"Reforms is my only and ultimate resolve. We are stepping into the New Year with a fresh dream of enhancing quality paradigm at University of Sindh. Education without adherence to internationally-recognized standards of quality would be of little or no use". This was stated by Professor Dr Fateh Muhammad Burfat, Vice-Chancellor, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, while chairing a high-profile meeting of the deans and academic as well as administrative heads of the University at Senate Hall of the VC-Secretariat on Sunday.
The meeting was convened by the International Standard Organization (ISO) Certification Cell of the university to review the volume, pace, nature and preparation of the work that had hitherto been covered by the Cell team headed by Dr Ameer Ali Abro, Consultant to Vice-Chancellor on Higher Education; the meeting also aimed to seek input of the deans of various faculties and heads of various teaching and administrating departments of the varsity to this effect.
VC-SU Dr Burfat on the occasion remarked that the ranking of the university could never be improved without first embracing, enhancing and implementing the concept of quality in all spheres. "We need not only to understand, accept and adopt 'quality' prototype in letter as well as in spirit, if we want to change the image and functioning of the alma mater for better", he urged.
Burfat said that the easiest and the fastest way to change the University for the best was to prepare ground for acquisition of ISO certification. "This is the reason I, in first 3 months of my tenure, established ISO Certification Cell to do the desired. It has always been, and still is; my top priority", he emphasized. The Vice-Chancellor further said that as part of ISO initiative a number of important reforms would accrue by default that include minimum 75 percent classroom student attendance and online and live presentation of all PhD research seminars.
A number of highly important presentations relating to the theme of the meeting were also given on the occasion. Those presentations included a briefing by Dr Ammer Ali Abro, Incharge, ISO Certification Cell regarding execution and outcomes of a pilot study on the implementation of ISO policy procedure, a talk by Dr Shahzad Ahmed Memon on double entry online attendance system, a report by Controller of Examinations (Semester) Muhammad Ali Roshan Pathan on submission, grading procedures, announcement and follow-up of online results, a detailed presentation by Quality Enhancement Cell team on the achievements made by the Varsity up until then; and a brief by Director, Research and Graduate Studies Dr Ahsique Ali Jhatial on the prospects, procedures and adoption of online live PhD seminars.
The meeting also sought input from the deans, directors, chairpersons and administrative heads who were in attendance. The house was also apprised by the ISO team on the development of specimen of composite course file, self assessment report form and corrective/preventive action request from, follow-up and system policy procedure forms and other advancements made in this regard.