The Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training on Friday appreciated the Sindh government’s allocation of over Rs32billion for the higher education, noting that it is the only funding the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Sciences, and Technology (FUUAST) has received.
The Senate Standing Committee chaired by Senator Bushra Anjum Butt met here at Parliament House, also emphasized that the issues faced by students, workers, and retired employees at the FUUAST remain unresolved and demand immediate attention.
Senator Bushra Anjum Butt emphasized the need for a time-bound system to resolve the recurring issues of FUUAST, adding that proper systems are crucial to ensuring smooth operations and addressing challenges effectively.
Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) apprised the committee that while an administrative allowance exists, persistent issues such as law and order disruptions and ongoing excuses about lack of resources hinder progress.
Uncollected funds allocated for colleges continue to grow, and the university’s failure to provide accurate data exacerbates internal and governance-related problems, he added.
The Chairperson of the Committee commented that across the country, similar challenges persist at universities, with provinces not taking responsibility, and salaries remaining unpaid. She said an audit policy, including both external and internal audits, is urgently needed.
Additionally, interim Vice Chancellors should either have time-bound tenures or this practice should be reconsidered, as acting positions often cause significant challenges, she maintained.
Senator Bushra emphasized the need to eliminate the interim Vice Chancellor position entirely and proposed forming a dedicated committee to develop actionable solutions. Proper resource allocation is essential to addressing these persistent issues effectively, she stated.
The Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training suggested that the Federal Ombudsman, the Vice Chancellor, and the HEC collaborate to resolve the matter, a suggestion which was endorsed by Senator Bushra. The issue was subsequently disposed of.
Senator Ahsan called for clear guidelines to govern student unions. He emphasized that although restrictions have been in place for 40-50 years, they have not been effectively enforced. He advocated for the restoration of student unions in educational institutions.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Balochistan, Quetta, addressed concerns regarding nepotism and personal bias in the regularization of employees appointed on a contract basis.
He explained that 10 individuals, who had been at the university for at least five years, requested regularization. The Governor’s House has granted approval for this, and discussions are ongoing to address issues of regularization and promotions.
The Deputy Chairman of the Senate questioned why 24 individuals had been excluded from the process, based on their eligibility criteria. He stressed the need to resolve the matter within a month and emphasized a collective approach, as directed by the Head.
The Chairperson of the Committee agreed, stating that a maximum of three weeks will be allocated to address the issue.