ISLAMABAD: The heads of three major public sector universities of the federal capital are going to retire in the next

two months upon completion of their tenures.

The universities are Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) and International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI).

However, the education ministry is yet to advertise the posts for making new appointments.

In October 2018, after getting approval of the prime minister, the ministry notified Prof Dr Mohammad Ali as vice chancellor (VC) of QAU, Prof Dr Ziaul Qayyum as VC of AIOU and Dr Masoom Yasinzai was appointed rector of IIUI. These educationists are going to retire in the next two months.

As per procedure, the ministry advertised posts and a high powered search committee conducted interviews of candidates and then, the names of shortlisted candidates are sent to the Prime Minister’s Office for approval.

“All these three appointments should be made well before time to avoid delay in appointment. In case of delay, the universities would be without their regular heads and would suffer administratively and academically,” said a university teacher.

On the other hand, additional secretary, Ministry of Education, Waseem Ajmal said that the ministry had already started the process and appointment of new heads of the universities would be made well before time.

“In the next few days, an advertisement will appear in press. Whereas, a search committee has already been formed, however, some new names are yet to be added to it. Soon, new names would be added,” Mr Ajmal said.

Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2022