Islamabad:A five-member delegation of the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Associations (FAPUASA), led by its President Dr Akhtiar Ghumro met with Chairperson of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr Niaz Akhtar to discuss critical issues facing public-sector universities and their faculty members across the country.
During the meeting, the delegation highlighted a number of important issues including enhanced funding for public sector universities, implementation of the BPS promotion policy, status of the pending TTS salary-increase case, restoration of the tax rebate, special research allowance for university teachers, abolition of the post-PhD experience condition for promotion, fill all vacant seats in universities, extension of the Disparity Reduction Allowance (DRA) and the release of payments for research journal subscriptions as well as increasing the internet bandwidth for universities.
FAPUASA emphasised that universities are facing serious financial challenges that are affecting academic activities, research, faculty development and institutional sustainability. The delegation urged HEC to continue advocating for increased funding and timely release of funds to ensure the smooth functioning of universities.
Dr Niaz briefed the teachers’ team on the efforts being made by HEC to address these issues. He reaffirmed HEC’s commitment to supporting public sector universities and facilitating the resolution of faculty-related concerns.
He emphasised that meaningful progress requires close cooperation between HEC, Vice-Chancellors, and FAPUASA, and stressed the importance of collective efforts to strengthen the higher education sector and overcome existing challenges.
The federation in a statement reiterated its committed to working with HEC, university leadership, and other stakeholders for the promotion of quality higher education, protection of faculty rights and strengthening of Pakistan’s universities.
