Interviews for selection of VCs conclude

Govt formed separate committees to recommend suitable candidates for four universities

Punjab Higher Education Department (HED) has completed interviews for filling the vacant posts of the vice chancellors (VCs) of four public sector universities in the province.

As many as 164 candidates were interviewed by the committees for the appointments.

According to officials of the department, four new VCs would be appointed in the province’s universities. The posts are vacant in the University of Chakwal, Kohsar University Murree, Baba Guru Nanak University Nankana Sahib and University of Mianwali.

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“A total of 226 candidates applied for the posts of VC, out of which 164 candidates were shortlisted for interviews,” an official of the department told The Express Tribune.

Reportedly, the Punjab government had formed four separate search committees to nominate three names for the posts of vice chancellor. Each committee comprised five members who conducted the interview daily till Monday.

Sources said the HED would send a summary to Punjab Minister for Higher Education Raja Yasir Humayun Sarfraz, who would forward it to the CM Secretariat for submission to the governor for signature. The governor is the chancellor of all public sector universities in the province.

“The final summary will then be forwarded to the Punjab chief minister to choose the right candidates for the posts from the given recommendations,” said a senior official of Punjab HED.

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Sources revealed that four professors from Punjab University (PU) also appeared in the interviews: Dr Sajid Rasheed Gujjar, the Head of College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Dr Chaudhry Qayum from the PU Institute of Education and Research (IER), Professor Saleem Mazhar, Pro Vice Chancellor and Dr Shazia Quraishi, the PU Law College Principal. From the Government College University (GCU), Dean of Social Sciences Dr Khalid Manzoor Butt also appeared for the interview.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 19th, 2021.