UET admin accused of serious anomalies

NWFP UET and HEC were paying lakhs of rupees monthly to chairman of architecture department
Peshawar, Jan 19: Some aggrieved and disgruntled but anonymous teachers of NWFP University of Engineering and Technology have accused the university administration of committing serious irregularities, a charge vehemently rejected by the latter as baseless.

In a letter to some senior government officials, the teachers sought probe into the alleged anomalies by levelling 10 charges against the UET administration that pertained to appointments, promotions and award of scholarship. But a top official of the university negated all the allegations one by one while citing proofs.

The complainants alleged that the NWFP UET and Higher Education Commission were paying lakhs of rupees monthly to chairman of architecture department Dr Arshad Ali with fake experience and PhD degree.

When contacted, a senior official of the UET said that Arshad Ali was appointed by the HEC in April 2007, under its foreign faculty programme, not the UET. "However, during the process of verification of his academic credentials from relevant universities, it was found that all degrees, documents and experience were not genuine and thus his services were terminated with effect from 4.7.08. The UET on the directives of HEC informed all the relevant departments for necessary action against him," explained the official.

The unknown teachers alleged that a teacher of Computer Science Department, Usman, had not completed his courses but cheated the administration with fake certificates and was drawing the salary of an assistant professor.

But the UET administration said the degree of Usman was issued by the University of Taxila, which was genuine and verified by the said the institution. The university official said that Usman was appointed by the selection board. The chairman of the said department was part of the board and he himself verified all his credentials prior to his appointment, "added the administration official.

The letter further stated that there were clear directives from chancellor to appoint Chartered Accountant as director finance, but Sarwar, DF, allegedly bribed the VC and got illegal promotion to Grade 21 as advisor finance and planning.

Explaining the university position, the official said that the post had been approved in the PC-1 of Jalozai Campus, the multi-billion project that has formally been sanctioned by the Planning Commission. He said award of personal grade was nothing new. The case of University of Peshawar was before us, where personal Grade 21 was awarded to four officials - Ajmal Khan, presently vice-chancellor, Islamia College University, Sanaullah, director, finance, Shirinzada Khattak, registrar, UoP and Iftikhar Hussain, controller examination.

The official further clarified that CA was not necessary for the position, as according to the university ordinance CA/M.Com degree holders could be appointed against the post. He said that CA was basically auditor, not advisor, which is why no CA degree holder had been appointed anywhere in public sector university in the country.

The letter alleged that merit was violated in appointment of dean. "Dr Azamul Asar stood on the number four on the seniority list and the dean had to be appointed from the top three on the seniority list."

The complainant opined that the name of Abdul Baseer who was leading the list of seniors was not given to the chancellor so that way for appointment of Asar could be paved.

But the summary submitted to the chancellor for the appointment of the dean stated that that Dr Abdul Baseer of Mechanical Engineering Department was also among the senior most professors was going to retire in August 2009, therefore, the total period of which he will remain in the university service is short of three-year term prescribed in the university ordinance for appointment of dean and thus he could not be considered for appointment as dean.

The letter alleged that appointment of chairman of electrical department was based on favouritism and nepotism, saying Prof Dr Naeem Arbab, Dr Yahya Khan and Prof Abdul Mutalib were on top of the seniority list, but vice-chancellor Imtiaz Gillani appointed Prof Zahir Khan as chairman.

The letter stated that the vice-chancellor under university ordinance could make such appointment in emergency for a six-month period only and there was no emergency for naming of a non-PhD as chairman.

The university official, on the other hand, commented that on elevation of Azamul Asar to the office of dean, the post of chairman of the Electrical Department fell vacant and the VC had to name somebody else as per the discretionary powers vested in him by the ordinance against the position.

The complainant also alleged that appointments were made in BPS-17 by Sarwar, DF, which were not advertised in press and result was moulded to accommodate applicants of the choice of the director, finance.

When contacted Sarwar Khan rejected the allegation as baseless and said that he was not part of the selection board. How could he tamper or mould results. He said that the selection board consisted of chairman or nominee of the provincial public service commission, chairman of department concerned, member from syndicate, three eminent engineers nominated by the chancellor. This is a prestigious body. How can one manipulate or tamper its decision, he questioned.

The letter also accused Sarwar of nepotism and favouritism in awarding scholarship and study leave to one Tariq, who is a deputationist and son-in-law of the director finance.

When asked, Sarwar Khan admitted that Tariq was his son-in-law and was serving as deputy director in the Communication and Works Department. He said the university announced PhD scholarships in various disciplines and applications were sought from within and outside the university.

He added that candidates even from Punjab applied for the scholarship. He said that his son-in-law had a brilliant academic record and was selected for the scholarship purely on merit and there was nothing wrong with awarding study leave to an official selected for scholarship.

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Postponed papers of AIOU on Jan 21
Islamabad: All papers of final examination of Spring Semester 2008 of Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) postponed earlier, would be held on January 21. It is noted that AIOU postponed all papers of final examination of Spring Semester 2008 that were scheduled to be held on December 27 on account of public holiday, across the country.

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Schools to reopen on March 1
Peshawar: All the government schools in hilly and snowy areas of NWFP will remain closed until February 28 on account of winter vacation, said a news release of Elementary and Secondary Education Department here Saturday. The schools in these areas will reopen after the winter vacation on March 1. The News

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No class if teachers not regularised, promoted: PTU
Rawalpindi: The Rawalpindi chapter of Punjab Teachers' Union (PTU) on Sunday threatened teachers could boycott classes in the district for indefinite period if the provincial government didn't regularise their contracts and notify overdue promotions right away. It also announced protest outside Rawalpindi Press Club on January 28 in this respect. In a press statement, PTU, Rawalpindi, President Saghir Alam accused the government of unduly delaying meeting teachers' demands. He said only the PMLN-affiliated teachers were being promoted and regularised. Alam said teachers could boycott classes indefinitely if their contracts were not regularised and promotions were not granted immediately. He said seniority, not the political affiliation, should be criteria of teachers' promotion. He said land mafia continued to hold precious land of government schools and colleges in Rawalpindi due to the government's indifference. He demanded extra allowance for teachers posted to remote and hilly areas and regularisation of the service of those working on contract. Daily Times

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