PM's help sought over budget cut

The Vice Chancellors regretted the cut in approved budgetary allocations for the year 2007-08. They argued that the financial planning of the universities had been worked out on the basis of the approved budget, however, the unexpected reduction in the budgetary allocation has adversely affected the operations of these institutions. The universities have to pay annual increments and revised pay scales to its regular staff as well as pay the expenses of unexpected fluctuation of POL, electricity and other utilities.

Some universities demanded increase in grants for establishment of their sub-campuses. Moreover, several mega development projects including physical and technological infrastructure may face closure due to non-availability of funds. The newly established institutions requested special attention to overcome their financial constraints and hardship. The Vice Chancellors emphasized that no private university should be funded by the public funds. The universities criticized the ban imposed on fresh appointments. The Vice Chancellors requested that the educational institutions should be exempted from such ban as there is a regular outflow of the exiting faculty members on HEC and other Government scholarships.

Enhancement of university working hours was also proposed.  Moreover, to take benefit of the expertise of qualified teachers, inter-university exchange of teachers was stressed.

The heads of universities emphasized on strengthening the Human Resource Development programme for faculty members, administrative and technical staff. Serious concern was shown regarding shortage of qualified faculty in disciplines of Engineering and some of the Social Sciences. There was a proposal to restructure the Tenure Track System for Social Science teachers, the main hurdle being the lack of Social Science journals accredited by the HEC.

The Commission was suggested to incorporate journals being published by renowned universities of the country.

Furthermore, to overcome the shortage of qualified faculty, a suggestion was made to increase the retirement age of university teachers.

It was recommended that the Provincial Governments should be approached for supplementary grants and both the Federal and the Provincial Governments should be convinced to give priority to the higher education.