News Desk:
QUETTA: Chief Minister Balochistan, Mir Quddus Bizenjo approved the release of an Rs.2.5 billion grant-in-aid for 10 universities in the province. CM Bizenjo chaired a meeting, which reviewed the financial and administrative issues of the universities of Balochistan.
Vice-Chancellors of all universities participated in the meeting. Chief Secretary Balochistan, Abdul Aziz Uqaili also attended the meeting. The release of grant-in-aid has come after a protest by staff and faculty members of the University of Balochistan and Balochistan University of Information Technology Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS).
As per the set formula, the grant would be distributed among the universities in Balochistan, an official handout issued on Friday said. The VCs thoroughly briefed the CM about the financial and administrative issues in universities.
“Our future is linked with these universities”, CM
“Our future is linked with these universities”, Chief Minister Balochistan said. He said the present government has decided to do investment in the education sector to enable students to compete on national and international levels.
According to the formula of the National Finance Commission, the universities of the province should get a 9% share from the Higher Education Commission, it was agreed in the meeting. The share received from the Higher Education Commission to the universities of the province is 4.5 percent.
Universities to face a shortfall of Rs.2.9bs
Universities are facing financial problems due to not getting the full share. In total, the universities have to face a shortfall of 2.9 billion rupees annually. The total income of universities in terms of fees is 1.4 billion rupees, the VCs informed the meeting.
They mentioned that 3.4 billion rupees are received from the Higher Education Commission. The provincial government gives Rs 2.5 billion grants-in-aid.
The Chief Secretary along with the Vice Chancellors of major Balochistan universities will meet the Chairman HEC. Under the NFC award, the universities of the province will be discussed obtaining a grant according to a 9% share.
The chief minister will send a letter to the prime minister to increase the grant to Balochistan universities, it was decided in the meeting.
