KU facing serious financial crunch: VC

Karachi, Karachi University is facing serious financial crisis due to delay in release of the grant funds for the last quarter of running fiscal, said Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Qaiser, addressing at a reception for media at the campus guest house on Tuesday night.

He said his university get financial grant in four installments; however, the last tranche from the Higher Education Commission (HEC) is yet to be received, which has further deepened the financial problems of the varsity. He said in past the Karachi University was number one general university of Pakistan; however, presently its rank is one step down. He said his aim is to regain their lost status of top general university of Pakistan. He said in this regard he is focusing on improving the research standard. He said in a couple of years he would ensure that the name of Karachi University is counted in world’s top 300 universities.

He said to overcome financial problems his varsity is going to garner support from industry and private sector, adding they had already many meeting with the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCI) and soon a memorandum of understanding would be signed with the KCCI to build a small but research-based industrial set up related to the work of different departments and faculties. He said this academic-industry nexus would also boost the standard of market and industry related research. He said the fleet of the university buses would also display advertisements of different companies soon, which would also generate some funds for this cash-strapped varsity.

He said he is trying to run this mega institution as per the code of varsity. He said pending meetings of various statutory bodies have already been held and their minutes of meetings duly approved. He said selection boards are also held to fill the vacant posts on the basis of merit.

He said the system of examinations has improved a lot and now results are being announced as per schedule and the complaints about lack of transparency in examination system have also reduced.

Dr Qaiser said another big issue was to ensure proper security of the campus. In this regard they have already appointed a campus security officer and soon surveillance cameras would be installed in all areas of the campus, adding the tendering process for installing these cameras has been completed. He said though still the security of Karachi University is not hundred the situation would certainly improve.

He requested media people to expose the deficiencies at this varsity but also give their constructive suggestions about how to improve the things. He said he is fully open to criticism and would highly welcome positive suggestions.

On the occasion, Karachi University shield was given to ex-PRO Qazi Khalid as a token of recognition of his long services for the varsity. Registrar Dr Nasiruddin Khan and Campus Security Adviser Prof. Dr Khalid Iraqi were also present. PRO Farheen Zahra also spoke.