LAHORE: Punjab University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran on Friday had to postpone the “emergent” Syndicate meeting as different members protested that the meeting agenda was sent to them late in the evening on Thursday. The PU administration had called the Syndicate meeting after a lapse of over six months.

The administration had listed 10 different agenda items, including the ratification of PU Law College principal Dr Shazia Qureshi’s appointment as professor as well as approval of anticipatory orders issued by the vice-chancellor while using emergency powers.

As many members objected that the meeting agenda was provided to them late and they could not study it properly, the VC (being chairman of the Syndicate) had to retreat and the meeting consequently decided that the Syndicate meeting would now be held ext Friday at 3pm.

The meeting, however, approved three students’ (Roza Muhammadi, Adeela Azmat and Maha Farooq) separate cases for allowing them to give special chance of examination. The meeting also approved the creation of 15 posts of security guards to combat the terrorism threat – as a current work agenda item.

Syndicate member Javed Sami said that three regular items regarding students and a current work item were approved, while seven regular items were not discussed. A PU spokesman said that nine out of 11 agenda items were discussed at the meeting. He stated the meeting also approved increments of 32 teachers on Tenure Track System (TTS) as well as recommendations of the Board of Studies of Medicine and Dentistry.

It may be mentioned that former Law College in charge Samee Ozair Khan and assistant professor Dr Shahbaz Ahmad Cheema have also submitted a representation with the Syndicate Chairman (VC) titled “Investigation into swift promotions of Dr Shazia Qureshi”.

Meanwhile, a number of PU College of Information Technology and Law College teachers staged a demonstration outside the administration block for allegedly discontinuing contract service of some teachers.

Talking to Dawn, former PUASA president Dr Ehsan Sharif said Syndicate member Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi heard the complaints of the protesters. Dr Sharif said Justice Naqvi assured that he would raise their concerns at the Syndicate meeting.

Published in Dawn February 21th , 2015

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