PESHAWAR (Education Reporter) A high-level conference of Vice Chancellors from public sector universities across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was held at the University of Peshawar under the auspices of the Department of Higher Education. The conference focused on deliberating solutions for the severe financial crisis facing older universities, improving academic quality, and streamlining administrative operations. Vice Chancellors from 34 public universities, along with government officials, security experts, and educationists, attended the event.
Institutional Discipline and Zero-Tolerance Against Drugs: Addressing the conference, Dr. Syed Aamir Abdullah, Member of the Advisory Council for Education, emphasized that while resolving educational challenges is the government’s responsibility, establishing robust systems, discipline, and administrative efficiency must remain the top priority of Vice Chancellors. He noted that academic and financial difficulties can only be overcome through concrete, result-oriented strategies, adding that promoting research and innovation has become imperative.
Expressing deep concern over drug abuse in educational institutions, Dr. Aamir Abdullah directed university authorities to eradicate drugs from campuses and hostels completely. He stressed the urgent need to purge hostel systems of outsiders and address operational shortcomings, urging all universities to strictly enforce a zero-tolerance policy against drugs.
Recommendation Report to Be Presented to KP Governor: Secretary Higher Education Dr. Abid Ullah Kakar was also present during the conference. Vice Chancellors presented detailed proposals identifying the root causes of financial strain and suggesting sustainable solutions for academic issues facing public universities.
A special group discussion was conducted during the second session of the conference. Upon conclusion, a comprehensive report featuring the proposals and recommendations formulated by the Vice Chancellors will be presented to Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi to implement a permanent and practical solution to the higher education crisis.