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Educationists, academicians to recommend VCs appointment in Balochistan

by Quetta Voice Web Desk 0
Editorial: In a humiliating way, four vice-chancellors of public universities in Balochistan were removed by the Governor/Chancellor the other day. Although, violations of laws and rules are nothing new in Balochistan, the country's least-developed but resource-rich province. Without any inquiry or investigation, the VCs of the University of Balochistan, Balochistan Univesity of Information Technology Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS), Loralai University, and Lasbella Science and Marines University were removed from their positions. The sources within the Balochistan government cited the expiry of the tenure of the two VCs as the main reason behind the removal. However, the two VCs' tenure was scheduled to be expired in September and October this year. What was the reason behind this haste? The answer is simple. We are still alien to rules and regulations and consider our mighty official, political and social positions above the law. As per the Balochistan Universities Act 2022, the government can initiate an investigation against any VC in the case of corruption/moral corruption or illegal use of power. The government can only remove the said VC if allegations are proven against him. The Act clearly says that the VC has to be given the opportunity to defend himself against any allegations. Whereas, Governor Malik Abdul Wali Kakar removed all with a stroke of a pen without any investigation. Undoubtedly, there have to be no prolonged tenures of the VCs like Dr. Farooq Ahmed Bazai remained the VC for 17 years of the BUITEMS. He had to be changed. We have only an objection over the humiliating way, he was removed. There had to be a dignified and respectable way for the removal of VC who is also a teacher. No word from the government or Governor's house about the fate of VC Sardar Bahadur Khan (SBK) Women's University. There were repeated allegations against the VC SBK. Nevertheless, the VC SBK managed to meet the Governor and brief him about her university. The SBK has also been given the task to recruit 9000 teachers. Repeated complaints came about in the process of recruitment by the SBK and gives more answers than questions.
File Photo: Governor Balochistan, Syed Zahoor Ahmed Agha posing for a photograph with VC and students of BUITEMS: Photo provided by Governor's House

Syed Ali Shah, News Desk :

QUETTA: Balochistan Assembly adopted the universities model act 2022 on Tuesday. Under the newly passed act, educationists, academicians, and officers will recommend the appointment of Vice-Chancellors and Pro VCs in Balochistan. As per the 18th amendment, the Constitution has empowered the Chief Minister instead of the Governor to make appointments of VCs and Pro VCs in the province.

“Search committees would be formed to recommend VCs”, Zahoor Buledi, the former senior minister and higher education minister said. Mr. Buledi said the search committees would conduct appointments of VCs and Pro VCs on the basis of merit.

As per the newly adopted act, the Chairman of the Search Committee should be an eminent educationist with 25 years of research experience, and 20 years experience of in international publications. The provincial government would appoint the Chairman of the Search Committee. The provincial government was already providing Rs. 2.5 billion per annum through universities finance commission to all universities of Balochistan, Mr. Buledi informed.

Principal Secretary to Governor, Secretary Higher Education, others to be members

Principal Secretary to the Governor, Secretary Higher Education, an academician of eminence not employed by the same university, one member of the Senate of any university, one VC of any university to be nominated by the Chancellor would be members of the search committee.

The new act has empowered Chief Minister Balochistan to appoint the VCs and Pro VCs. Earlier, Governor/ Chancellor had the power to appoint VCs and Pro VCs in the province. However, the passage of the 18th amendment had empowered the Chief Minister to make appointments in this regard.

Nasrullah Zarai, Mitha Khan Kakar had expressed reservations over the act

Balochistan education minister, Mir Naseebullah Marri tabled the universities model act 2022, which was adopted by the house. However, Nasrullah Zarai of Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP) and Mitha Khan Kakar of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) had opposed the legislation and expressed reservations the other day.

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Quetta Voice is an English Daily covering all unfolding political, economic and social issues relating to Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province in terms of area. QV's main focus is on stories related to education, promotion of quality education and publishing reports about out of school children in the province. QV has also a vigilant eye on health, climate change and other key sectors.