Pay raise must be linked with performance: HEC Chairman Dr. Mukhtar  Ahmed

It is just a recommendation so far: PHEC DG Dr. Shahid Soroya 

LAHORE: Despite poor performance of public sector universities in the international rankings, Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) has proposed another major salary raise for the vice chancellors of the province.

PHEC has sent a summary to Punjab Higher Education Department (PHED) for increase in the salary of vice chancellors, registrars, controllers of examination and treasurers after proposal of a committee led by Informational Technology University Vice Chancellor Dr. Umar Saif.

According to the summery, increased salary of VCs would be one million with  30% special allowance, 10% medical allowance, 15% house allowance and 5% utility allowance. Six months earlier, salary of VCs was increased and fixed at 0.6 million.

Salary of pro vice chancellors would increase to 0.7 million whereas registrars, controllers and treasurers will get 0.4 million along with other allowances.

The committee also recommended that VCs may also be given 45 days leave with salary.

HEC CHAIRMAN DR. MUKHTAR AHMAD

HEC Chairman Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, while talking to The Educationist, said that salaries were already very good. However, he supported the salary raise and stated that it would attract highly qualified persons as heads of universities. He said that HEC would also put the proposal before upcoming meeting of vice chancellors committee and discuss the matter so that such increase may be brought throughout the country. However, he said such increase must be linked with performance evaluation of the VCs. They must also be made accountable for the poor performance of universities.

 PHEC DG Dr. Shahid Soroya

While talking to The Educationist Dr. Shahid Soroya said it was a mere recommendation, not decision so far. A decision in this regard will be taken by the authorities concerned. He also supported the recommendations and stated that competitive salaries would definitely attract highly qualified candidates which was a dire need of  universities. “Most of the universities in Punjab are without regular VCs and this will help hiring highly qualified vice chancellors. However, as the CM Punjab has already made clear that performance of VCs will be evaluated at regular intervals, there will also be mid-career evaluation of VCs which will ensure their better performances,” he added.

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