The construction of the UNESCO Chair was stopped at the University of Karachi on the orders of the Director of ICCBS
In Karachi, the internationally acclaimed University of Karachi, home to Pakistan’s top-notch scientific research institution, the ICCBS (International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences), has appointed Dr. Farzana Shahin as the Director of the prestigious institute within the first row of Pakistani scientists.
This appointment, issued either on a temporary or interim basis, has been officially notified with the approval of Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Khalid Iraqi.
Following the execution of this decision, the possibility of the reappointment of the former director, Dr. Iqbal Choudhary, seems to have diminished. It is revealed that Dr. Farzana Shahin, under the auspices of a three-member committee report, has initiated further construction under the ICCBS for the UNESCO Chair building.
It is clarified that the UNESCO Chair is a “B” type for which UNESCO does not provide funds; instead, it only confers the title. The responsibility for the funds lies with the institution that holds the title of the chair.
Dr. Farzana Shahin, the interim head of the ICCBS, was appointed as the Acting Director for a three-month period in September. The tenure of her appointment was scheduled to conclude on September 11, but due to restrictions on appointments by the Election Commission, immediate and permanent appointments on solid grounds were not possible through the Selection Board.
Recall that the directorship of the ICCBS became vacant after the completion of Dr. Iqbal Choudhary’s four-year term on September 11. Dr. Ata-ur-Rahman had been serving as the director of the institution since his retirement in 2003, continuing until 2019. After his retirement, he was reappointed for another four years in 2019. However, due to some employees seeking legal action over his rights, Dr. Iqbal Choudhary’s term was not extended, and Senior Professor Dr. Farzana Shahin was given charge for a three-month period.
Subsequently, during this period, the Vice-Chancellor of the University extended the temporary extension. It is also mentioned that due to unfavorable conditions, former HEC Chairman Dr. Ata-ur-Rahman has also parted ways with Dr. Iqbal Choudhary, and Dr. Iqbal Choudhary has voluntarily stepped aside from the director’s position, stating that he can only provide his opinion as a patron of ICCBS in academic matters; his input will be considered as interference in administrative matters.
