ISLAMABAD, Aug 21: The Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) and the Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) are yet to get new vice- chancellors and are being run on a stopgap arrangement basis.

The AIOU vice-chancellor, Dr Syed Altaf Hussain, completed his four-year term in March, whereas the vice-chancellor of the QAU, Dr UAG Isani, left the institution in May.

Dr Hussain was given extension till the appointment of his successor; however, Dr Isani left the university and an acting VC is looking after the institution’s affairs.

The newly-constituted Vice-Chancellors Search Committee (VCSC) under the auspices of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has already conducted interviews of the potential candidates.

Earlier, the federal minister for education in his capacity as pro-vice chancellor of the public sector universities used to recommend names for the slot of vice-chancellors. However, President Gen Pervez Musharraf as chancellor of the public sector universities amended the selection procedure and constituted the VCSC.

Under the changed selection procedure, the VCSC after advertising the post and conducting interviews would recommend three names against one post to the chancellor, who will make the final selection.

According to sources at the AIOU and QAU, the VCSC has to make changes in its original recommendations, as an extensive lobbying was going on to grab the posts.

Requesting anonymity, a senior professor of the QAU said candidates having leverage in the presidency would make it to the posts as the president had the power to make final selection.