ISLAMABAD: A search committee has finalised its task of shortlisting five candidates to complete the process of the much-delayed appointment of rector Comsats University Islamabad (CUI).

The committee’s recommendations will be placed before a special meeting of the university’s senate, which is slated to be held on July 22 to discuss the one-point agenda of appointing the CUI rector.

The federal minister for information technology, who is CUI pro-chancellor, had convened the said meeting.

“Yes, the issue of appointment of rector is going to be resolved soon. The search committee has finalised its working and shortlisted five names which will be placed before the senate to pick one for the post,” an official said.

Though an official letter has been issued by Comsats, informing members about the said meeting on July 22, a source in the federal government hinted that the meeting was likely to face postponement of some days due to the engagement of the minister, who has another important meeting to attend on July 22.

However, he said if the minister managed to get time, the meeting would be held as per schedule.

“Postponement of the meeting for a few days is not a big issue; what is positive is that the process of appointment of the rector is going to be completed. This is good news for faculty members and students,” he added.

In July last year, following the acceptance of the resignation of Rector Dr Mohammad T. Afzal, the university’s chancellor, the then president Dr Arif Alvi, gave the look-after charge to senior Dean Prof Dr Sajid Qamar till a regular rector was appointed. He is still running the affairs on look-after basis.

Moreover, several other important offices of the university including registrar office are also being run on ad hoc basis.

The CUI is one of the leading universities of the country with its principal seat in Islamabad and six campuses elsewhere - five in Punjab and one in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The CUI has around 35,000 students in all campuses, making it one of the major higher learning institutes of the country. Earlier, there was Comsat Institute, which became Comsats University in 2018 under an Act.—Staff Reporter