KARACHI, Jan 14: The first vice-chancellor of newly established Dow University of Medical and Health Sciences, Dr Masood Hameed Khan, assumed responsibilities of new office on Wednesday.

The chancellor of the public sector varsities in the province, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, had promulgated the ordinance pertaining to the second public sector medical university on Dec 27, while Dr Hameed was named as vice- chancellor of the university on Jan 3. However, a formal notification was delayed for over one week.

The vice-chancellor told Dawn that after receiving necessary notification on Wednesday, he first gave his joining as Principal of Dow Medical College in the morning and then assumed as the duties of vice-chancellor in the afternoon.

The post of principal at Dow Medical College had fallen vacant on Jan 5 when the then principal Dr Tipu Sultan resigned his post in protest against the appointment of Dr Masood Hameed Khan as the first vice-chancellor. At present, under the ordinance, the new university comprises three constituents academic units-DMC, Sindh Medical College and Ojha Institute of Chest Diseases and as such services of staff of these institutions stand transferred to the new university.

Dr Masood Hameed said that at present he would maintain his office at DMC.He said that appointments of a pro-vice chancellor and director finance would also be finalized by the chancellor in due course of time, while posts of registrar, controller of examination and others would be advertised in the shortest possible time.

However, he added that formation of the syndicate, a statutory body of the university, and making it functional was on the top of agenda. He said it was expected that elections from teachers constituency for the syndicate would be completed within two weeks.