Mismanagement in Punjab University (PU) Musicology Dept found
Lahore: A Probe into administrative affairs of the Punjab University's Department of Musicology Wednesday revealed gross mismanagement, besides thoroughly politicised environment in the department.
On the basis of preliminary investigations, PU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran has constituted a four-member committee to hold an inquiry, give its recommendations and fix responsibility as to how the affairs of the department were in a mess.
It is important to mention here that the VC had ordered the probe after some students of the department cried foul at the results of first-ever batch of the department in which only three students were declared successful. The students, in an email to the VC, had alleged mismanagement in the department.
Later, the VC had asked Dean Faculty of Arts and Humanities Prof Shaista Sonnu Sirajuddin to investigate the affairs of the Musicology Department.
Sources said the Dean had separately interviewed faculty and students of the department in this regard on Dec 29, besides visiting the College of Arts and Design (CAD), which ran the said department.
According to the inquiry report, whose copy is also available with The News, "There is gross mismanagement in the department which goes back to the time of Shahnawaz Zaidi (former head of PU College of Arts and Design) and which appears to have been compounded by the present incharge of the college Mr Zafarullah."
It further stated that the results of a semester examination had been delayed and revised after seven months while those students passed the exam who did not deserved to pass.
"There are allegations of malpractice from the both sides, which include the promotion of students from various semesters who did not deserve to pass. The atmosphere (of the Musicology Department) appears to be thoroughly politicised, with interpersonal relations and connections in and with the media, rather than academic or professional considerations determining the running of the Department," the report adds.
The report revealed that there was a division between the teachers with groups of students identifying with one individual or the other which were leveling allegations against each other. It states: "Results, when declared, have been posted without the relevant dates. Students have been contacted on their mobile phones instead of dates for submission of dissertations and vivas being notified on the notice board. At present, the department is being run on "gharana" lives, brining only bad publicity to the university."
In the end the Faculty of Arts and Humanities Dean requested the VC to constitute a committee from outside the college (CAD) to thoroughly investigate the mess and politics rampant in the Department of Musicology.
It is pertinent to mention here that the inquiry committee comprises Prof Shaista Sonnu Sirajuddin, Prof Dr Najma Najam, Additional Registrar Prof Dr Aurangzeb Alamgir and Controller of Examinations Zahid Karim.
A PU official said the VC had been taking the issue quite seriously as some sections within the university had been misleading the students and teachers that the musicology department would be closed down soon. He said the administration was determined to promote education of performing arts in the university. The News
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