THIS is with reference to the news item ‘PA condemns FUUAST’s decision to suspend admissions to Sindhi dept’ (Oct 6). The university teachers appreciate the timely move by the lawmakers.

However, even after the Sindh Assembly spoke in favour of the Sindhi department, the university’s administration is reluctant to release money for the publication of the Higher Education Commission-approved research journal, allowing students to continue with their studies in the department and release orders to mend the roof of the department.

Research programmes at the university have virtually ground to a halt.

This academic year (2018-2019) was also the worst in terms of admissions to the research programmes.

Owing to this, the university is now facing an acute shortage of teachers in various of departments, including the Sindhi.

A large number of teachers are employed on a contractual basis since 2011 — when the last selection board was held at the university.

The university advertised teaching posts in 2013 and 2017 but it has failed to conduct selection boards on these advertisements. The VC seems in no hurry to complete this task. We haven’t even had a proper convocation in nine years!

Many faculty members and support staff have been served with show-cause notices for raising their voice but they still continue to do so.

If education is the only way forward for our country, universities such as FUUAST, carry a silver lining.

Dr Irfan Aziz & Dr Iftikhar Ahmed Tahiri
Karachi

Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2019