Educational bodies for inclusion of 18 points in political parties upcoming elections manifesto  

ISLAMABAD: On the eve of general elections 2018 for consideration of political parties, the higher educational organizations have presented 18 points agenda aimed at reforming higher education sector in Pakistan.

The reforms agenda was prepared with consultation with senior academicians, vice chancellors, elected representatives of faculty, analysts, columnists, representatives of civil society organizations as well as the overseas academicians also contributed.

The agenda was presented by the Working Group on Higher Education Reforms (WGHER) and Inter University Consortium for Promotion of Social Sciences (IUCPSS), a registered autonomous alliance of more than 35 Pakistani universities in collaboration with Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) and other ten organizations.

The 18 points agenda emphasizes over merit based transparent appointments of Vice Chancellors through independent academic search committees comprising of eminent academicians, discouraging adhocism and extension culture in higher education sector.

It also included effective Implementation of 18th Constitutional Amendment and decision of Council of Common Interests (CCI) regarding higher education sector, allocation of four percent of GDP for overall education sector and 25 percent of total allocated budget of education for higher education sector.

The agenda also added that promoting quality of teaching and research in higher education sector, ensuring autonomy of universities and academic freedom at university campuses, formulation of Syndicates/Senates/BOGs on modern principles of governance of universities keeping a balance between and internal and external members, should be political parties manifesto.

The restoration of Student Union at higher education institutions and ensuring effective representation of elected representatives of faculty at statutory bodies i.e University syndicate, senate, academic council etc, promoting peace, tolerance, culture of dialogue and co-existence at university campuses through strengthening student societies and paying special attention towards Social Sciences, was also in the agenda.

As per details, Arts & Humanities, inclusion of stakeholders in policy formulation in higher education sector, independent assessment/evaluation of various higher education policies/programs, development of Roadmaps for Strengthening Higher Education both at national and provincial levels, initiating Special Program for improving ranking of Pakistani universities in international and regional university rankings was also part of the agenda.

It also included the separation of functions of quality assurance, funding, regulatory framework and ranking both at national and provincial levels, ensuring maximum investment over university faculty through provision of scholarships and training opportunities, extending maximum age of retirement of university faculty from 60 to 65 years.

The higher educational bodies also demanded 75 percent tax rebate for university faculty/researchers as per joint resolution of Senate of Pakistan, strengthening federal and provincial higher education bodies as supportive and facilitator entities through ensuring autonomy and increased budget allocations.

Devising policy for employment/ placement of un-employed PhD holders, encouraging skill and technology based learning through establishing Community Colleges and Technology Universities especially through foreign collaborations is in agenda.

The balance development approach across academic disciplines, promoting access to higher education with optimum utilization of public resources and expanding/supporting private sector for establishing new institutions along with strengthening the existing ones without compromising over quality and serious follow up on effective utilization of public funds through effective monitoring and evaluation at both national and provincial levels to ensure that higher education goals are being pursued vigorously.

Sharing follow up strategy, national coordinator Inter university consortium, Murtaza Noor told APP that a delegation of partner organizations would meet senior leadership of political parties for inclusion of this reform agenda in their election manifestos.

While Central President FAPUASA Dr Kaleemullah said that 2018 carries very significance due to general elections and key appointments in higher education sector.

He hoped that the implementation of 18 points agenda would be greatly helpful in improving state of higher education in Pakistan.