HEC without a head, Lakha frontrunner
Islamabad : 19 September : Despite promise of paying extra attention to higher education in its election manifesto, the PML-N government has so far failed to even pick the head of country’s only education regulator.The Higher Education Commission (HEC), which is responsible for improving the standard of university education in the country, is operating without a chairman since August 26 when the four-year term of Dr Javaid Laghari expired.
Although the minister of state for education and training Baligh Ur Rehman had moved a summary regarding the HEC chairman’s appointment on July 30, 2013, the Prime Minister’s Secretariat has yet to decide the fate of the summary.
According to sources, the summary suggested a one-time extension in the term of Dr Leghari on the basis of his services for higher education. The second option given in the summary is the appointment of a new chairman under HEC Act.
When contacted, the minister confirmed the contents of the summary saying the decision in this regard is expected soon.Sources said the name of Dr Shams Kassim Lakha is under serious consideration in the Prime Minister’s Secretariat for the new HEC chairman. Lakha is a top technocrat and former vice chancellor of Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH). However religious parties and influential groups are strongly opposing Lakha’s appointment which could prove decisive eventually. Under the HEC ACT, the appointment of commission’s chairman is a prerogative of the Prime Minister who is the controlling authority of HEC.
The Controlling Authority shall appoint a person of international eminence and proven ability who has made significant contribution to higher education as teacher, researcher or administrator, as Chairperson on such terms and conditions as it may determine,” says the law.
The Act also allows a one-time extension in the term of HEC chairman and other members of the commission. A similar extension was given to former HEC chairperson Dr Atta-ur-Rahman and all other members of the Commission to ensure the continuity of policies.
HEC is considered among a few role model institutions at the national and international levels that has achieved a lot in the last few years. It has raised the level of Pakistan universities to be ranked globally within a few years.While no Pakistani university was ranked globally before 2010, four were ranked in the top 300 in 2011, 6 in 2011 and 7 in the top 250 in 2012.The news.
