Sindh university professor transferred over sexual harassment case

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JAMSHORO: University of Sindh Jamshoro Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Fateh Muhammad Burfat has transferred an associate professor of the English department from the Allama I.I. Kazi Campus Jamshoro to Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Campus Dadu in the interest of a fair investigation in an ongoing case of sexual harassment.

Associate Professor Dr Faraz Ali Bughio has been transferred to Dadu campus with immediate effect. The decision comes following complaints from female students, belonging to the Institute of English Language and Literature department, of sexual harassment by their teachers.

Earlier the Supreme Court took notice of the students’ allegations and summoned a report from the university registrar by November 7. According to the students’ application, the teachers prevented submission of students’ theses if they refused to respond to their advances.

The institution’s registrar has claimed that the harassment cell had begun investigations into the matter before the Supreme Court had taken notice of the allegations.

SU VC calls upon stakeholders to foil intrigues against varsity

Vice Chancellor Dr Burfat has called upon all stakeholders to join hands and defeat the slander being plotted against the historical university.

Talking to media persons in his office, he said that all the girl students at Sindh University were like his own daughters, whose safety and security were his prime obligation.

He expressed concern over the ongoing allegations against university teachers and administration, calling them a “false and baseless” propaganda.

“Around 700 teachers are engaged in imparting education to 30, 000 students at the university. One or two may go astray but that does not mean that everyone is involved in undesirable activities”, he argued.

He added that strict action will be taken against anyone who was found to be involved in such indecent activities. If the findings of the investigations should implicate any teacher or employee, they would be dealt with severely in accordance with the rules of procedure and law.

The VC specially mentioned the Sindh University Complaint Cell for Protection of Women against Harassment at Workplace, saying that the cell was actively working to develop a gender policy and to resolve the problems faced by female students of the university.

He also gave directions to all academic heads to establish guidance and counselling offices for students in their respective departments. The offices should have both male and female senior teachers and should take up and resolve student issues on an urgent basis, he said.