ISLAMABAD: The Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) on Sunday decided to suspend on-campus academic activities due to protest by students.

Last week, students protested against the management of QAU for what they called massive increase in fees.

The university, sources said, came to know that more protests will be held from Monday. To avoid the protests, the university on Sunday decided to suspend on-campus activities and go for online classes.

A notification issued by QAU stated that in reference to the disruption and closure of the university amid protest by some miscreants, QAU will continue all academic activities online till further orders.

The notification said fee submission deadline had already been extended till October 5, and students were required to submit their fee in any branch of HBL or Askari Bank across Pakistan and report to the respective departments, failing which they will not be able to register for the Fall Semester 2021.

“Students are advised to contact their respective departments for collection of fee challans and online registration of the courses,” read the notification.

Earlier on Friday, dozens of students protested against the fee hike for BS first semester.

When contacted, QAU vice chancellor Dr Mohammad Ali said that to avoid ‘politically motivated protest’, the university had decided to suspend on-campus activities for the time being. He said that no fee was increased for the existing students rather new students are required to pay 5pc increased fee from upcoming semester.

“There is no fee hike. As per the university Act, every year we increase five per cent fee to meet expenses. This year too, we made a five per cent increase for first semester of students who are yet to join. So what is justification of these protests,” he said and added that currently enrolled students have already been given 20pc fee rebate due to online classes.

“We are ready to listen and resolve any genuine issue of students. But we will not consider any illogical demand from students as maintaining discipline in country’s top ranked university is our main priority and we will not compromise,” the VC said.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2021