Latest news with #SaroshHashmatLodi
Express Tribune
13-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Sindh budget proposes 15% hike for 32 public universities
Listen to article The Sindh government has approved a 15 per cent increase in the annual grant for the province's public sector universities, raising the total allocation from Rs34 billion to Rs40 billion for the fiscal year 2025–26. According to officials, the summary for the increase—submitted by the Higher Education Commission Sindh—was approved by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah ahead of the provincial budget presented on June 13. The enhanced grant has been incorporated into the annual budget. The recommendation to increase the grant was made by a committee headed by former NED University vice chancellor Dr Sarosh Hashmat Lodi. With this approval, all 32 public universities in Sindh will see a corresponding 15% rise in their individual funding allocations. Following the increase, the grant for the University of Karachi will now stand at Rs3.554 billion, while the University of Sindh in Jamshoro will receive Rs3.410 billion. NED University of Engineering and Technology will receive Rs2.578 billion, and Mehran University of Engineering and Technology will get Rs2.149 billion. The grant for Dow University of Health Sciences has been raised to Rs1.294 billion, while Jinnah Sindh Medical University will receive Rs1.176 billion. The grant for Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences has been increased to Rs1.595 billion. Among business schools, Sukkur IBA University will receive Rs1.916 billion, and IBA Karachi has been allocated Rs692 million. The Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, has been allocated Rs2.259 billion. Other allocations include Rs498 million for Government College University Hyderabad, Rs1.812 billion for Dawood University of Engineering and Technology, and Rs1.645 billion for Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur. Additionally, Sindh Madressatul Islam University will receive Rs684 million, Karachi Metropolitan University Rs284 million, and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Lyari, Rs376 million.
Business Recorder
30-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
SHEC's CIEC Chairman urges universities to enhance internal revenue amid budget constraints
HYDERABAD: Dr Sarosh Hashmat Lodi, Chairman of the Charter Inspection and Evaluation Committee (CIEC) of the Sindh Higher Education Commission (SHEC) and former Vice-Chancellor of NED University Karachi, has emphasized the need for public sector universities to reduce expenditures and explore internal revenue streams to navigate growing financial challenges. Speaking at a dinner hosted in his honour at Sindh Agriculture University (SAU), Tandojam, Dr Lodi pointed out that while the federal government has not increased university budgets over the past eight years, the Sindh government has stepped up with a proposed allocation of Rs42 billion for provincial universities. However, he warned that fiscal challenges are likely to intensify, urging universities to adopt more sustainable financial strategies. 'Increasing student fees is not a viable option for public sector universities, as they are often the only accessible avenue for quality education for students from underprivileged backgrounds,' he said. 'In my new role, I am committed to supporting the enhancement of academic and research standards across institutions, along with addressing structural and operational issues.' Dr Lodi also highlighted the vital role of universities in producing leadership across all sectors and called for efforts that yield long-term, generational benefits for the country. Speaking on the occasion, Meritorious Professor and former Vice Chancellor of SAU, Dr A Q Mughal, praised Dr Lodi's financial reforms at NED University, which have contributed significantly to its current financial stability. He noted that Dr Lodi has been a consistent supporter of universities across Sindh, facilitating improvements and institutional strengthening. SAU Vice Chancellor Dr Altaf Ali Siyal shared that the university is currently grappling with financial constraints. 'A special grant request of Rs670 million has been submitted to the Sindh Government and SHEC to clear outstanding gratuities of retired staff since 2022,' he informed. Dr Siyal acknowledged Dr Lodi's instrumental role in resolving key issues at SAU, including the long-standing delay in promotions of meritorious professors. He expressed hope that university graduates would be able to secure viable market opportunities and emerge as successful entrepreneurs in the evolving job market. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
