ISLAMABAD: The prolonged delay in appointing the rector of Comsats University Islamabad (CUI) has perturbed the faculty members.

In July last year, rector Dr Mohammad T. Afzal resigned, and then president Dr Arif Alvi, being chancellor of the university, handed the look-after charge to senior Dean Prof Dr Sajid Qamar until the appointment of a regular rector.

However, a rector has not been appointed until now, raising eyebrows. Recently, a search committee was formed which conducted interviews and shortlisted candidates, but the process has not been completed yet.

Meanwhile, the Academic Staff Association (ASA) of Comsats, an elected body of faculty members, pointed out in an official press release on Monday that some elements were trying to sabotage the process of appointing a rector.

`Some reports recently circulated that certain quarters with vested interests are trying to sabotage the fair, transparentand legal process of the selection of a new rector. It is a matter of grave concern for the faculty, and ASA-CUI, being representative of the faculty, strongly condemns such tactics that are bound to have a negative impact on the smooth functioning of the university. ASA-CUI stresses that any such act that may hamper the process of rector selection must be avoided. The ASACUI is closely observing the process and any act to sabotage the process would be strongly opposed by the faculty at all available forums,` read the statement of the ASA, which was issued by President ASA Islamabad Dr Mohammad Jadoon Khan.

Meanwhile, spealcing to Dawn, a faculty member alleged that some elements with vested interests wanted to get the process of appointing a rector further delayed.

He alleged that the elements wanted to see their preferred candidates in the final race for the appointment of rector, but because of the strong educational credentials and best academic and administrative backgrounds of other candidates, twofavourites of said elements were nowhere in the race. The faculty member said that due to this backdrop now these certain quarters wanted to sabotage the entire process of appointing a rector.

Similarly, the statement said that offices of the registrar, treasurer and controller were also being run under the interim arrangement, while the position of pro-rector was never filled.

`ASA-CUI Islamabad chapter is anxiously waiting for the timely appointment of a permanent rector and expects from the rector`s search committee that the candidates with strong and proven background having high achievements in their respective fields would be shortlisted. The association emphasises that the shortlisted candidates must have a clean image for university functioning and possess high moral values,` the statement said.

It added that the university has gone through a long period of interim and ad hoc setup in the past. The appointment of the previous rector, Prof Mohammad Tabassum Afzal, brought a ray of hope about ending the long last-ing ad hoc setup at the university.

It said for a long time statutory positions such as pro-rector, registrar and treasurer were never filled even during his tenure; instead, the positions were run through a defective ad hoc setup.

`In a mysterious move, the previous rector rendered an immediate resignation,endinghistenure of five years prematurely after three years, without any solid reason. Due to his abrupt decision, all major offices of the university are again being run by an ad hoc/ interim setup for last one year, said the statement.

The ASA-CUI demanded that the Ministry of Science and Technology and the senate of CUI, which is headed by the president of Pakistan, complete the selection and appointment process of the rector within the stipulated time and appoint a visionary professional with financial integrity to run the university.

`The ASA-CUI, Islamabad Chapter, is looking forward to the incoming rector ending the longlasting ad-hoc setup in the university. At the same time, the association expects that the new rector will solve all the problems faced by the faculty and staff.