Ombudsman orders action against private varsity

Sindh HEC directed to probe 'financial losses' affecting students

Sindh Ombudsman Aijaz Khan has directed the Sindh Higher Education Commission secretary and Chartered Inspection and Evaluation Committee chairperson to conduct an inquiry and take appropriate action against the Dadabhoy Institute of Higher Education for jeopardising the career of students on the ground of financial losses.

He also said that immediate steps should be taken so that no private institution or university in future should arbitrarily decide the fate of students, according to a statement issued by Sindh HEC on Monday.

The orders were passed on a complaint filed by Rida Nazeer and other students in April, 2021, alleging that the management of Dadabhoy Institute of Higher Education arbitrarily decided to discontinue the four year degree course of BSc Programme in Food Sciences and Technology, after two years. As per the complaint, the institute compelled the students to sign consent forms for transfer to other institutions, though they were allowed admissions for a degree programme of four years.

They, therefore, solicited intervention to secure their academic career. The Ombudsman directed the Dadabhoy Institute either to restart the four year programme announced by them or transfer the affected students to any other reputable institution or university within one month.

Meanwhile, the varsity claimed that due to low number of admissions and fallen revenue on account of not achieving the target of admission of at least 50 students, it was decided to close the programme, however, efforts were being made to transfer and accommodate the students to other universities.

Sindh HEC reported that Dadabhoy Institute did not obtain any permission from the commission to discontinue the course. Sindh HEC said the institute was bound to continue teaching remaining courses or get these students properly transferred and admitted in any of the other Universities offering the said course.

The representative of the Chartered Inspection and Evaluation Committee had requested to decide the matter in the betterment of students keeping in view the policy of the Institute.

The ombudsman also observed with concern that the government functionaries including Chartered Inspection and Evaluation Committee had failed to perform their due role to save the career of students who had been pushed in the dark alley during mid of their degree programme.