NCA varsity status left in the lurch

The National College of Arts (NCA), one of the premier institutions of the country imparting education in fine arts, architecture, textile design, filmmaking, musicology and culture studies, is facing uncertainty regarding its university status. Faculty members say the notification of the elevation of the institution's status to university has not yet been issued. The tenure of NCA Principal Murtaza Jafri ended on April 30, but he says he will now serve as the first Vice Chancellor of the university. However, sources in the educational institution said a research associate, Rao Dilshad Ali, had submitted an application to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), complaining that the principal has not relinquished his post after the end of his tenure. He stated that the principal had retired from service in March 2018, following which he got an extension for four years. The extended term ended on April 30 this year, he reportedly stated in the application. The previous government declared NCA a university last year. According to Dr Jafri, under an amendment to the NCA Act, he is now the VC for the coming five years. "The amendment envisaged that the incumbent principal of NCA shall be the first VC and I was the incumbent principal, so now I am the VC of the NCA for five years," he said while talking to The Express Tribune. However, an official of the federal education ministry said the PTI government did amend the NCA Act last year but as per a letter issued on March 7 by Federal Education Secretary Naheed S Durrani, there was ambiguity regarding the selection of the VC. The official said the act of 2021 would be revised. Through proposed amendments, the tenure of the VC of the NCA is being reduced to four years. Published in The Express Tribune, May 22nd, 2022.

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