KARACHI: Chairman Sindh Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr Asim Hussain has demanded that the search committee set up in connection with the appointment of vice-chancellors in government universities in Sindh be suspended and reorganized.
In a letter to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, the chairman of Sindh Higher Education Commission said that the recently appointed vice-chancellors by the search committee do not comply with the HEC standard.
“There is favouritism. I don’t have proof but there is definitely moral corruption and unfit people have been appointed vice-chancellors who carry baggage,” Dr Asim wrote in the letter.
Dr Asim further said that he had spoken to the secretary Universities and Boards but they refused to give him details about the people who applied for coveted positions.
The letter asked the Sindh chief minister to form an inquiry to be set up for the last few appointments of vice-chancellors and the functioning of search committee be put on hold till such time that was organised.
According to documents obtained by M.M News, Dr Akhtar Baloch has been appointed Vice-Chancellor of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University Lyari for the second term. Twelve Professors were shortlisted for the university’s vice-chancellor position.
All the other candidates were fully qualified while Dr. Akhtar Baloch’s administrative experience was less than 9 months as per the advertisement published by the search committee. Despite this, Akhtar Baloch was appointed Vice-Chancellor for the second time.
Meanwhile, Dr Lubna Baig and Dr Amjad Siraj were shortlisted for the post of Vice-Chancellor of Jinnah Sindh Medical College. However, Omar Farooq was reportedly removed from the list of Vice-Chancellor’s candidate despite being eligible.
It is worth mentioning here that under the 18th amendment, the education sector has been handed over to the provinces, but the PPP has not yet been able to activate its provincial higher education commission.
