Do VCs Want Student Unions? Yes Archives

Contrary to what is thought of them today, student unions were a dynamic platform for students to peacefully engage in debate and discourse over various pertinent issue. That made the youngsters of yesteryear much more tolerant than the youth of today. Shahkar Aziz makes pleads the case for student unions and why they need to come back.

On February 9th, 1984, then Martial Law administrator cum president of Pakistan General Ziaul Haq issued a ban on Student Unions throughout Pakistan. Whatever the reason behind this act was, it effectively put an end to student unions on campuses, which has continued to this day. In these 34 years or so, many attempts to revive or restore student unions have taken place – all of them facing failure.So, what are student unions? While it may seem odd to discuss a question as basic as this, it is important in that there is a general sense of confusion regarding student unions, often confused with individual student organizations. Student unions are general student bodies, elected by students, and recognized by the administration of the institute. In fact, before the ban, many universities had a student unions fund, which was provided to the elected representatives of the unions to be used for student welfare. Every major educational institute had a constitution for the working of these unions, and they were usually provided with office space within the campus. Elections were held every year, with representatives from different student organizations or even independent students taking part. Therefore, student unions were beyond individual organizations, and acted as a representative of students of all types of political or ideological affiliation. These unions then organized various academic and co-curricular activities, and also highlighted issues of students’ rights.

Thus, with the support of the students, these unions wielded considerable political power, and were involved in various national political issues as well. While on-campus violence was cited as the cause for the ban imposed on student unions, the political power and activism of student unions was seen as a threat for authoritarian regimes, and this may have been the main reason they were banned.

A FORUM TO DIFFER, PEACEFULLY

Student unions provided space for both ideological and political dissent within campuses, as student unions mostly pursued a narrative that went against the power establishment. Also, student unions provided space for debate and discussion among ideological and political opponents, which would have a positive impact on the general discourse in society. One of the reasons of the intolerance that we see on all sides of the spectrum is that our youth have not had the chance to engage in meaningful debate regarding important issues.

Also, these unions provided an opportunity for students to engage in a democratic process of elections, engendering in them democratic values during their student life. In the politics of Pakistan, we see that political parties are dominated by political dynasties, or are often controlled by certain feudal and capitalist elites, who wield both power and money. As such, political parties become hostage to these interest groups, and cannot pursue their policies fully. On the other hand, student unions helped to produce political leadership that emerged from the masses, from middle-class families. If given enough time, student unions will certainly help in creating a political class that is ideologically-driven, determined, educated and open to the issues of the common man.

BAD PRESS

But for the past 34 years, student unions have received a lot of negative press through propaganda of all sorts, leading to much confusion. One main reason given in support of the ban is the on-campus violence that may ensue once student unions are restored. Certainly, on-campus violence was a reality in the late 70s and early 80s, when our country was in a general state of political and ideological polarization. But instead of seeking a discussion amongst stake-holders on how to solve the issue, or how to create a general framework for the working of these unions, the government decided to use this issue as a political tool, and banned student unions altogether. This is because political regimes may see student activists as a threat to their political power, as is the case in India, for example. Within India, student unions have been politically very active. In the very recent issue of the NRC and CAA legislations regarding citizenship grants, student unions have initiated a country-wide struggle against the controversial legislation of the Modi government.

MUFFLED VOICE

Another reason might be the students’ protest against fee hikes in UK in 2010, for example. Pakistan, a country that is relatively ‘youngʼ in the sense that a considerable proportion of the population is in the younger age group – needs to focus and invest on this segment of society. However, our education system is in shambles. Due to the commercialization of the education sector, education has become a sort of commodity that only the financially-able consumers can afford. The administrations of educational institutions have totalitarian powers within campuses, and are usually inefficient and corrupt. Furthermore, with rising tuition fees and lack of facilities, the student community has been facing problems of all sorts. So, with the effective ban on student unions, there is no united voice or representation of students; no platform from which students can solve their issues. In fact, the ban has resulted in de-politicization of students, so as to turn them into docile subjects to be manipulated by those in power.

What is the way forward? Recently, the issue of student unions has captured the limelight again, particularly on our electronic and social media platforms.Now is the time to think about this issue in a sincere way, and to come up with concrete solutions. We need a grand dialogue between all stakeholders, students being the most important part of the issue. The dialogue needs to focus on forming a framework, acceptable for all, through which the students can express and represent themselves, raise a voice for their problems, and effectively solve them. This framework should then be implemented throughout the country, and the ban should then immediately be lifted.Maybe history has provided us with a chance to rectify our mistakes, and to learn from them. It is up to us whether we respond to this call of history or not.

Shahkar Aziz has an MPhil is Islamic Studies and runs a chain of international schools in Peshawar. He can be reached at shahkaraziz@gmail.com

E Magazine

Do VCs Want Student Unions? Yes, But Only A Part Of ‘Em

February 28, 2020 No Comments

By the look of things, everyone appears to want and wish for the restoration of student unions at universities. But many vice chancellors, the officials who will eventually be dealing with these unions if restored, have some reservations. Arsalan Haider finds out what these are and in what way do the VCs want the unions back on campus.

round the world, student unions are considered one of the key ways students can make the transition from the carefree life of teenage years at schools and colleges to becoming responsible adults. For decades, student unions have given hundreds of future leaders to the world, trained thousands in the art of debate and discourse, provided students around the world a platform raise a voice for their rights and force governments into action, and even played their part in changing the course of many nation’s histories.Despite possessing so much good in them, student unions remain banned in Pakistan since 1984. It was the military regime of Gen Ziaul Haq that slapped the ban on student unions, blaming them for politicizing campuses and engaging in violence. Since then, several student bodies and organizations exist on campuses across Pakistan, but without a legal status, authority and validation from varsity administrations.

In November last year, students under the banner of Progressive Student’s Collective held massive rallies across the country demanding rights for students, including restoration of student unions. The rallies forced the initiation of an intense debate on whether the unions should return to campuses. Several government ministers, including the prime minister himself, expressed their backing for the restoration of unions, albeit with a regulatory framework.But the furor also raised another much talked about issue regarding student unions: of whether they actually provide students a platform to present their problems or just become puppets of those who wield actual power?

While students might be rejoicing over the thought of resurrection of unions at campuses, vice chancellors, who are responsible for maintaining discipline and running the administrative affairs of universities, seem not really happy with the idea.For this exclusive story, Academia Magazine talked to various VCs of public universities, discovering that the top varsity officials had, at best, reservations about the idea of bringing student unions back.

Good Omen

Dr Ishtiaq Ahmad, the VC at University of Sargodha, opined that restoring student unions with a firm code of conduct would, of course, be a good step for the country. “Student unions will provide more opportunities to students for critical dialogue, thereby acting as a nursery for national leadership”.He said Pakistan was currently facing a leadership crisis at various levels. “Hence, we must nurture opportunities that pave the way for the emergence of a dynamic and productive leadership from amongst university youth.”But in the same breath, Dr Ishtiaq warned that things could also get out of hand. “Keeping in view Pakistan’s political culture and sociocultural situation, restoration of student unions will definitely disturb the peaceful academic environment of universities,” VC said. He said the prime reason was the involvement of external political parties in student unions at universities. “Then, there are regional and religious groups that get engaged in into campus politics.”

Student unions will provide more opportunities to students for critical dialogue, thereby acting as a nursery for national leadership, University of Sargodha VC Dr Ishtiaq Ahmad

Dr Ishtiaq observed that unfortunately, many “non-student” elements that had nothing to do with academics dominated student politics in universities and students get exploited for their ulterior motives. “As a result, violence creeps into campuses and the overall environment at universities becomes fraught with terror, fear, exploitation and torture. Restoration of unions without working out a sustainable code of conduct will be detrimental to peaceful environment at universities,” he added. The VC said restoration of unions should be gradual and there must be a code of conduct for these bodies. “Most importantly, unions must be totally isolated from external mainstream politics,” he said.

Dr Niaz Ahmad currently mans the top slot at the University of the Punjab, the country’s largest and oldest seat of learning. In his brief comment on the issue, Dr Niaz said PU would toe the government’s line. “If the government decides to allow elections for electing students unions, PU will also hold elections.”

New Avenues

National College of Arts (NCA) Principal Dr Murtaza Jaffari also believes that there is nothing wrong in restoring unions at university campuses. However, he said the government must also maximize sports activities, open debates on various issues, conduct seminars, discussions, and workshops on national and international issues. “Other forums should also be made available to engage students in order that they keep away from political activities.”

There is nothing wrong in restoring unions at varsities, but other forums should also be made available to engage students so that they keep away from political activities, NCA Principal Dr Murtaza Jaffar

Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) former chairman Professor Dr Nizamuddin was of the view that student unions were very active in Pakistan in the 1960s and “I was also part of unions at that time”. “There is no doubt that politics was involved in the union culture and all political parties had their own student wings. Student leaders were also exploited and misused by all political parties for their own interests,” he added.Dr Nizam said times had changed drastically over the years and the environment of universities was entirely different in present times. “If someone wants to restore student unions in universities and colleges, then there is a dire need to set up a mechanism to keep politics and political parties away from these unions.”

PHEC former chairman Professor Dr Nizamuddin says there is a dire need to set up a mechanism to keep politics and political parties away from student unions

Takeaway

Human societies have evolved only because they eventually agreed to stick to certain rules of civility for the common good of the species. Just like every human being has his or her pros and cons, students unions have both advantages and disadvantages. It is also true that in Pakistan’s case, the majority of positives that the unions ever possessed were overshadowed by the violence that was fed into them by forces that exploited them for their own vested interests.The right to associate is a basic democratic right of every citizen. And a regulatory framework/mechanism ensures that that right is protected from powers that aim to use it for their own gains, either through fear, wealth or force. The VCs might be hinting at similar reservations when they talk of framework and regulation of student unions to keep political forces at bay. But with the power to make those laws and working rules resting squarely with the political leadership, it is unlikely that politics ever remain out of student-union equation.

Additional commentary by Azam Mahmood

E Magazine

Do VCs Want Student Unions? Yes, But Only A Part Of ‘Em

February 26, 2020 No Comments

By the look of things, everyone appears to want and wish for the restoration of student unions at universities. But many vice chancellors, the officials who will eventually be dealing with these unions if restored, have some reservations. Arsalan Haider finds out what these are and in what way do the VCs want the unions back on campus.

Around the world, student unions are considered one of the key ways students can make the transition from the carefree life of teenage years at schools and colleges to becoming responsible adults. For decades, student unions have given hundreds of future leaders to the world, trained thousands in the art of debate and discourse, provided students around the world a platform raise a voice for their rights and force governments into action, and even played their part in changing the course of many nation’s histories.Despite possessing so much good in them, student unions remain banned in Pakistan since 1984. It was the military regime of Gen Ziaul Haq that slapped the ban on student unions, blaming them for politicizing campuses and engaging in violence. Since then, several student bodies and organizations exist on campuses across Pakistan, but without a legal status, authority and validation from varsity administrations.

In November last year, students under the banner of Progressive Student’s Collective held massive rallies across the country demanding rights for students, including restoration of student unions. The rallies forced the initiation of an intense debate on whether the unions should return to campuses. Several government ministers, including the prime minister himself, expressed their backing for the restoration of unions, albeit with a regulatory framework.But the furor also raised another much talked about issue regarding student unions: of whether they actually provide students a platform to present their problems or just become puppets of those who wield actual power?

While students might be rejoicing over the thought of resurrection of unions at campuses, vice chancellors, who are responsible for maintaining discipline and running the administrative affairs of universities, seem not really happy with the idea.For this exclusive story, Academia Magazine talked to various VCs of public universities, discovering that the top varsity officials had, at best, reservations about the idea of bringing student unions back.

Good Omen

Dr Ishtiaq Ahmad, the VC at University of Sargodha, opined that restoring student unions with a firm code of conduct would, of course, be a good step for the country. “Student unions will provide more opportunities to students for critical dialogue, thereby acting as a nursery for national leadership”.He said Pakistan was currently facing a leadership crisis at various levels. “Hence, we must nurture opportunities that pave the way for the emergence of a dynamic and productive leadership from amongst university youth.”But in the same breath, Dr Ishtiaq warned that things could also get out of hand. “Keeping in view Pakistan’s political culture and sociocultural situation, restoration of student unions will definitely disturb the peaceful academic environment of universities,” VC said. He said the prime reason was the involvement of external political parties in student unions at universities. “Then, there are regional and religious groups that get engaged in into campus politics.”

Dr Ishtiaq observed that unfortunately, many “non-student” elements that had nothing to do with academics dominated student politics in universities and students get exploited for their ulterior motives. “As a result, violence creeps into campuses and the overall environment at universities becomes fraught with terror, fear, exploitation and torture. Restoration of unions without working out a sustainable code of conduct will be detrimental to peaceful environment at universities,” he added. The VC said restoration of unions should be gradual and there must be a code of conduct for these bodies. “Most importantly, unions must be totally isolated from external mainstream politics,” he said.

Dr Niaz Ahmad currently mans the top slot at the University of the Punjab, the country’s largest and oldest seat of learning. In his brief comment on the issue, Dr Niaz said PU would toe the government’s line. “If the government decides to allow elections for electing students unions, PU will also hold elections.”

New Avenues

National College of Arts (NCA) Principal Dr Murtaza Jaffari also believes that there is nothing wrong in restoring unions at university campuses. However, he said the government must also maximize sports activities, open debates on various issues, conduct seminars, discussions, and workshops on national and international issues. “Other forums should also be made available to engage students in order that they keep away from political activities.”Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) former chairman Professor Dr Nizamuddin was of the view that student unions were very active in Pakistan in the 1960s and “I was also part of unions at that time”. “There is no doubt that politics was involved in the union culture and all political parties had their own student wings. Student leaders were also exploited and misused by all political parties for their own interests,” he added.

Dr Nizam said times had changed drastically over the years and the environment of universities was entirely different in present times. “If someone wants to restore student unions in universities and colleges, then there is a dire need to set up a mechanism to keep politics and political parties away from these unions.”

Takeaway

Human societies have evolved only because they eventually agreed to stick to certain rules of civility for the common good of the species. Just like every human being has his or her pros and cons, students unions have both advantages and disadvantages. It is also true that in Pakistan’s case, the majority of positives that the unions ever possessed were overshadowed by the violence that was fed into them by forces that exploited them for their own vested interests.The right to associate is a basic democratic right of every citizen. And a regulatory framework/mechanism ensures that that right is protected from powers that aim to use it for their own gains, either through fear, wealth or force.

The VCs might be hinting at similar reservations when they talk of framework and regulation of student unions to keep political forces at bay. But with the power to make those laws and working rules resting squarely with the political leadership, it is unlikely that politics ever remain out of student-union equation.

Additional commentary by Azam Mahmood