LAHORE – 2nd round table conference on “6 Years of 18th Constitutional Amendment: Equity and Autonomy of Universities” organised on Monday by Pakistan Social Services Partnership, coalition of 85 civil society organizations, Civil Society Network Pakistan and other organisations at the local hotel of Lahore.
The meeting stressed on the implementation of 18th constitutional amendment in education especially in higher education sector and demanded that autonomy of universities should be ensured. The event was presided over by Election Commission of Pakistan former secretary Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad and attended by academicians, parliamentarians, university faculty, researchers and representatives of civil society.
The unanimous resolution stated that the autonomy of universities and academic freedom at campuses must be respected by the federal/ provincial Higher Education Commission (HEC), as per true spirit of 18th constitutional amendment. A new commission on higher education standards be formed by the federal government as per mandated by the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, which should repeal the existing one. The next NFC Award must be finalised and announced immediately so that every province has adequate resources for education and health. The ban on student union must be lifted immediately.
The participants also demanded that 18th amendment should be implemented in higher education sector in true letter and spirit without any further delay. Realising their responsibilities, the provincial governments should undertake concrete steps to strengthen provincial higher education set ups through provision of adequate financial resources so that the growing needs of Pakistani universities should be met in effective way.
As per UNESCO standards, 25 per cent of total education budget should be allocated for higher education in 2016-17 budget and proper utilisation should be ensured of allocated development budget.
Council for Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE) President Mujibur Rehman Shami, Dr Syed Alqma former vice chancellor Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Prof Dr Mohammad Akram Chaudhary former vice chancellor University of Sargodha, Hafeezullah Khan Niazi columnist, Asghar Abid columnist, Azhar Siddique senior advocate, Kanwar Muhammad Javed Iqbal, Chairperson PSSP, Gulbaz Ali Khan, Executive Director, Centre for Inclusive Governance, Abdullah Malik President Civil Society Network Pakistan Prof Dr Abdul Hameed.
The participants emphasized over the provincial governments to strengthen provincial higher education set ups through provision of adequate financial resources so that the growing needs of Pakistani universities may be met in effective way. They also demanded immediate resolution of HEC-COMSATS dual degree through recognising the degrees of 2700 affected students.
Prof Dr Mohammad Akram Chaudhary that the inclusion of a great number of politicians in university syndicates had adversely affected universities’ autonomy. Asghar Abid was of the view that powers should be devolved to the provinces as per 18th constitutional amendment especially in education sector.
Advocate Azhar Siddique stressed upon effective measures for implementation of article 25-A and end of political interference in education and health fields. The participants were of the view with the abolition of concurrent legislative list under landmark 18th constitutional amendment; all tiers of education including higher education have become provincial subjects.
