VCs demand immediate release of funds

Terming the move to block funds of public sector universities a grave situation, the Central Committee of Vice Chancellors on Monday said inaction was not tenable anymore and demanded that issue be resolved immediately.
The Central Committee of Vice Chancellors, representing 74 public sector universities of Pakistan, held an emergency meeting in which the serious situation of the late release of fourth quarter funds of Rs 12 billion was discussed in detail.
As per budget allocations and commitment by the federal government for the financial year 2011-12, the last quarter installment of HEC was Rs 12 billion, Rs 6 billion for development and Rs 6 billion for for public sector universities. However this installment could not be released so far.
Owing to the delay in the promised funds, universities have been facing financial crunch for the last many years. Moreover, delay in development budget has also created adverse effects on over 100 ongoing projects.
The meeting was presided over by Engr Imtiaz Hussain Gilani, chairperson, Vice Chancellors’ Committee and attended by other office bearers.
The meeting resolved that the gravity of the situation and the simmering discontent was now becoming visible by the actions of staff associations. It demanded immediate release of funds, saying inaction was not tenable anymore.
“With all the turmoil the nation is going through we cannot afford agitation in universities which are home to more than one million students, getting quality education by a competent faculty of about 100,000,” the committee said.
The committee hoped that the newly elected prime minister would solve this serious problem faced by public sector universities.
It is relevant to note here that federal government, under its public sector development programme, has allocated Rs 15.8 billion for HEC for fiscal year 2012-13.
The proposed amount would be spent on 158 new and ongoing schemes of HEC. Educational experts have been showing concerns over proposed funds and demanding increase in funds for the country’s higher education sector.