Summary Sindh government allocates Rs44.46 billion to public universities, plans solarization, pension reforms, digitalization and raises professors’ retirement age to 65.
KARACHI (Dunya News) - Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah has said the provincial government is fully aware of the challenges facing universities and is providing Rs44.46 billion in grants to public-sector universities across the province.
A meeting of vice chancellors of public-sector universities, chaired by Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah, was attended by vice chancellors of 32 public universities in Sindh, the chairman of the Sindh Higher Education Commission and the secretary of Universities and Boards.
The meeting reviewed the financial, administrative and academic challenges confronting universities. Vice chancellors briefed the chief secretary on the problems and requirements of their respective institutions.
Shah said the meeting aimed to hear directly from vice chancellors about the challenges faced by universities and possible solutions. He added that the provincial government would approach the federal government to resolve issues falling under its jurisdiction.
The chairman of the Sindh Higher Education Commission said Sindh provides higher grants-in-aid to universities than other provinces.
Vice chancellors identified pension liabilities and electricity bills as major financial burdens. They said private universities were attracting qualified teachers from public institutions by offering higher salaries, making it difficult for public universities to retain experienced faculty. Some teachers who had moved abroad were also reluctant to return.
The meeting also discussed delays in approvals from the Pakistan Nursing Council and the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, requests for irrelevant information under the Right to Information framework, campus security and measures to prevent drug use in universities.
Vice chancellors stressed the need for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to help attract international students to universities in Sindh.
Participants agreed to promote public-private partnerships in university development projects, digitalize financial and administrative systems, and give special attention to skills development.
The chief secretary said pension liabilities remained a major challenge and called for discouraging non-faculty recruitment. Recommendations concerning university syndicates would be submitted to the provincial cabinet, while education professionals would be included in university syndicates.
Shah directed universities to engage alumni more effectively in institutional development and submit research proposals to the government. He said research should be accredited and linked with industry, while universities in Sindh should establish partnerships with international institutions.
He emphasized that comprehensive research and feasibility studies must precede the establishment of new campuses, with a clear policy and defined benchmarks guiding such decisions.
The chief secretary said a solarization plan would be introduced to reduce universities’ electricity costs and directed institutions to eliminate illegal electricity connections.
The meeting also decided to forward a summary to the provincial cabinet proposing an increase in the retirement age of professors from 60 to 65 years.
The Sindh Higher Education Commission said universities were being provided Rs60 million for MPhil and PhD programmes. It added that Rs50 million would be allocated this year for international conferences at universities.
The commission further said strategic leadership programmes for pro-vice chancellors and deans, along with professional development programmes for registrars and faculty members, had been launched.
Shah assured participants that the Sindh government would continue consultations with vice chancellors to address the problems facing public-sector universities.
