Varsity of engineering invites applications for professor slots

PESHAWAR: The University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Peshawar has sought applications for meritorious professors (BPS-22), inviting criticism from the faculty members and other employees of the seat of learning.

Those, who oppose the announcement, said the step was a violation of the mandate by the pro-vice-chancellor and will have an additional burden on the university resources, which is already been suffering a severe financial crisis.

Pro-vice-chancellor, Prof Dr Qaiser Ali, who is currently the acting vice-chancellor of the university, however termed the criticism baseless. He said that there was no such embargo on the pro-vice-chancellor. “The acting vice-chancellor has the authority as per the Universities’ Act to exercise powers like a regular vice-chancellor,” he said.

“Also, this process will take at least three years to mature. It is just the initial stage. A mere announcement has been made. The whole process will require three years to complete. By then the university must have come out of the financial crunch”, he argued.

A senior professor of the university, however, cited a notification of the provincial government dated December 12, 2023, wherein the pro-vice-chancellors/officiating vice-chancellors were asked to restrict themselves to running the day-to-day affairs of the universities and avoid taking any major administrative and financial decisions.

The UET administration through a notification asked the desirable professors of the university to apply for the award of meritorious professors (BPS-22).

The eligibility criteria are given for the position as per Chapter-5 of theUET, Peshawar Meritorious Professor Basic Pay Scales-22 Statutes, 2016 included: above 20 years as minimum service in BPS-17/equivalent. Only those professors, who have served at least for five years in BPS-21 in the university with Ph.D. degree/equivalent terminal degree as determined by the Higher Education Commission (HEC).

The applicant should have five research publications in the last five years in HEC recognized journals and he must have produced two PhDs or one PhD and five MS in the last eight years.The award of meritorious status to certain professors last time had come under thorough discussion of the university’s senate which is the competent forum for the purpose.

One applicant was not fulfilling the criteria for the award, therefore a senate sub-committee had called for amending the eligibility criteria and the said professor might be given the status subject to the amendment.