Manifesto-APTTA-Dr-Ijaz-Ali-V2.pdf - Dr. Atiq ur Rehman

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APTTA Election 2021 Manifesto of the team led by Dr Ijaz Ali While thinking about a broader range of issues that are seriously affecting the TTS community across the country, our goal is to work for the betterment of the community to the best of our abilities to resolve the longstanding issues. I (Dr. Ijaz Ali), being the APTTA presidential candidate, would like to present myself and other team members along with the manifesto to request the support and vote of all respectable colleagues in the APTTA election 2021. Introduction: My name is Dr Ijaz Ali, Associate Professor, Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad and I am contesting for the position of President APTTA in the election 2021. My experience and skills: I am among the founder members of the Academic Staff Association of COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) and currently serving the association of more than 2000 faculty members as General Secretary. I am also elected member of the Academic Council of CUI for a three-year tenure. I have served academia in many capacities including a member of DTRC of eight universities, a member of the TTS scrutiny committee at CUI, member of the Technical Review Committee and Project Awarding Committee of Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF), member board of faculty, board of studies, Scrutiny and quantification committee and selection board at different universities. Being an active member of the TTS scrutiny committee at CUI (holding the highest number of TTS faculty members in any university), I am well aware of the TTS problems at the grass-root level and managed to resolve many pending endorsement cases at CUI as a team member. Also, I have worked as Head of the Biotechnology Division at the Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Agriculture University Peshawar and served as Research Officer at the National Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab Lahore. I write in many national newspapers including Express Tribune and Frontier Post on different academic issues being faced by the Higher Education sector of Pakistan. What we plan to do if elected: Owing to the vast experience of our team in dealing with matters related to TTS and other academic issues, if elected we would aim to work for the following issues and their resolution: 1. Regularization of TTS and Reforms: The important points include: a. Efforts for regularization of TTS from Ministries of Finance, Law and Human rights while ensuring the protection of fundamental rights as provided by the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. b. Pay protection/enhancement for the TTS community (as a consequence of efforts for the unified pay structure for universities). Follow up on salary issue at HEC, Finance Division and the Pay and Pensions Commission on an urgent basis. c. Bringing the TTS statutes in conformity with international labor and human rights laws through a consultative process with stakeholders. d. Demand for a complete rewrite of the TTS model statutes incorporating all modifications since 2008. e. Approval of model TTS rules and regulations outlining implementation policies and procedures covering key aspects of TTS including: • job security • due date promotion/endorsement • leave policy as per Govt. of Pakistan leave rules • eradicating the culture of victimization, nepotism and favoritism • revisitation of endorsement policy • adoption of pension policy for TTS faculty • adoption of all benefits/policies (as practiced by Govt. of Pakistan) for the family of TTS faculty in case of ‘death of TTS employee’ • Demand for properly defined minimum standards for workspace and research facilities at campuses and regular TTS Compliance audit of Universities through inspection committees consisting of members for HEC and TTS faculty to ensure implementation and report and address TTS relayed grievances 2. Promoting Quality Research: a. A fair and result-oriented system of Quality Enhancement at universities and the HEC. b. Fair and transparent funding opportunities for university teachers through blind review of research proposals. c. Enhancing the start-up grant for early-career TTS faculty d. A broader policy of research quality measuring parameters including the solution of issues being raised due to HJRS with the consultation of stakeholders. e. Inclusion of PhD and MS supervision in TTS criteria in lieu of publications. 3. Strengthening Autonomy of Universities: a. Restricting the unlawful interference in the affairs of the universities in the form of re-endorsement of TTS cases by HEC. 4. TTS Faculty Representation in Policy Making: a. A strong representation of TTS faculty will be demanded in statutory bodies and other relevant forums of Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan and Higher Education Departments (HED) of Provinces for; framing policies and plans for TTS; effective participation of TTS community in national policies for education, health, environment, food and other Science & Technology sectors. b. Demand for the inclusion of elected representatives of TTS faculty in the Commission by restructuring the composition of the Commission through constitutional amendment from the parliament. 5. Other plans include: a. Addressing the exploitation of TTS and IPFP faculty members by universities and HEC. b. Developing good working relationships with other faculty associations for the betterment of academia at the national level. c. Making APTTA a democratic national level association that can work with collective wisdom and leaving APTTA in better form at the end of tenure. Working plan: a. Data collection from all universities on the number of TTS faculty at all universities. Preparing a detailed report on the current state of the entire TTS system. So that matters could be discussed with HEC with concrete statistics, facts and figures. Preparation of a country directory of TTS faculty. b. Formation of multiple tasks forces/ committees comprising of experienced and committed faculty members to assist the council in the following areas: • to draft the new statutes, rules, regulations and policies. • to work for quality enhancement parameters. • pursue the salary proposal at HEC, Finance Division and Pay and Pension commission and seek expert opinion on the implications of the proposal. • to develop linkages with other faculty associations for the betterment of academia. • to address victimization and exploitation of TTS faculty members at university and HEC levels. c. Publishing articles in the national press on TTS issues and highlighting the problems in electronic media for the consideration of authorities. d. Mobilizing the TTS community for the adoption of all possible means under the provisions of law of the land for the resolution of TTS issues, if so required. All the above is not possible at all, unless and until each and every one of you supports the cause, not just on Election Day, but every day after that. May Allah bless us all. Thank you for reading the manifesto and feel free to contact us with any question/comment/suggestion about ideas at [email protected]. Your right CHOICE will strengthen APTTA EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE WISELY Team Members Dr. Muhammad Abdul Wasay Candidate for Vice President Assistant Professor University of Agriculture Faisalabad Dr. Khalid Khan Candidate for General Secretary Assistant Professor Islamia College Peshawar Dr. Tahseen Abbas Candidate for Information Secretary Assistant Professor University of Education Faisalabad Campus Dr. Zia ur Rehman Candidate for Finance Secretary Assistant Professor COMSATS University Islamabad Abbottabad Campus Dr. Muhammad Ahmed Shehzad Candidate for Joint Secretary Associate Professor Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan Dr. Muhammad Arshad Candidate for Executive Member of Islamabad Associate Professor International Islamic University Islamabad Dr. Manzoor Hussain Candidate for Executive Member of AJ & K Assistant Professor Women University of AJ & K Bagh Dr Sajjad Hussain Candidate for Executive Member of Punjab Associate Professor Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan