'Coordinated efforts being taken for higher education uplift'

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad has said that co-ordinated measures were being taken for promotion of higher education and improvement in quality. In this regard, steps were in hand to bring researching, teaching and development schemes thereof in universities in conformity with the modern day demands.
He was chairing a meeting of vice chancellors of public sector universities here on Saturday in which the decisions taken at the meeting of Chancellor's Committee held in Islamabad were also reviewed.
The Governor was informed that over 2500 Ph.D. scholars were registered in universities of the Province and it was expected that around 900 scholars will complete their doctorate this year.
The meeting was told that universities in the province have made an appreciative headway in the adoption of 4-year Bachelors Degree, Tutor Track System and other standards of Higher Education Commission.
On the occasion, a Five-member committee was formed for making recommendations regarding matters concerning HEC standards as well as in various other fields. The Committee will comprise the vice chancellors of Sindh, Karachi, Dow Medical, NED and Tandojam Agriculture universities.
The recommendations will particularly incorporate suggestions with regard to harmony between professional organisations like Engineering Council, Pakistan Medical and Dental Council for professional universities and HEC.
Governor made it clear that authority for appointment of vice chancellors in universities rests only with the Governor/Chancellor and for this purpose a search committee had been formed. The search committee itself was appointed by the Governor and final decision in the light of its recommendation.
Governor informed that grading system for private sector universities in the Province had been done away with. He pointed out that certain misunderstandings were cropping up because of grading.
Now other options could be used for ensuring educational standard and facilities in the universities, he added. Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan emphasised the need for providing effective guidance to youth in universities in career planning.
Taking notice of lacking interest in youth in the vacancies of Federal Service Commission and Superior Services, the Governor directed the vice-chancellors to play their role and in this respect laid stress on co-operation between HEC and Universities and chalking out joint programmes.
Besides vice chancellors of public sector universities, Director IBA, Governor's Advisor for Higher Education Abdul Wahab Shaikh, Principal Secretary Mohammed Saleem Khan, Additional Secretary Major Aftab Lodhi, Deputy Secretary Fazeelat Mehdi and other officials were also present on the meeting.