LAHORE: Over 100 faculty members of the Lahore University of Management Science (LUMS) have objected to its vice-chancellor’s decision of sacking a provost, who had shown disagreement over removal of Law School Faculty dean.

According to sources, VC Arshad Ahmed had asked Provost and Chief Academic Officer Dr Farhat Haq to remove Law School Faculty Dean Sadaf Aziz as he wanted to appoint a foreigner against the post.

However, a source claimed that the provost did not agree with the VC and instead asked him to increase the salary of Ms Aziz to bring her on a par with other faculty deans. But, the VC showed displeasure and took the decision of sacking the provost on Dec 10 (the same day), the source said. The VC had earlier also asked Ms Haq to tender her resignation but she refused, the sources added.

The VC did not took calls and ignored a text message by this reporter for his stance.

Meanwhile, as many as 130 members of different faculties at LUMS have written to the VC to withdraw his decision of sacking Provost Ms Haq.

In the letter, the faculty members said the manner in which LUMS terminated Dr Haq’s contract violated her dignity and respect.

It says Dr Haq’s termination appears arbitrary, without cause, and unfair. Even the members of the VC Council find the process to dismiss her opaque. Moreover, LUMS did not inform the deans, vice provost, and members of the university council about the cause of her dismissal.It states, in fact, the VC’s email to the LUMS community acknowledges that Dr Had has critically contributed to issues of health and safety, teaching excellence, and faculty career progression in her short time as provost.

It states if left unaddressed, the perception of arbitrariness and lack of due process will damage the sanctity of LUMS’s appointments and tenure process and its ability to recruit and retain quality faculty and administrators. This perception also adversely influences how the VC, university, and school councils function since it suggests that those who dissent or disagree will likely bear serious repercussions. Such risks affect the morale of faculty, staff, and administrators, particularly the female colleagues, it mentions.

It states, the dismissal of LUMS’s first female senior administrator, reinforces the feeling that the university discriminates based on gender. Gender-based hostility is an issue raised repeatedly by female faculty members, it adds.

It also questions the absence of any mechanism to acknowledge, investigate, and safeguard against gender-based and other forms of discrimination.

It says Dr Haq’s dismissal and the lack of dignity and respect afforded to her has shaken LUMS’ ethical foundations, jeopardising its governance structure, stated values and mission, and image in Pakistan and abroad.

The faculty members seek immediate convening of the university council to share the process and cause for Dr Haq’s dismissal and in case of it failing to explain the VCs action, they want her reinstated as provost.

Published in Dawn, December 19th, 2021