GILGIT: A system of merit has been introduced at Karakoram International University (KIU) to keep sectarian influences under check, the university’s vice chancellor Dr Muhammad Asif Khan said on Saturday.
HunzaNews, April 5th, 2015.
He was speaking to journalists at his Gilgit office for the first time since he seized the reins in June 2014, replacing Dr Najma Najam as the institute’s VC.
“I have realised there is a serious trust deficit in the KIU administration which can only be overcome by emphasising the importance of merit,” said the VC. “This would be a suitable strategy to deal with various groups who seek to influence administrative matters to serve their own narrow interests.”
According to Khan, it will take time to develop a system which upholds merit at the university.
“Nevertheless, we are willing to achieve this goal as it is the only way to guarantee progress at Gilgit-Baltistan’s only university,” he added.
In December 2012, sectarian clashes erupted between two student groups at the university in which two people, including a policeman, were killed while seven others were injured.
The VC said various groups had tried to exert undue pressure on him after he assumed charge.
”However, I have, and will continue to, resist all pressure for the sake of the institute,” he said.
Khan maintained a series of rules were being devised to ensure transparency in appointments, promotions and other managerial concerns. “This will take us a step further towards creating a merit-based system,” he added.
According to the VC, a range of facilities are being offered to provide a level playing field to students.
“Laptops will be distributed among 1,400 students,” he said. “A merit list has been prepared by the KIU administration in this regard and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will distribute laptops among students during his visit to the region.”
Speaking about the institute’s role in promoting education, Khan said KIU has carved a niche for itself as an important repository for knowledge in G-B.
KIU was established in 2002 through a charter from the federal government under former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf’s tenure.
Express Tribune
