The University of Karachi (KU) is facing serious financial constraints due to non-release of funds from federal government, compelling the varsity administration to use its own resources to run the affairs.
The government yet to release the education grant of Rs 1.85 million of fourth (last quarter) of 2007-2008 and grant of Rs 1.85 million of the second quarter of ongoing year (2008-2009) due to which Karachi University is unable to run its affairs, sources at University told Business Recorder on Monday.
They said that the management of the University had a plan to start different new programmes in arts, science and commerce but it could not start these programmes due to lack of funds and non-release of educational grant from HEC and the federal government.
He said that the administration of the varsity was compelled to use alternate sources in order to meet the requirement by utilising its resources. The non-release of funds could affect other ongoing educational activities, he warned.
He said that the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has also blocked the development grant of the University due to which many development works facing delay in completion. The University management was forced to arrange funds to complete these halted development projects, he said.
He said that the HEC has approved scholarship for three year PhD programme to 24 candidates of the university last year but out of these 24 candidates only 18 were given scholarships and remaining others are waiting for final approval and release of scholarship grant from the federal government.
He said that due to non-release of funds from government the 18 candidates that are studying abroad are facing severe hardships during studies. The government should take steps to secure the future of these students in order to bring educational reforms in the university.
He said that due to non-release of funds from federal government, the HEC had banned the recruitment of new teaching staff due to this the varsity is facing shortage of teaching staff. He also said that the administration of the University has not issued promotion letters to the teachers due to unavailability of new staff and deteriorating financial condition of the country.