ISLAMABAD: Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar on Tuesday assumed the charge as Vice Chancellor, Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU). The President of Pakistan, being Chancellor of the University some days ago had appointed him as VC of the university for a period of four years.

Dr Niaz joined the QAU in troubling times, when university is closed for indefinitely because of a scuffle took place on campus last month, which left two dozens students injured.

Following the last months fight amongst students, the management of the university decided to close the university.

Later, over 70 students were expelled including revoking degrees of some ex students for their involvement in the incident.

Meanwhile, the university management had also got all hostels vacated before cancelling all allotments and later it was decided that allotments will be made afresh and preferences will be given to female students.

Against the university’s decision of expelling students and cancelling hostels allotments, group of students of QAU who are in Islamabad on Tuesday also protested on the premises of the university.

While, the new VC had to face their brief protest on first day and students asked him to resolve their issues. The new VC told them that he would look into their issues.

QAU management is planning to reopen university from next week, however, final decision is yet to be made.

According to QAU’s spokesperson, Dr Akhtar is an accomplished scholar and academician with a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the esteemed University of Leeds, UK, and an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Punjab.

Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2023