Sindh's CM orders comprehensive audit of Govt universities

Karachi: Caretaker Chief Minister of Sindh, Justice (Retd) Maqbool Baqar, has issued a directive to the Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to conduct a comprehensive audit of all government universities in the province.

The directive came during a meeting of the University and Board, which was chaired by Maqbool Baqar and attended by the Chief Secretary of Sindh, the Chairman of HEC, and other officials.

During the meeting, Maqbool Baqar emphasized the role of HEC in promoting the development and research activities of higher education institutions.

He noted that HEC was established in 2013 with the goal of improving the quality of education and research in the country, and it formulates policies to enhance educational priorities.

One of the key programs initiated by HEC is the Research Support Program, which includes provisions for MPhil and PhD scholarships, laboratory improvements, and the development of smart classrooms. 

However, Maqbool Baqar expressed concerns about the current state of research in Pakistani universities, stating that it lags behind international standards.

He pointed out that while the world has made significant advancements in research, there is still a need to focus on improving universities in Pakistan.

Maqbool Baqar also raised concerns about the quality of research being conducted in universities and highlighted the absence of senate meetings in nine universities.

In response to these issues, the Caretaker Chief Minister directed that a thorough audit be conducted for all government universities.

Additionally, he emphasized the importance of establishing a pension fund in universities, citing the concerns of retired employees at Karachi University who are facing financial difficulties due to inadequate funds.