News Desk:
In a move that has sparked widespread discontent among faculty members, the Vice Chancellor (VC) of BUITEMS has halted all study leave applications. Despite two months having passed since the decision, there remains no clarity regarding the future of study leave, leading to accusations of anti-teacher behaviour.
Harassment of Faculty on Study Leave:
Faculty members who are already on study leave have also been subjected to various forms of harassment. One notable case involves a faculty member pursuing a PhD in the United States, whose salary was abruptly stopped in May. The university justified this action by claiming unsatisfactory progress reports and introducing a new reporting format. Despite submitting reports in the required format, the faculty member continues to face objections.
Escalating Tensions:
The situation has reached a boiling point with the recent sending of an email to the US university president and supervisor, with a copy to the US ambassador, demanding a progress report. This move is widely seen as a blatant act of harassment and a deliberate attempt to sabotage the scholar’s career.
Impact on International Reputation:
The BUITEMS Staff Association believes that the university’s actions are not only harmful to individual scholars but also damaging to the institution’s and the country’s reputation. Such behaviour could create significant problems for Pakistani scholars studying abroad and may lead to diplomatic tensions.
