Faculty, staff, and students of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) at the University of Karachi (UoK) have expressed serious concerns over alleged interference by influential donors and former directors in the center’s administrative matters.

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During a press conference held at the Karachi Press Club on Thursday, prominent faculty members, including Prof Dr Asmat Saleem, ICCBS Action Committee Deputy Convener Muhammad Ali Kazmi, and Safeer Muhammad, called for the Sindh Chief Minister to take immediate action against individuals allegedly meddling in university affairs. They highlighted that donors Nadira Panjwani, Aziz Jamal, and former ICCBS Director Dr Iqbal Choudhary were influencing key administrative decisions, disrupting the academic environment of the center.

The controversy revolves around the appointment of a new ICCBS director, with faculty members claiming that efforts are being made to hire an outsider through public advertisements. The speakers stressed that such a move violates the Act and Code of the University of Karachi, which stipulate that one of the three senior professors currently serving at the center should be promoted to the director position. They urged the Vice Chancellor to convene a Senate meeting to ensure the model statutes are enforced at all university centers.

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End of Dr Choudhary’s Controversial Tenure

The executive board of ICCBS removed Dr Iqbal Choudhary on September 4, 2023, after extending his tenure by an additional four years following his official retirement in 2019. Faculty members claim that since his removal, the academic environment has significantly improved, with over 100 students completing MPhil and PhD degrees in a short span.

The speakers alleged that Dr Choudhary’s extended tenure of 22 years—which they claim was not authorized by the university’s governing bodies—was marked by mismanagement and exploitation of staff. They argued that the arbitrary actions of the former director caused severe distress among faculty, employees, and students.

Legal Action and Capitalist Influence

The faculty criticized donor Nadira Panjwani for issuing legal notices to 135 Senate members, including the Vice Chancellor, and 150 staff members of ICCBS in an attempt to influence administrative decisions. The speakers said that despite these notices, no action was taken, leading to frustration among university employees.

They warned against the appointment of a “compliant” director, noting that 111 objections were documented in a Special Audit regarding Dr Choudhary’s alleged misconduct. “We will not allow anyone to bend the rules for personal gain,” they said, emphasizing that restoring Dr Choudhary’s control over the center would harm the institution’s academic progress.

Call for Senate Intervention

The speakers demanded that the university’s Senate meet urgently to stop the undue interference of wealthy donors and retired professors. They stressed the need for a consistent policy across all university centers to safeguard the integrity of the institution.

“The appointment of a puppet director will not serve the university’s interests,” they declared, adding that the Vice Chancellor must enforce model statutes to protect ICCBS from further administrative turmoil.

This latest dispute underscores broader tensions between the university administration and external stakeholders, raising concerns about governance and the future of higher education at the University of Karachi.