Pakistan seats in 14 foreign universities lying vacant

Islamabad: Pakistan chairs in 14 various international universities, which are supposed to be contributory for image building of the country, have been lying unfilled for five to 10 years.

Some eligible candidates were suggested for the empty post by a selection board almost 9 months ago, however no decision has been taken so far for their selection.

These seats are set up on a communal basis as well as their holders deliver lectures targeted at promoting Urdu, teachings of Quaid-i-Azam, Allama Iqbal, culture and history of Pakistan and also improving image of the country in the world.

The Pakistan Chairs known as Urdu and Pakistan Studies Chair, Quaid-i-Azam Chair and Allama Iqbal Fellowship Chair are present in 14 states that include United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US), Turkey, Iran, Egypt, Kazakhstan and China as well.

Through sources we come to know that Pakistan Chair in Columbia University, US, has been lying unfilled for ten years, in Tehran University, Iran, for almost years and in Jamia Azhar, Egypt, for 5 years.

Highly qualified scholars along with the PhD degree as well as the strong teaching background are considered for Pakistan Chairs, though it has been observed that the concerned management always find it difficult to go on with such persons for the post.

A lack of interest on part of the following governments is blamed for it.

When contacted, the chairperson of Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, who is one of the members of the selection committee, told that he had taken up the issue along with the cabinet division which was accountable for selections to the chairs.

He said that the meeting of the cabinet division will be organized next week to discuss this matter and chalk out an upcoming line of action.

Last year in September, the selection board suggested the names of 7 eligible candidates to the cabinet division; however no final decision has been taken so far for their appointment.

The applicants were selected by the board after an ad in newspapers. The criteria involved that the applicants must have a PhD degree, 10 years teaching experience in well-known universities and have some journals.

Asked why the Pakistan Chairs had not been occupied for five to 10 years, he said that he take responsibility of his office three years back and since then he had been raising this matter at different forums.