ISLAMABAD: Comsats University Islamabad (CUI) has informed the Ministry of Science and Technology that the services of a faculty member who had asked a controversial question in the English composition exam have been terminated.

According to a letter dated February 2 available with Dawn, the university administration said, “[An] inquiry against the content of the quiz of English Subject of BEE, 1st Semester Course Code HUM 100. I am directed to refer to the Ministry of Science and Technology letter dated January 19, 2023 on the above subject and convey that action on the matter has already been taken and the service of Lecturer (visiting faculty) has been terminated with effect from January 5, 2023.” It further said that faculty member has also been blacklisted.

It is relevant to note here that students of the Bachelor of Electric Engineering (BEE) of CUI were “shocked” to read a highly objectionable question in their recent English exam and were asked to write a 300 words essay on the topic.

When contacted, Additional Registrar Naveed Ahmed Khan confirmed that a “highly objectionable question” was asked to the students of the BEE English Composition paper.

He said that the rector called a meeting the next day and asked the faculty member to explain the motive behind asking students such a “stupid question”. The faculty member acknowledged his mistake and the CUI terminated his services, he added. “What more we could do.

His services have been terminated and the quiz has been retaken,“ he said and added that the faculty member plagiarised the question from Google.

Asked about the inquiry ordered by the Ministry of Science and Technology, he said that reply by the CUI has already been submitted to the ministry.

A faculty member said that the said incident was “highly shameful and it also exposed the examination system” of the university.

“Why did the examination department and concerned department remain oblivious to this question and why were the students asked a question like this,” he said and added that the management of the university swung into action when students raised this issue.

The faculty member, however, suspected that the services of the lecturer were terminated after the ministry took notice of the incident.

However, the additional registrar said the faculty member was sacked on January 5 while the ministry took notice on January 19. He added that the CUI’s reply was submitted to the ministry on Feb 2.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2023