The Search Committee for the selection of a new Vice Chancellor for the University of Karachi (KU) has failed to find one and the Chancellor of the university Governor Dr Ishrat-Ul-Ibad has extended the tenure of the incumbent VC Prof Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui for a whopping third term.
The retention of Prof Pirzada Qasim has drawn mixed reaction from the teachers, students and staff of the university. Some are shocked to find Prof Qasim still at the helm of the university that has grown to wilderness and mismanagement.
A senior Professor at the Department of International Relations (IR) could hardly conceal his disappointment and sarcasm when he remarked: “It is the same VC who had unabashedly had commented that ‘The KU is sinking, yes it is, but it is a big ship and will take long time to sink’. Someone had put a rejoinder to the VC by asking why he (the VC) was not trying to plug the holes of the sinking ship. The VC had no answer to it. It is pathetic that the Search Committee could not find a suitable candidate at the KU and elsewhere. In the meantime the ageing, diabetic and a narcissist will continue to harm the university”. The IR Professor had not minced the words.
A teacher at the Department of English showed her disappointment after hearing the news but said philosophically: “Well look from this angle. At least Prof Qasim looks like an intellectual, a poet and walks and talks in a dignified though with affectation. She named two other aspirants for the VC’s post and said: I am happy that these two are out, at least for now, who don’t even look like teachers. They seem to be pirates and plunderers who are sucking the blood of the university and hardly have any morality in them”. Harsh words indeed but she assures that what she says is correct and she has no doubt about it.
A BS Final year student at the Department of Biochemistry laughs at the news and remarks that she is ready for any news in the university or the country. “When crooks and thieves can attain highest of ranks in the country anything could happen. After all the KU is the reflection of the society that has been mired in corruption and sense of right and wrong has evaporated”.
An assistant registrar in the university points out that VC was not corrupt at all. “VC is not corrupt. The fault lines are emerging from his inner circle of corrupt teachers who are yes men and greasing their own palms on the expense of deterioration of the educational standards and lax in administration. The VC is not ready to hear the real news. He prefers to hear from his henchmen what he wants to hear. Everything is okay. We are doing fine, etc. The university has lost its sanctity. The faulty security system allows the entrance of unwanted elements in while creating difficulties for those who come to the university for right purpose. Rickshaws are at the every corner of the university. It is not only an eye sore. It compromises the much trumpeted security at the university”.
Talking to The Newstribe the KU VC explained that he had never asked to be retained as the Vice Chancellor. “ I had not applied for it but after failing to find a suitable replacement the Governor decided to retain me till a new VC is installed. I have nothing to do with this selection.
“I am sorry to say that the corruption has seeped into everyone. There are few sincere teachers who take their jobs seriously. For them teaching is making money – lots of money. They forget the fact that the teacher not only teaches his students. He is good trainer. A teacher moulds his students to become an honest and valuable member of the society while ensuring to retain the good standard of education. Who does it here? This is the reason why there is hardly anyone who could assume the mantle of the highest position in the university”, Prof Qasim spoke slowly but with conviction.
Prof Qasim further said that he was against the interference of the political parties or their student wings into the affairs of the university but the culture had taken its roots so firmly and deeply that it was difficult to avoid it. “The recommendations pour in from every quarter. It comes from highest to the lowest levels of the civil and military hierarchy. People want their jobs done without merit and for that they can go to any extent- pleading, arm twisting, threatening and what not. Our staff crumbles to the pressure, in some cases. They are not immune to such situations”.
He agrees that the situation could change if all the stakeholders in the university – the teaching and non-teaching staff and the students, come together and decide that they will do what they have to. “The situation will change drastically. The blame game will not help in bringing positive change in the university”, he says thoughtfully
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