THE University of Karachi’s Centre of Excellence in Marine Biology is these days facing a significant crisis due to financial mismanagement, resulting in serious hardships for employees and retirees.

For nearly two years, staff members have been subjected to irregular payment schedules, with salaries and pensions often not being paid in full. This troubling situation arises from the centre’s claims of lack of sufficient funding from the Higher Education Commission (HEC) in Islamabad.

The financial constraints highlight the urgent need for increased financial support to ensure academic and administrative functionality.

On its part, the centre should prioritise the development of self-sustaining income streams by exploring diverse avenues. This includes establishing collaborative partnerships with the fisheries and seafood industries to enhance the economic viability of marine resources.

As such, by focussing on value-adding processes for seafood products, such as refining processing techniques or imp-roving packaging, the centre can create high-quality offerings that meet market demands.

Furthermore, engaging in consultative work with the relevant stakeholders in marine biology, environmental conser-vation and related fields can provide additional revenue while extending the centre’s influence in the industry.

Additionally, it is essential to update the existing curriculum to align with contemporary trends in marine biological research and its practical applications.

This involves integrating advanced topics and emerging technologies in marine science into the syllabus, ensuring that all students are equipped with the knowledge and skills that are relevant to current and future challenges in the field.

Dr Javed Mustaquim
Karachi

Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2025