KARACHI: Academic activities in various universities across Sindh remain suspended for the fifth consecutive day in more than 17 universities across the province.
The Federation of All Pakistan Academic Staff Association Sindh (Fapuasa) initiated the protest and boycott of teaching activities against the appointment of bureaucrats as vice-chancellors.
The protest organisers expressed opposition to the government’s decision to appoint bureaucrats as vice-chancellors. The universities including the University of Karachi have halted academic operations since January 16.
Fapuasa Sindh’s chapter representatives have strongly condemned the proposed amendments to the Universities Act, which allow non-academics and bureaucrats to assume vice-chancellor positions.
They warned of province-wide protests and mobilisation of the academic community if the government fails to accept the demand, adding that such policies undermine academic autonomy and the quality of higher education.
The protest organisers have instructed local members to organise press conferences and demonstrations to resist the government’s anti-education policies. Fapuasa also announced plans to formally declare a complete boycott of academic activities in all public universities across Sindh.
The key demands include;
– The appointment of qualified individuals from academia, rather than bureaucrats as vice-chancellors
– The regularization of university teachers and an end to hiring on a contract basis.
– Restoration of university autonomy and the withdrawal of proposed amendments to the Universities Act that affect the appointment of vice-chancellors.
Fapuasa Sindh President and General Secretary criticised the government’s continued support for non-permanent faculty appointments and the appointment of bureaucrats, emphasising the need for educational institutions to be led by educators rather than bureaucrats.
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has also expressed concern over the appointment of bureaucrats and non-PhDs as vice-chancellors, noting that such decisions compromise the autonomy and academic standards of universities.
