ISLAMABAD: The HEC is known for taking its time in making appointments to top positions. Following an eightmonth long saga that finally led to the appointment of its chairperson, the commission now faces a delay in the appointment of a full-time executive director (ED).

An acting ED was, however, appointed by the chairperson.

It has been over a month since the post was vacated after the former HEC ED Dr Mukhtar Ahmed was appointed the chairman of the commission on April 16.

However, an HEC spokesperson claims that the position of a permanent ED will be advertised within the next two weeks.

According to the rules, only an 18-member HEC governing body can appoint the ED, but because of a lack of quorum, a meeting of the body could not be summoned up till now. However, Dr Mukhtar nominated HEC Member Academics Mansoor Akbar Kundi who currently serving as the acting ED of the commission.

`Section 11 (B) of the HEC act clearly states that the secretariat, headed by an executive director, shall act as the executing wing of the Commission and shall be responsible for implementation of all the orders, decisions, directives and policy of the Commission,` an HEC official said while talking about the responsibilities of an ED.

`An ED formulates polices and also sets the priorities for universities in order to promote the socio-economic development of the country.

He also advises the federal and the provincial governments on proposals to grant a charter in order to award degrees in both public and private sector institutions,` the official said.

`The ED also submits budgets to the federal government for public sector institutions and allocates funds to these institutions,` he said.

HEC Spokesperson Ayesha Ikram told Dawn that the HEC management has been working for the appointment of a full-time ED and the post will be advertised within two weeks.

`We have been trying to convene the meeting of HEC`s governing body, but because of unavailability of members, this has not been possible.

Reminders are sent to members every week and as soon as they are available, a meeting will be convened,` she said.