LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to end the autonomy of public universities, for which a new draft law has been prepared to amend the Universities Act.
The syndicate will be subordinated to retired bureaucrats and judges, while the vice-chancellor (VC) will also be stripped of the chairmanship and decision-making power of the syndicate, and the Punjab Employees, Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability (PEEDA) Act will be enforced against the VC.
According to media reports, the Punjab government has drafted an amendment to the Act to end the autonomy of public universities. Changes have been made in the Universities Act from 1973 to 2019. The Universities Amendment Act will be submitted to the Punjab Assembly for approval and the draft has been prepared on the instructions of Punjab Minister for Higher Education, Raja Yassir Humayun.
Federal govt to operate 4 major hospitals, control taken from the provinces
The text of the draft said that the syndicate would be subordinated to retired bureaucrats and judges by abolishing the autonomy of all public universities in Punjab. Retired bureaucrats and judges will be appointed to syndicate positions. The vice-chancellor will also be stripped of the chairmanship and decisions of the syndicate. Similarly, the Punjab Higher Education Department (HED) will have the power to evaluate the performance of the VC.
Humans being treated worse than animals in Services Hospital
DMS Services Hospital abusing patients and caretakers
The Punjab Higher Education Commission (HEC) will audit the performance of the VC twice a year and the Vice Chancellors will be considered as civil servants during their tenure. Moreover, the PEEDA Act against VC will be enacted to put pressure on the Vice Chancellor.
Governor Punjab who as Chancellor will be able to appoint separate performance indicators for public universities. At least two of the four elected members of the syndicate will be women. The search committee will be empowered to determine the salary of the Vice Chancellor.
Stay tuned to Baaghi TV for the latest news and updates!
