The Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology has expressed strong displeasure over the increasing budget deficit of universities across the country and their difficulties in running day-to-day affairs.
The committee observed that higher education sector is being gravely neglected and it will have serious consequences for the country. The committee recommended that Rs21 billion in addition to the allocated Rs59 billion for Higher Education Commission (HEC) be released before June 2020 as a one-time payment or in piecemeal.
The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan here on Thursday and was attended among others by Senators Nuzhat Sadiq, Sassui Palijo, Gianchand, Syed Sabir Shah, Secretary Science and Technology and officials from HEC.
Expressing serious concerns over delay in releasing Rs21 billion to HEC, the committee chairman announced to raise the matter in the Senate. The committee was informed that Peshawar University is being run by Rs600 million.
It seems that education and research are not the priorities of the government. "Our higher education is facing a grave situation and if the government does not release the funds, the universities will be closed," he said. The government needs to have mercy on higher education and the funds be issued immediately, the committee recommended.
Senator Gian Chand said that the government is opening Langers by reducing the funding of higher education, adding it is a big joke.
Regarding mapping of research activities in the country, the secretary told the committee that there are 164 research and development departments in universities across the country, besides 67 other research and development institutes, making these 231 in total; however, the data is still being collected and the number is subject to change.
A total of 17,547 researchers are registered with PASTECH and there are 129,000 MS and PhD scholars. The committee appreciated the work done and called for coordinated work with Higher Education Commission as isolated efforts will not help. The matter of registering patents within and outside the country was also discussed and the committee recommended reducing the hiccups.
While briefing the committee about issuance of guidelines for random drug screening tests that would enable universities to make their campuses smoke and drug free, the committee was told by Higher Education Commission that awareness campaigns are underway and students are encouraged to identify people who are involved in drugs to take steps for their social inclusion.
It was told that at present only drug addicts are being reached out for screening and rehabilitation. A proper policy would be needed to initiate and approve random screening of people and would need more human resource as well as testing labs.
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