The process for appointing the vice chancellor of Gilgit’s Karakoram International University has entered its final stage: the university’s senate has approved three of the five candidates shortlisted by the search committee. Their names will now be forwarded to Pakistan President and University Chancellor Asif Ali Zardari for final approval.
Sources close to Dr Raza Bhatti, head of the search committee constituted for the VC’s appointment, said the university’s senate has selected the following candidates: Higher Education Commission former executive director and Allama Iqbal Open University ex-VC Dr Ziaul Qayyum, the Malakand University’s Prof Dr Iftikhar Ahmed and Arid Agriculture University Dean Prof Rahmatullah Qureshi.
Their names will be sent to President Zardari, who will approve one of them as the VC. However, prior to this, intelligence clearance will be obtained for these candidates. Sources also revealed that among the five candidates shortlisted by the search committee for the VC post, Dr Zafar Ilyas and Dr Bakht Jehan’s names were also included. It is pertinent to mention here that the tenure of the university’s VC Dr Attaullah Shah had expired, following which Dr Abdul Razzaq was appointed as the acting VC.
