LAHORE: The newly appointed vice chancellors of seven public sector universities face serious challenge of political and bureaucratic influence after the power center is apparently shaken in the wake of 18th Constitutional Amendment and establishment of Provincial Higher Education Commission.

PHED has appointed seven VCs and three posts are still vacant. Punjab Education Minister Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan at a recent meeting with the newly elected VCs has urged them to prepare a roadmap for the development of their respective universities.
However political and bureaucratic influence has made the job of VCs a challenging one. The newly appointed VCs have brought strong academic and research track record to bring about required changes.
Prof Dr Hassan Amir Shah, Vice Chancellor GCU Lahore, did his PhD form Quaid-i-Azam University in Physics and post doctorate from University of Sussex London, International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy and the Space Physics Institute, Rome.
Overall impact factor of his research publications exceeds 176 and Prof Shah has more than 110 research articles published in reputed international journals. He has served GCU for 13 years as Professor and also as Head of Physics. He also remained founder president of GCU Academic Staff Association.
Prof Dr Rauf-i-Azam, Vice Chancellor University of Education Lahore, earned his PhD degree in operations research from Japan. Dr. Rauf has served in known educational institutes like Arid Agriculture University, Iqra University, Socio Engineering Consultants. In addition, he has worked as senior level educational management positions for more than 13 years.
Prof Dr Tahir Amin, Vice Chancellor BZU Multan, holds a PhD in Political Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1988), a Masters in International Relations from Carleton University, Canada (1978), and an MSc in International Relations from Quaid-i-Azam University (1976). He received a King Faisal Scholarship to study at MIT, and a Fulbright Award at Harvard University (1992), where he worked on a research project on “Reactions of the Non-Western world to the Thesis of the Clash of Civilizations by Samuel Huntington.”
Previously, he was the Iqbal Chair at the Centre for International Studies, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK (1997-2001). His research focuses on questions of world order, Pakistan’s foreign relations, domestic politics of Pakistan, Kashmir, terrorism, and the politics of South and Central Asia.

Prof Dr Talat Afza, Vice Chancellor Govt Sadiq College Women University Bahawalpur, holds a PhD degree in International Trade & Finance from Wayne State University Detroit USA and also Master’s degree in Economics from the same University. Her area of research include international trade & finance working capital management, women entrepreneurship, mutual funds, corporate governance & foreign direct investment. She has more than 80 publications in national & international journals, five book chapters and 40 conference papers to her credit. She won HEC best superviser award in 2010. She has taught at University of Michigan Dearborn (USA), Wayne State University Detroit (USA), BZU Multan, University of Lahore, Virtual University Pakistan.
Prof Dr Samina Amin Qadir, Vice Chancellor FJWU Rawalpindi, has secured her second term. She has earned her PhD in Linguistics in 1986 & M.Ed in TEFL University of Wales College of Cardiff Wales, UK in 1988. Masters in English Literature from University of the Punjab & BA also from PU in Arts. Dr Samina had served in various universities like, Fatima Jinnah Women University Rawalpindi, Bahaudin Zakaria University Multan (1983-1993), Allama Iqbal Open University Islamabad, Federal Govt. College for women Islamabad. She has over 25 publications to her credit
Prof Dr Muhammad Khalique Ahmed, Vice chancellor Ghazi University DG Khan, earned PhD degree in Entrepreneurship Business Management from University of Malaysia Sarawak. He was former HoD of Business and Management Science in DHA Suffa University Karachi. He has 34 publications on his credit.
Prof Dr Athar Mahboob, Vice Chancellor Khawaja Fareed University of Engineering & Information Technology Rahim Yar Khan, hold his PhD degree in Electrical Engineering from NUST 2005, and BS MS obtain from Florida State University USA. He had been Professor of Electrical Engineering & Dean Facility of Engineering & applied sciences at the DHA Suffa University Karachi. He has over 25 years Teaching, Research and Industrial experience in various prestigious Universities & organization in Pakistan and abroad. Dr Athar was decorated with the civil award of Tamgha-e-Imtiaz by President of Pakistan on 14th August 2012.
Prof Dr Sarah Shahed of LCWU and Prof Dr Rukhsana Kausar of PU Applied Psychology are in the run for Lahore College for Women University. Dr Sarah Shahed did PhD from PU MSc Health Psy from UK and M. Phil from QAU. However, Dr Rukhsana Kausar is a foreign PhD degree holders and have more research publication in her credit. On a complaint of Dr Kausar the matter of appointment of LCWU is pending.
Prof Dr Muhammad Akram is a strong candidate to secure second term in University of Sargodah after the inquiry committed has cleared him in all charges.