BBSUL's uncertain future

Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University, Lyari (BBSUL) could not be recognised by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) due to absence of permanent PhD faculty, it is learnt. Sources said that BBSUL could not be recognised by HEC due to persisting issues which have remained unresolved since its inception.
Though university has announced admissions for its second batch (2012-2013) in five disciplines, but it has failed to attract students in general and particularly Lyariites due to varsity's uncertain future. BBSU is currently offering admissions in five disciplines including Business Administration, Computer Sciences, Commerce, Public Administration and English language.
Deteriorating law and order situation in the area is said to be another major reason which has impeded the progress of the institution. Along with above, the other possible reasons hindering the recognition of Benazir Varsity are, the group of less experienced teachers causing sharp decline in quality education and lack of competent faculty.
On the other hand eminent educationalists in city have termed formation of BBSU more political and less academic, saying that it has been set up in hurry and without any proper strategy. The decision to establish Lyari University may prove as waste of national exchequer because authorities concerned had not made prior deliberations on making the project a success, said Professor Athar Hussain Mirza, President Sindh Professors Lectures Association (SPLA).
They suggested that government should have established a new campus of Karachi University instead of setting up new degree awarding institution. "It is a general practice observed all over the world and even in Pakistan that in first phase a new campus of well established university is used to be established in a new town which later is designated as an independent degree awarding institution," Mirza explained.
Registrar BBSUL Dr Mahboob Shaikh said that varsity has appointed seven PhD professors as visiting faculty but no appointment has so far been made on permanent basis in this regard due to worse law and order situation. He said that they have advertised the posts of five professors in newspapers, and they would be appointed in next few weeks. Dr Shaikh informed that all problems facing university would be resolved by the passage of time, citing that 174 students are enrolled in first batch (2011-2012).
It has also been learnt that university is offering monthly stipends to the students on their performances in the exams, class attendance and participation in extracurricular activities. The university, as per its act, which has been approved by the government, reserves 50 percent of admission seats for Lyari, Gadap, Keamari, and Malir towns. The remaining 50 per cent of seats are divided among all districts of the province, including eight seats for the Karachi district.