higher education sector in Pakistan for the consideration of all political parties.

The agenda calls for merit-based transparent appointments of vice chancellors through independent academic search committees consisting of eminent academicians, discouraging ad-hoc appointments and the culture of extensions in the higher education sector, the effective implementation of the 18th Amendment and the decision of the Council of Common Interests regarding the higher education sector, the allocation of 4pc of the GDP for education and 25pc of the total allocated budget for education to the higher education sector.

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Promoting quality teaching and research, ensuring the autonomy of universities and academic freedom on university campuses, the formulation of syndicates/senates/BOGs on modern principles of governance of universities keeping a balance between internal and external members, the restoration of student unions and ensuring effective representation of elected representatives of faculty in statutory bodies, i.e. university syndicate, senate and academic council etc. are also part of the agenda.

These organisations are also demanding the promotion of peace, tolerance, culture of dialogue and co-existence on university campuses through the strengthening of student societies and paying special attention towards social sciences, arts and humanities, the inclusion of stakeholders in policy formulation in the higher education sector, independent assessment/evaluation of various higher education policies, the development of roadmaps for strengthening higher education at national and provincial levels.

IUCPSS National Coordinator Murtaza Noor said that a delegation of partner organisations will meet senior leaderships of political parties for the inclusion of this reform agenda in their election manifestos.

FAPUASA Central President Dr Kaleem Ullah said he hoped that the implementation of the agenda will be helpful in improving the state of higher education in Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2018