‘Empowerment of provinces vital for promotion of higher education’

ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani on Friday emphasised the importance of empowering the provinces and taking effective steps for the promotion of higher education in Pakistan in light of the 18th Amendment of the constitution.

He said this while addressing a delegation of Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) led by its central president Professor Dr Kaleemullah Barech, which met him at the Parliament House. Senator Muhammad Usman Kakar and Senator Muhammad Dawood Achakzai were also present on the occasion.

During the meeting, the delegation thoroughly briefed the Senate chairman about the problems being faced by university faculty in higher education sector universities due to unilateral policies and improper attitude of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), especially after the passage of the 18th Amendment.

The delegation unanimously decided that the All Pakistan University Teachers Convention would work towards implementing the 18th Amendment in higher education sector in true letter and spirit.

They said that the goal could be achieved through taking certain measures, including confining the role of HEC only to formulation of standards, enhancing role of provincial governments in funding and implementation of higher education policies, respecting and ensuring academic freedom at varsities, granting autonomy to universities as guaranteed by the Constitution of Pakistan, ensure representation of faculty members, students and citizens concerned in all the statutory bodies of the universities, immediate election of  student unions and their representation in all statutory bodies of public sector universities along with elected representatives of faculty, extending retirement age for university teachers from 60 to 65, and restoration of tax rebate up to 75 per cent for faculty members and researchers at varsities.

Raza Rabbani showed concern over the unnecessary delay in transfer of financial resources and administrative powers to the provincial governments regarding the higher education sector. He said that the Implementation Commission on 18th Amendment, after thorough deliberation, decided that a separate account would be operated by each provincial government for transfer of funds to the universities. He stressed that appointments in higher education sector should be made on the basis of transparency and merit, especially while making appointments of vice chancellors.

Raza Rabbani appreciated the contribution of FAPUASA for the promotion of higher education in the country and greeted them over holding a successful convention with the help of faculty members from different universities.

He assured the delegation of his support and cooperation in resolving the issues being faced by teachers in the higher education sector.