The process of appointment of permanent chairperson of the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) has entered the final stage. As many as 143 candidates had submitted applications for the post of second permanent chairperson. Chairman Prime Minister Task Force on Science and Technology and founder chairman Higher Education Commission of Pakistan Dr Atta-ur-Rehman was the head of high-powered committee which conducted interviews of shortlisted candidates on May 8-9. Sources in the higher education department told Business Recorder on Wednesday that 15 candidates were shortlisted for the interview. Finally, a summary having three names were finalized which will be sent for approval to the Punjab chief minister.
Sources further said that the names of the proposed candidates are Dr Fazal Ahmad Khalid who is former vice chancellor of University of Engineering and Technology and Vice President Pakistan Engineering Council (Punjab chapter); Dr Muhammad Ashraf, Vice Chancellor Agriculture University Faisalabad and former chairman Pakistan Science Foundation; Dr Arshad Saleem Bhatti, dean faculty of sciences of a private university.