KARACHI, Sept 30: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan has ordered for appointment of two pro-vice chancellors at each of the public sector varsities in the province at the earliest, official sources said.
The governor was presiding over a meeting of the vice-chancellors and directors of degree-awarding institute at the Governor's House on Thursday. There would be two pro-vice chancellors for handling academic and administrative affairs at the big universities, while one at the smaller varsities, the sources added.
Under the government charter, universities are empowered to appoint one pro-vice chancellor with the approval of the governor, who is also chancellor of the universities, but only one of nine varsities in Sindh is having a pro-VC.
Amendments in the statutes of universities would also be required for appointment of two pro-VCs simultaneously, said a source, adding that the proposed appointments were likely to turn the vice-chancellor's posts, some of which were occupied by retired government servants, into ceremonial ones.
The chancellor asked each varsity to propose names of two persons within six weeks to him for appointing pro-vice chancellors. It was observed that in view of expansion of infrastructure and faculties at the universities under the Higher Education Commission programmes, it was necessary that vice-chancellors be provided with helping hands, a source privy to the meeting said.
Dr Ibad called for broadening of the counselling process for students at universities, and making them more result oriented. The vice-chancellors of the nine universities and one degree-awarding institute, the director of HEC, Dr Sohail Naqvi, advisor to governor, Abdul Wahab Shaikh and secretary to governor, Brig Akhtar Zamin, were present at the meeting.
Governor directed vice-chancellors to appoint more staff and other experts at the universities, if needed, for increasing interaction between teachers and students, which would ultimately make them more beneficial for the society.
In order to simplify the administrative and other affairs related to students, the governor also stressed on improving the website facilities at the universities. He also took notice of affairs of the colleges affiliated with the public sector varsities, and directed for regular inspection of those and observance of affiliation criteria.
He also directed the officials concerned to expedite the process of double entry accounting system. A committee, headed by director finance of the University of Karachi, was formed to furnish a report to the governor within three months on the accounting system.
PRICE CONTROL: The governor said that all possible steps would be taken to ensure the availability of items of daily use to the people and to control prices during the holy month of Ramazan, adds APP.
He said price control committees were being formed for the month, which would visit bazars and monitor the situation in the city. He warned that strict action would be taken against those indulging in price hike and hoarding.
The governor directed the concerned authorities to organize Bachat Bazars to provide essential items to the people on lower prices. He also issued instructions for maintaining smooth traffic movement during Ramazan, and asked the traffic police authorities to chalk out a clear strategy in this regard. Dr Ibad also stressed on improving sanitary conditions outside the places of worship.