LAHORE: Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar has been given an additional charge to look after the affairs of the Information Technology University (ITU).

According to a notification of the Higher Education Department, Governor/Chancellor Chaudhry Sarwar gave the additional charge of the ITU VC to Dr. Niaz for a period of six months or till the appointment of a regular incumbent, in exercise of the powers vested in him under sub-section (9) of Section-11read with Sub-Section (4) of Section (9) of Information Technology University of the Punjab Act, 2012.

The PTI Punjab government in November last had removed Dr Umar Saif from the post of ITU vice-chancellor. Following Dr Saif’s removal, ITU School of Humanities and Social Sciences dean Prof Dr Akmal Hussain was given the charge of acting VC.

A couple of weeks after assuming the charge Prof Hussain refused to work as ITU VC.

“The ITU is primarily an information technology university. I have no expertise in this field, being a development economist,” said Dr Hussain in a letter to the Secretary, Punjab Higher Education Department.

Earlier, the Higher Education Department had constituted search committees for the University of Jhang, the University of Home Economics, Lahore, the Women University, Multan and the ITU, Lahore; on the direction of the previous government.

Published in Dawn, January 4th, 2019