FAISALABAD: Many PhD degree holders continue to work as lecturers years after they joined the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF).

The Deans Committee of the UAF claimed about a decade ago that the lecturers having PhD degrees be appointed assistant professors on an ad hoc basis.

The Academic Staff Association of the university has taken up the issue with acting vice chancellor Dr Iqbal Zafar and mentioned that it is very unfortunate that many faculty members of the university are still serving as lecturers despite having PhD degreesandyears ofexperience. It said the ASA informed the university head that on Aug 23, 2003, the Deans Committee after having discussion on the issue resolved that `in order to encourage the young talented and energetic faculty, the lecturers having PhD with two-year experience within the university may be considered for appointment as assistant professors in accordance with the existingpractice.

Similarly, at another meeting held on Oct 19, 2007, the same committee decided that in future regular lecturers/research officers as and when would acquire the PhD qualifications should be appointed as AP without the requirement of two-year service/ experience purely on a temporary basis.

On Dec 24, 2008, the Deans Committee decided that ad hoc lecturers possessing PhD qualifications may be appointed as APs.

ASA President Prof Dr Amer Jamil said the University Act section 15(3-A) reads; `The VC shall, within seven days of taking an action under subsection (3), submit a report of the action taken to the Pro-Chancellor and to the members of the syndicate; and the syndicate shall, within forty-five days of such an action of the VC, passsuchordersasthesyndicate deems appropriate.

He has asked the VC to resolve the issue of the dozens of lecturers and promote them as APs on an ad hoc basis with immediate effect. He said the promotion would eliminate the disparity the faculty members are facing.