The acting vice chancellor of the University of Karachi, Prof Dr Muhammad Tufail, has begun taking a series of significant administrative and financial decisions at the institution, some of which he has not implemented at the NED University of Engineering and Technology, where he serves as the regular vice chancellor.
It has been learnt that Dr Tufail has constituted a three-member committee, headed by the KU registrar, to consider providing jobs to the children of university employees who died while in service.
Interestingly, recruitment has reportedly remained suspended at NED University since 2012, and no appointment has so far been made there against the quota for the children of employees who died during service.
Despite the precarious financial condition of Karachi University, fee concessions under different heads have also been granted to university employees and research scholars enrolled in MPhil and PhD programmes. At NED University, however, such concessions are reportedly available to employee-researchers only if they perform teaching duties for a specified period.
A number of administrative changes have also been made at KU. Additional Registrar Arman was removed from his post after he reportedly opposed the promotion of BPS-17 employees to higher grades without holding a selection board.
Dr Tafseer was removed as the incharge of the Semester Cell, while Dr Zahid Ahmed Pirzada was appointed director of the Quality Enhancement Cell. Lecturer Kashif Riaz was appointed adviser on transport.
Meanwhile, Karachi University has prohibited teachers from travelling within the country or abroad and taking leave during the teaching session and semester for personal reasons, including the illness of relatives and the performance of Umrah. Study, maternity, Hajj and Iddat leave has, however, been exempted from the restriction.
Ironically, Dr Tufail himself left for a foreign visit after the restriction was imposed. Following his departure, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy Prof Dr Haris Shoaib was given the charge of the office of KU vice chancellor. Before Dr Tufail’s departure, The News approached him for his version and asked why far-reaching decisions were being taken when he had only been assigned the additional charge of the KU vice chancellor’s office. He was informed that the search committee had already shortlisted three candidates and forwarded their names for clearance, while the appointment of a regular KU vice chancellor was expected within the next few days.
Dr Tufail was also asked about the increase in employees’ salaries, issuance of a new contract, convening of the Academic Council meeting, transfers and postings, and other decisions that would ordinarily be expected to be taken by a regular vice chancellor. He did not respond to the questions.
