Sindh Considers Raising Retirement Age for University Teachers

As vice chancellors cautioned that private institutions were poaching experienced faculty with better salary packages, sindh Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah has pressed discouraging non-teaching recruitment at public universities to ease their mounting financial burden.

Key points

• The session was attended by the chairman of the Sindh Higher Education Commission (SHEC), the secretary of universities and boards, VCs and other relevant office-holders.
• While universities were undertaking research, Shah remarked, their findings needed proper accreditation and stronger links with industry to translate academic work into practical benefits.
• Shah acknowledged the challenges facing public universities and remarked the provincial administration wanted to work with university administrations to find practical solutions.
• The chief secretary remarked recommendations concerning university syndicates would be placed before the provincial cabinet.
• Shah additionally called on reducing electricity costs through solarisation and noted a solarisation plan would be introduced for universities.

Meanwhile, the reservations were raised at a gathering chaired by Shah with VCs of 32 public universities throughout the province to review their financial and administrative challenges, academic standards, research activities, infrastructure and student facilities.

For context, the session was attended by the chairman of the Sindh Higher Education Commission (SHEC), the secretary of universities and boards, VCs and other relevant office-holders. Bad News for Teachers Seeking Regularization.

Shah acknowledged the challenges facing public universities and remarked the provincial administration wanted to work with university administrations to find practical solutions. He remarked the administration was providing Rs44.46 billion in grants to Sindh's universities during the current financial year.

Pension liabilities, he remarked, had emerged as a major challenge for universities, prompting him to call for curtailing unnecessary recruitment, particularly in non-faculty positions, to reduce the financial burden.

Notably, the chief secretary remarked recommendations concerning university syndicates would be placed before the provincial cabinet. He continued that the administration would consider including individuals with backgrounds in education and higher education in university syndicates.

He additionally stressed the need to engage university alumni more effectively in institutional development and encouraged VCs to submit research proposals to the administration for feasible financial backing. NAB Karachi Summons School Education Department Authorities in Illegal Appointments Case.

While universities were undertaking research, Shah remarked, their findings needed proper accreditation and stronger links with industry to translate academic work into practical benefits. He pressed institutions to establish closer ties with international universities and promote industry-oriented research.

On the establishment of new campuses, the chief secretary pressed comprehensive research and feasibility studies before approving such projects. Universities should assess the potential student population and develop clear policy guidelines and benchmarks to ensure that new campuses were academically justified and financially sustainable, he remarked.

Shah additionally called on reducing electricity costs through solarisation and noted a solarisation plan would be introduced for universities. He directed institutions to eliminate illegal electricity connections.

Notably, the chief secretary further remarked a summary proposing an rise in the retirement age of university professors from 60 to 65 years would be sent to the provincial cabinet. The administration would additionally approach the federal authorities to address problems falling within their jurisdiction.

During the session, VCs highlighted the difficulties of retaining qualified and experienced faculty against the backdrop of competition from private universities offering higher salaries. Peshawar Private School Owner Blames Rainfall for Deadly Roof Collapse.

They remarked the departure of teachers to foreign countries, coupled with the reluctance of some to return or their efforts to seek overseas opportunities again after returning, was disrupting faculty availability and continuity.

Meanwhile, the VCs additionally cited pension liabilities and hefty electricity bills as major contributors to their financial strain, alongside shortages of faculty and other human resource challenges. Stay Connected with ProPakistani.

Obtain the latest education news, admissions updates, and scholarship alerts wherever you prefer. Follow on Google Discover. Follow on Google News Join WhatsApp. See more ProPakistani stories in Google Search and Top Stories.

In short, sindh Considers Raising Retirement Age for University Teachers is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.