ISLAMABAD: The issue of an objectionable question paper at Comsats University Islamabad (CUI) echoed in the Senate as a couple of lawmakers raised their voice following which the matter was referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Education.

Senators Mushtaq Ahmed and Dr Zarqa Suharwardy showed their concern over the question paper, saying that the question was against social and cultural norms and demanded a proper investigation into the matter.

After hearing their points of view, the Senate deputy chairman referred the matter to the standing committee for investigation.

Last month, the CUI had terminated the services of a visiting lecturer and blacklisted him for giving an objectionable question to students of the Bachelor of Electric Engineering first semester who were shocked to read it.

The issue remained among the top trends on social media on Monday.

Meanwhile, a press release issued by Comsats on Monday said the matter dated Jan 5, 2023, regarding an objectionable quiz was highlighted on social media recently.

The university has always taken academic integrity seriously. In the instant case, a visiting faculty hired temporarily for a semester used inappropriate and unethical content in a quiz, the press release said, adding that being not in line with the values and norms of any educational institution, the university acted as per rules and regulations by sacking the visiting faculty and blacklisting him for any future employment at the CUI.

The university said a visiting faculty was hired on temporary basis to teach two courses for Fall 2022 semester.

The matter regarding the unethical content in the quiz of the subject, English Comprehension and Composition, was reported by the head of Department of Humanities, CUI Islamabad Campus on Jan 5.

The press release said a meeting was convened on the same day under the convenorship of the CUI rector where it was observed that the contents of the quiz were highly objectionable and unethical.

As per practice, final and mid-term exams are submitted in sealed envelopes by a faculty member to the head of the department. However, “quizzes” announced or unannounced are conducted by a faculty member during the scheduled classes without any external moderation, similar to any other university, press release said.

It further said in the specific instance, the quiz (not exam) was given solely by the visiting faculty member as per practice.

Published in Dawn, February 21st, 2023