It is reported that across Pakistan, 51 out of 154 universities are operating without regular vice-chancellors. Among them, more than a dozen universities in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province have been operating without their leadership positions the Vice-Chancellor. This absence has not just raised concerns about the academic and administrative well-being of these institutions, which are struggling to preserve stability and advancement in the face of a vacuum of authority but also show lack of performance of provincial governments as well as other authorities.
Background
The issue is not new; reports from November 2020 indicate that at least 16 universities were facing this challenge. According to more recent reports, up to 12 universities are currently affected by a lack of VCs, with some sources claiming an even higher number of 19 universities are operating without Vice-Chancellors. The prolonged vacancies have raised concerns about the governance structure of these educational institutions, as well as the impact on students, faculty, and staff.
The situation highlights broader systemic problems related to the appointment process of university heads, which often involves political interference or lengthy bureaucratic procedures. In turn, this leads to delays in filling critical leadership roles, ultimately weakening the overall quality of education provided by these institutions.
Meanwhile, the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA KP) expressed concern about the absence of regular vice-chancellors in at least 19 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa universities.
فپواسا کا 19 جامعات کے وائس کی تعیناتی میں غیر ضروری تاخیر پر تشویش کا اظہار- کیونکہ اس سے صوبے کے جامعات میں شدید بے چینی پھیل رہی- تعیناتی میں اقربا پروری پر فپواسا قانون اور احتجاج کے زریعے سے آواز اٹھائے گا-@GovernmentKP @hajghulamali @KPChiefMinister @MAhmedhec
— FAPUASA KP (@fapuasa) February 15, 2024
Why do universities require Vice-Chancellors?
A research study emphasised the importance of the pivotal role of vice chancellors in shaping the academic and administrative landscape of universities in Pakistan, influencing areas such as leadership style, managerial expertise, and decision-making processes, and declared vice chancellors is
“The Chief Executive Officers and academic leaders of the universities”
But on the other hand, research has revealed that, despite the importance of Vice-Chancellors in universities, those in public universities have a more authoritarian leadership style. Such authoritarian leadership style often led to lack of transparency and accountability, fostering an environment where power can be misused, funds embezzlement, surplus appointments, and favoritism in appointments.
Like In November 2022, it was reported that the Vice Chancellor of Kohat University of Science and Technology was accused of abusing his authority and disregarding merit.
In 2019, a report surfaced claiming that some vice-chancellors of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa universities destroyed their respective academic institutions, including the University of Peshawar, Agricultural University Peshawar, Gomal University Dera Ismail Khan, and Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, through mismanagement, fund embezzlement, abuse of power and funds, surplus appointments, and appointments of loved ones to academic and administrative positions.
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Similarly, in the past case reported, that the vice chancellor of Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Dr. Ihsan Ali, was also accused and arrested in the province over charges of misuse of authority.
There are so many such cases reported where vice chancellors, who are regarded as academic leaders of universities, have been found misusing their power, which raises questions about the transparency of the selection process for vice chancellors and concerns about the misuse of authority by individuals appointed to these positions. But the prolonged vacant position of Vice-chancellor have also question mark the governance structure within educational institutes across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Consequences
The impact it may be having on students, faculty members, and staff. Universities without a VC face challenges such as delayed decision-making, limited strategic planning capabilities, and difficulties in effectively implementing policies. These issues can lower faculty and staff morale, which has a negative impact on student learning outcomes. Furthermore, the lack of a VC impedes efforts to attract top-tier talent, both in terms of teaching staff and research collaborations.