KARACHI, Jan 13: Karachi University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Pirzada Qasim has assured the teachers that the varsity would gradually be brought out of prevailing ad hocism and efforts would be made to establish rule of law at the campus.

He was speaking at a function organized by the KU teachers' society to welcome him as new VC. He announced that although the varsity code authorizes the VC to take unilateral decisions on behalf of the statutory bodies, he would like to see that the University Syndicate and Academic Council hold regular meetings and take collective decisions for solution of problems.

He said he had a single-point agenda of leading the alma mater to the heights of excellence, which he intended to accomplish with the active support of his colleagues and seniors at the varsity.

He said he believed in openness and would not like to see his colleagues feeling a sort of suffocation at the campus. Dr Pirzada said that teachers and students were the most important components at the varsity and the administration must consider their opinion before taking any decision for effective management.

He assured the teaches that he had a clear perception of the prevailing problems and difficulties and would take appropriate actions to solve them.

He announced that long-standing demands of the teachers regarding promotions in grade-21, grant of leave encashments, and process of filling up vacancies, would be fulfilled soon.

Earlier, KUTS President Professor Dr Sohail Barakati welcomed the new VC and expressed the hope that under Dr Pirzada the varsity would perform well in higher education and research.

He said the teachers were always prepared to cooperate with the varsity administration in its efforts to bring about improvements. KUTS secretary Prof Sarwar Nasim demanded of the new VC to initiate inquiry against all those who misused their power and launched a vilification campaign against teachers during the tenure of the former vice-chancellor. Vice-President Dr Zahida Maqsood also spoke on the occasion.-PPI