President Arif Alvi Requested To Appoint Uncontroversial University Heads

The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) has requested the president for appointment of uncontroversial heads in three Pakistani universities. The three universities are Quaid-e-Azam University, International Islamic University and Allama Iqbal Open University Islamabad. The ongoing probe against corruption in universities is highly publicized issue. Supreme Court and CJP have taken the matter very seriously, rapid actions have been taken place, and CJP himself took Suo Moto notice. FIA and NAB are ordered to investigate and give complete reports of the matter in the court first hand. The arrest of renowned VC of Sargodha University and other officials has further made this matter talk of the town. The news is making rounds in national and international media. There were complains of violation of legal authority, plagiarism, financial deformities, mismanagement, corruption, illegal building of campuses without consent of concerned gov department and admissions of controversial candidates without merit. The Vice Chancellors of these three world recognized universities are also under a lot of allegations. Dr Sohail Yousaf who is president of (FAPUASA), in the letter to President of Pakistan Mr Arif Alvi said, “It has been long standing demand by all the stakeholders to ensure appointment of vice chancellors/rectors through open, competitive and merit-based mechanism,”

The Root of the Problem

The current educational system of Pakistan is allegedly headed by most corrupted officials. Corruption, biased appointments and illicit financial use, have been found in Pakistani universities. In fact, the academic corruption is in rise. The Universities free their employs without any legal action taken, even if they have caught them red handed. It is giving boost to more illegal activities. One University to another, these corrupt officers keep getting jobs. Many such events have been taking place over many years. The research papers are plagiarized but still get accepted. Because those who are suppose to maintain accountability, are not accountable to anyone. It can be said, the higher Education System (HEC) of Pakistan has very poor check and balance system. Nepotism is practiced at an uncountable extent. The purpose of universities was to educate but now it can be easily concluded as money making. There are large amount of private and public Universities but still Pakistan is unable to produce same number of scholars who can compete with the world. This has deeply affected the teaching system and academic activities in Federal Universities Where the Universities Of all countries are continuously making progress every year, Pakistani Universities are slowly losing their position in world rankings. The root of this failing system is directly linked to appointment of corrupt and incapable Universities heads. Now, it has become a matter of grave concern. To finish this problem, the fundamental cause must be fixed which is non- merit appointment of VC’s. The new Government needs new rules and regulatory system in HEC, to rescue the education system from further decline. Furthermore, reformations in the current system and revising of merit for appointments must be done. HEC is spending massive amount for study abroad scholarships, when actually our national system needs more attention.