LAHORE: Participants in a conference on “The challenges of academic governance, achieving excellence and equity in higher education” made a commitment to promote awareness about the two per cent minorities quota.

The University of Home Economics in collaboration with Bargad organisation for youth development organised a second vice-chancellors conference.

Punjab Minister Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Punjab Higher Education Commission Chairperson Prof Dr Shahid Munir, VCs and representatives of 17 public sector universities along with experts and representatives from marginalised communities, including minorities, attended the event.

Mr Khan said the government’s special quotas had resulted in the inclusion of minorities youth in the mainstream of higher education. He said the PEEF scholarships programme was initiated to help the marginalised communities.

He announced the government’s plan to hold an international education conference, international sports gala, national talent hunt programme, regular briefings with VCs, and promotion of technical education. He also urged the VCs to ensure implementation of the HEC anti-harassment policy.

PHEC Chairperson Prof Munir said that statutory bodies of the universities must be functional in order to improve academic governance. He announced that the commission would hold monthly round table conferences with the VCs to solve issues of governance and academic excellence.

UHE VC Prof Dr Kanwal Ameen emphasised the social and cultural acceptance of equality of students from marginalised communities on campuses. She said there was a need to ensure widespread awareness of available quotas for minorities, and to review academic policy to address issues of equity.

She said experts should introduce a minorities-friendly curriculum in the country that protects the beliefs of all citizens.

Bargad Executive Director Sabiha Shaheen stressed the need for inclusive development in higher education. This is also aligned with Pakistan’s commitments made under the sustainable development goals 4, 5, 10 and 16 which aim at quality education, gender equality, reduced inequality, and peace, justice and strong institutions.

VCs Prof Dr Zakria Zakar, Dr Bushra Mirza, Dr Saima Hamid, Dr Rukhsana Kausar, Dr Robina Farooq, Prof Dr Saiqa Imtiaz Asif, Prof Dr Talat Naseer Pasha, Prof Dr Muhammad Afzal, Dr Abdul Sattar Shakir, and Pro-VC Prof Maroof Aziz Khan participated in a round table discussion.

The VCs made a commitment to promote awareness about the 2pc minorities quota and urged for the inclusion of professionals in the university syndicates, removing bureaucratic hurdles, promoting academic freedom and teacher-student ties, digitisation, community engagement, and sharing resources among universities.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2022