KARACHI, Nov 30: The Sindh Governor, Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, on Tuesday said that persons from outside the faculty, including army personnel, could be inducted as pro-vice chancellors into public sectors universities of the province provided their names were recommended by the respective vice-chancellors.

Replying to questions of newsmen during a talk after the annual convocation of the NED University of Engineering and Technology, the governor said that the VCs of the universities had already been asked to send their recommendations for appointment of pro-VCs. The process would be completed in due course of time, he added.

Under university rules, VCs are required to forward three names for consideration, and the chancellor - the governor of Sindh - would finally okay one name for the post of pro-VC.

To a question, the governor said that the institution of pro-VCs, who could also be from outside the university faculty or from in-service or retired army personnel, was aimed at providing a helping hand to the VCs, particularly at universities, which were in the process of expanding academic activities or were undertaking development work of advanced level.

The governor spoke about changes being effected in the curricula of various levels and observed that those were in line with the desire to make the system competitive and similar to that practised globally. He informed that the government wanted to initiate problem-based teachings at medical colleges in the province.

To another question, he said that establishment of the Aga Khan educational board would surely develop a trend of competition among government sponsored educational boards in the country.

He said that the proposed national testing service could provide a good system for public examinations, adding it could also be adopted by the government controlled educational boards of Sindh, only when they (the boards) found it practically viable and catering to the needs and matching capabilities and potentials of the students concerned. "Things cannot be changed just for the sack of change, without any evaluation," he pointed out.

He said the new educational board at Mirpurkhas would be made functional very soon. While regarding the present status of the Dawood College of Engineering and Technology, he said it would remain unchanged for the time being.