Teachers slam extension in VC's tenure

Hyderabad: A four-year extension in the tenure of Dr Nilofer Shaikh as the Vice-Chancellor of Shah Abdul Latif University (Salu) is against the cannons of justice and fair play, besides undermining the tenets of constitution of equal opportunities. The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association is also against such a move.
President of the Shah Abdul Latif University Teachers' Association Dr Abdul Majeed Chandio, expressing disappointment at a press conference on Monday, appealed the withdrawal of the decision. The association sought the intervention of President,

Prime Minister and Chief Minister in the larger interest of the university and higher education.

It's amazing that 11 out of 12 universities in Sindh were running under the vice-chancellorship of retired officials which was a flagrant violation of merit, fundamental human rights, 1973 constitution and recommendations of the FAPUASA, he said.

He also called for winding up the committees formed during the regime of Pervez Musharraf for selection of the VCs of public

sector universities and appointment of in-service senior professors for the post.

Salu is the only university of Sindh catering to the needs of students of eight districts but unfortunately it lacked academic leadership right from the start, said Dr Chandio.

Appointment of search committees during Musharraf regime to identify leadership for universities comprise of retired professors and bureaucrats and these are active even after the elected government, he said adding that they normally

recommend their colleagues and retired VCs for the post of vice-chancellors.

Dr Nilofer Shaikh because of her clout was earlier appointed for four years as Salu's vice-chancellor and problems increased manifold during all these years, said Association's chief.

He demanded appointment of in-service PhDs as vice-chancellors.

He narrated alleged malpractices of Dr Nilofer Shaikh during her last tenure and accused her of favouritism and nepotism.

The finance director under the University Act was unfit for the job and prevailing situation of appointing a transport officer as

the deputy registrar academic was a proof to it, he said.

He alleged that she was patronising her sycophants in the field of research and at the cost of deserving teachers and similar policy was being followed in respect of granting foreign scholarship – in flagrant violation of the policies of Higher Education Commission. Appointment of retired officers as VCs was also violation of Supreme Court orders.

Prof Naimatullah Leghari, President of the FAPUASA's Sindh chapter and Prof Badar Soomro, President, Sindh University Teachers Association were also present at the press conference. Dawn.