LAHORE: A delay of almost two years in the nomination of pro vice chancellor at the Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan, despite over a dozen reminders by the Punjab Agriculture Department shows that the incumbent vice chancellor does not want to share his powers.

According to the MNSUA Act 2013, the chancellor shall nominate the proVC from among three senior-most professors of the university for a three-year term. The pro VC shall perform such functions as may be assigned to him under this act, statute or regulations.

The syndicate or the vice chancellor may assign any function to the proVC in addition to his duties as professor.

The act also states that “if the office of the VC is vacant or the VC is absent or is unable to perform the functions of the VC owing to any cause, the pro VC shall perform the functions of the vice chancellor but, if at any time, the office of pro VC is also vacant or the pro-vice chancellor is absent or is unable to perform the functions of the VC owing to any cause, the chancellor shall make such temporary arrangements for the performance of the duties of the VC as he may deem fit.”

Agriculture dept sends 15th reminder

The pro VC is a permanent member of the syndicate and selection board of the university and also heads the committee of deans. The pro VC is also supposed to head the university in the absence of the vice chancellor.

The agriculture department section officer (R&E) Fakhar Iqbal issued the 15th reminder under the subject of nomination of pro-vice chancellor to its VC.

The notification available with Dawn states: “I am directed to refer to this department’s letter .... on the subject of noted above wherein it was requested to furnish the case for nomination of pro-vice chancellor as the governor’s secretariat is pressing hard for the same but the same has not yet been received till date on January 18.

Addressing the VC, it further states that you are again requested to kindly furnish the case for nomination of pro-VC, for placing it before the governor/chancellor, for his orders.

Punjab University former pro-VC Saleem Mazhar says there are five to six pro vice chancellors in international universities but the vice chancellors here are reluctant to appoint even a one professor.

He says the pro-vice chancellor helps the vice chancellor in running administrative and academic matters of the university and is available in VC’s absence.

He says a single person/vice chancellor can’t fully run the affairs of a university.

MNSUA VC Dr Asif Ali claimed the nominations for the appointment of pro-vice chancellor was sent to the department once or twice but they were sent back.

He said he had nominated three senior professors, including Prof Dr Shafqat Saeed, Prof Dr Ishtiaq Tiwana and Prof Dr Irfan Baig.

He said they would again send the nominations to the department for appointment of the pro-vice chancellor soon.

Published in Dawn, January 19th, 2023