KARACHI, Jan 7: Sindh governor Dr Ishratul Ibad has said that the government is taking measures to ensure transparency in the affairs of universities. He was talking to Dr Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui, the newly appointed VC of Karachi University, and Zafar Saied Saify, the outgoing VC. They called on the governor at the governor's house on Tuesday. Dr Ibad presented a memento to Dr Saify in recognition of his services.

Dr Ibad said the government was making every effort to ensure a peaceful academic environment at educational institutions, and had evolved a detailed programme aimed at improving teaching and research facilities and financial management at the public sector universities.

Advisor to governor on higher education, Abdul wahab Sheikh and additional secretary to governor (universities) Maj (retd) Aftab Lodhi, were also present. Talking to Dawn, former vice-chancellor Dr Zafar Saied Saify, who was removed from his post before completing the sanctioned four-year tenure, said he was not discouraged at all due to the decision taken by the chancellor.

"Basically I am an academician and will continue to serve in that capacity at KU and other places. In addition to some research projects, including the drug addiction treatment research, I have got five PhD students to supervise at the KU Faculty of Pharmacy, which would surely be keeping me busy," he said and added that his association with the KU in various capacities was stretched over a period of 42 years, which in itself was a source of satisfaction to him.

He said he had no grudge against anybody, but would like to thank all those who extended support during his tenure as VC. To a question, he said that he did not come to the KU on Tuesday for a formal handing over of the charge as the new VC had agreed to defer that for some time.

However, the routine exercise was finally completed at the Governor's House on Tuesday night. Meanwhile, director of the KU evening programme, Dr Moinuddin Aqeel, has resigned from his post on Wednesday.

He handed over his resignation during a meeting with the new vice-chancellor. Dr Moinuddin, who is also chairman of the department of Urdu at the KU, told Dawn that he had tendered resignation of his own free will with the understanding that new VC would surely be selecting his own team.