ISLAMABAD, April 20: None of the seven Rawalpindi-Islamabad based universities, declared autonomous under the Federal Universities Ordinance 2002, have responded to the Higher Education Commission (HEC) regarding formulation of their new administrative infrastructure.

Sources told Dawn that the HEC, soon after the promulgation of the ordinance, had circulated a notification among the universities to work out the new administrative infrastructure under the law. However, so far, he said, the commission had not received any response.

An official concerned at the Allama Iqbal Open University, one of the seven universities declared autonomous, said the university was yet to decide on the model university ordinance.

He said a special committee was constituted, but it was yet to hold its first meeting to discuss the law. However, with the growing controversy over the Legal Framework Order (LFO), under which the ordinance had been promulgated, the university was not taking it seriously.

Teachers, throughout the county, are protesting against the military government’s decision to make public sector universities independent. Therefore, the official said, there was a least possibility that the new law would be enforced.

When contacted, an HEC official said the commission had not set a deadline for the universities concerned to change their existing administrative set up in accordance with the ordinance.

Official concerned at the Quaid-i-Azam University said, so far, the university had not taken any steps in this regard. The university will decide its future course of action in line with other universities.

Under the ordinance promulgated by President Gen Pervez Musharraf on November 13, 2002, seven Rawalpindi-Islamabad based universities were given academic, financial and administrative autonomy.

These universities are Allama Iqbal Open University, National University of Modern Languages, Quaid-i-Azam University, Bahria University, Air University Islamabad, Federal Urdu University of Arts, Sciences and Technology Rawalpindi, National University of Sciences and Technology.

The universities will also have powers to employ officers, teachers and other employees on terms as may be prescribed.

A nominated senate will be the highest decision-making body, comprising vice-chancellor as its chairperson, one member of the government not below the rank of additional secretary from education ministry, four persons with distinction in the fields of administration, management, education, academics, law, accountancy, medicine, fine arts, architecture, agriculture, science, technology and engineering, one person from the alumni of the university, two persons from the academic community, four university teachers and one persons nominated by the commission.