Due to a recent amendment made by its university syndicate. Which is chaired by an interim rector, Comsats University Islamabad (CUI). Is embroiled in controversy. Since Dr. Mohammad T. Afzal resigned. The university has been run by an interim administration. With senior dean Prof. Dr. Sajid Qamar in charge of day-to-day operations. Until a permanent rector is named.
Preference in Faculty Recruiting of Comsats
In addition, interim arrangements are also in place for the controller, treasurer. And registrar positions. In the midst of the chaos, a number of academics have accused the rector of showing partiality.
In an interview with a local media outlet, they accused him of disregarding merit. And flagrantly breaking the rules. A faculty member claims that last month, Dr. Sajid Qamar changed the statute. In a way that favoured certain faculty members. Especially when it came to department head appointments.
As per the existing regulations, three senior professors. And an equal number of associate professors are chosen to serve as the Head of Department (HOD). Faculty members, however, claimed that the syndicate had altered this regulation last month. Enlarging the pool to include the top ten senior professors, out of whom the HOD would be selected.
They claimed that the rector’s favourite candidates benefited from this change. They also mentioned that Prof. Qamar’s duties were restricted to daily operations. Implying that changing the rules was outside the scope of his power.
The faculty members used a letter dated April 9, 2021. From the Establishment Division regarding the look-after charge as evidence for their claim. They claimed that the University Senate had the right. To grant administrative and financial authority. Especially when it came to a chancellor-appointed look-after rector.
The faculty members further asserted. That the rector of the university last year illegally. Replaced Professor Waqas Masood, who was named head of the Physics Department. On June 18, 2021, for a term of three years. Masood was replaced by a junior professor.
They claimed that the rector was forced to revoke the appointment. When the matter was brought before the Islamabad High Court. However, in February of this year, the rector named an associate professor. As the new head rather than reappointing a senior professor.
Cases of Student Transfer and Harassment in Comsats
The faculty members also claimed that CUI had allowed a student to be transferred. From the Wah campus’s Department of Computer Science. To the Islamabad campus’s Department of the same name, in violation of rules.
Furthermore, they asserted that a faculty member with close. Ties to the looked-after rector was the target of two harassment cases. The university’s harassment committee was set up in 2023. And would have had a two-year term to decide these cases; however, last month. The convener and a committee member were abruptly removed.
Additionally, they accused the rector of hiring a PhD candidate. To teach courses in the bachelor’s programme in Physics. That were initially assigned to him. Students complained to the HOD on January 13, 2024. About this infringement on their rights. They continued, “Their complaint has not been addressed despite multiple reminders.
Response from Upper Management:
General Manager of the Rector Secretariat Naveed Ahmed Khan refuted. Every accusation made by the group, claiming that the current rector followed. All laws and guidelines when making decisions. Like previous interim rectors, he said, the rector had complete authority. To oversee the affairs of the university.
“He [the rector] has the power to preside over syndicate meetings and make decisions. That are best for the university,” he declared. He asserted that the rector had no authority to approve changes. To the statute pertaining to HOD appointments; rather, it was the syndicate. Additionally, he said that it was lawful for students to be transferred from Wah to Islamabad.
In answer to a query, he stated that the appointment of the current registrar. For a three-year term had been suggested by the selection committee. But at first, the Senate refused to approve it because of a problem that was eventually fixed.
In the meantime, the registrar’s three-year term is over. And the Senate will hear his case to decide whether to let him stay on or issue a new advertisement. Additionally, a search committee is set to begin interviewing candidates on Monday. Which means that a permanent rector will soon be named.
“The Act states that no person will be lowered in rank after the Act is passed by parliament. The treasurer was appointed in 2017 when it was Comsats Institute. And the treasurer’s position was in grade OG-IV.”
He added that their own delays in concluding inquiries were the reason. Behind the changes to the convener and one of the harassment committee members.
