The introduction of a uniform merit-based admission policy, transparent selection of teaching and non-teaching staff resulted in elimination of nepotism and favouritism in the University of the Punjab (PU).
Vice Chancellor PU Professor Dr Mujahid Kamran said this while talking to APP on Sunday regarding the on-going admission to postgraduate classes. He said a high level 30-member admission committee comprising deans, chairmen, directors, professors and principals of the constituent colleges had been re-constituted to ensure all 30,000 admissions on merit in morning, afternoon and evening sessions without succumbing to influence from any quarters. In case of any violation, chairman of the teaching department concerned will be placed under suspension, besides initiating of disciplinary proceedings, he added.
He quoted his personal example regarding supremacy of merit that during his first tenure as VC even his only son Mustafa Kamran could be not get admission in the PU, who was now studying in a private university.
Mujahid Kamran said that soon after taking over as the VC five years ago, he made the entire admission and selection absolutely on the merit.
Explaining the salient features of the teachers selection criteria, he said 50 percent marks had been allocated for academic achievements, research, publications and academic experience etc of the candidates. The remaining 50 percent marks are given for interviews, with 20 marks for subject specialisation, 15 for oral communication skills, 10 for job aptitude and 5 for personality.
The VC said the above criteria also helped candidates to assess their own suitability. Apart from their performance in the interview, they must have to secure at least 60 percent aggregate marks for selection. Special care is taken in the selection of subject specialists for the selection board to ensure that only the best are employed, he added.
"The record number of selection board meetings convened during the period under review, is the maximum since the establishment of varsity on October 14, 1882", he said.
Mujahid Kamran said that by the grace of the Almighty, not a single complaint had been lodged so far by any candidate, for admission or selection because of merit and good governance.
The VC said the university teachers had authored a record number of books on different topics, besides contributing research articles to national and international journals.
About discipline, he categorically said that "no body would be allowed to sabotage peaceful and congenial academic atmosphere of the varsity for their vested interests as 99.99 per cent students and teachers desired strict implementation of discipline in all faculties.