UET TSA president says PHECs are fighting for power as powers not transferred properly to the respective provincial departments
The way we are handling electricity shortfall crisis, it would complete the demand by 2018 – the election year

By Ali Arshad

Powers are not transferred properly to the PHECs of respective provincial departments. They are fighting for powers. Selections of VCs are not on merit & I think committee is not neutral in process.I am totally against the appointment of VC from other universities.Vice Chancellor should be among the teachers of the universities. In my opinion Sahiwal coal power project is a hazard for people’s health, environment of surroundings. These views were expressed by Prof. Dr. Suhail Aftab Qureshi, UET President of Teaching Staff Association and Dean Faculty of Electrical Engineering.

“For long-term energy needs we should focus on hydro power stations while we are adopting solar power,

wind energy system which are not reliable for us”

The Educationist: Sir, Please tell us about your early life and higher education?
Dr. Suhail Aftab: Well, my early education is from two schools one is Madrsahtul Binat Lake Road. I completed primary education (five classes) from this school after that remaining education up to matriculation from Govt Muslim Model School Lahore. Then I got admission in GC Lahore & I was shining student throughout my academic career. My father was in UET but I got admission in B.Sc Electrical Engineering on open merit not as employee son, then I left Pakistan for higher studies and went to UK, my Master degree from University of Manchester and i was in Top 25 International students my PhD is also from same Institution.
The Educationist: Tell us about your doctorate and research work?
Dr. Suhail Aftab: Throughout my subject was power engineering & my PhD is in Electrical Engineering with specialization in Power Engineering from UK. I have written 150 research papers &supervised more than 200 MSc students supervise and got than completed.I have written 5 books on the topic of my specialization, my 6th book is in pipe line. Book are using as text book in all over Pakistan.
The Educationist: You are now president of TSA 12th time unopposed selection. Do you think no other person is capable for this post?
Dr. Suhail Aftab: Yes, I am 12th time unopposed president of UET Teaching Staff Association before this I have worked in TSA on different positions like general secretary. 12 terms are historical record in all over Pakistani universities. There are few times when I lost my position in TSA. Peoples ask me to go in Guinness Book of World Record but I denied. In students’ evaluation I always got A+ category. I am also elected member of governing body of Pakistan Engineering Council. Our politics is totally different from others. We believe in the work for teacher’s welfare, their rights. I was also the head of UET employees housing society for 8 years undisputed. There is no allegation on me during my services.
The Educationist: Do you think TSA and university administration are on one page?
Dr. Suhail Aftab: I have worked with many vice chancellors but not on the president position, it is very difficult sometimes your demands are never considered by the administration….. sometimes. We have achieved the best possible percentage of demand of teachers. We achieve 90% of our agenda. My slogan is to work for community and you will be benefited as part of it. I have tried my best to make everybody happy.We cannot live without each other. Sometime he (VC) compromise sometime we compromise. I have work experience of more than 30 years in public universities.
The Educationist: You were also the candidate of Vice Chancellor, how do you see all the process of VC selection & search committee role?
Dr. Suhail Aftab: In my opinion many people have reservations on Search Committee and selection process. The committee is totally from private universities setup. Selection of VCs are not on merit & I think committee is not neutral in process. PHEC Chairman Dr. Nizamuddin told me members of Search Committee personalize in selection. Vice Chancellor should be among the teachers of the universities because he knows the actual problems of the university, while outsider could not know properly about problematic areas & the system. I am totally against the appointment of VC from other universities. There are very wrong & totally politicize appointments. Perfect people should be encouraged.
The Educationist: You are specialized in power engineering. How can we overcome electricity shortfall, one of the major issues of Pakistan?
Dr. Suhail Aftab: Government is trying its level best to overcome this major crisis but the way we are handling it,we would complete the demand by 2018 – the election year. We should have to focus on hydro power stations while we are going to adopt solar power, wind energy system they are not reliable for us. Reliability is only on reservoir of the water, dams are permanent solution that is useful for multipurpose like agriculture, irrigation, fishing etc.Lot of water we are wasting without using it. I want to say that the coal technology is dangerous in populated areas. In my opinion Sahiwal coal power project is a hazard for people’s health and environment of surroundings.
The Educationist: How do you see devolution of Higher Education after 18th Amendment and establishment of provincial higher education commissions?
Dr. Suhail Aftab: Powers are not transferred properly to the respective provincial departments. Let it be totally transferred to the provinces then see the performance in my opinion. They are fighting for powers. Federal HEC should play its monitoring role.