PU-ASA blasts HEC over ‘failure’ to implement service structure reforms

LAHORE:Punjab University Academic Staff Association (PU-ASA) while criticising the HEC for failing to implement service structure reforms and increase TTS salaries, also called on the Punjab government to allocate funds for Punjab University.

The ASA’s general body was held at PU New Campus on Thursday which was presided over by its President Dr Amjad Abbas Khan Magsi while Secretary M Islam moderated the proceedings. The general body expressed strong opposition to the HEC policy introduced in Fall 2023, demanding its deferment until a regular vice chancellor was appointed, as implementing the policy without proper debate at the Academic Council. The meeting observed that approval of the policy online was against the spirit of the orders issued by the Chancellor/ Governor restraining the acting Vice Chancellors from holding Academic Council meetings and taking long term policy decisions.

Some members from the Institutes of Administrative Sciences, Sociology, and Chemistry also raised concerns about eligibility criteria, promotion processes, the issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs), and appointment procedures. They emphasised the need for a merit-based appointment process to restore confidence and ensure effective leadership.

The general body also took the issue of delays in salary and pension payments seriously, urging the administration to implement proper measures to prevent such delays in the future. The PU-ASA also urged the government, the higher education department, and the VC’s search committee to implement a merit-based policy in appointing the new vice chancellor. This was seen as crucial for the university’s future stability and success.

Earlier, a whitepaper was presented, detailing the financial meltdown at the university over the past few years, caused by financial and administrative mismanagement. However, a good number of participants did not welcome the criticism of university affairs, with some even labeling it as a political maneuver in the framing of agenda items during the general body meeting.