4 days ago
HEC, Sindh HEC at odds overVCs forum in Morocco
A dispute has emerged between the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the Sindh Higher Education Commission (Sindh HEC) over the participation of university vice chancellors in an upcoming international forum scheduled to be held in Rabat, Morocco.
HEC has invited vice chancellors from across the country to attend the forum, asking universities to cover the travel expenses themselves. However, the Sindh HEC has refused to allow universities in the province to use provincial grants for this purpose.
Sindh HEC Chairman Dr Tariq Rafi has issued an advisory to the heads of all public sector universities advising them not to undertake foreign trips using public funds, with a warning that any such cases will be reported to the Chief Minister, the Chancellor or Controlling Authority of Universities in Sindh.
"The Sindh government provides grants to universities strictly for academic and research purposes. These funds cannot be spent on foreign trips," said Rafi. He added that while vice chancellors are free to attend the forum at their own expense, they are not permitted to use university or government funds for the trip.
Sindh HEC reminded that it was difficult for many public sector universities in Sindh to even pay salaries of the teachers and staff. Even essential expenditures were covered by loans, he said.
If such expenditures for international travel is of dire need, then they can only be incurred after approval of the same has been given by the Chief Minister.
The Sindh HEC quoting the existing policy of the Universities and Boards Department of Sindh says, that the leave notifications issued for foreign tours explicitly mention that the expenses of such tours will not be borne by the Government of Sindh or university funds.
The Vice Chancellors' Forum was originally planned to be held in Islamabad last month, but it was relocated to Rabat due to escalating tensions between Pakistan and India, sources said.
Sindh HEC emphasized that most universities in the province are already facing financial deficits, and spending scarce resources on international travel would be irresponsible.
