The vice chancellors of public sector universities on Thursday rejected the proposed HEC amendment bill and have demanded that without the recommendations of the Task Force, established by the Prime Ministers High Powered Committee, HEC Act may not be amended.
The Vice chancellors views were expressed by them during a press briefing in Islamabad. They were of the view that all the relevant stakeholders should be taken on board regarding any legislative change in HEC Act including chancellors, provincial governments, vice chancellors, faculty and student associations and the Planning Commission. They also demanded that the Task Force may be notified at the earliest so that consultation process may be started without further delay. They appreciated the assurance of Federal Minister, Education and Training Sheikh Waqas Akram in a meeting held with the vice chancellors earlier.
The vice chancellors who interacted with the media included Prof Dr Mohammad Nizamuddin Vice-Chancellor University of Gujrat, Dr., Dr. Nasir Jamal Khattak Kohat University of Science & Technology (KUST) Kohat, Engr. Ahmed Farooq Bazai Vice Chancellor Balochistan University of Information Technology Engineering and Management Sciences Quetta, Prof. Dr. Najma Najam Vice Chancellor Karakoram International University Gilgit, Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan Vice-Chancellor University of Agriculture (UAF) Faisalabad, Dr. Ijaz Ahmad Malik Air Cdre (R), Vice Chancellor Air University Islamabad and Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad Vice-Chancellor, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi. Dr. Javaid R. Laghari Chairperson and Professor Dr Mukhtar Ahmed Executive Director Higher Education Commission Pakistan were also present on the occasion.
Earlier in a special meeting of Executive Committee of Vice Chancellors and during the 12th Vice Chancellors’ Committee meeting recently held at Islamabad, the Rectors and vice chancellors representing 137 public and private sector universities rejected the proposed bill and showed strong concern and expressed their apprehension that any legislation that takes away the dynamism and autonomy of HEC is going to be damaging to the higher education sector of the country. They were of the view that HEC is one institution which has functioned extremely well and has delivered during the last decade. The VCs noted that the universities have shown tremendous progress in the last decade and the HEC reforms are being followed by the other countries as a prototype.
They said that main factors for the excellent contribution by this organization are its autonomy and its management which is comprised of capable and highly qualified educationists and professionals and there is dire need to further strengthen this organization.